like! Except instead of renting spaces to grow your crops, you’re baking goodies and showing off your skills.”
“So how does this tie into the YouTube videos?” Cooper asked.
“The new version of my videos will highlight the Golden Girls, and have me giving lessons like I did today with Nick, except instead of featuring one person, they’ll feature the entire class. We’ll run those here too. Charging for the classes is part of how the place will make money. We can use the large space in the back by the kitchen for the class setting, and maybe we can bring in a handful of decorative chairs or small tables for displaying photos, or flowers from Charlotte’s place. It’ll be more of an in-and-out–style shop. Grab a muffin and you’re off.” I paused and looked around once more.
“This all seems so easy and yet complicated,” Cooper noted, before kneeling beside Emma to check on her.
“You’re not wrong. But I think with a little help, this could be really cool, not too expensive, and overall good for the people in town to have something new and vibrant for them to not only be a part of but also to fill a need that Hope Lake has.”
Cooper puffed out his chest knowingly.
“Don’t let your ego get too inflated. I’ll admit that you were right, but this bakery is not exactly what you’re thinking.”
“I’m listening,” he said with a mock smugness that made me want to both laugh and slap him.
“You both know that I sold Delicious and Vicious for a pretty penny. I put a lot in savings. I bought a couple stupid things, but that’s all I’ve done with it.”
“Parker, what are you saying?” Emma asked, standing to put an arm around Cooper’s waist as they waited for me to explain.
I smiled and let out a cleansing breath. This would feel good, and I wagered it would go a long way to helping me try to find myself again. “I’ll be the financier of this little ditty. An investor until I get my initial money back. I’ll help get it started and make sure it’s running on all cylinders, but then I’m going to turn it over to the Golden Girls to run. Think of me as a silent partner whom everyone knows about. I’ll be what Lucille was to Charlotte,” I explained, referring to the woman who owned Charlotte’s store. “Once I earn back my investment, we can have a plan in place to roll the money back into the bakery or we can donate it after expenses. I don’t particularly care as long as it’s a group decision.”
“Parker, that is more than generous. But what will you get out of this?” Cooper asked, genuinely concerned for me. It was sweet and, for the first time, it made me realize that Cooper, Emma, Henry, and even Nick were my friends, not just Charlotte’s. They all cared about me. It warmed my heart.
“I’m enjoying just spending time with the Golden Girls, but I’m not being entirely altruistic. I don’t need the money. Once I recoup my investment, everything will roll into the bakery.”
They nodded. “That’s good. As long as it makes sense for everyone in the long term,” Cooper insisted.
“I think I’ve finally figured out what Parker Phase Two is. This space is still open, right?” I asked, placing my hand against the cool window of the empty shop. When I pulled it away, a print was left smudged against the glass.
They looked at one another warily. “Yes, but we’d have to move faster than you may want to.”
I shrugged. “I’m from New York. Fast is what we do. I’ll talk to the ladies and see what they think.”
After my brainstorm session with Cooper and Emma yesterday, the idea of the bakery was fresh in my mind. But today I needed to focus on the videos with the Golden Girls. We were filming our first one.
When I got to Mancini’s I was relieved to see Nick’s massive truck parked in the driveway next to her cherry-red Hummer. We hadn’t spoken since the ill-fated piggyback ride, except for a text to say that he was coming to help with the video that day. Still, with things as uncertain as ever between us, I hadn’t been sure if he would really come by.
I climbed the stairs, absently smoothing my hair back. When I knocked, my hand barely left the wood before Mancini whipped open the door looking excited.
“Hi!” I said, feeling as nervous as I