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Jane Fox was a lawyer, a good one, a very good one. When she graduated, top of her class, she received job offers from several law firms around New York. But it didn’t matter how good she was, she wasn’t satisfied with her life. It was a stressful job that left her little time for herself, for her friends, and even less for her boyfriend who, after a few months, found a woman who could spend more time with him.One day her mother called a family reunion. She didn’t like family reunions, she never did. There was too much noise, everybody talking at the same time, and nobody really listening. Now that her siblings had children, it was even worse. But it was due, and she packed to spend a week with her family in Savannah. “Unfortunately, I have a sad announcement,” her mother said when they were all around the table, “last week your uncle Jonathan passed.” “What? Oh noooo. I’m sorry mom,” Jane said, sadly. She loved her uncle. “He was sick for a long time. He left his cabin in Copper Harbor to me. Do you remember the cabin? We used to spend time there during summer,” her mother continued. “Of course! How could we not remember?” said Jane, “I liked it there, so many memories,“ and all together they began recalling all their memories. When all her siblings and their families left, she was alone with her mother, on the couch, sipping tea. “Well, if you need to relax, that might work. The cabin I mean,” her mother said, then added, “You can just call Mr. Aberdale to tell him you’re going, and, once you’re there, if you realize you don’t wanna stay, you can come back home. You’d do me a favor because I need to check it out and put it on the market. If you go and check it out for me, you’d save me a trip.” Mr. Aberdale was a guy in charge of the maintenance of most of the houses in the area since most were left abandoned during winter. Jane thought for a moment, then said, “OK, let’s call Mr. Aberdale tomorrow morning and see what he thinks,” Jane accepted, exhaling. She didn’t want her mother to go up there with her arthritis. Savannah had the perfect climate for her, Lake Superior wasn’t going to do her any good. The next day, Jane called Mr. Aberdale. “Mr. Aberdale?” “It’s him. How can I help you?” he said in a raspy voice. “Hi, this is Jane Fox, Jonathan’s niece,” she introduced herself. “Ms. Fox, we are all so sorry for your loss,” his voice sounded now emotional, “You have to know that your loss is also our loss. We all loved Jonathan in town. I still remember you and your family. How are you doing?” “We are fine, thank you, Mr. Aberdale,” Jane said, “I was thinking of coming to see the cabin” “Sure!” He replied enthusiastically, “The cabin is in perfect condition, my son and I are taking care of the maintenance, and my wife is doing the cleaning. When are you planning to arrive? The season is blooming.” “Well,” Jane was hesitant, she had to clear a few things before leaving. After thinking, she said, “I can take Saturday’s flight and be there at 3:50 pm. Then I’ll rent a car.” “Sounds great. We’ll be here. If you want to send a shopping list to my wife’s email, this way when you arrive you don’t have to think about it.” They exchange email addresses and phone numbers. Next, she called the firm to take a personal leave. “For the summer,” she said. She arrived at the Houghton County Airport, rented a car, and set her GPS. The last time she went there she was thirteen. At about 5 pm she knocked at the Aberdale’s door to pick up the keys. A tiny woman opened the door, “Oh my god! You must be Jane. Well, you’re a woman now! I don’t know why I was still expecting to see you with your red braids and freckles on your nose. C’mon in,” Mrs. Aberdale said in one breath. “Good evening, Mrs. Aberdale. How are you doing?” Jane said, astonished by the energy that woman was conveying. “Oh please, call me Hanna. Nobody calls me Mrs. Aberdale, it makes me sound like an old lady, which I am but I don’t feel,” Mrs. Aberdale, Hanna, said giggling. “Tommmmmm,” she shouted. “Tommmmm hon, Jane’s here,” she shouted again. Tom was a guy who doubled Hanna’s size in height and width. Not that he was fat, not at all. Hanna was tiny and thin, while Tom was a strong and very muscular man, with broad shoulders. Oh jeez, he was handsome. If he was a little younger and Jane a little older, she might fall for this guy. His smile was mesmerizing. “Jane, do you remember Tom? My handsome hubby. I fell for him the first moment I saw him,” Hanna said in a sweet, dreamy voice. Jane held out her hand, “Nice to see you, Mr. Aberdale.” With a deep chuckle, he said, “Oh call me Tom, and no handshake,” he hugged her. Then, placing his hands on her shoulders and holding her at arm’s length, he said, “Jane. You’re no longer the brat girl I remember,” and they all laughed. “Tom, go with her, show her everything in the cabin,” Hanna said to Tom, then turned to Jane, and said, “You’re having dinner with us.” It sounded like an order, and this made Jane smile. Tom showed her around, how to start the heater, the fireplace, the generator. He showed her the emergency phone numbers saying, “Cell phones here don’t work very well. You have a landline here and these are our numbers. I think that’s all. Take your time, relax. We’re having dinner at 6:30 when TJ finishes working. See ya,” and he left. She wasn’t expecting such a warm welcome. At 6:15 she knocked again at the Aberdale’s door, and she heard Hanna’s unmistakable voice shouting “C’mon in Jane!” and she went in. Inside she smelled the warmth of a home full of love, good food, and a fireplace. In Savannah at this time of the year, it was already summer, but here a fireplace was still