Page 23 of Courage, Dear Heart

Sabrina smacks him on the arm. “I am”—she points to herself with a thumb—“the best baker in the state.”

I like her immediately. I feel a kinship with her. It doesn’t matter we’ve never met before, and I don’t know her at all. She’s like sunshine, full of energy and light. The easy way she relates to Elliott and the affection they show for each other is real. Not for the first time I wish I had a sister. It might have been less lonely if I did.

Sabrina comes to me with open arms and pulls me into a hug. “You must be Jillian. Elliott’s told me lots about you.”

I hug her back. “I didn’t know he had lots to tell you about me.”

Sabrina steps to the side and kneels in front of Jamie, who’s now trying to hide behind me.

“I heard lots about you, too. My brother told me you’rean excellent bike driver. And that you love cupcakes, and you have a parrot called Daisy.”

Jamie’s eyes widen, and he glances up at Elliott. Elliott winks at him and smiles as if sharing a secret with him. Jamie smiles back, a little less shy—and to my surprise—he comes forward with his little hand extended. Sabrina takes his hand and shakes it with a big smile on her face. “Well, now that we’re all here, we can bake cupcakes.”

I push my shaking hands into my jeans’ pockets. “Thank you so much for having us. I’m sure you have better things to do with your free time than try to teach me how to bake. I fear this might turn into mission impossible.”

She waves her hand. “Nah, I had nothing to do. And any friend of Elliott’s is a friend of mine, too. Plus, I love teaching people how to bake.”

She walks toward the back of the bakery. “Come on, follow me.”

The scent of sugar and chocolate welcomes us. The kitchen is spotless. Stainless counters everywhere, bowls, pans, and ingredients are all organized on shelves along one wall.

Sabrina gives each one of us an apron. “Rule number one. Wash your hands.” She points to a faucet. We follow her, then wash and dry our hands with paper towels.

Sabrina bends at the waist. “Now, Jamie, you’re the boss today. What’s your favorite cupcake?”

Jamie’s mouth drops open as he looks at me.

Sabrina counts on her fingers. “We can make chocolate, carrot cake, red velvet, vanilla?—”

Jaimie nods furiously when she says vanilla.

“Vanilla?” Sabrina asks him, and Jamie signs yes.

“Vanilla it is. Follow me. You’ll be my assistant.”

Jamie follows her to the stainless-steel shelves, and she gives him several bowls, then looks at Elliott and me.

“You two can bring the ingredients. Get the sugar, flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder on that shelf over there. I already left the eggs and butter out on the counter to get to the right temperature.”

Elliott and I bring the labeled ingredient canisters and set them on the wide counter.

Sabrina points at the butter and eggs. “Rule number two, butter and eggs should always be at room temperature when making cupcakes.”

Jamie nods at everything she says. He might be half in love with her.

Sabrina shows us a printout of the recipe. “Rule number three, organize the ingredients in the order you’re going to use them. This way, you can make sure you have everything you need, and you don’t accidentally forget something.”

Jamie and I work together. Sabrina explains what we should do, but she herself does not partake in the baking.

Elliott drags a stool to the corner of the counter and watches us. “Do you want me to take some pictures?”

“Yes, please. I’d love some pictures.” I turn to Sabrina. “Is it okay?”

“Of course. Take as many as you want,” she says.

I look at my flour-covered hands and at myself.

“Let me help. Where’s your phone?” Elliott stands up.

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