Page 9 of If You Loved Me

It scared me.

Having those feelings of sadness creep in again. Having them latch into my mind like a ball and chain that felt much too heavy to carry. It was a constant battle for so many years of my life. Having parents who didn’tunderstand me—whochoseto not understand me—took a bigger toll than I was willing to admit to myself.

But when Theo left for law school, my parents found a way to shift their focus from me to their perfect son. The one who was doing everything right. Most people would probably think that I’d be envious of Theo. That I’d be angry he was getting all the positive attention.

But I loved it.

Selfishly, I loved it.

The more attention he got, the less time my mother spent trying to make me second-guess my life choices.

Now, things would be different. There was already a shift in me where all my focus was being pulled to tomorrow night and what brutal battle would be fought over the dinner table.

The bell over the front door of the bakery saved me from my torturous thoughts and for the first time all morning, a genuine smile graced my lips as I saw Mrs. Sheehan step through the front door, her large wagon dragging behind her.

“Hi, Mrs. Sheehan! How’re you doing this morning?”

“I’m doin’ just fine, dear. But I’ll be doin’ even better once I have my hands on those famous chocolate chip cookies of yours. I can never keep my ice cream sandwiches in stock when I use your cookies, you know.”

Always striving to help others, Mrs. Sheehan had started purchasing my chocolate chip cookies a few years ago for her ice cream sandwiches instead of getting them cheaper from the store. Her support came during a time when Ithought I was going to have to shut down the bakery and I was forever grateful.

“I can’t let my cookies take all the credit for that. Your ice cream is the best in the state.”

She waved her hand at me as crimson blossomed on her cheeks. “Oh shush. You’re making this old woman blush.”

“It’s true! And everyone in this town is thankful for it.”

“Hm,” she huffed. “I just wish I would have been smart like you and decided on something people wanted year-round. The first chill of fall has barely made its way through and people are already starting to shy away from the parlor.”

I started loading the boxes of cookies into her wagon as she dished her credit card from her wallet and continued, “Business is always great during the spring and summer months, but these mountain folk don’t want a thing to do with ice cream when late fall and winter rolls around. Thankfully, the summer months help me squeeze by.”

“Well, I know everyone is going to love having your ice cream sandwiches at the grand opening today. It will be the last hurrah before the cold settles in.”

With the final box of cookies in her wagon, I straightened just as she said, “I am so proud of our sweet Willow Mae. Using all the money she has to do something good in the world. It takes a strong person to go through the trials of life and come out the other side still willing to give more.”

“She’s pretty wonderful,” I agreed. “I’m really lucky to call her my best friend.”

“And she’s lucky to have you as well, Sarah. I remember a time when Willow was the odd one out and you chose tobefriend her. To give her a safe place amongst a pack of wild wolves. It takes a brave person to go against the grain and extend a hand to others, knowing that it will likely make you the odd one out too.”

I reached for her hand, feeling a swarm of emotions clog my throat. “Thank you for saying that, Mrs. Sheehan.”

The twinkle in her eye told me she understood just how much her kind words impacted me. It wasn’t a secret that my parents were disappointed in me. Especially since they made their opinion known every chance they got.

“I just call it as I see it.” She gave my hand a quick squeeze before letting go and grabbing the long handle of her wagon.

“I’ll be seeing you at the opening. I need to get a head start on these sandwiches so they have time to harden before I transfer them to the coolers.”

“See you there.” I waved goodbye to her as she made her way through the door and got back to work on the cupcakes I was bringing.

As I piped the last ring of icing, I was still feeling thankful for Mrs. Sheehan’s kind words and how they’d come at just the right time.

The entire town had come to watch the grand opening of theHope for All Orphanage’snew home. In astroke of cosmic luck, my best friend had been given her grandmother’s estate after she passed away. I knew it was difficult for Willow to have her entire life change for the better at the hands of a woman she hated. But she was working her way through it and I was beyond proud to see all the good she was doing despite the circumstances.

The crowd was gathered on the front lawn of the expansive mansion with beautiful towering columns made of white marble that shot upward. The small wooden rocking chairs that lined the front porch—if you could even call it that—seemed out of place amongst the grand stature of the house.

It was similar to the one I grew up in, though I would have much preferred a smaller space like the home I had now. Sometimes the grandeur of a house took away from the natural beauty of everything else around it.

A large, bright red ribbon hung between the two columns that lined the entryway and in front of it Willow stood next to her fiancé, Johnny. Seeing the way he looked at her brought overwhelming joy to my heart. Two of my favorite people had faced all the odds against them and were still able to find a love I knew would stand the test of time and whatever future trials came their way.

---