Ava looked up. “I don’t accept them. You can’t get away with doing what you want when you want to. Not with me. I was your friend, and that was how you treated me. I’ve got nothing more to say to you. Now, if you want to have baked goods, then send someone else in. I don’t want any of you, nor Smokey, in my shop. Ever again.”
Her hands clenched into tight fists.
Raven nodded. “We understand.”
They each left the shop, and once they had, she breathed a little easier. Was it easy? Her heart raced, and she rushed to the shop door, flicking the lock into place and turning the sign to say she was closed.
She immediately went to her office, closing the door, dropping down into her chair, covering her face with her hands, and sobbing. The tears fell hard and fast. Uncontrollably. Each time she thought she was getting a little better, something would happen to make her realize she wasn’t getting anywhere.
Staying in Fort Clover was going to be hard enough. Seeing them every day. Allowing her child to go to the clubhouse. She needed to be able to be around them again. Until then, she was going to have to be strong.
She grabbed some tissues, wiping her nose and taking some fresh ones for her eyes. She composed herself before heading back out.
Opening the shop up once again, she waited for customers to come in. By three o’clock, she was sold out and about to close shop when a dark brunette rushed inside, knocking her over.
“Crap, shit, crap, I’m so sorry,” she said. “I know you don’t stay open too late because let’s face it, your baked goods are the bomb, but I didn’t mean to run you over like that.”
Ava chuckled. The woman helped her up. She vaguely recognized her but didn’t know her name.
“It’s quite all right. I was about to close up. I don’t have anything to offer you.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I’m vegan. I don’t eat anything with animal products in.”
“Okay,” Ava said.
“I was wondering if you still had a job opening?” she asked.
“What’s your name.”
“Oh, it’s Harlow Erickson. I’m nineteen years old, and I would really love to work here.”
Ava frowned and looked at Harlow. The woman was beautiful. She had thick, gorgeous, brown hair. Her arms were decorated in ink.
“Crap, I messed up. I left it too late, didn’t I?” Harlow asked.
“It’s not that. Honestly. You’re the first person to apply.”
“Does that mean I have the job?” Harlow asked.
“You’re a vegan.”
“So?”
“I bake with non-vegan products. Butter, eggs, cheeses, meat.”
“I can still serve, right?” Harlow asked. “You bake. I serve. I don’t mind. I just don’t want to eat it.” She smiled.
Ava found her charming in a strange way.
“Er, I’m not sure how this is going to work. You see, I’m pregnant.”
“Congratulations. I totally love babies.” Harlow rubbed at her stomach. “I bet she or he is going to be a cutie.”
Ava laughed, she just couldn’t help herself. “Are you like this all the time?”
“Oh, you mean, hyper, talk too much, and generally weird? Yeah, I’m like it all the time.” She shrugged. “The curse of living with six brothers who are all assholes. They’re not, but you get the drill. Believe me, you have to learn to stand out.”
“I really don’t know.”
“Please, I won’t let it interfere with selling. I’d like to learn as much as I can so I can also implement some of the skills within my own baking.”
“You bake?” Ava asked.
“Yeah. I happen to love being in the kitchen. My mom went a little bitchy when I told her I was vegan. She refused to cook for me, so I fed myself until she realized I can eat as good as anyone else.”
Ava was intrigued.
“You’re curious.”
“I don’t know how you can bake without, you know, milk, cream, eggs, butter.”
Harlow laughed. “A lot of people think that way. I’ve adapted. Believe me. I’m happier for it.”
“You’re hired,” Ava said. She didn’t even know why she said it. Asking for a vegan to work with her seemed like the biggest mistake of her life. She had never considered baking anything for a vegan.
Harlow let out a scream. “Hell, yes, I’m so excited. You’re the best, Ava.” Before she knew what was happening, she was pulled into the young woman’s arms. “I will be the best assistant you’ve ever had. I promise.” Next, she was kissed on the cheek.
Her enthusiasm was infectious.
“I’ve got to clean up.”
“How about I start today? I love to clean. I can clean anything. Honestly.”
“Okay, why not.”
For the next two hours, she showed Harlow around the small shop, teaching her how to clean certain items, washing everything down, keeping it sanitary. All the while, Harlow filled in the silent spots, talking about everything and nothing. She’d never known a woman to talk so much.