Page 68 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

“What? I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.” Rolling her eyes, Mom looked at Lily. “Mia and Cody are joining us for lunch. How about you?”

Lily shifted her purse from one shoulder to the other. “Thanks, but I think I’m going to head to the shop.”

Mom frowned, but nodded, patting Lily’s cheek. “Just don’t stay too long, all right? Everyone needs a day of rest. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re resting.” She winked. “Surely you learned that in business school.”

The words landed like a punch.

Maybe Declan deserved the fudge shop after all.

As her parents left through the front, Lily headed for the back door. She walked outside, the sunlight warming her skin. A large Dutch elm tree spread its branches over the manicured lawn with its surrounding walking path. Lily started to turn right, toward the concrete path that led to Jonathon Boulevard, but stopped when she heard her name being called from inside the church.

Well, she’dalmostescaped.

Turning, she found Tara Chamberlain approaching. Just like her daughter Jordi, the pastor’s wife was always the height of fashion, and today was no exception in her wide-leg trousers, silk blouse, beige kitten heels, and pearl hoop earrings. “Hey, girl.” Arms outstretched for a hug, Tara offered her a smile. “I was trying to get over and say hi before service started but you know how it is.”

“I don’t, actually,” Lily teased, accepting Tara’s hug. The woman smelled like lavender. “We can’t all be as popular as you.”

“Popular is one word.” Tara stepped down onto the sidewalk. “It’s mostly people wanting to complain about something either church-related or town-related.”

She smiled at that. “I saw Jeb’s in town?”

“Yes. Just for the weekend. He’s going hiking today with some of his buddies, and Arnie has a counseling session before he’ll head home. So.” Tara tilted her head with a sly smile. “Will you indulge me with a short walk around the green? It’s such a nice day.”

She didn’t fool Lily. “Did Mom ask you to check on me?”

“She might have mentioned you were having a rough time since that article released yesterday.”

Lily groaned. “It’s so embarrassing. And the worst part is, it’s true. My fudgewasterrible.”

And somehow, without meaning to—because Tara was justthatgood—Lily spilled the whole story about Mr. Mercer’s visit. The aftermath too. “It really, truly tasted awful. I still don’t know what happened.”

In the distance, historic Fort Jonathon overlooked the lake, its limestone walls standing thick and strong. Tara’s heels clicked on the sidewalk that meandered along the edges of the church’s property. She stopped and looked at Lily, her eyebrows pinched together. “Lily, you’re sure…well, I don’t want to suggest…Hmm.”

“What is it, Tara?”

“It’s only, you don’t think Declan sabotaged your fudge, right? I wouldn’t think him capable, but then again, your families have been fairly contentious over the years. Perhaps the pressure of the competition got to him?”

“No.” The answer came quick and sharp. “He wouldn’t do that.”

“You’re positive?”

“Yes.” Not a question in her mind. “This wasmyfault.Imessed up. When Declan told me I was in the lead last week, I couldn’t believe it. Maybe I got distracted.” She sighed. “I’m not sure I’m really cut out to be a business owner.”

“Now hold on right there.” Tara pulled out her mom voice, though it was still soft and pliable, caring. “Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean you throw everything away. You’re every bit as capable as Declan.”

“No, I’m not.”

Tara raised an eyebrow.

Aw, she’d already told her so much…“I failed out of business school because I was too focused on the creation process. I didn’t want to worry about the numbers, because the numbers were hard and I’m not naturally inclined toward them. But the numbers matter when you’re running a business.”

“They do. But they’re not everything. I’m guessing Declan is beginning to see that.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means you have something he doesn’t—a love for creation. A business isn’t ever going to succeed without true spirit and heart behind it.”

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