Now And Forever by Bailey Welch

Marien was quite sure cupcakes were going to be the death of her. She squeezed the final remains of strawberry buttercream out of the strangled piping bag and slammed it down on her worktable. She plopped down on her kitchen stool, flexing her aching hands.

Her bakery kitchen was a mess. Stacks of dirty cake pans filled the sink. Layers of powdered sugar dusted every surface. Rows upon rows of filled cupcake boxes teetered near the back door. What a day for her baking assistant to catch a cold.

No matter. She would push through. Valentine’s Day was one of the most important days of the year for a bakery. She had to pull it together, or she could kiss her baking career goodbye. Then it would be back to cleaning kennels at her parents’ doggie hotel. Marien shuddered at the thought.

The bell tinkled over her shop front door for what seemed like the hundredth time this morning. At least she had Georgie to run the front counter. The petite brunette was in her element boxing up heart-shaped cookies and chocolate-covered strawberries, but she was no help in actually producing the delectable treats her customers raved over.

Heavy footsteps thudded toward the kitchen door, letting Marien know her knight in shining armor was here. A flush broke out across her pale cheeks at the thought. He wasn’t her knight. No matter how much she wanted him to be.

Declan had been her best friend since they were six, from the moment she sat next to the shy boy on their school field trip to the Bay City Fun Park. Twenty years later, he was still the one she could always count on. Now and forever, they had promised as kids. Of course, there were times she wanted to be bold and let him know she wanted something more. But when his mom died suddenly last year, she knew he needed space. Not something else to tangle his emotions further.

“At your leisure, I see.”

Excitement shivered down her spine at the sound of his deep voice.

His six foot, four inch frame filled the doorway. Wavy brown hair was tucked behind his ears, his puffy coat zipped up tight against the February chill.

Marien shot him a glare, but he only laughed, amusement sparking in his green eyes.

“You would be too if you’d been up since three a.m. decorating cupcakes.”

“You have my deepest sympathies.”

“Hush. No one has time for your fake niceties today.”

“Speaking of the time, shouldn’t we be heading out?”

“Yikes!” Marien yipped, leaping off her stool. “We’re going to be late. You can start loading Sweet Scarlet. Let me fill these last few boxes. I’ll be right behind you.”

“You should also look in the mirror before we go.” Declan rounded her worktable and tugged on one of the spiral curls piled atop her head.

The fresh, woodsy scent of him flooded her senses. Heart pounding, she looked up, all thoughts fleeing her mind as his fingers glided down the curl. Staring at her, something darkened in his eyes, turning them from grass to emerald.

Before she could name it, the intensity was gone, Declan’s playful smirk returning. “Or you’ll end up taking half the bakery with us.”

“Oh, get to work,” Marien said, her voice breathier than she intended. She gave Declan a playful shove, but his chest was hard as a rock beneath her hand, which did nothing to help get her pulse under control.

Declan chuckled, grabbing a load of cupcake boxes and the keys before heading out to her beloved delivery van.

A deep breath whooshed through her lips. No matter her other feelings, she was thankful to have a friend like Declan whose IT job let him set his own hours. He’d saved her more than once when she was in a pinch. He really was her knight in shining armor whether he knew it or not.

With the last dollops of strawberry sauce on the cheesecake cupcakes, Marien placed them in the remaining boxes and said a quick prayer, like always. Praying her sweets would be a blessing to those who received them. Another glance at the clock made her heart skip. They really were going to be late.

Marien ripped off her bubble-gum pink apron and charged toward the restroom. Sure enough, she had managed to turn an entire earthy brown curl completely white. After rinsing out the frosted strand and tucking it back into her messy bun, Marien returned to the kitchen and pulled on her winter coat.

She stopped short. There on her worktable was an open box of cupcakes. She didn’t remember leaving any containers open. Dressed and ready to go, the delectable treats were nestled in their spots, except for the twelfth. Instead of a cupcake, the last cup held a swirly pink object.

Marien reached her fingers inside the depression and pulled out a dainty keychain in the shape of a fluffy cone of cotton candy. The tiny treasure dangled before her face, spinning in the bright kitchen lights.

Where did you come from?

Had Declan placed it there?

“Mare, are you coming?” Declan’s call jolted her out of her reverie.

Marien shook her head clear. She shoved the keychain into her pocket and grabbed an extra cupcake to fill the empty hole before snapping the box shut.

She was over tired, her brain making up wild stories. Declan was outside loading cupcakes this whole time. She must have forgotten to finish the last box. Maybe one of her customers misplaced this keychain and Georgie set it there so Marien would see it in case they returned. She would have to ask her about it later.

“Georgie, we’re off,” Marien shouted as she carried the final boxes toward the back door.

“Got it, boss.” Her youthful shopkeeper’s cheeky response made her smirk. It would be just like Georgie to leave something important right where she knew Marien would see it.

