Page 38 of Love's Cure

“Not really. As I mentioned, others in town helped. GG, Whitney, Dani, and Taylor’s grandmother, made sure we could go to college with financial help and scholarships. Others, like Edie Bullard, who owns the hardware store, and her daughter, Sarah, helped with nice hand-me-down clothing, along with the Gilford girls. A little help here, and a little there from people in town made it possible. It’s one reason I never want to leave Lilac Lake. It, not my mother, made it home for us.”

“That’s unusual, but very nice,” said Emmett.

“You’ve met a lot of my friends, but you’ll meet more. Then you’ll see for yourself,” said Crystal. “Whitney and Dani’s sister, Taylor, is a well-known author. She and her husband are coming here for the rest of the summer.”

“I’ve heard stories about the Gilford girls,” said Emmett. “It seems they were a nice part of past summers as you were all growing up. They’re remarkable women.”

“Yes, very special friends,” said Crystal. “And whenever you visit The Woodlands, I hope you’ll make it a point to stop in and see their grandmother GG, Eugenia Wittner as often as you can.”

“Definitely,” said Emmett. He checked his watch and rose. “Are you sure I can’t pay for breakfast?”

“Positive,” Crystal replied, standing, holding back a sudden urge to kiss him for all he’d done for Misty and her.

His gaze remained on her face, and she observed a tenderness enter the way he was looking at her before he turned away.

The usual morning crowd entered the Café, along with some tourists, and Crystal’s attention was drawn to them. When she turned to give Emmett a wave, he was gone.

Later, during a brief lull, Crystal climbed the stairs to her apartment to check on Misty.

She went to the guest room and peered inside. Misty’s full suitcases were open on the floor. Misty was asleep on the bed, wrapped in her favorite pink blanket atop the queen bed.

Crystal stared at her, her heart filling with love for the sister who was more like a daughter to her. Misty’s long, straight, black hair fanned out across her white pillow. Though her eyes were puffy, it didn’t take away from her short straight nose and the full lips that covered her white teeth.

As if sensing Crystal’s presence, Misty stirred.

Crystal left the room and quietly closed the door behind her. Sleep would do Misty good.

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That afternoon, Crystalheld her first cooking class for middle schoolers who wanted to enter the Summer Faire baking contest. She was going to spend the next three days teaching them some basic lessons about baking as they made cookies, brownies, and finally, a cake. Twelve kids—nine girls and three boys—had signed up for the classes.

Misty entered the kitchen, which had closed for the day as Crystal was getting set up for the class.

“Need help?” Misty asked.

“Thanks. That would be nice.” Crystal explained what she was doing, and Misty easily stepped in to assist her.

“Feels a little bit like old times,” said Misty. “Remember how you used to teach me how to cook?”

“Yes, I wanted to be sure you could provide a healthy meal for yourself,” Crystal said, giving her a tender hug.

“Maybe I can help you in the kitchen while I’m here,” said Misty. “I can’t just sit around and scrounge food and a place to stay without repaying you in some way.”

Crystal studied her. “I’ve been thinking of hiring an assistant manager for the summer. Interested?”

“Yes. I’m thinking of staying here and applying for a teaching job in the area. Maybe even in Boston. I just want to be closer to you.”

“Okay, then, I’m going to call the Ogunquit theater and tell them I’ll take a supporting role in the traveling production ofSeven Brides for Seven Brothers. It’s going to play in Maine for eight nights in August.”

“That’ll work. I can take over for you while you’re gone. Helping you will still give me time to prepare for a teaching job. It makes me happy to be able to help you.” Misty smiled at her. “I remember how you loved the theater. A way for you to escape.”

“Yes, it still is. Nothing like becoming someone else for a while.” Crystal turned to the doorway as her cooking students arrived.

When all the kids had their special Café aprons on and stood in their assigned spaces at the long wooden table in the kitchen, Crystal introduced Misty and herself. She explained about the basic tools and supplies used in baking. She was especially glad to see Elise Sawyer in the group of children. She’d played the mouse in Whitney’s first community play, and her mother, Pam, and father, Tyrone, were both schoolteachers. Maybe they could help Misty.

“Today, we’ll make Chocolate Chip cookies. It’s a basic recipe that you can change by adding more than chocolate chips or changing up the chips for something else. Not only is it important to follow the recipe with the right ingredients, it’s important to bake them at the proper temperature. Fortunately, we have two large ovens to handle the cooking.”

The recipe had been enlarged and posted on a blackboard hanging on the nearby wall.

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