Page 47 of Pine Creek Lodge
They exchanged a grin as they descended together. Through the wide glass panes of the door, she could see an enthusiastic queue of locals huddled against the brisk Aspen morning. Seeing the community turn up for the bakery's reopening aftereverything—the fire, the grueling renovations, the uncertain months—was more than she dared hope for.
"They're here," Nat whispered, the words trembling on her lips. Sofia followed her gaze, her teasing smile softening.
"Of course, they are. This place is clearly a staple. They’d line up in a blizzard for your parents’ pastries." Sofia shrugged. “Going on the smell, so would I.”
Outside, the early morning light bathed the waiting crowd in a pale glow, catching on puffy jackets and woolen hats. Nat recognized faces among them—long-time customers, neighbors who'd offered kind words and casseroles after the fire, tourists who'd fallen in love with Aspen's best sourdough. A wave of gratitude surged through her, so overwhelming that she had to blink back tears.
She’d offered to help today, but her parents had insisted there was no need. The kitchen was small, and they’d only be in each other’s way. But she and Sofia had helped prepping last night, working until the early hours to make sure they were ready to go today.
Nat and Sofia had focused on everything they could prepare ahead without compromising the bakery's commitment to freshness. They’d arranged trays of ingredients, measuring out precise portions of flour, sugar, and other dry elements for the morning's batches, and assembled boxes, folding each one carefully and stacking them by the register. They’d cleaned every surface until it gleamed, polished the display case glass, and filled it with neatly labeled signs for each type of pastry and bread that would soon fill the shelves. They’d also restocked shelves with jars of house-made jams and honey, wrapped freshly molded butter pats in parchment paper, and lined baskets with crisp linen cloths. Sofia, wielding a calligraphy pen, had even hand-lettered a “Welcome Back” sign that now hung in the window.
They went in through the door in the hallway connected to the bakery. Her father was a blur of motion, orchestrating the final touches like a conductor guiding a symphony. Her mother, ever efficient, loaded trays of glistening pastries—croissants, danishes, cinnamon rolls—onto the display shelves with the kind of precision honed by decades in the business.
"Nat! Sofia!" Her mother called, catching sight of them at last. "Open the door, will you? You can greet the first customers with coffee. There are go-to cups, milk, sugar, and three large thermoses with coffee in the back."
As the clock struck seven, Nat pushed open the door, and the familiar tinkling of the old brass bell echoed in her ears. The line outside shifted, eager patrons pressing closer. Her father held up a hand, greeting the crowd.
“Welcome back,” he announced. “We’ve missed you all.”
The response was immediate—claps, cheers, and a chorus of “About time!” The warmth of their enthusiasm cut through the morning chill.
While Nat and Sofia busied themselves with serving coffee, Zoe appeared, stumbling through the front door. She was wearing a hoodie over her head, her hair sticking out at wild angles. "Sorry, I'm late," she mumbled, suppressing a yawn that made her eyes water. Nat burst out laughing, barely managing to point as Zoe lowered her hoody and frantically tried to pat down the mess atop her head.
"Did you even touch a brush this morning?" Nat teased.
Zoe rolled her eyes, her expression caught somewhere between irritation and amusement. "Some of us value every last second of sleep," she retorted, squinting against the morning light streaming in from the display windows. "Hey, Sofia, can you help me?" she asked. "We need to bring that table out front. It’s free cupcake and cinnamon bun time."
"Sure thing,” Sofia said. “I’ll help you with whatever you want, as long as you let me eat them." Sofia and Zoe carried the table from the bakery outside, and Nat watched as they maneuvered it through the narrow doorway, the sound of Zoe’s groggy complaints and Sofia’s chuckles mingling with the hum of the crowd outside.
As Zoe and Sofia rushed back and forth balancing trays laden with mini cinnamon buns and frosted cupcakes, the sleepy atmosphere outside turned lively. With the queue growing longer, Nat decided the waiting patrons needed their coffee to keep them warm. She moved the coffee station just outside the entrance, arranging cups, sugar, milk, and the hefty thermoses filled with strong, aromatic coffee. Within minutes, people were eagerly helping themselves, grateful hands wrapping around steaming cups as they chatted with neighbors.
Zoe deftly maneuvered around customers, offering warm pastries to everyone who passed by. "Try one! Fresh from the oven!" she called out, her voice rising cheerfully over the morning chatter.
Beside her, Sofia was working a different angle. “Come on, folks!” she called. “No better way to start your morning than with sugar and carbs. I can promise they’ll make you smile—unless you’re on a diet, in which case, I’m very, very sorry for your loss.”
Nat grabbed a cup of coffee for herself and poured one for Zoe and Sofia. She couldn’t hold back a laugh as she watched them—Zoe had taken to waving down even the most distracted tourists, imploring them to try a cupcake with the fervor of someone defending a national treasure. "Just one bite! Come on, don’t be shy!" she called.
Through the windows, Nat caught a glimpse of her parents in their element as they served customers, the air inside buzzing with warmth and familiarity. Her father was grinning broadlyas he handed out loaves of bread, and her mother, wrapping pastries with the speed of a seasoned professional, paused every now and then to exchange to chat to a regular. They looked so happy—so truly at home.
She knew how deeply they had worried during those five long months of closure, afraid that the bakery would lose its place in the hearts of their loyal patrons. The fire had not just threatened their livelihood—it had cast doubt on the future they’d worked so hard to build. But seeing the eager customers now, people lining up before dawn just to have a taste of their favorite baked goods, made it clear that nothing had changed. If anything, absence had only deepened the bond between the bakery and the community. Nat could only imagine her parents’ relief, knowing that their hard work and resilience had paid off.
“Don’t just stand there drinking your coffee!” Sofia called out, pulling her out of her thoughts. She handed Nat an empty tray. “We need more cupcakes! Chop-chop!”
Nat laughed, taking the tray from her. “So this is what you’re like when you’re in work mode? Boss people around?”
“What can I say? I’m good at delegating,” Sofia said humorously, leaning in to plant a quick kiss on Nat’s cheek. “It’s how I get shit done.”
Nat felt her cheeks warm, but she rolled her eyes playfully and headed back inside to reload. As she passed the busy counter where her parents were still serving, she caught her mother’s beaming smile. The scene around her was joyous, filled with community spirit. The bakery was alive again.
Epilogue
One year later
The lobby of Bergman’s Retreat glowed with the warm, golden light of late afternoon. Sunlight streamed through tall windows framed by rustic wooden beams, casting patterns across the wide-planked floors. A soft murmur of conversation rose from a pair of guests seated on one of the couches, enjoying their first welcome drink—a tradition Nat had established from day one. She liked to ensure each guest felt like more than just a booking. She wanted them to feel like family, even if only for a short stay.
Nat stood near the entrance, wearing a smile that came easily. Her hand briefly brushed against the carved wood of the reception desk as she watched her receptionist, Liam, expertly guide a couple through their check-in process. His easy manner and genuine interest made him perfect for the role, freeing Nat to focus on her true passion—the food and the bigger picture.
“Welcome to Bergman’s Retreat!” Nat greeted the new arrivals as they turned toward her. “We’re thrilled to have you here. Did Liam already mention the wine tasting tonight? It’ll feature a local vineyard, and trust me, it pairs beautifully with our small plates.”