welcomed. “Thank you for inviting me. Can I help you?” Jane asked Hanna, entering the kitchen. “Oh no dear, just sit here and tell me everything about you and your family. Are you alright?” Jane said, simmering something in a pot that sent a wonderful aroma all around the house. “Oh yes, my mom has arthritis, that’s why she can’t come up here. She needs to stay in a warm climate. All my siblings are married, and they all have children to make mommy a happy and spoiling grandma,” Jane said giggling. “And what about you? I don’t see a ring around your finger,” Hanna said, leaning against the counter, and pointing with a wooden spoon to Jane’s hands, crossed on the table. At that moment they heard steps in the other room and men’s voices chuckling. “Saved by the men,” Hanna said, giggling. “Oh Jane, you’re here. Jane, this is TJ, do you remember him?” Tom asked. TJ was the exact copy of his father, twenty-five years younger. Broad shoulders, six feet, three inches tall, brown curly hair, green eyes, a killer smile with teeth so white as to dazzle. He held out his hand and he had a strong and warm handshake. “Well, I remember a boy with braces and thick glasses, he was always mean to me and my sisters. Are you sure he’s the same guy?” Jane said, giggling. “If I recall, you weren’t the nicest of the family. In fact, I should still have a mark on my shoulder for that time I fell from my bike because someone made a hole on the path to the beach and hid it with leaves,” TJ said, pulling his shirt neck to show the scar on his shoulder. “Busted!” Jane said, giggling and covering her face with her hands. She then brought a white napkin from the table and said, “Truce,” waving it. They all laughed together. “You know,” Jane explained, “I was the youngest and I always felt left out of all your games. I had to do something to attract attention. I did it, in the wrong way. I’m sorry. I apologize for all the turbulence, but I’ve changed, I swear.” “No worries. We all were young and mean. We’ve all changed,” TJ said, accepting her apologies. “Not exactly,” Jane said, “Brody still is a kid, and you have to meet his two children, they’re a handful. A dinner with them is exhausting, believe me,” and they all laughed. Brody was one of Jane’s brothers. “I can hardly believe it, Brody is a father?” Hanna said. “Oh well, actually, they all are parents now,” Jane said, then reluctantly added, “I’m the only one without a husband and children.” “Dinner’s ready. TJ, grab water and wine, please,” Hanna said “Oh, so we have a special guest tonight and we’re having dinner in the dining room with a good set,” TJ said in a joking tone. “Oh, it’s just for a welcome. Tomorrow she won’t be a guest anymore, but a family member so we’ll eat in the kitchen again,” Hanna explained. “Thank you!” Jane said, “But I don’t want to intrude in your routine.” “Oh, don’t be silly,” Tom said, “You’re not intruding. You’re family.” “So,” Hanna began talking after they all helped themselves with the food, “we were talking about the lack of a ring around your finger.” “I hoped you’d forget about it,” Jane said, blushing. “Oh, not a chance,” TJ said, swallowing his food, “Mom is good with interrogation. By the end of this dinner, you’ll be confessing things you didn’t know you’ve done.” They all laughed. Jane explained about her life as a lawyer, or better a non-life. “Jeez,” TJ and Tom exclaimed at the same time. “Oh my,” Hanna said, “that had to be stressful. So, why did you come here? I thought a woman your age, after living isolated for so long, would prefer to be in a crowded place and find a good man,” she added, mothering Jane. Jane thought for a moment, then said, “Living in New York you realize that there are two kinds of people – one who loves the crowded places, the noise, not seeing the sky, things like that, and one who can’t wait for a long weekend or an excuse to escape the city. I’m of the second kind. I prefer to see the sky above me, possibly a blue sky more than a gray, smoky one. I love nature and I love the sounds of mother nature.” She ate a spoonful of mashed potatoes then continued, “I’m not like Amy and Lily, my older sisters who live in Miami, or Sammy who, like me, lives in New York, and we never see each other if not when we’re both in Savannah. When I lived in Savannah, after I graduated, working in my dad’s firm, I felt like I was trapped, and I thought that living in New York would be amazing. I thought New York was the perfect place for a career as a lawyer. When I got the job, I was so happy. But then, after a few months, I realized that that wasn’t life. Not for me at least. And now, after what happened, I’m even more convinced of this. I’m sure I won’t go back to New York, but I don’t think Savannah is the right place either. Actually,” she thought for a few seconds, looking at her plate, then continued, “I’m not sure I really want to be a lawyer anymore.” She looked down at the plate in front of her, her eyes brimming with tears. Clearing his throat, Tom asked in his deep voice, “And why did you choose to be a lawyer in the first instance?” Playing with her fork, Jane explained, “For this, I have the stupidest excuse ever. I’m the youngest and none of my siblings chose law school, I knew how my father wished to have someone following his path. He was already sick, and I wanted him to be happy, so… “, she needed to drink water to swallow that knot in her throat. “You’re right!” Tom said, “This is the stupidest excuse ever. For how I knew your dad, he’d be happy to know you’re happy.” “Well, if you need isolation and to think about your future, I think you’re in the right place,” Hanna interrupted that moving moment, “It’s time for dessert. I made a pecan pie.” TJ couldn’t speak. He was lost in his thoughts. He was lost in the sound of Jane’s voice and in what she was saying. Such a change from the little brat he knew years ago. She was now a woman, a beautiful woman with all the curves he so loved in a woman, with a brain, very introspective. As a bonus, she loved a quiet place. If she liked it here and decided to stay, what would she do? During winter Copper harbor didn’t offer much. Only a bunch of families lived there in winter, so what could she do? After less than an hour, TJ was already taken by that amazing woman. Never before he felt something so strong inside. He had a few girlfriends in high school and in college. Then when he was in the Navy, he thought he’d found the right woman with Katherine, but when he was discharged and he brought her to Copper Harbor, she left after two weeks, breaking his heart, probably forever. TJ liked living there. He helped his father with the maintenance of the houses left closed during winter. His father was getting old and couldn’t do some of the hardest work. He also helped the town people with their tax returns, and he also worked as a bookkeeper for the few stores in town. He wasn’t rich, but it was enough for his needs and for retirement savings. There was a movie theater in town and a few restaurants if he wanted to hang out with his friends. Like Jane, he didn’t like the noise and the smell of the big cities. But was this the right place to make a new family in case the opportunity arises? He wasn’t so sure. At the same time, he didn’t want to leave his Ataşehir Escort parents alone now that they were getting old. “What would you like to do if you don’t want to be a lawyer anymore?” Tom asked, interrupting TJ’s thoughts. He wanted to know her answer to that. Snickering, Jane said, “You’ll laugh at me if I tell you.” “Try us,” Hanna said. Jane gathered her courage and explained, “When I was in high school I worked in a bakery after school and during summers. I’ve learned a lot and when I’m sad or upset or tired, the kitchen is my refuge. So I developed this dream to have my own bakery in a small town, where I’d be able to satisfy my customers’ requests.” She didn’t dare to look at them, so she looked at the pie on her plate. For a moment there was silence other than the cracking of the fire in the background. “I’m still waiting for the part where we should laugh,” TJ said. “Uhm?” Jane looked at him with a puzzled glare. “You said we’d laugh,” TJ explained, “Why should we laugh at you? I think that’s one of the most honest jobs. Also, a very hard one with crazy hours. Why didn’t you pursue your dream? Oh, yeah, to make your father happy, right.” “I know what you think,” Jane replied. “When I was in college, I met a girl from Sheldon, Vermont. She went to college in Savannah to move away from the cold and isolation of that place. Her parents had a bakery and they said I’d be welcome to take over once they’d retire. I’m still thinking about it.” Why Vermont? Why not here? TJ thought. But he didn’t say it aloud. Tom was the one talking, “You know what?” looking at his wife, “She might help Oliver. He was talking to me the other day saying that sooner or later he’s going to put the bakery on the market,” turning to Jane he added, “He has two sons but once they went to college, they never came back. They don’t want to live here. You should go talk to him tomorrow morning and see if you can work for him while you’re here.” TJ wanted to hug his father. That was the best idea he could have. “Oliver?” Jane asked, “You mean that huge guy from the bakery in town who made those amazing lemon-raspberry tarts?” “Yes him,” Hanna said, “Well, he looked huge because you were little. He’s not so big. I’ll take you there tomorrow morning and we can talk to him. I’m sure he’ll remember you and your family” “I hope not,” Jane said, whispering, covering her face with her hands. Chuckling, TJ asked, “What have you done?” leaning on the back of his chair and crossing his arms in an inquisitorial tone. “Ehm,” Jane cleared her throat, “I remember one afternoon, it started raining and we were riding fast on our bikes to go home, my siblings and I. I was the last one, of course. I fell and nobody noticed me falling. Mr. Oliver ran out to help me and took me inside. I was crying so hard, not for the pain, but for the anger because they left me alone, and because I was terrified by him. Mr. Oliver was trying to calm me down when, well, I was choking, and I threw up on the table where he had his tarts ready to go out to a client for a wedding.” They all laughed, hard. TJ, almost convulsing, said, “Can you imagine him? All the swearing under his breath while consoling a little girl? Oh, I wish I had been there,” and he laughed again, “I’m pretty sure he still remembers that, but he never talked about it to anybody. Right Mom?” he said, turning to his mother. “Never heard about it, I swear,” Hanna answered. That dinner was the warmest event Jane attended since… since… she didn’t remember. She went to sleep happy after a long, long time, and feeling light, like all the weight of the past months, or year, was taken off her shoulders. Before falling asleep she couldn’t avoid thinking about TJ. What a handsome guy! He was nice, with her and his parents, very polite. At the end of the dinner, he offered to escort her home, “I don’t want you to have an encounter with a bear or a coyote,” he explained. Knowing that that was a possibility she wasn’t so calm anymore. The Aberdale were a nice family. They opened their home and their hearts to her, and she felt welcome. Their interest in her future was sincere and it moved Jane. Her mother never asked her what she wanted to do, not even when she was