Sound of Silence(48)

I keep up that thought while dropping my letters to Justin in the mailbox. Who knows where the envelopes land-they're never returned, even though the address is obsolete. But they keep me connected to him and grounded, two things I need right now.

Because it's such a nice day, I park in an open spot on Third and walk the rest of the way to the bakery with JT in his stroller, Gus trotting happily along. Lilyfalls sparkles under the sunny day. It's a picture-perfect small town nestled between the base of a towering mountain on one side and the ocean on the other. Baskets filled with red and blue flowers hang from street lamps placed one hundred feet apart, leftover from July Fourth celebrations. The street hums with tourists walking up and down the sidewalks in bathing suits and eating ice cream. Everyone is happy, and I can't help but smile. In San Francisco, no one cares who you are or what you do. In Lilyfalls, everyone is everyone's next door neighbor, and people like each other. 

The house I grew up in had a room for everything. Life was quiet, except for the little bird outside my window who would sing. I listened to his songs every morning and I thought if I could change into one thing it would be the little bird, and I would sing, I would have a voice, and I would fly away.

When Cara and I brainstormed a name for the bakery, I thought The Little Bird was fitting for a place that had brought me closer to my dreams. Now, it's designated by a hand-carved wooden sign, courtesy of Dax.

I back my way through the door, pulling JT's stroller behind me. Gus shoots straight for Cara as she wipes the counter.

Grabbing a doggie biscuit for the pup, she says, "Hey, please tell me you're here to help, even though I know you're still on maternity leave and I would never, ever ask you to cut that short. I know how precious these moments are with JT. I know it and I would never ask." She blows out a breath and it moves the hair falling out of her ponytail and into her face. "I would never ask you to help, but please, please help me."

I look around. The place is empty and so are coffee cups that litter the half-dozen tables with scattered seats pushed in haphazard angles. "What happened? Did you have a mad rush or something, and where's Margo?"

Cara comes out and falls into a chair, laying the back of her hand against her forehead. "They were mad alright. The citizens of Lilyfalls went crazy over your new cinnamon bagels. You'd think you were Yiddish or something."

I laugh and push JT's stroller toward the kitchen. "I think you mean Jewish. And I learned everything I know from my nanny. We bonded over chocolate Babka in the kitchen."

"Give me that baby," she says, before he disappears from sight. "And next time you talk to Mary Poppins, thank her for me. Our profit margin has skyrocketed."

I hand a waking JT over even as my heart trips. "I'm sure she's sitting with Justin getting shmaltzy over our success."

"Oh, honey. I suck. Make me eat my shoe or something."

I wave away her pity and walk from table to table to clean up. "Ms. Helen was awesome. She was the best thing my parents ever gave me. I should thank them for her, but I won't be calling home anytime soon."

"I get that. I never wanted to talk to my dad again."

"Why'd he leave?"

She tickles JT's stomach until he squeals with laughter that would make the stoic Kensington Palace guards smile. "Antsy, I guess. Lilyfalls was too small, and we weren't big enough to make him stay. Add that to Lawless men and their poor track record for sticking commitment, and he was gone."

"Oh." The twinge in my chest turns into a painful pinch, but Cara interrupts my train of thought.

"So I left a message with Cade this morning, but wanted to make sure you got it. Dax and I are going to Riley's tonight. You've got to come."

"I have to clean out the cottage later, and don't forget JT." I point to Mister Squirmy in her lap. The only tavern in town has great food, but it's not a place for a baby.

"Tess volunteered to watch the kids. Come on. I'll help with the old place, and then we can get our hair done in Brandon-I already made appointments. Maybe we'll have time to look for a new outfit. You can't say no. I'm only getting married once, and this is my wedding week so everything I say goes."

I laugh. "Okay bridezilla. As long as Tess is good with-" Before I complete my acceptance, the jingling bell on the door rings.

Margo bounds inside with a beanie covering her brown curls. "Sorry I'm late. The airport was crazy. Oh, hey, Piper. You working today?"