The Sea Star Bakery: A Willa Bay Novel

by Nicole Ellis

  “Thanks, Natalie.” Kyle answered the call from his client, happy to have a distraction from his internal debate. At this point in his career, he could do most tax planning in his sleep, but this at least provided something other than his personal problems to think about.

  At four thirty he wrapped up his work for the day and put on his jacket. A few of his co-workers, including Dana, were already waiting in the lobby.

  “Hey,” he said as he joined Dana and another one of the tax managers.

  “Hey.” She beamed at him, flashing a row of straight, white teeth. “I think we’re just waiting for John.” She looked past Kyle and smiled at a short man who’d just walked in. “Looks like he’s ready. Let’s go.”

  They filed out of the offices, which were located on the top floor of a three-story building in what was known as the business district of Willa Bay. Essentially, this area was about a block wide and contained all of the taller buildings in town, although none were over four stories high. Happy hour was usually at O’Reilly’s, an Irish pub down the street.

  In the pub, they crowded into a few tables and ordered drinks and appetizers. As he sipped the dark chocolate porter he’d ordered, he chatted with some of his colleagues. Everyone wanted to talk about the upcoming promotions, but thinking about being promoted made his head spin. Toward the end of happy hour, his co-workers left one by one to go home to their families or their extra-curricular activities.

  When only Dana and he remained, she got up and moved down the line of empty tables to sit across from him.

  “How’s it going?” she asked, sliding her glass of wine onto the table.

  He gave her a tired nod. “Fine.”

  “You look a little off tonight.” She tipped her head. “Is everything okay?”

  He sighed. “Yeah. It’s just been a long day. That, and all I have waiting for me at home is another beer.” He held up the beer he’d been nursing and smiled at her. “Are you heading out soon?”

  She grinned. “I don’t know. I was thinking about it, but maybe I’ll stay a while. You look like you could use some company.” She flagged down the waiter and ordered a basket of hot wings for them to share.

  He eyed her. “Don’t you always go to a yoga class or something on Fridays?”

  She shrugged. “It’s Pilates, but I can skip it. I’d rather hang out with you.”

  He sipped his beer. “Well, thank you, I guess.” He wasn’t sure whether he was grateful to have the company or depressed that she was taking pity on him for not having something more exciting to do on a Friday night.

  “Well, you don’t have to sound so excited about spending time with me.” She grinned to show she was teasing him.

  “I am glad you’re here.”

  The wings arrived, and he grabbed a piece of celery and dipped it in the small cup of blue cheese dressing. They chatted for another hour, and Kyle found himself enjoying the evening. He and Cassie used to have a cup of coffee after the kids went to bed and chat about everything under the sun – that is, before everything went haywire in their relationship. Talking with Dana wasn’t quite the same, but it was nice to have another adult to talk to outside of work.

  After they’d had a basket of French fries, another round of wings, and split the check, Dana stretched her arms out. “I’d better get home because I’ve got an early morning yoga class tomorrow.” She touched her flat stomach and laughed. “After pigging out tonight, I’d better not skip it.”

  “Sounds like a fun class.” He couldn’t imagine anything less fun than waking up early on a Saturday morning to exercise, but to each their own.

  “Oh, it is.” Her whole face lit up. “There’s something invigorating about being up before everyone else on a Saturday. It starts my whole weekend off on the right foot.”

  “Well, I’ll let you to it.” He hopped off his barstool and stretched his legs. They’d been sitting there chatting for longer than he’d realized. “Have a nice weekend.”

  Dana nodded. “Thanks.” She hesitated for a moment. “I had a great time with you tonight. Do you think you might want to do this again? Just the two of us?”

  His breath caught, and he blinked a few times. She was asking him on a date. “Sure.” He smiled at her. “I’d like that.”

  “Great.” She flashed him a toothy grin. “Let’s talk about it next week. I think it would be fun.”

  “I do too.” He almost choked on the words. Although he didn’t dislike the idea of going on a date with her, this was a new step he hadn’t anticipated. “See you Monday.”

  “See you.” She smiled at him again, then picked up her purse and exited the bar.