applying for college. Her mother was nice, but not very warm. Jane never lacked anything, she always had nice clothes, when she turned sixteen, like her siblings, she got a nice second-handed car, and she never had to ask for a loan for college, but she missed the physical contact, while Hanna hugged her every chance she had. When Jane was little, her mother was too busy having six children to care for and a husband. She didn’t have much time for hugs and prittle-prattle, as she called it, or to sit on the couch and talk about feelings. She always had something more important to do. When it was only her and Sammy at home, and the other older siblings were at college, at that point her mother didn’t really know what to do, how to be the mother of two teenagers. When Jane got an after-school job her mother was scandalized, “Why? You don’t need to work. What would people think about us?” That was what upset her mother the most, the people gossiping. “Mom, I have nothing to do at home. I feel lonely,” Jane explained. “You can see friends, read a book,” her mother said. “Mom, I’m top of my class, I’ve read all the books in the library. I want to do something with my time. If you don’t like it, I’m sorry. I won’t change my mind.” Her father was more condescending, “Nancy honey let her do what she feels she has to do. She’ll have all the years in college to read and study.” Thinking about her father now made her sad. Looking at the sky out of the window, she silently prayed -I’m sorry dad, I disappointed you. I was a good lawyer, but I wasn’t happy. I wanted to make you happy, and for what? You died anyway. Her thoughts were storming in the silence of the night. At three in the morning, she gave up sleeping and went to make a cup of tea. Sipping her tea with only a soft light on, she began thinking about her future. Can I have a future here? What is there to do during winter? She decided to talk to Hanna, not right now at this hour, but later though. She wanted to know what the options in this place during winter were, in case she wasn’t good enough to work in the bakery. Jane fell asleep on the couch imagining herself working in a bakery. When she woke up, she craved to make pastries, but she didn’t have the ingredients, and she had to get ready to meet with Hanna. Later she would bake pastries, for sure. With Hanna, she walked around town. Jane could recall some places but not others. For sure she remembered Oliver’s bakery. Nothing had changed, not even how he displayed the pastries and the bread, and the smell of custard, bread, butter. Jane’s mouth began watering. “Hanna, my love! How’re you doing?” Oliver’s voice rumbled. “Oliver, dear. Do you remember Jane Fox? She’s the youngest of Jonathan’s nieces,” Hanna said, introducing Jane. “Wait a minute, let me recall all of them,” he thought for a moment, then his eyes widened, and his mouth formed an O shape, “Oh yes, I think I remember you. You always had red braids and… Was it you that… Well, it was a long time ago, my memory is not good anymore. But I remember you. Welcome back!” Jane was sure he was going to say something about that afternoon when she ruined his trays of pastries. “Mr. Oliver, I’m sorry for that day. Really, I…” Jane was saying, but he interrupted her. “It’s been a long time ago and I’m sure our memories of that day are not so clear anymore. What brought you here, my dear?” he said, dismissing the subject. He looked like a mean, big guy, but he had a soft heart. “Oliver, Jane here is looking for a job for some time,” Hanna said, “She doesn’t know yet for how long she’s going to stay, but maybe if she had a job, she’d stay. Right?” “What’re ya good at?” he asked Jane. Jane used her professional tone to tell Mr. Oliver her qualification, “I worked in a bakery for four years and I’m very good with pastries and bread. At home in New York, I had my own sourdough, but I think it’s dead by now. I tried many times to replicate your lemon-raspberry tart, but I’ve never been able to make it as good.” His laughter rumbled in the bakery, “You can’t do that without knowing the secret ingredient,” he said. Then he asked, “Are you ok working the wee hours?” “That’s when I generally bake at home,” Jane promptly replied. “This’s different,” Oliver said, “here you bake big quantities. Well, at least during summer.” “Try me,” Jane challenged him, and he accepted to see her at work. He asked her to be at the bakery at midnight. At that point of the season, when the tourists weren’t there yet, he generally started at 3 but the training could take time. She was leaving home at 11:45 that night when she heard a car engine and saw TJ’s car parking in her driveway. She locked her door and walked toward TJ and asked, “What are you doing here at this time? I’m going to work.” “I know,” he answered, grinning. “I’m driving you there. Get in,” he said, leaning to open the door for her. Puzzled she waited a moment then said, “You don’t have to chaperone me. I have a car and I’m perfectly capable.” “Oh, I know, believe me, but it’s against my religion to allow a woman to drive alone at this time of the night,” he said, “Are you getting in? You’re going to be late.” “Tell me,” she said instead, “in case I get the job, do you plan to drive me there every night? And pick me up at eight?” she crossed her arms under her boobs. “First of all, don’t do that, you’re distracting me,” he said, looking at her… arms. “Do what?” she asked. “That, with your arms. You’re pulling out your… breasts and it’s distracting. Are you hopping in?” he asked, impatient. She moved her arms to her side and said, “Are you going to answer?” “Yes. I generally read late at night, get up early, go to work, and I nap in the afternoon. Now, are