Page 43 of Whisk Me Away

"It's all good. I was carrying way too many books anyways,” Mia smiled.

We hurried to our feet and began picking up the books from the floor. When they were all collected and placed on top of the bookshelf, we got to work creating the display Mia planned. At any given moment, two or three displays were set up around Hansons showcasing a specific book. Each display would show off a different genre. We were currently working on a new murder mystery that had just been released by one of our favorite authors.

As I sifted through the piles of books, their musty scent filled my nostrils, momentarily distracting me from the weight of grief that hung heavy in the air. Sorting and rearranging shelves had given me the perfect outlet, a temporary escape from the relentless ache in my chest. Mia stayed beside me, her presence a comforting anchor in the sea of emotions threatening to pull me under.

We worked in sync, our movements almost choreographed as we navigated the maze of shelves. Occasionally, a stray comment or shared joke would break the silence, but mainly, we exist in quiet companionship. I appreciated Mia's understanding and her unspoken acknowledgment of the pain I carried. She didn’t push me to talk about Mom's passing, knowing that when I was ready, I’d confide in her.

Instead, she offered me a safe haven, a space where I could lose myself in the monotony of tasks, if only for a few hours. It was a welcomed distraction, a respite from the overwhelming waves of grief threatening to consume me. With each book I placed on the shelf, I felt a semblance of control restored, a small victory in the battle against sorrow.

As the hours pass, the ache in my heart didn't fade, but it became more bearable, more manageable. Mia's presence was a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this journey of healing. And although the pain may never fully dissipate, I found comfort in the simple act of being productive—of moving forward one step at a time.

"When do you plan on going back to the bakery?" Mia's question broke the silence.

"Honestly, probably on Monday. Aspen has been doing such an incredible job, and I'm so thankful for her stepping in for me. There was no way I would have been able to keep Whisk Me Away afloat if not for her, but I'm ready to be back in the kitchen. I miss it."

Mia nodded her head in agreement. "I've stopped in every few days when I can get away from here, and she seems to be in her element over there. Everyone in town seems to like her. That little boy of hers is the cutest."

I smiled at the reminder of Aspen's son. I met him the day she came in for the interview and couldn't agree more. He was a cutie. I couldn't help but wonder what her story was. She shared enough with me to know that Hunter's dad was no longer around.

"Did you talk to her much when you'd stop in?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

"Not much, really. She was always very friendly, but whenever a topic got too close to her past, she would steer the conversation in a different direction," Mia answered.

“Hmm," I hummed in response.

"Change of subject, but how are things with Brant?" Mia asked, shooting me a questioning look.

I sigh, knowing I wouldn’t be able to dodge her questions about Brant. "I've been keeping him at arm's length," I admitted reluctantly. "He's tried reaching out, but every time I think about letting him in, I just... I can't bring myself to do it."

"Why do you think that is?" Mia's tone was gentle, but her question probed deeper than I was comfortable with.

I hesitated, grappling with the words to explain my inner turmoil. "I guess... I guess I'm afraid," I finally confessed. "Afraid of letting him in, of getting close, only to have him leave."

Mia's expression softened, understanding dawning in her eyes. "It's because of your mom, isn't it?" she asked softly, her voice filled with empathy.

Tears well up in my eyes as I nodded silently. "Losing her was... unbearable," I choked out, the pain still raw and all-consuming. "I can't imagine going through that again, letting someone in and loving them deeply, only to have them ripped away from me."

Mia reached out and squeezes my hand, offering silent comfort as tears trickled down my cheeks. At that moment, I was grateful for her support and for being there when I need someone to lean on.

"It's understandable that you are struggling right now, but I don't believe for one minute that your mom would want you to close yourself off to love. She would want you to open that amazing heart of yours and live life to the fullest." Mia pulled me into a tight embrace.

I wrapped my arms around her and allowed her comfort to wrap around me.

"Just think about it, okay?" Mia whispered before giving me one more big squeeze.

"I will," I responded, wiping the remaining tears off my cheeks. Sometimes, I was surprised my body was able to produce any more tears. I have cried more in the last two months than I have in my entire life.

Mia's words rattled through my brain for the rest of the evening, making me question what I should do. Can my heart really take any more heartache? And was the possibility of heartache worth it?

CHAPTER 30

BRANT

Karis was pushing me away, and it’s tearing me apart inside. Her mom's passing hit this whole town like a freight train, and Karis was struggling to cope. I knew why she was hurting but it didn’t change the fact that she’d built a massive wall around herself and even I couldn’t get through.

I've tried reaching out to her and sending her texts. She either ignored them or replied with a one-word answer. The few times I stopped by the bakery, she hadn’t been there. I didn't know if she went back to work or locked herself in her room, refusing to get out of bed.

The unknown was killing me. I was afraid to push her too hard, to intrude on her space when she might need time to heal. But at the same time, I was terrified of giving her too much space, of letting her slip away when she needed someone the most. It was a delicate balance that I struggled to maintain with each passing day.