Page 83 of Bear Creek Valentine
Saturday
CLOSED FOR THE MOVE. Reopening Monday at our original downtown location!
Large signs covered the glass at D2, similar to the ones at the shop announcing the event. Serena updated the website to indicate whenDeliciouswould reopen and resume online orders. Before shutting down the production line, Leo and his crew had cranked out a prodigious amount of product to tide them over until the machinery was up and running again. Chet and Hayley, Ginger’s part-time employees, worked the satellite location while she helped in Bear Creek.
Leo and Hudson remained at D2 to supervise the movers as they transferred equipment, supplies, and the contents of the freezers. Skip and Cooper used the delivery van to shuttle the product over in sealed tubs, where it would remain until the move was complete. Afterward, they transferred Leo’s boxed-up office, the rolling carts, and anything else left behind. Meanwhile, Aiden and Dash oversaw the receiving end of things—directing movers as the trucks arrived, guiding employees asthey put things away, and ensuring proper placement of the production machinery and equipment.
Transferring everything from D2 to downtown took most of Saturday morning. Once the movers did their part, Aiden ordered pizza for lunch and they gathered in the new employee breakroom. Beneath the laughter and conversation ran an undercurrent of excitement. Their shiny new surroundings explained part of it, but they were also on the cusp of a new beginning. Despite troubles, drama, and a continuous string of changes,Deliciousnot only survived, but came through bigger, better, and stronger. They were enormously proud of themselves, and justifiably so in Aiden’s thinking.
He and Dash sat together, polishing off the two extra-large meat lover’s pizzas Aiden ordered for him. The big bear had worked up an enormous appetite, using his shifter strength to move heavy equipment and boxes all morning, and he rumbled quietly while refueling. Dash seemed preoccupied today, as he was last night, and Aiden wondered what was on his mind. They hadn’t a chance to talk—busy as one-armed paperhangers and surrounded by people.
With everything now transferred over, Aiden handed out unpacking assignments before returning to D2 with Leo and the delivery van. Their task was to go over the building with a fine-tooth comb and then close it down safely. They found a few odd things that had been overlooked, but now the place was empty and quiet. They shut off the walk-in cooler and both freezers, leaving the doors open to prevent mold.
The rented display cases up front were to be returned as soon as the company arranged for pickup. Everything else remained with the building for the new owner—as soon as Dash found one. After Glen Wahl revealed that he’d spoken to Aiden’s old boss, he’d called the man to let him know the building would soon be available. Someone with his talent and experience wouldbe a tremendous boon to the restaurant scene in Bear Creek, assuming he wanted to strike out on his own.
The afternoon flew by as they focused on getting the production facility set up and stocked. Aiden, Leo, and Skip worked on the candy-making machines while Dash helped Hudson and Cooper rearrange the coolers and freezer. Toby stayed busy setting up the new shop kitchen while Blanche cleaned and stocked the bathrooms and breakroom. Serena and Ginger began the arduous task of disinfecting the shop, including the floor, display cases, countertops, and cupboards.
The same process had also begun next door, as they swept, mopped, and cleaned everything on or around the production floor. Sanitary conditions were required before making any sweets, and the machines themselves needed calibration and testing first. Aiden wanted to have all the prep work done today so they could try a limited production run tomorrow. Much to everyone’s relief, they reached their goal shortly after five o’clock. Aiden thanked his dedicated crew and sent them home with instructions to report back at eight a.m.
“I wish none of us had to work tomorrow, but it’s the only way to be sure we’re ready to open on Monday. If nothing goes wrong, we should be done by noon. Either way, lunch is on me.”
Aiden and Dash remained behind for a detailed walk-through, clipboard in hand to note things that needed to be done or fixed. The crew did an awesome job, and aside from some mixed-up supplies and a bucket of dirty mop water, they found very little to add to the list. They checked and locked all the doors, turned out the lights, and Aiden prepared to set the alarm when Dash stopped him.
“Turn on the new sign, love. Let everybody know you’re back.”
Aiden was going to wait until opening day, but this was a special moment they could share together. None of it would havebeen possible without his mate’s help anyway, so Aiden flipped the switch. They stepped outside through the shop’s new front entrance and found the outside brick wall awash with a warm lime-green glow.
Dash curled an arm around Aiden’s waist, rumbling with pleasure.
“It looks great. I bet you can see it all the way down the block. I’m really proud of you.”
Aiden turned and kissed him, right there on the street in front of God and everybody. A car horn interrupted the smooch, and they looked up to see DeeDee Tillman cruising past, gloved hand waving through the open driver’s side window. One of the shopkeepers directly across the street was also watching and hollered at the couple.
“Way to go, Aiden. Kiss him again!”
Aiden’s red facecouldbe blamed on the cold winter air, and he did kiss Dash again before they closed up and went home.
Chapter 30
Later that night
“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?”
Dash had just returned from a ramble through his territory to avoid the uneasy silence between them. Aiden was waiting for him in the bedroom, propped up on the bed, reading a book. Dash slipped back into his clothes and climbed in to snuggle with his mate. Aiden left the question hanging, certain that Dash would answer in time. After a bit of growly indecision, he spit it out.
“There’s something I should have explained about Harv and Valentine’s Day. He used to make a big deal out of it for me, but he died on the eleventh of February that year, and I’ve never liked it since. You haven’t said anything, so I got to thinking somebody told you, and you were afraid to ask me. Maybeyoulike to celebrate it but thought it would upset me. I don’t know, and I was going to wait until after the move was over to say anything. I’m sorry for not telling you earlier.”
Aiden did the strangest thing. He heaved a sigh ofreliefand kissed Dash over and over, as though he were apologizing. Moments later, he did.
“It’s okay, love. I already knew why you didn’t like Valentine’s Day, and I was trying to find a way to talk to you. I can understand why you dislike it, and I never did either. It just reminded me I was alone.”
Dash pulled Aiden closer, nuzzling his neck.
“Really? So, am I supposed to get you stuff and everything? I will if that’s what you want, but with Harv, it was the other way around.”
Aiden didn’t respond right away, and his scent changed to one of concern.
“Let’s talk about it later. Right now, I’d like to show you something.”