you hopping in?” TJ said, impatient but grinning. He liked to look at her expressions. “Grrr,” she grumbled but she got in the car. “Good girl!” he said, backing up the driveway. Then, while driving, asked, “So tell me, are you excited for the new job?” “I am. Very. But I still cannot believe you’re driving me there,” she said, “See? We’re already here. It’s a very short walk,” she said when the sign, “Oliver’s Bakery” came into sight. “Perfect, so I can go home and continue my reading. It’s a book about a guy who goes home after the War,” he said, trying to make her forget to be angry with him, “Here you are. Have a great day at work. I’ll see you at eight.” “Thank you, TJ. See you later,” and she left. There was no point in fighting his kindness. He waited to see her going inside. It was a nice point of view. He fantasized about her backside the whole day, and the front side, and… well, he fantasized about every side of her, about touching her, about hearing her moaning, about making love to her. Ok, now stop, he said to himself. Oliver showed her around, told her where to find all the ingredients, how to store them, how all the machines worked, the oven. “Now show me your recipes,” he said. She took her tablet and showed him all her recipes. “Interesting. Let’s see how you work,” he said leaning against a counter. She tied her hair, grabbed the hairnet, the apron, washed her hands, and began to work. First, she prepared the dough for the bread, enough for ten loaves, as Oliver asked. She put the dough to rest while she prepared the puff pastry. Oliver was observing her working. She was well-focused and passionate and driven. He observed her with the dough, taking care to knead it but not too much and not too little. Now, she was laminating the pastry and he could clearly see her competence. And from the counter where he was, he could clearly see her butt sway around and it was a nice view. So different from the brat little girl he remembered. I’d be damned, if I was 30 years younger, he thought, gazing at her legs and butt while working the dough. When she was making the custard, mixing the ingredients, he could see her breasts wobbling gently. Not too much, she had big breasts but not huge, and she was young enough they were still firm. That was a nice view. But he was too old for her. Lucky TJ, he thought, pretty sure he’s having some naughty thoughts about this girl. Oliver decided it was better to do something instead of watching her. He could see she was doing fine by herself. At seven, both Oliver and Jane, deeply focused on their tasks, jumped when an alarm went off. “Oh, this is to remind me that in one hour everything has to be ready,” Oliver explained to Jane. “Well, I think I’m ready,” she said, placing her ten loaves on the bread counter, and a few trays with eclairs, danishes, tarts, and mini pies, on the pastries counter. “Woah!” Oliver exclaimed, “that’s…. I’m speechless. They all look amazing,” he said, honestly Ataşehir Escort Bayan impressed. “Here,” Jane said, handing him a tray with samples to taste, “these are samples. Try them and let me know if they’re edible.” He began with a piece of bread, checking the inside if it was well baked and risen, then the crust. It was perfect, but he didn’t say anything. After that, he tasted the sweets. Perfection. He was kind of jealous. He looked straight in her eyes, then smiled, and said, “You’re hired. And if you can keep this quality level, I might decide to share my secret recipe for the lemon-raspberry tart with you.” “Seriously? Oh my…” she cried, and hugged Oliver. “Ok, now,” he said, pushing her away before he’d have inappropriate reactions, “you go clean yourself and go home to rest. I see your chaperone is out there,” and pointed to the black jeep parking outside. “Thank you, Oliver,” she said. She was almost at the door, turned back and called, “Oliver?” “Yes?” he replied. “Am I forgiven?” she asked, grinning. “For what? Oh, for that thing years ago? Yes, you are. Now, please, can you forget about it?” Oliver dismissed her. “Have a good day,” she waved and left. From his car, TJ was looking at that beautiful redhead walking out of the bakery. She looked tired but happy, and so beautiful. She got in the car, buckled up, leaned against the seat, and closing her eyes, she said, “Everything was perfect!” TJ was staring at her and said, “So you got the job?” She laughed and said, “Of course I got the job. He’s not stupid!” TJ started the engine happy to see her happy, and if she was happy, she might decide to stay. He parked in front of her cabin and said, “Now go to rest. Mom wants to know if you’re coming for dinner.” “Sure, thanks. Tell her I’m bringing dessert. I’m so happy that if I wasn’t too tired, I’d bake the whole day!” she said, opening the door. She stopped, turned around and said, “I have to admit, I appreciated your ride home, I was probably too tired to drive home, even if it’s a short drive. Thank you, TJ,” and left without waiting for his reply. “Happy to please you,” he whispered, watching her walking to the door. Jane started to work two weeks before the Memorial weekend. That is the beginning of the tourist season, so by the time the summer residents began to arrive, word about the new baker had already spread. That first weekend by eleven in the morning all the loaves and most of the pastries were gone. “We need to make more,” Oliver said to Jane when she arrived Sunday at midnight, “They love your pastries. You know that I sold all your pastries before my lemon-raspberry tart? That’s not nice,” he said, pretending to be pissed. Working together they tripled the pastries and the loaves. The funny part was that Oliver had to follow Jane’s instructions. At