  Kyle waited a few minutes longer, then walked out to his car. He hadn’t given much thought to dating anyone, much less Dana, but the idea intrigued him. Unless he wanted to go home to an empty apartment for the rest of his life, it was about time to take a step toward his future.

  5

  Cassie

  “So, where did you want to go first?” Cassie stopped at the end of Celia’s long driveway and flipped her turn signal on to head toward town. “You said you needed groceries and had a few other errands to take care of, right?” It was supposed to be Cassie’s weekend with the kids, but Kyle had taken them to a special Minecraft exhibit at a museum in Seattle for the day. When Celia had asked for a ride to the grocery store, Cassie had been happy to help.

  Celia nodded. “I’d like to stop off at Edgar’s Bakery first, though. I’ve been craving one of his famous cinnamon rolls, and you know how fast they sell out of them on the weekends. Plus, with the nice weather, the tourists will be out in full force today.”

  Cassie’s stomach grumbled on cue, and she laughed out loud. She could almost taste the delicious spread Edgar used to coat his cinnamon rolls. It was a cross between cream cheese frosting and buttercream icing that she’d never quite been able to replicate. Maybe now that he was getting out of the business, he’d be willing to share his recipe.

  “Sounds like a plan.” She followed Willa Bay Drive for about a mile, then took a right onto Main Street, slowing considerably as she drove through town. Celia had been right to worry. At ten o’clock in the morning, many of the shops were just opening, but there were already hundreds of tourists and locals milling around the sidewalks and ambling over the crosswalks.

  Edgar’s Bakery was on the far end of Main Street, on the side opposite the river. In this area of Willa Bay’s downtown, the buildings were all attached to each other and had been designed in the Mediterranean revival style that had risen to popularity in the early 1900s. The bakery sported a yellow-and-white striped awning and wrought iron tables and chairs in front for patrons who wanted to eat their pastries outside. At the moment, they all were full. A dog sat under one of the tables, its tongue hanging out as it observed all of the commotion around them.

  A wave of sadness swept over Cassie. Edgar’s was a big part of the community and would leave a gaping hole in the social fabric of Willa Bay when it closed. She’d grown up going to Edgar’s every weekend as a child – it had been a post-church tradition for her family. Her favorite choice had been the shortbread cookies that were cut into seasonal shapes and decorated with a thick layer of multi-colored frosting. She’d passed the love for those cookies on to her own kids, and they’d all miss the delicious treats. Perhaps Lara, or whoever became the next owner of the bakery space, would offer cookies as well, but they wouldn’t be quite the same. Cassie may not be fond of Lara, but at least under her ownership, the space would remain a bakery and not be converted into another gift shop.

  Cassie found a handicapped parking space around the corner from the bakery, hung up Celia’s parking tag on the rearview mirror so she wouldn’t get a ticket, and helped the elderly woman out of the car.

  “It’s such a gorgeous day.” Celia admired the clear blue sky with her rheumy eyes, then grinned at Cassie. “I have a feeling it’s going to be a good day too.”

  Cassie laughed. “I admire you
r positivity.” She’d woken up that morning feeling a similar sense of well-being, perhaps due to the bright sunshine seeping through her open blinds, or in anticipation of a day off work without the kids. She and Celia walked slowly down the sidewalk to the bakery, sidestepping the large dog lounging next to its owner’s chair.

  Inside, a group of people waited patiently for their turn. A little kid had his nose smushed up against the glass case, staring at the cookies with eyes as big as saucers. Two employees were helping customers, and Edgar himself was in the middle of assisting someone. Celia waved at him when they entered, and he flashed her a grin to acknowledge their presence.

  The shop smelled amazing, with the aromas of warm baked bread, fresh fruit fillings in the Danishes, and, of course, the strong scent of cinnamon. Cassie and Celia stood off to the side, near the few tables by the window. The bakery wasn’t huge, but during non-busy times, it was a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy a cup of brewed coffee and a pastry. Cassie craned her neck to peer around the other customers, and let her eyes rove over the baked goods.

