Sweet Heart (The Hearts of Sawyers Bend #2) - Ivy Layne Page 0,77
concern. “I told you, I'm working on it. I just need a little more time. And it wasn't your money in the first place.”
“It was half my money, which only makes it worse.” My voice was shaking, but I kept going. “And you know what? Keep it. Consider us even, pack your things, and leave Sawyers Bend. How about that? If you go, I'll forgive the debt.”
I thought that was a pretty good offer, all things considered. I wasn't expecting the rush of relief as I gave up on him repaying me. It didn't last long.
A silky smile spread across my father's face. I braced. Royal must have sensed something coming, because his hand closed over my shoulder, steadying me. I needed it.
“I don't have to pay you back anyway. You took the money from the business, right?”
I gave a stiff nod, so angry at my father I couldn't process the embarrassment of having my stupidity exposed to Royal.
“Then it's my money, too. Didn't Grams tell you?” He cocked his head to the side, innocent concern all over his face.
He was neither innocent nor concerned, he just wanted to set the stage. I couldn't even bring myself to shake my head. Instead, I leaned into Royal, needing his strength at my back.
“Your Grandmother changed her will. Sweetheart Bakery is in her name only, and when she dies, the whole thing comes to me. You're just an employee. So, technically, we could have you charged with felony theft.” He gave me a beatific smile, a cat with his paw on the mouse's tail, willing to be generous now that he had all the power.
There was a very good chance I was going to throw up. Just an employee? Grams and I had talked about changing the ownership structure of the business. I thought we just hadn't gotten around to it, and I hadn't pushed because… Because I trusted my grandmother.
My chest was caving in, oxygen strangling in my lungs. Everything I'd worked for was gone. I'd given up on school, thinking I wouldn't need it with Sweetheart in my future. Thinking I was part of a team, that I'd found my place.
It was all a lie.
My father waited for me to say something. I scrabbled for words, mind spinning, stomach slowly turning inside out. Maybe he was lying. It wouldn't be the first time. And Grams wouldn't just give him the bakery. No way.
I tried to imagine him waking up hours before dawn to work his ass off in a hot kitchen.
Not going to happen.
Before I let that realization calm me, I understood.
He wouldn't have to wake up early to bust his ass in the kitchen. That's what I was for.
I refused to cry. Or throw up. My father's smile was kind as he said to Royal, “This is family business, Sawyer. Why don't you give Daisy some space to work this out on her own? She doesn't have time to entertain you. She has special orders to finish.”
To me, he added, “Go work out that mood on some dough. We're low on bread up here.”
I didn't move. Royal waited, not bothering to acknowledge my father's words. After a few seconds of furious thought, I realized I only had one question. “When did Grams talk to you about her will?” Fists clenched at my sides, I hoped he'd say ‘Last year,’ or, ‘A while ago.’
Another of those feline smiles from my father. “We were just talking about it last night, honey.”
I was standing in the middle of the bakery, but in reality, my back was against the wall. I could hardly believe what I was doing as I untied my apron with the big pink Sweetheart logo on the front. Tossing it over the counter, I spoke words I’d never imagined would come from my mouth.
“I quit.”
I closed my ears to my mother's protests, refused to see my father's angry glare. My brain went straight to the practicalities. I needed my purse and my keys from the kitchen. Just as I started to move, Royal took the lead, blocking my parents in behind the register and clearing my path to the kitchen door.
We were through and in the kitchen before my parents could stop us. They followed, my mother pleading for me to calm down and talk this out.
My father shouted, “You'll be back! No one else in this town will give you a job!”