Page 36 of Restless Ink

She knew it was the right decision, knew this was the path she needed to take. And as she remembered Dimitri’s hands and mouth on her the two nights before, she knew that she wasn’tonlyfocusing on Colorado Icing anymore.

And though she and Dimitri were new and not thinking about what could happen next, at least she wasn’t locking herself up at her bakery anymore, ignoring everything else around her. She’d done that for years while trying to keep herself in the black, and that was how she’d ended up far lonelier than she’d ever thought to be at her age.

But she had her business, had her way of life that she loved—long hours and all—and damn it, she wasn’t so far along in years that marriage and babies were out of her grasp. She needed to get a grip and stop overthinking everything. This was just what she did when she was nervous, however.

And telling her parents about the expansion sure as heck made her anxious.

“Oh, boy,” she whispered under her breath, rolling her shoulders back as she did so. Her parents were pulling up, and it was time to seal the deal and actually let herself be a little excited about her future. Excitement and nerves usually went hand in hand when it came to Colorado Icing.

It was a Monday afternoon, and her staff was working at the counter and in back, so Thea could have a needed break. It wasn’t that busy, only a couple of customers staying in to eat as the bakery was between major rushes for the day, so this was the perfect time to sit with her parents in the back corner where they could easily have a conversation without worrying about being overheard. She could have done this at either of their homes or in the back office, but she wanted to tell them her news while they were surrounded by what she’d built as they stood by and supported her with every ounce of love and hope they had.

William and Katherine Montgomery were two of the best people Thea knew, and she loved them so damn much. She knew she was lucky in terms of parents, and though her mom sometimes wanted to try and fix everything in her kids’ lives, she also stood back and let them make their own mistakes and revel in their triumphs. It was something Thea had always appreciated, and now that she was old enough to understand it, she was glad that she could recognize the traits in them.

Outside, the clouds loomed overhead, and the forecast called for snow later in the day, but only a dusting, something every person from Colorado could easily handle. She winced at those thoughts since that wasn’t exactly true after seeing so many people end up in fender-benders because they weren’t paying attention, but with the predicted dusting, her bakery should pick up business for hot drinks, and her staff would still be able to make it home at a reasonable hour. Since she’d opened, she wasn’t going to close, but she’d stay late in case one of her people needed to head home early for their kids. That was Thea’s job as their boss, and so far, none of them had taken advantage of her.

She stood up as her parents walked into the bakery, unwrapping their scarves and pulling off their hats.

“Mom, Dad, thanks so much for coming.” She opened her arms and brought each in for a hug, squeezing them tightly because, sometimes, she just needed her mom and dad.

“Of course, we came. You wanted to talk, and I heard there would be cookies and perhaps cupcakes.” Her dad winked, and Thea moved to the side, gesturing for them to sit at the table she’d set up for them.

“Let’s see, I have carrot cupcakes, peanut butter cookies, pecan and almond bars, fruit salad, and some of my new onion and white cheddar rye rolls.” She grinned as her dad licked his lips, and her mom let out a little laugh.

“I think I just gained forty pounds looking at all of that,” her mom said before leaning over to kiss Thea on the cheek. “Thanks for the fruit so I don’t feel guilty when I try everything.”

“That’s why the fruit’s there.”

Her dad just shook his head and took the spot nearest the window after pulling out the chair with the back to the front door for Mom. Thea took the last seat so she could face the bakery if there were issues, and she loved the fact that her dad knew that she needed that place without her having to say anything.

Before she took her seat, however, she wrung her hands together, trying to keep the nerves at bay.

“What can I get you guys to drink with all your goodies today?”

“You’re spoiling us,” Dad said before taking a bite of one of the rye rolls. “And if this roll isn’t on your menu from now on, I’ll never forgive you.”

Thea couldn’t help but grin. “Yeah? Oh, yay, I loved it, but they’re all powerful flavors, and I wasn’t sure if it would be too much.”

Dad shook his head before sipping at the water she’d put on the table ahead of time. “It’s perfect, not overpowering in the slightest. And once I’m through with this one, I’m heading into sweet territory, so how about just plain black coffee? I know I’m adventurous with food, but you know me and coffee.”

Thea couldn’t help but laugh. “I know. I should have just brought you a cup without asking, but I didn’t want to tempt fate. Mom? What about you?”

Her mom looked at her for a moment, and Thea had a feeling she wasn’t hiding her nerves all that wall.

“Do you have some of that lovely tea Abby has over in her shop? The peppermint and white chocolate one?”

Thea grinned. “I do, and I think I’m going to want some of that today, as well. Be right back.” She quickly made her way around the counter and began steeping the loose-leaf tea, as well as pouring her dad his cup of coffee. They had five kinds of beans today, but her dad would want the most average one she had. Things hadn’t changed in twenty years, and they wouldn’t start today. That was okay, though, because her dad was her best taste-tester for her baked goods.

By the time she carried all three drinks to the table—thankfully, something years in food service had trained her to do without spilling—her nerves weren’t dancing as much as they had been before, but as soon as she sat down, they started again in full force.

She tried to think of how to start as her parents dug into the sweets, something they rarely did at home since Thea usually brought the baked goods seeing as it was her passion.

“Why don’t you tell us what’s in those files you have hidden in your bag next to your chair? The ones that you’ve been glancing at ever since we got here as if you’re afraid someone will walk out of here with them.” Her mom reached out and patted her hand, and Thea’s shoulders relaxed. She hadn’t even realized she’d stiffened as much as she had until her mother’s touch.

“I can do that,” she said, then reached down to pull out her paperwork. She set everything down on the space she’d cleared away from the drinks and food. Of course, these were only copies so if they were spilled on, it wouldn’t be a big deal. She didn’t leave the important paperwork near her kitchen or anywhere they could pick up mass amounts of coffee stains. She’d learned that lesson the hard way when she first started.

“What is it, hon?” her dad asked, setting down his coffee. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, swallowing hard. “I’m okay. Healthy and everything.”