Page 80 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

A tear streaked down Lily’s cheek. “Aw, Mom. Thank you.”

“I mean it. But I still think you’ll win, and I’m not going to lie. Seeing the look on Martha Kelley’s face when you do willnotmake me overly sad.”

Lily pulled away, giving Mom a knowing look. “I thought you said the feud was silly.”

“Did I?” Mom winked, moved back to her fudge slicer, and resumed her duties. “I’m just kidding. I do think it’s silly—especially since my daughter has fallen for a Kelley.”

Lily froze. “Wha?—”

“There’s no need to deny it,” Mom said, slicing as if she hadn’t just rocked Lily’s world with that statement. “I knew from day one that it was a possibility.”

Lily slumped onto a barstool near the counter, the unassembled boxes to her left. “I didn’t mean to. I assure you, I tried very hard not to.”

Mom’s laughter warmed the space. “How does someone trynotto fall in love?”

“I reminded myself of all the ways it could never work. I mean, we don’t even know what will happen with the fudge shop.”

“You can always hire him when you win.” Mom lidded the full box. “Hand me another empty.”

When you win. Mom really did think she could do it.

She passed Mom a box. “I thought of that, actually. Seeing if he’d work here with me. But I don’t know if he would, not with a great job waiting for him in Chicago.”

“Didn’t you tell me he wasn’t sure they’d hold it for him?”

“As of last week, his boss still wants him back. And I can’t help but wonder if that’s what’s meant for him. Will a fudge shop really keep him happy when he’s always been ambitious for more?”

Wouldshekeep him happy?

“He’s a grown man, Lily. He can make his own decisions.”

“Maybe.” She blew out a breath. “He says he wouldn’t resent me if he doesn’t win, but how could he not? The only reason he really did all this in the first place was to save his grandma’s house. How would he not be upset if I won and took that from him?”

“So rent it back to her. Better yet, just give it to her.” Mom looked up at her. “Even if you weren’t head over heels for a Kelley, you’re too kind-hearted to kick an old woman out of her home anyway.”

The words smacked Lily in the chest. “Of course I always felt terrible at the idea, and kind of assumed I wouldn’t win. But I can’t afford to live anywhere else, and I don’t want to stay with you and Dad forever—no offense.”

“Sure, sure.” Mom winked. Then she waved the slicer in the air. “Why not have Cody help you fix up the storage room overhead? There’s plumbing up there already, and it would take some work, but surely you could find a way to convert it to a decent living space.”

Lily blinked. It was the perfect solution—if she did actually win. “Mom, you’re a genius!”

“I have my moments.” Mom pretended to bow. “So are you going to tell Declan? Maybe it would relieve some of his tension.”

Lily placed another sheet of parchment paper into her box and started a second row of fudge. “Maybe I will. Or maybe I’ll surprise him with it if I win. Soften the blow of defeat.” She grinned.

“That’s a nice idea too.”

Hmm. A nice idea indeed.

They worked in silence for another half hour. Finally, Mom added another lid. “I think that’s all of them. Those are winners, right there.” Mom held up her hand for a high five and Lily gave it a pat. Interlocked their fingers.

“Thanks again, Mom.” Lily gave Mom’s hands the gentlest of squeezes, aware of the tenderness.

Mom released her hand and gave her another hug. “What’s next?”

“You can head home. I’m just going to get all these placed into those large boxes and stage them for easy transport in the morning.”

“I can help you finish up. Dad’s grilling tonight, so I don’t need to be home just yet.”

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