Broken Hero

Another customer for the yoga class! It’s growing, this little business of mine. Two of the locals from my last class had told me afterward that they hadn’t been to the Morris Ranch for nearly a decade, and another commented on all the hard work Oliver and Sarah had put into making the place viable.

It wasn’t a compliment aimed at me, but I had felt oddly proud all the same. The ranch had always been an integral part of this community, and under Oliver’s leadership, it brought considerable tourism to the area.

I put my hand on my hips and surveyed the bakery’s counter. Nearly half of the morning’s goods were already sold out, and it wasn’t even ten o’clock.

“Auntie?”

“Yes?””Is it just me, or are we selling more now than we did just a few weeks ago?”

She comes out of the kitchen, her smile teasing. “Well, it’s either that or you’re giving away half of the inventory.”

I frown. “Only the baked goods from yesterday.”

“I know, dear, and they love you for it. I just wish you could work here forever.”

“I’m not planning on going anywhere, you know.”

Her smile turns crooked. “Oh, aren’t you? I happened to see a catalog this morning in our post box. Something about becoming a physical therapist?”

“Yes, it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time now, actually. I don’t know, it would be several years until I’d be fully licensed, but…” I wave a hand dismissively. “I think I’d be good at it.”

“Lucy, it’s perfect for you.”

“You think?””Yes. You’d get to interact with people and help them recover after accidents or injuries. You could have flexible working hours. Yes, I think it’s perfect.” She wraps an arm around my shoulders and smiles, the lines around her eyes deepening. “Who knows, maybe you could even work a shift or two in the bakery from time to time.”

I smile back. “I’d love that.”

“Besides, lord knows our backs could use a session of therapy.” She puts a hand on her lower back and sighs, but her eyes still twinkle. “So much hard work. What’s the point in having a niece that’s a massage therapist, huh?”

“Whenever, wherever, as I’ve told you.” I put a hand on her shoulder. “If you have significant back pain, yoga will probably help in the long-run. There’s actually a class on Sunday that-”

Claire straightens up. “Do you know what? I’m actually feeling much better.”

“Are you now?”

“Yes. Fancy that!”

I grin at her. “Fancy that, indeed. Well, my door is always open if you ever want to, truly.”

“I know, dear. And I’ll be brave enough to take you up on your offer one day.”

The bell to the front door jingles again and my aunt squeezes my shoulder. “No rest for the wicked, it seems.”

It’s Oliver. His golden hair falls in delicious waves over his forehead. He’s left the usual plaid shirt at home today, wearing a white button-down with rolled up sleeves instead. You’d think that seeing him often would make me used to his good looks, but no. It hits me this hard every single time.

Oliver glances between my aunt and me before his features soften. “This is quite the welcoming committee. It almost makes me wish I came to town more often.”

My aunt smiles. “What brings you into town today, Oliver? Was everything alright with your order this morning?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“Here to talk to Lucy, then?”

Oliver’s face reveals nothing, but the glance he shoots me is questioning. Had I told her about us?

I clear my throat. “Is it about the ranch? Do you need my help with the wedding preparation?”

“No, we’re all set. I’m actually here to buy a cake.”

I frown. “A cake?”

“What for?” Claire asks. “I can make something custom if it’s for a later date, you know. Do you want to place an order?”

“No, it’s for tonight. Do you have anything pre-made? It’s my brother-in-law’s birthday and Sarah sent me.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Does she have any preferences?”

“No.”Claire fixes him with her signature stare. “Are you sure? It’s Sarah Morris we’re talking about.”

Oliver snorts. “Yes, but she also chose to send me. I’ll take whatever cake you can spare, ma’am.”

“I think I have just the thing… oh, yes. She’ll like it. I’ll be right back!” My aunt is a whirlwind of apron ties and smiles as she hurries back to the kitchen. “Lucy, entertain our customer!”

For a long moment, we just look at each other. Things feel right when he’s around somehow, in a way I can’t quite put into words. The world comes into sharper focus. “Hey,” I say.

He smiles. “Hi.”

“Sarah sent you, did she?”

“I volunteered.”

“Really?”Oliver leans across the counter, our hands only inches apart. “I couldn’t stay away.”

“Insatiable…” I trace one of his fingers, up past his knuckle, and glance towards the kitchen. My aunt should be occupied for a little while.

“Yes. And since you’re not going to be working at the ranch today, I had to get creative.”

“Maybe we can do something this weekend.” I look down coyly, pretending to consider. “I heard there’s a huge antique market in Acton.”

Oliver’s groans and I break into laughter. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. I know you love antiques so.”

“If you keep this up, I might have to open the counter-hatch again and come back there myself.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

He shoots a dark glance towards the kitchen door. “I’m finding that I care less and less about what people think.”

“They might talk,” I say. Oliver had never liked being the talk of the town. I knew it bothered him, the knowledge that people commented wherever he went. It was something that bothered me, too.