Page 9 of Promise Me

“Brooke!” I call out. I shimmy between some stacked boxes that are taller than me and then step over another. “What’s happening back here?”

“Hey!” She pokes her head out with a big smile. “So, um, I think there was a mistake on the order.”

“What?”

She hands me the packing slip, and I quickly notice that the entire order is double what it should have been.

“Oh, crap.”

“Yeah.”

“This is fine,” I say, nodding like a broken bobblehead. “I can make extra for a couple of days and give them away around town.”

Brooke lets out a huff. “That’s so much work, and you’ll lose money. Not to mention, I’m leaving for my sister’s wedding tonight and won’t be here for the next week to help you.”

“Swear to me right now that you will not think about work while you are gone. You are her maid of honor, and she needs you to be focused. Plus, I’m not worried about the money.”

Maybe just a little.

“I’m worried about all of this going to waste,” I say before she can think of another way to argue with me over this.

All we need to do is figure out where to store everything.

The fire I had to find Mrs. Whittaker fades. I can’t leave Brooke alone with this mess. This will take time, and she has a flight to catch in Wind Valley tonight.

“Let’s get this put away and cleaned up.”

I blow out a breath. This is a minor setback, but my goal is still the same.

That place is mine.

I remove my phone from my back pocket, typing out a quick text to my brother.

Sadie

Can we set up a meeting to talk about the spot next to the bakery?

His reply is instant.

Linc

I wasn't kidding when I said I was only putting up the sign. She wants to sell it herself. Dad agreed that the company would help her in certain areas, but she wants everything else to go through her.

Linc

Her number is on the sign.

Even better.Mrs. Whittaker loves me, so if I don’t have to go through my brother, my chances just increased.

I clap my hands.

“Let’s get to it. I have a storefront to buy.”

Turns out,Linc sent that same message to Hudson.

As soon as most of the boxes are put away, Brooke shoves me toward the front door. Of course, Hudson is leaning against the window of the space between us, his attention on the phone in his hand.

I take a breath before I step out the door.

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