An Unexpected Treat - Part 1

Lance stepped into the quaint bakery that chilly Saturday morning, hoping to warm his freezing hands. Little did he know that his cold heart was about to thaw, too.

“Good morning,” chirped Melissa. “Welcome to Barnett’s Bakery where we mix a little love into every bite.”

Lance stared at her, noting her long chestnut curls and deep blue eyes framed by the prettiest face he had ever seen. “That’s quite a greeting. Do you say that every time a customer comes in?”

Melissa giggled, “No, only the first time. Once you’re a regular you won’t need the reminder.”

At that moment, his phone rang, reminding him that he had important business to complete in Leverton. “Lance here,” he answered. “Yes, I’ll be there in ten minutes. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.” Turning to Melissa he smiled, “May I have one of those delicious-looking chocolate things there?”

“Do you like coconut?” she asked. “Those are Martha Washington Jets. The recipe has passed through six generations of Barnetts, and my grandmother used to say that the First Lady herself gave our ancestor the recipe.”

“Wow, that’s impressive. And to answer your question, I love coconut,” Lance responded.

“So what brings you to Leverton, sir?” she enquired.

“Do you always quiz your customers?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Melissa blushed, “No, I was just trying to make friendly conversation.” Handing him two chocolate balls, she said, “Today is buy one, get one free. That will be $1.50”

Paying her, he popped the first one in his mouth. As he bit through the rich chocolate to the sweet coconut confection in the center, his eyes filled with surprised amazement. “I have never in my entire life tasted something this delicious. You have a culinary treasure here, Miss…”

“Capshaw. My name is Melissa Capshaw. My mother, Mary Barnett is the owner here.”

“Mrs. Capshaw, it’s good to meet you. I’m sure you stay very busy here.” Lance replied.

Melissa laughed, “Please just call me Melissa. And I’m not married. When my parents divorced, my mom went back to using her maiden name.”

Lance couldn’t stop a grin from spreading across his face as he responded, “Well, Melissa, I hope to see you again.”

Five minutes later Lance entered the office of Paul Jameson, attorney at law. Paul and two other men were waiting in the conference room. “Good to see you, Lance. I’m sorry about this unpleasant business.”

“Let’s get to it, shall we gentlemen?” Lance said as he took control of the meeting. “You know as well as I do that we have to reach an agreement today or we will lose the funding that was left to us in the will.”

“Yes,” said Jack Miller, the man seated to Paul’s right, “but the only way that can happen is if you are willing to move your company to Leverton. And so far, you have said that will not happen.”

Lance nodded slowly, remembering Melissa’s smile, “I know I said I would never leave Boston. The truth is you don’t have any manufacturing here. Maybe that’s why my grandfather left such rigid stipulations about how this money would be dispersed. I have to admit I felt like he was trying to back me into a corner to force me to move everything here, and I really resented it.”

“Lance, you can’t imagine what a boon Miller Industries would be for our town,” Jack ventured.

“I know Uncle Jack, I just didn’t think a move was feasible. But now I see that it’s the only way. It’s what Grandfather wanted, and I understand his reasoning now.”

Lance’s dad who was seated next to Jack wiped a tear from his eye as he said, “Son, does that mean you’re actually going to move your whole operation to Leverton?”

“Yes, Dad, it does. It’s time for me to come home.”

Come back next week for Part 2