Page 118 of Make Mine Sweet
“You know it’s Daniel O’Grady?”
Wren shrugs. “Tess is a snoop.”
We laugh because she’s fooled nobody.
Mom glances to the side. “It’s been three years.”
Wren slaps both hands on the Formica table. “What? You rejected that silver fox hot cop for literal years?”
Mom laughs, but a hint of blush hits her cheeks. “It wasn’t easy. But that’s not quite my point in telling you all this. I don’t want you girls to live your lives in fear like I did for so long. I want you to be brave. Choose your own happiness.”
They both keep their eyes on me, since I’m the one in need of this life lesson. What’s that saying? A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what it was made for. I don’t want to live my whole life—or even the next twenty years—stuck in the same safe harbor because I’m afraid of storms.
“I love you girls,” Mom says. “I want all the best for both of you. I hope you know it.”
“We do,” I say with a nod.
Mom seems satisfied and starts to get up, but I take her hand to hold her in place. “We have more to talk about.”
“Oh. Okay. I’m ready.”
I’m not sure she is.
“I want to start a custom cake arm at Blackbird’s.”
Her mouth falls open, but she snaps it shut again. I’ll take that as a good sign.
“I love making cakes. I get a nice bonus from the private orders I get, but I want to make more than just a few a month. Moonlight Lodge has asked me to be their wedding cake vendor, and I agreed.”
Mom’s watching me as if she’s calculating costs and mapping work hours. “Wren and I won’t be able to keep up with our menu if you’re doing something else every day.”
“That’s easily solved,” Wren says. “We hire on another baker. Or two or three.”
Mom draws in a long breath. She looks to the front counter as though trying to imagine someone new standing there. “Doubling our employees? I don’t like having to rely on anyone else.”
“But then you could take more time off to be with your hot cop.”
Wren knows how to find a silver lining.
“The amount of money I could make on my cakes is significant,” I tell Mom. “I don’t want to do this without you guys. But I will if it’s my only option.”
She blinks hard at that. “I never wanted to be unfair to you girls. I was just trying…”
“To protect us,” I finish for her. “To keep us safe. But sometimes a little risk is worth it.”
“Ooh, look at us, going against type,” Wren says. “Mom kissed a silver fox, and you’re all about taking risks. Maybe I should go be nice to Callahan.”
“You really should,” Mom tells her. “I’ve heard how you talk to that man.”
Wren crosses her arms over her chest. “I changed my mind.”
Mom shakes her head at her, but she’s smiling too much for the scolding to stick. “I love you girls. I want the best for us—and Blackbird’s. Maybe we should give this a try.”
“Really?” I know she’s not a liar, but I need the confirmation.
“My friends have been encouraging me about this, too. Your cakes are popular around town—I get asked about them more than you can imagine. It’s a smart business decision.” Her eyes are suspiciously wet. “And I want to support you however I can.”
We do the least Krause-women thing ever and group hug.
