2.You can come over at 7
1360 Words
Meghan’s P.O.V.
I stretched, yawning as I blinked up at the morning light that streamed through my bedroom window. The first night in my new place had been better than I had dared to hope—I had slept like a rock, wrapped in the warmth and peace of Fairview. No honking horns or blaring sirens here. Just the distant hum of crickets, the gentle rustle of trees outside, and the occasional owl hoot. I smiled, still feeling a hint of that childlike excitement I hadn’t known I had even missed.
I stayed there a minute longer, savoring the stillness, before finally tossing off the covers and getting up. The little house was quiet, almost meditative, with beams of soft morning light casting a warm glow over the small kitchen. I made myself a quick breakfast, and as I took my first bite, a plan formed in my mind. Today would be my first full day in Fairview, and I was ready to dive right in. I washed my plate and put it away, deciding I would head down to Aunt Beth’s bakery to surprise her, maybe help out if my aunt needed a hand. I could almost smell the fresh bread and warm sugar already. I tugged on my boots, threw on my favorite jacket, and headed out the door, feeling like a kid on her way to her first day of school.
The walk down to the bakery was short, and the morning air was crisp, filled with the faint scent of dew on freshly cut grass. I passed a couple of early-rising neighbors, who waved as if I had known them all my life.
Yep, I thought,
this is exactly what I’ve been missing.
As I rounded the last corner, the bakery came into view, its cheery sign swinging slightly in the breeze, with “Beth’s Bakes” painted in bold, inviting letters. I took a deep breath, and just like that, I was ten years old again, running in after school to snag the fresh cookie my aunt always set aside for me.
The bell chimed as I opened the door, and the familiar scent of sugar and cinnamon washed over me like a hug.
“Meghan!” Aunt Beth called out from behind the counter, her face lighting up in surprise as she glanced up. She had her apron on, and her hands were dusted with flour, just like always.
“Aunt Beth!” I grinned, making my way over.
“Surprise! I thought I’d come down and see if you needed any help. I know I’m not supposed to start until Monday, but…”
“Oh, don’t be silly! Get over here!” Aunt Beth wiped her hands on her apron and pulled me into a warm, floury hug.
“Look at you—back in Fairview, and bright-eyed too. Last time I saw you, you were a teenager, all elbows and attitude. I can’t tell you how glad I am to have you back.”
“I’m glad to be back.” I pulled back, grinning.
“And I don’t know about the ‘attitude’ part…”
“Oh, believe me,” Aunt Beth laughed, patting me on the shoulder.
“It was there! But you’re all grown up now. And just in time too—I’ve got orders backed up to next week, and someone thought I’d retired since I hadn’t been able to keep up as much lately.”
“Which is why I’m here!” I gave my aunt a mock salute.
“Ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”
Aunt Beth beamed.
“Perfect! Well, I’ll start by showing you where everything is. Now, the mixers are here, the flour bin’s over there, and I just set out a fresh batch of dough that needs—” Just then, the bell above the door jingled, and both of us turned as someone walked in.
“Well, I’ll be,” a familiar voice rang out.
“If I haven’t just seen a ghost.”
I turned to see Ms Miller, or as I had learned to call her, Gran, standing in the doorway, her hand over her heart, looking as if she’d just seen Elvis back from the dead. Gran’s hair was done up in a familiar purplely-silver cloud, and she had that same bemused expression I remembered from childhood.
“Gran!” I laughed, stepping forward to give her a hug.
“I didn’t know you were coming down today!”
“Coming down? Honey, I came in for my morning coffee! And I nearly dropped dead on the spot seeing you here.” Gran took a step back, studying me from head to toe.
“Look at you, all grown up and back where you belong. Don’t know why your parents ever thought you’d fit in with all those big city folk.”
“Gran!” I laughed.
“You know they only moved for Body’s sake.”
“Yes, yes,” Gran waved a dismissive hand, rolling her eyes good-naturedly.
“But we all knew you weren’t cut out for the city. If you ask me, they ought to send Body up here with you and let him toughen up in the country air. A little fresh bread and morning mist would do that boy some good.”
Aunt Beth chuckled, rolling her eyes.
“Gran, you say that about everyone who moves to the city. One day, you’ll have them all back here under your roof.”
“Hmmph,” Gran said with a grin.
“Well, just starting with our sweet Meghan will do. And speaking of which—are you helping your aunt out, dear? Because she needs it.” I winked at Beth, who put a hand on her hip in mock exasperation.
“Oh, don’t you start,” Aunt Beth teased.
“I’m doing just fine, thank you. Besides, Meghan just got here. I wasn’t about to put her to work first thing.”
“Why not? That’s what family’s for!” Gran gave me a sly grin.
“Besides, nothing wrong with a little elbow grease, is there?”
I laughed, shaking my head.
“I missed you two. This is exactly what I needed.”
“Good thing,” Aunt Beth said, nudging me playfully.
“Because with Gran around, you’re gonna get plenty of it.”
Gran shot her a mock glare.
“I’m only here for the pastries. Now, Beth, don’t think I haven’t noticed your cinnamon buns are smaller than they used to be.”
“They are not!” Aunt Beth gasped, placing a hand on her heart.
“I have half the town addicted to those buns!”
“Oh, they’re good, don’t get me wrong,” Gran replied, pursing her lips as if deeply offended.
“But they were a bit bigger back in my day. You could fit a whole breakfast on one of those buns!”
“All right, all right,” Aunt Beth finally said, catching her breath.
“If I promise to make Ms Miller her very own ‘extra-large cinnamon bun’ tomorrow, would that satisfy her?” Gran nodded solemnly.
“I suppose. But only if Meghan delivers it to my door herself. I need to know she’s not about to go skipping out of town again.”
I grinned.
“You’ve got a deal, Gran. And if you need me to make a hundred trips over, I’m here for it.”
Gran’s face softened, her eyes crinkling in that familiar, warm way she always used to look at me growing up.
“Good. Fairview’s right where you belong, my girl. You can come over at 7, I’ll write the address down, because I moved since I last saw you.”
“OK, Great.” I smiled, happy to help.
“And uh, dear, when you come over, wear something nice.” She added, making me frown.
“Something nice? Why?” I laughed, seeing Gran shrug.
“Because I just made you my plus one for my trip to the arts center tonight.”
- Writer