A blast of frigid air hit Marien as she exited into the alley behind the bakery. Sweet Scarlet idled in all of her bright red glory. Marien slid her boxes into the back before slamming the doors and climbing into the passenger seat to keep an eye on the precious goods while Declan drove.

“Your chariot, milady,” Declan declared, shifting the van into drive.

“My hero.”

Declan cleared his throat. If she wasn’t mistaken, tendrils of heat had crept up his neck. That was odd. She’d never been able to embarrass him before.

They made the deliveries, but an unknown tension wound between them. The final delivery was massive; a private party in the ballroom of the Grand Hotel that took more than one trip to offload them all.

Marien’s footsteps were slow, her muscles aching by the time they returned to the van for their final haul.

“I’ll take the last load,” Declan volunteered.

“Are you sure?” Marien asked, stifling a yawn. “It’s my business.”

“I’m sure. You rest for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

The tension in Marien’s spine dissipated. She was thankful to not have to climb the front steps for a third time. Crossing over to the passenger side, she opened the door and slid in.

Something sharp poked her behind.

What is that? Reaching beneath her, Marien grabbed the offending object and lifted it before her.

Another keychain?

A miniature white horse dangled on the end of a silver chain. The prancing pony was

bedecked with a powder blue saddle and baby pink reins, a golden pole shooting straight out of its back as though it still spun on the carousel.

Where did you come from?

Had Declan placed this on her seat on purpose?

For the second time today, Marien shook her head. Declan had been with her the whole time.

The second Declan returned to the van, the keychain disappeared into her pocket.

“Got any big plans for tonight?” Marien asked when they were almost back to the bakery.

“We’ll see,” Declan replied, waggling his eyebrows at her. “What about you?”

Marien laughed, but the sound was hard and brittle. “You know me. I love seeing people fall in love but never have any of my own.”

Declan shifted Sweet Scarlet into Park behind the bakery. He rested his warm hand on her shoulder. “Sometimes it takes people a while to realize the blessings right in front of them.”

Blood thrummed in Marien’s ears. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?

Before she could get her answer, Declan climbed out of the van. Giving her a departing wave, he disappeared around the corner. That was odd, too. Declan’s hot and cold flashes were giving her whiplash.

Marien returned to the bakery, crossing through the messy kitchen to the front shop. After business hours, Georgie sat with her feet propped up on the coffee table, her head buried in a mystery book.

Marien pulled the keychains out of her pocket. “Are these yours?”

Georgie raised her bespeckled gaze. “No. Never seen them before.”

“Then where–”

A tap on the glass cut Marien short. A burly delivery man was at the front door, a velvet box in his fist. Marien unlocked the door.

“Delivery for Marien Fitzgerald?”

“That’s me.”

The delivery man passed the box to her and left. Marien relocked the door and returned to Georgie’s side.

“What’s that?” Georgie asked.

Marien opened the box to find another keychain, this one in the shape of a waving roller coaster. A chill stole over Marien’s skin. There could be no mistaking it now. Someone was sending her these keychains on purpose.

“Ooo, a mystery!” Georgie exclaimed. “Let’s look for clues.”

Indulging Georgie, Marien turned over the coaster to find the time “six p.m.” written on the bottom.

“Someone wants to meet you at six tonight. It’s almost time!”

“But where?” Marien asked, swept away by Georgie’s enthusiasm.

“Let me see the keychains again.”

The cotton candy, carousel horse, and roller coaster rested together in Marien’s open palm. Apart they meant nothing, but together…

“Bay City Fun Park!” they shouted at the same time.

“You’ve got to go,” Georgie prodded.

“But what if it’s some weirdo?”

“I don’t think that will be the case,” Georgie said, her eyes twinkling. “Besides, won’t

you always wonder if you don’t go?”

Marien bit her lip, debating. “But the shop…”

“Don’t you worry, I’ll clean up. Now get going.”

Marien was back in Sweet Scarlet, headed over to the park before she lost her nerve. She stopped the van in the lot and bought a ticket to the indoor park.

Twinkle lights and balloon hearts filled the space. Couples mingled, drinking hot cocoa and playing games together. The highlight of the room was the ornate carousel, spinning through the center of the space.

A rush of blood filled her cheeks. Declan stood beside the carousel, a sheepish grin on his handsome face. Marien approached on cautious feet. When she was close enough, he extended his hand, something crimson flashing within.

Another keychain!

Shaped into a ruby red heart, the words Be mine? were etched across the surface.

Marien looked up at Declan, tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to come to my senses, Mare. To see the blessing right in

front of me.”

His words stole her breath, but she waved them away. “It took us both too long.”

His smile lit up the room. “Do you accept, then? Will you be mine?”

“Now and forever,” Marien said, the warm tingle of love spreading through her. Slipping her hand into his, she guided him toward the waiting carousel and the rest of their lives.

Isn’t that a fun story?!  Thank you, Bailey for sharing it with us!  Please leave Bailey a word of encouragement.

Happy Valentine’s Day,

Carrie