Page 8 of His Determined Mate

Rick seemed to have an innate sense of when things were getting to be too much for her and often found things he needed her help with—usually they involved getting her away from the bakery at a reasonable hour, taking her for a sleigh ride for lunch, making sure she ate and any number of other things she was wont to skip over if not prompted. His ultimate card to play was ‘well, I did save your life so now I’m responsible for it.’ On more than one occasion, she’d hit him with a loosely packed snowball, which only made him laugh.

She glanced around the bakery, taking in the sight of the shelves filled with jars of homemade jams and preserves, locally sourced honey and butter, and the display cases ready to be stocked with an array of pastries, cookies, and cakes. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the aroma of cinnamon and sugar. It was everything she had envisioned, and yet, the pressure to get everything perfect was immense.

The sound of the doorbell jingling brought her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Rick stepping inside, his usual gruff demeanor softened by a warm smile.

"Morning, Hannah," he greeted, shrugging off his coat and hanging it by the door. "Ready for another day of controlled chaos?"

Hannah laughed, the sound a mix of nerves and genuine amusement. "As ready as I'll ever be. Thanks for coming by, Rick. I don't know what I'd have done without you."

Rick waved a hand dismissively, but there was a glint of pleasure in his eyes. "There’s no need to thank me. You’d have done just fine on your own. I’m just doing what I can to help so I ensure there’s no ripples in my bread pipeline."

And help, he did. Over the past few weeks, Rick had become her unofficial guide, always seeming to be around when she needed him. He had driven her to and from Nicole's and the local supply stores countless times, helped with the final touches on the bakery before taking his painting skills upstairs, and arranged for her friends to have Max Renner carve her the most exquisite mantle for the stone fireplace in her apartment, and now he was here, ready to assist with the last-minute preparations.

"What's on the agenda for today?" he asked, rolling up his sleeves.

Hannah pulled out a list from her apron pocket, her eyes scanning the numerous tasks. "We need to finalize the menu, set up the display cases, and make sure everything is in order for the festival. Oh, and I still need to figure out where to put the hot chocolate station."

Rick nodded, taking the list from her and studying it. "All right, let's start with the menu. What do you have so far?"

Hannah led him over to the counter, where she had laid out her proposed menu. "I'm thinking of a mix of classic favorites and some festive specials. We'll have sourdough, rye, and whole wheat loaves, of course. Then there are the pastries—croissants, Danish pastries, and muffins. For the sweets, we'll have cookies, brownies, and a few different types of cakes. And for the festival, I'm planning some northern lights-themed treats—cookies decorated with colorful icing, and cupcakes with edible glitter."

Rick raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Sounds like you've got it all figured out. What about the hot chocolate station?"

Hannah sighed, looking around the bakery. "I was thinking of setting it up by the window, so people can grab a cup and watch the festival from inside if they want. But I'm not sure if it'll be too cramped."

Rick considered the space, then nodded. "I think we could make that work. We can move the small table with the fairy lights over there to create a cozy corner. And I'll help you set up the machine and get everything ready. Oh, and Melinda wants to come down and help you run things. I think down the road she’s hoping she can come to work for you."

Hannah smiled, relief washing over her. "That sounds perfect, but I can’t steal her from you.”

“It’ll be you or someone else. That girl’s got ambition. She’s never going to just be a waitress for the rest of her life, not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

“No, but I was kind of worried about how I was going to handle the crowds everyone thinks I’m going to attract. Thank you, Rick."

They spent the next few hours working side by side, arranging the display cases, getting the shelves ready for stocking, making sure they had all the ingredients needed and setting up the hot chocolate station. Rick's presence was a steadying influence, his calm demeanor helping to ease her anxiety. He seemed to anticipate her needs, always one step ahead, whether it was lifting heavy boxes or offering a reassuring word. His hands often lingered when he touched her, and she didn’t mind one bit.

As they worked, Hannah couldn't help but notice the softer side of Rick that he seemed only too willing to share with her. Nicole and Melisandre told her it was a side he showed very few people. His gruff exterior hid a man who was thoughtful, kind, and incredibly supportive. She found herself looking forward to his company, grateful for his help and the bond that was slowly growing between them.

By the time afternoon rolled around, they had made significant progress. The bakery was starting to look like the warm, inviting space Hannah had envisioned from the beginning, ready to welcome the influx of visitors the festival would bring.

"Hey, Rick," she said, pausing to catch her breath. "I think we're almost there. Just a few more things to take care of."

Rick nodded, wiping his hands on a towel. "Yeah, it's looking great. You should be proud of what you've accomplished here."

Hannah felt a swell of pride at his words. "Thanks, Rick. I really couldn't have done it without you."

He shrugged, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks, which seemed odd and endearing in a man of his size and strength. "Just glad to be of help."

They took a break, sitting down at one of the small tables near the window. Outside, the town was a flurry of activity, with vendors setting up their booths and people bustling about, preparing for the festival. The anticipation was palpable, the air charged with excitement.

"Tell me more about the festival," Hannah said, sipping a cup of coffee. "I've heard so much about it, but I haven't experienced it myself."

Rick leaned back in his chair, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. "The Northern Lights Festival is something special. It brings the whole town together, and we get visitors from all over. I know we’re the biggest city on the island, but there’s still only about fifty-five hundred of us. There are artisans, musicians, and food vendors—everyone showcasing their best. The highlight, of course, are the northern lights themselves. When the sky lights up, it's like magic. There's nothing quite like it."

Hannah nodded as she listened. “Every night I watch them dancing in the sky over the harbor from my place over Nicole’s. God what would I have done without all of you.”

“Like I said, you’d have been fine.”

He began to describe his first sight of the aurora borealis as a child and how the lights had captivated his imagination. “I have a friend that says they’re actually the spirits of dragons who died heroically in battle.”