Page 7

Chapter Six

T here were two spaces in Fortune Falls that would work for Riley’s bakery. Both were available for lease. Iven wasn’t sure what made the space suitable, but the old pizza place had too small of a kitchen.

“I need a bigger space to work. A lot bigger. Especially if I’m baking for the whole town. That’s a lot of muffins.” Riley turned to Griffin. “Is it worth putting the money into renovating this space versus the old restaurant by the highway?”

Griffin walked around the small kitchen and stared at the wall.

“This is load-bearing, which means we can’t move it.

The best I can do is create another room by building a wall a few feet in so you can have your table space and then create a doorway in the wall so you can get from the kitchen to the table room.

It’s the most cost effective anyway and a lot easier for you to bake. ”

Riley seemed to contemplate that. He walked out of the kitchen, and they all followed.

“Can we add windows? That way, customers can watch part of the baking process. A counter right here, maybe.” Riley stood about halfway into the main dining room. He met Griffin’s gaze again. “How much are we talking for all that?”

“I’d need to get an estimate, and we need to talk about making a deal.” Griffin grinned.

“Do you want free baked goods? Because I’ll totally give you as much as you want anyway, just for being an amazing brother.” Riley shrugged.

Iven watched the exchange between his sons with pride building in his chest. They grew to be amazing people. And they were best friends.

He remembered taking his boys for pizza at the restaurant.

The counter and bar area were still intact.

The dark wood looked the same as the last time they’d been there.

Everything else looked different. The wall art with pictures of Italy and the booth style tables were gone.

But someone had stacked round tables in a corner. There weren’t any chairs.

“I was thinking I’d give you an estimate with and without labor. If you agree to having me as a partner, I’d put some money in and make all the renovations. But you don’t have to decide right now.”

“Let’s do it.” Riley grinned. His eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Really? You don’t want to think about it?”

“I don’t need to. As long as Dad and Cass agree. Since they’re silent partners already. It should be a group decision.”

Cass took Riley’s hand. “I’m good with Griffin being a partner too.”

Iven nodded. “It’s a family business.”

“Exactly.”

“This place…it holds memories from when you boys were little. It’s a good place for making more memories”

“Smoothies and pizza.” Griffin’s main motivation in life involved food.

“I remember asking for quarters for the jukebox.” Riley smiled.

“They played the good stuff too.”

“The oldies.” Riley sighed. “Wouldn’t it be fun to have that? Like donuts and milkshakes.”

Griffin shook his head. “No, it has to be Muffins & Milkshakes . It has a better ring to it.”

“Do you mean as a name for the business?” Riley wrinkled his nose. “Because I already have a name. It’s going to be Palmer’s Bakery . But maybe we can have something like the Home of the Muffins & Milkshakes as a slogan.”

Griffin grinned. “I like it. But we could also name it Palmer’s Handyjobs Baked Goods .”

Riley and Cass chuckled.

Iven rolled his eyes. “Everyone in town would know Griffin had a hand in naming it.”

Riley met Iven’s gaze. “What do you honestly think about this space, Dad?”

“Cost is a factor. With Griffin’s proposal, it just might be doable. And I love the name and the slogan.”

Riley nodded. “Let’s do it.”

Iven and Cass’s radio went off at the same time. Iven took the call. When he finished, he said, “I’m sorry, but we have to go.”

He met Cass’s gaze. They didn’t say anything to each other, but they didn’t have to. The disturbance was in a public place and, from the way it sounded, it had to do with pack fighting. Iven hoped it wasn’t the case, and it was something else entirely, but he had his doubts.

Cass kissed Riley. “Gotta go to work, honey.”

“Stay safe. Both of you. Please.” Riley frowned. He wasn’t used to having loved ones with a dangerous job. Not in the same way Griffin was, who’d been living with it for a long time.

All Griffin said was, “Hope it’s not too bad.”

Iven hoped it wasn’t either.