seven-thirty they had everything ready. Jane left while the two assistants Oliver hired for the summer were getting ready to open. That night at dinner, Tom said, “Jane, you should know that everybody in town is talking about your pastries.” “Yes, they all love them. Mrs. Jordan said that she went at noon to buy her loaf, the display was almost empty, and there were just a few loaves left,” Hanna said, happy. “We are lucky, we don’t have to run to buy our pastries,” TJ said winking. “Shh, don’t make yourself heard,” Jane said, “I don’t want to lose business!” It was another happy night at the Aberdale’s, and as usual, after dinner, TJ walked her home. “It’s getting warmer,” said TJ. “Well, warm is a too big word. I’d say less cold,” Jane said, giggling, “In Savannah this time of the year it’s already in the 90s,” and they laughed. “I bet you’re regretting your choice to spend time up here,” TJ said, meaning to probe what she was deciding to do. “Not at all. Actually, I like it here. I think I’m gonna stay at least for the season. I can’t plan after that yet. But…,” she hesitated for a moment, then continued, “I already emailed the firm my resignation. They weren’t happy of course. Then I called my sister Sammy asking her to pack my things so I can move out of the apartment. Big changes but I feel… lighter now.” “I’m glad you’re finally following your dreams. I’ll let you go. See you later, Jane,” TJ said, giving her a peck on her cheek. “TJ, wait. Are you sure you’re still ok driving me to work?” Jane asked before closing the door. “You really don’t get it? I like to spend time with you, talk to you, see you. Even if it’s for only five minutes,” TJ replied. Then he wished her good night and left. A month went by with Jane and Oliver working long nights to make bread and pastries, sometimes creating something new. Jane loved creating with what was available. Hanna had blueberries and wild strawberries in her garden and Jane made mini cheesecakes with those. Every morning, when the two assistants opened the store, people were already in line outside waiting to have the warm bread and the fresh tarts. “I know it’s a hard job, but this compensates with the long winter months when I sell three or five loaves and a few pastries when it’s someone’s birthday,” Oliver said one morning, watching the line outside. “To be honest,” he continued, “I’ve never seen so many people. I think your pastries are becoming popular. It wouldn’t surprise me if one of our vacationers will ask you to ship or, better, to open a bakery in their town.” “I’m not interested,” Jane said, her eyes on the line of people, realizing at that moment what her future could be. “Actually, can I tell you a secret?” she asked, hugging Oliver at the waist. “I know, I know, you wanna marry me. It always happens. But I’m not interested, I’m sorry!” he joked. “Not even if I promise to make you my croissants every morning?” Jane followed the joking tone. “Well, in that case, maybe!” and they both laughed. At that moment, TJ’s car pulled into the parking lot and Jane sighed, then said, “I’m thinking of staying.” Oliver turned to look at her straight into her eyes, placed his hands on her shoulders, and asked, “You mean… stay as in… forever?” “Aha! Don’t say a word. I need to check a few things first. OK?” she asked Oliver to promise. Making the gesture to zip his mouth, he said, “I won’t say a word!” and gave her a peck. She walked to TJ’s car, smiling, thinking about her recent realization. “You look happy,” he said when she got in the car. “Well, of course! Do you see the line of people buying our pastries?” she said. “I don’t think Oliver ever had this many people,” he said, backing up to drive toward Jane’s house. When TJ parked in the driveway, said, “You’re quiet. Is something wrong?” “No. I’m just tired. I need a shower and some sleep,” she said, getting out of the car, “Thank you, TJ, you have no idea how much I appreciate you driving me around. Have a good day at work,” she closed the door and left. Another month had passed and Jane’s mother, during a phone call, expressed her wish to see her, “Do you think the climate is good for me to come visit you for a few days?” “Mom, it’d be amazing. It’s warmer now, and probably better than the suffocating heat down there,” Jane replied, “I have crazy hours, working at night, and sleeping in the morning. But we can have breakfast together, then you can see Hanna, and in the afternoon we’d be together.” “If you say so I’m gonna book the next flight,” her mother said, in a cheerful tone. “Text me day and time and I’ll pick you up,” she said, before hanging up the phone. Cindy, Jane’s mother arrived four days after, and Hanna went to pick her up because Jane was tired. She stayed six days, not much, but enough for Jane to spend some time with her to talk about her plans to stay. Her mother thought she liked being a lawyer, she never realized she was unhappy. “You are tired, it’s not a good job,” her mother said one afternoon drinking lemonade in the backyard, “I think you’ll never be happy here. You’re a lawyer, a good one.” “You’re right,” Jane confirmed, “I’m tired but this is physical fatigue and it’s way better than the mental fatigue I experienced living in New York and being a lawyer.” “Is it because of TJ?” Cindy incited. “What about TJ?” Jane asked. “Oh, C’mon J! I’m old but not blind. Maybe you are the blind one here. Have you noticed how he looks at you? He’s drooling,” Cindy said. “Mo-om,” Jane said in an exasperated tone. “J, have fun, but do not ruin your career for a man,” Cindy said. She wanted to see her daughter married and with a good career. “Let’s change the subject,” Jane said. Her mother never talked with her about