  She paused on the half-dozen or so cinnamon rolls remaining on a white paper doily. “Looks like there’s a few left if the people in front of us don’t take them first.”

  “I’m sure it will be fine,” Celia said calmly.

  Cassie was still trying to figure out what she planned to order, when Edgar made his way through the crowd to them. He was pleasantly plump, a side-effect from years of bakery ownership, and wore a flour-specked, royal-blue apron over a T-shirt and faded blue jeans. When Cassie was young, Edgar had worn his brown hair cropped close to his head. Now, a few wisps of gray hair formed a circle at the top of his pink scalp.

  He wrapped his arm around Celia and squeezed her shoulders gently. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m doing well,” she replied. “My hip is almost healed, and seeing the improvements at the Inn is giving me a new lease on life.” A far-off look came into her eyes. “I can’t wait to see it brought back to its former glory.”

  He nodded. “I know what you mean. I’m a little worried to see what happens with my bakery after we move to Arizona, but life is full of changes, right?”

  “Right.” Celia beamed at Cassie, which Cassie found odd. “Speaking of the bakery, is now a good time to talk?”

  He chuckled. “As good as ever, I guess.” He gestured to them. “C’mon back to my office. I’ve got those cinnamon rolls you wanted boxed up for you.”

  Cassie had a sinking feeling as she followed Celia and Edgar into the back of the bakery. Celia had told her she wanted to get there early so she could get cinnamon rolls, but it sounded like Edgar was expecting her. Something about this situation was fishy.

  They walked through the brightly lit main production room of the bakery and into a small enclosed office sandwiched into a back corner, across from a large supply closet.

  “Have a seat,” Edgar said, motioning to the two chairs across the desk from the one he was settling into.

  Cassie hesitated, not sure why they needed to sit to pick up some cinnamon rolls.

  Celia lowered herself into the nearest chair, then tugged on Cassie’s arm. “Have a seat, dear.”

  Cassie sat next to Celia, her body tense.

  “So, I hear you’re a wonderful baker,” Edgar said to Cassie.

  Cassie looked over at Celia, then blushed. “I hope I am. I love doing it.”

  Celia shook her head. “She’s being too modest. She’s the best baker I’ve ever met – excluding you of course.” Edgar smiled, and Celia continued. “Her cakes are absolutely flawless.”

  Cassie smiled slightly. “Thank you, Celia.” Her brain was going a hundred miles an hour. This felt like a job interview, which was odd because Edgar planned to sell his business soon. Even if she was looking for another job, surely he wasn’t in the market to hire anyone.

  Edgar’s steel-gray eyes bored into her face. “Are you interested in leasing the bakery from me when I move? Of course, you’re free to make any changes you’d like.”

  Cassie’s heart hammered in her chest. Lease the bakery? Of course she was interested, but her capability to do so was a different matter.

  “Um …”

  “She’s interested,” Celia said firmly.

  Cassie shot her a questioning look. “I am?”

  “Of course you are.” Celia sighed. “Stop being so afraid to go after what you want.”

  Edgar’s gaze moved between them as they spoke. “Cassie, is this something you want to do?”

  “Well, yes, but I can’t afford it right now. With the house and the kids, I’m already stretched too thin.” It made Cassie ill to say that out loud to Edgar. She was so close to grabbing what she wanted, but finances were holding her back.

  “I’ll give you the seed money for the bakery,” Celia said. “You can lease the space from Edgar and do some remodeling to make the place your own. When you’re wildly successful, you can pay me back.”

  Cassie’s eyes misted over. Celia really was a kind woman. “You’re assuming I’ll be successful. What if I never earn enough to pay you back?”

  “Oh, you will.” Celia folded her hands in her lap. “I have faith in you. You just need to have some faith in yourself.”

  Edgar slid a piece of paper toward Cassie, which contained the essential lease terms. She reviewed them, sucking in her breath at the monthly cost. It was more than she’d expected, but she’d probably been vastly underestimating the cost of leasing a building on Willa Bay’s Main Street.

  After he’d given her a few minutes, he asked, “So what do you think?”

