Shelby tried to stay relaxed. “Okay,” she said slowly. “Congratulations.”

Eddie rolled her eyes. “I’m not looking for praise, you silly girl. I’m offering you a loan. So you can buy the bakery. You could pay me back over time. With interest. And if I die before it all gets returned, then I’ll forgive the loan.”

Eddie’s eyes narrowed. “Let me be clear. That’s not a license to off me. I’ll have a provision in my will that if my death is suspicious, you’re the first one they’re to investigate.” Her expression softened. “But I don’t think you’d do that.”

Shelby opened her mouth, then closed it. “I honestly don’t know what to say. Thank you. I’m stunned, but thank you.”

Eddie clutched her large purse in both hands. “You’re welcome. I’ve been watching you ever since you moved here. You were such a frightened mouse in the beginning. You’ve grown since then. Blossomed. You have backbone and that can’t be taught. You’re smart and honest. You’d be a good bet.”

The words were as lovely as they were unexpected. “Thank you,” she said. “You’re being so nice.”

“Humph. Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation in town. Anyway, you think about it.” Her expression turned stern. “You are going to buy the bakery, aren’t you? Because if you don’t, you’re an idiot.”

Shelby laughed. “Yes, I am. I’m going to tell Amber right now.”

“Good. I’d hate to be offering my money to an idiot.” She rose. “Let me know what you want to do.”

“I will.”

Shelby stood and circled the desk. Before she opened the door, she hugged the old woman. Eddie was smaller than she seemed. Like a little bird. But when she hugged back, her hold was fierce and powerful.

Shelby walked her out, then went into Amber’s office.

“Do you have a second?” she asked.

Her business partner looked up. “I do. Have you made a decision?”

“I’d like to buy the business.”

Amber laughed. “I’m so glad. I was hoping you’d say yes. This is fantastic. We have a lot to do. I’ll get my lawyer going on the paperwork and we’ll need to get the business valued. Oh, Shelby, you’re going to do great. I know you are. You have so many ideas and so much energy.”

“I’m excited.”

“Me, too! Let’s celebrate with a cookie.”

Shelby laughed. Because champagne was out of the question. But there would be plenty of bubbles later. With Aidan and the rest of her friends.

* * *

THE WEARY CAMPERS stepped out of the van as Aidan unloaded their backpacks and set them on the ground. Charlie, who’d already spent five minutes greeting Aidan, sniffed everything.

“Best time ever,” a teenage boy told his dad. “We have to do this again next year.”

“Maybe we’ll bring Mom along,” his father said.

The teen laughed. “Like that’ll ever happen.”

The rest of the group seemed equally pleased with their long weekend. The weather had been perfect—warm during the day and cool at night. The signs of spring had been everywhere in the mountains, from the wildflowers to the newborn fawn they’d seen.

Aidan ushered everyone into the office, where they signed the forms that confirmed they were back where they’d started, then checked the van one more time for forgotten gear or cell phones.

He hadn’t slept much while on the trip. He never did. Now all he wanted was a hot shower and about ten hours in his bed.

The latter thought had him picturing Shelby, but he carefully pushed that image away. Sleep. He needed sleep.