love, sex, children. She had to discover these things by eavesdropping her sisters and secretly reading their journals. “Ok,” Cindy gave up, “But promise me to think about it. Have fun and if something more serious happens, just leave.” Before leaving, her mother transferred the cabin’s property to Jane, “Now it’s yours to do what you feel to do. You should personalize it, make it yours,” Cindy said after she signed the deed, “But I hope you’ll use it for vacations only, not to live.” The day her mother left, at the airport, she just said, “J, hon, I only want the best for you. Be happy, that’s all.” “Ok, Ma. Call me when you arrive. And thank you for coming,” Jane said before her mother disappeared behind the TSA gates. By mid-August, most of the tourists began to leave and the workload decreased. One night, while Jane was kneading the dough and Oliver was making the custard, Oliver began talking. “Jane, what are you going to do during winter?” he asked, “Well, I hope I can still work with you, at least sometimes. I know the business is not much. The school contacted me asking if I wanted to teach History and Civics. I can do that,” she answered. “I talked to my son the other day,” he said. “The one in California or the one in Washington?” Jane asked. “California, Jimmy. He asked about you,” he continued, “He’s wondering if I’m ready to retire and go to see them or stay with them. He thinks I should leave the bakery in your hands….” “It’s a joke, right?” Jane incited. “No, Jane. Think about it. You don’t have to answer now. We have time. But promise me to think about it,” Oliver said. They both continued working in silence, with the music in the background, lost in their own thoughts, Oliver planning to spend his time on the beach in California, Jane counting the money in her savings account and imagining her as the owner of a bakery. Was this what she really wanted? She made a mistake once, choosing the wrong path for her life. Now she had a second chance to make it right. Surely, she wouldn’t get a third chance, and she was already twenty-nine. She needed to settle. Before going home, that day, Jane approached Oliver and said, “We need to talk about that. I’m tired now and I need to think about it without distraction. Can we talk tonight? If I come earlier? Can we sit for an hour and talk?” “Sure thing, hon,” Oliver offered her a wide smile. Oliver was in his sixties, and his legs ached for the long hours standing. For a while now he was thinking of retiring, but he had nobody to leave the bakery to. He wanted someone who cared, someone who still had passion for this kind of work and for the customers. Every morning, seeing his customers happy to dig into his pastries, was a real pleasure. He saw the same passion and the same happiness in Jane’s eyes, not to mention the goodness of her pastries, not too sweet, not too buttery. The perfect balance of ingredients and love. Also, he saw how TJ looked at her. The guy was smitten and after the disappointment when that woman left, he deserved to fall in love again, for the right woman this time. Secretly Jane and Oliver agreed on the price to take over the bakery to become the sole owner. She wanted to surprise the people she was starting to love and to consider her extended family, the Aberdale. When the purchase was finalized, she invited the Aberdale’s and Oliver to dinner. It wasn’t the first time, so it wouldn’t arouse any suspicion. When it was time for the dessert, Jane proposed a toast, “To my new life,” she said, raising her glass, then, looking at Oliver, said, “And to yours!” Oliver stood up, his glass raised, and said, “Next October I’ll be on a beach in California while Jane, here, will be working her ass off in my… ehm… her bakery!” After a moment to take in what Oliver was saying, TJ, puzzled, said, “Wait. What? You mean…?” “Next October, I’ll become the sole owner of Oliver’s Bakery,” Jane announced, blushing. They all got up to hug Jane and then Oliver. TJ waited then he hugged her, a real hug, with the whole body and, especially, the heart. Jane felt her heart took a leap and returned the hug with the same passion and intensity. Suddenly the room felt empty, as if they were alone. TJ broke the hug to look at her face, straight in her eyes, the tip of their noses touching, and then he kissed her. It was a soft, warm kiss on the mouth. Later – TJ thought, later I Escort Ataşehir will kiss her with the passion I feel inside. For now, that’s enough. We are not alone, after all. Even if Oliver was there and could drive Jane to the bakery, TJ wanted to drive her there, so he did. “You have no idea how happy I am,” TJ began saying when she got up in the car. Snickering Jane said, “Oh, I had a clear idea when you hugged me. I felt your happiness against my belly.” “Busted! I’m sorry, it’s just that…,” TJ said, faltering, but she interrupted him by placing a hand on his thigh. “Hey, I’m not mad, actually I’m pleased, extremely pleased. You’re not alone in this,” she said, fading her voice. They arrived at the bakery, TJ killed the engine, turned to look at Jane, hugged her and kissed her, this time with the passion she deserved. She broke the kiss and, breathless, said, “I better go to work. To be continued?” opening the door. “To be continued. See you later,” TJ replied. As always, TJ pulled his car in the parking lot at 7:55. He liked to see her walking out of the back door of the bakery, and watch her legs, her whole body. So many times, he fantasized to feel those legs, naked, wrapped around his waist, while he was thrusting his cock inside her, and always this thought made his cock hard, as it was happening right now. He always dropped these thoughts to not scare her. He didn’t want