  Cassie hesitated, and Celia patted her arm. “Cassie?” she prompted.

  A mixture of fear and hope welled up in Cassie’s chest. “I think I want to do it.”

  Edgar gave her a huge smile. “I’m happy to hear that. I think you’re going to be just the right person to take over for me. Willa Bay needs this bakery, but I wasn’t sure I’d find the right fit.”

  Something occurred to Cassie. “What about Lara Camden? I heard she was going to lease the space.”

  Edgar shrugged. “I gave her some information about the bakery lease, but that was about it. We hadn’t talked about it yet.” He cocked his head to the side. “Besides, something about her rubs me the wrong way. I’m not sure I would have wanted to give up my bakery to her.”

  Cassie fought to contain a smirk. Lara did have that effect on people.

  “So, what do we do next?” Cassie asked, looking around the small office as the realization dawned on her that this would soon be her office. Her stomach rolled, and she felt a little like throwing up. This was a huge undertaking, and she’d just agreed to it on a whim.

  Kindness emanated from Edgar’s eyes, as if he understood her anxiety. “I’ll get the paperwork, and you and Celia can sign it.” He stood and turned around to access a beige filing cabinet behind his desk, rifling through the folders. He plucked out a few sheets of paper that were stapled together, and set them on the desk before sitting down again. He turned them toward Cassie. “I need you to fill out your information at the top, then we’ll go over the terms again before you and Celia sign.”

  She nodded, almost in a daze, wondering what had just happened. She’d come in for cinnamon rolls, and maybe if she was feeling extravagant, a few iced cookies to take home to the kids. Now, she’d be walking out as the owner of a bakery.

  Celia squeezed her arm. “This is good for you, I promise.”

  Cassie nodded. She’d needed to find a new space to rent to make her cakes, and a bakery of her own had always been her dream, but this had come up faster and sooner than she would have liked. Still, maybe this was what she needed. She picked up a ballpoint pen from the desk and with trembling fingers, filled out her name, address, and other information.

  When she was done, Edgar went over the lease terms with them again, and both Cassie and Celia signed on the lines he indicated. After everything was complete, he made copies
of the lease agreement and handed one to each of the women.

  “I’m closing down my operations in a week, so that’s when your lease will start.” His eyes clouded and he sighed, looking slightly miserable. “I’ve been here for thirty years. I can’t believe this is the end.”

  Celia leaned over and rested her hand near his. “I’m sure you and Betsy will enjoy Sedona, though. Think of all the golf you’ll get to play.”

  He brightened. “I know. It’s just going to be a huge adjustment after having the bakery be such a big part of my life for so long.” He laughed. “What am I going to do at four o’clock in the morning now that I don’t need to come in to bake?”

  Celia laughed. “Sleep, perhaps?”

  He stood from his chair. “I am looking forward to sleeping in once in a while. But speaking of work, I’d better get back out there. Saturday mornings are crazy.”

  Cassie’s head buzzed as she exited the building, clutching the lease agreement in her hand. Celia had stuck the box of cinnamon rolls and her own copy of the lease in the basket of her walker and didn’t look shell-shocked in the least. Then again, this had all been Celia’s doing, so it wouldn’t have been a surprise to her like it had been for Cassie.

  I came in for cinnamon rolls and left with a lease, Cassie thought. What was Kyle going to say about that? She paused, causing Celia to bump into her. She and Kyle were divorced – she didn’t need to tell him about the bakery. So why was he the first person she wanted to tell the news to?

  When they were back in the car, Cassie took Celia to the grocery store, the library, and then back home.

  “Thank you, dear,” Celia said as Cassie set her groceries on the kitchen counter. “I really owe you one for all of your help today.”

  Cassie stared at her. “You helped me lease a bakery. I’m pretty sure I’m the one who owes you.”

  Celia shrugged. “Eh. It was the least I could do for you. And you deserve a chance to go after your dream. I have all this money from selling half of the Inn, and not much to spend it on. I couldn’t think of a better place to invest it in than you and your bakery. I’m sure it’s going to be a huge success.”