Once Greg and I had walked with Rachel like that. She’d loved to swing and jump. In that moment, with her laughter surrounding us, our lives had been perfect. I didn’t even for a second consider that I’d one day be single again, that I’d be opening a cafe all by myself. My life was so very different, and yet, it was just as perfect.
“All set, Mom. I think everything is ready.” Rachel handed me a list that had all of the items checked off.
“Thank you so much.” I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tight. “Have I mentioned that I absolutely adore you?”
“Yes.” Rachel laughed and wiggled her way out of my grasp. “Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”
“Not even after you go to college in two months?”
“Not even then. I’ll have tons of laundry to bring home, remember?” She winked.
“I hope so. I’m going to miss you.”
“You’re going to be too busy with all this to miss me.” She kissed my cheek. “I love you and I’m so proud of you.”
“Isn’t that my line?” I grinned.
“I mean it, Mom. After what happened with Dad—I don’t know—I guess I expected you to fall apart.”
“I did a little.”
“Maybe, but look what you’ve created. This is amazing.”
I looked around Common Grounds and had to agree. It really was amazing and it was mine.
“Alex, what do you want me to do with these?” Willow waved huge faux palm fronds through the air.
“Near the front door, please. Hopefully soon we can replace those with the real thing.”
“If you have a better touch with plants than I do.” Willow laughed.
“Well, you do have to water them.” I grinned.
“You forget for one month and all of a sudden you’re a plant killer.” Willow laughed as she arranged the fronds in a vase by the front door.
“Okay, everyone, thanks for all your help. Everything is ready for tonight’s opening. Let’s have some lunch!” I walked into the back and began unloading the catered lunch I’d ordered for the staff and friends that had been helping me.
As we dug into our meal, I tried not to let the fear creep up inside me. There was so much that could go wrong. But if I gave any energy to those concerns, then it might paralyze my ability to get anything done. I hoped that as long as I kept my focus on what would go right, everything would fall into place.
End of the preview.
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The Complete List of Lillianna Blake Books
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Then Comes Baby Page 12