to begin something that couldn’t go anywhere. He wanted her to decide her future for herself, without forcing her, and if she wanted to leave, he wouldn’t force her to stay, but he didn’t want his heartbroken, another time. Now it was different, now she’d decided to stay, she bought the bakery. Now he could let it go and tell her his feelings. When she got in the car, he greeted her with a kiss, not a peck this time, a kiss, on her mouth. “Mmm, now, this is a welcome,” she said when he broke the kiss, leaning on the seat, and closing her eyes. “How was your day?” TJ asked, backing up. “Great. Simply great. It’s a good feeling to be the owner of something. Well, not yet owner,” she said, her eyes still closed. “You’re tired,” he observed. A hint of disappointment inside, he hoped she wasn’t so tired today. “Yes, but nothing a shower can’t wash away,” she said. Was she hinting at something? “Actually,” she then said, “Do you mind coming in? I need a shower but…,” she was looking for the right words to say, “well, I’d love to continue the kiss we interrupted, without the gear shifter in the middle.” While she was taking a shower, TJ lit the fireplace. He had to distract himself or he’d join Jane in the shower. He squatted down in front of the fireplace to fix the logs. He could hear her humming, a happy humming. Was she happy? Would she regret this decision? She hadn’t yet spent a winter there, so she might change her mind after the first one. Could he become part of her plans? Or was he already part of her plans? What could he do to make her fall in love with him? He needed a plan, a good one. He wanted her badly. Physically but not only that. He wanted to be part of her day, of her thoughts. He wanted to wake up in the morning and see her face first thing. He wanted to have children with her. Children? Oh god, where did this thought come from? He never, never before had these thoughts. Why now? “TJ?” her soft voice was calling him. “Uhm? What? Oh, sorry, I was distracted,” he said standing up. She had a long shirt and a towel on her head, a few rebel strands falling off the towel. Jeez, she was beautiful. Seeing her naked white soft legs, he felt his cock twitching in his jeans. He couldn’t see if she had panties, but she was beautiful anyway, so arousing. Snickering, she said, “I was asking if you want coffee, or you have to go to work right away.” “Coffee sounds good,” he said. He leaned against the counter while she made coffee and looked around. “Are you planning to remodel? I mean, it’s nice here right now, but maybe one day you want a family,” he hinted. She walked the two steps that separated them, got close to him, and whispered, “Can you please kiss me before I share my plans with you?” She didn’t have to ask twice, his mouth was already on hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck while he stroked her back, and down her butt, pressing her body against his, to feel her breasts pressed against him, and to make her feel his arousal. While their tongues were making love, she rubbed her belly against his groin. What an amazing sensation. She could feel her panties getting wet. He broke the kiss. Panting, he said, “Coffee’s ready.” “Oh. Ok.” Her lips were swollen from their kissing, her nipples were poking against the shirt. He knew she didn’t have a bra. He could easily pull that shirt over her head and enjoy the view. His cock was pressing against the zipper of his jeans, hoping to be freed, and get wrapped in those warm hands. She put the kettle aside, took his hand in hers, and guided him the few steps toward her bedroom. “Coffee can wait,” she said. Once they were in the bedroom, she turned around, and whispered, “Please, make love with me,” while unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it down over his broad shoulders. Those shoulders had her wanting to feel held, to feel protected. He pulled the shirt over her head, like he was imagining a few minutes before, and gazed at those gorgeous white mounds, with two lightly darker nipples on top, poking out, asking to be sucked. “Jeez, in the best of my dreams you weren’t so beautiful,” he whispered. He lifted her up and sat her down on the edge of the bed. He kneeled down in front of her. He kissed her, feeling her naked breasts against his chest. Then he bent his head down and circled her nipples with a soft tongue. He placed one hand on one breast, the other on her hip. She dropped her head back, sighing. What an arousing sound it was. He pulled her gently against his mouth and began suckling that nipple. From deep down his core he moaned, and she moaned as well. She instinctively began to rock her hips. Then unbuckled his belt, unzipped his jeans, and pulled them down with the briefs, and off his feet. With one hand she wrapped his aroused, warm, and smooth cock, and stroked. That hand, that tiny, soft, warm hand, just as he was imagining it’d be. “Slow down,” he whispered, “I won’t last long if you don’t stop.” “I want you,” she said between kisses. “I want you too, believe me,” he whispered, “but I dreamt of this moment so many times, that I want to enjoy it and I want it to last longer,” he explained. “Oh, you did, did you? And how did you dream of it?” she asked, giggling and kissing him. “Well, first,” he said, moving both hands on her hips and hooking her panties with his thumbs, “these need to get out of the way,” she pulled up her butt so he could pull the panties down and off her feet. He squatted down on his ankles to look at her beautiful body, then looking at her eyes, smiling, he said, “You’re red there! I didn’t imagine that. Amazing!” and chuckled. He pushed her down with her back on the mattress and sprawled out beside her, whispering, “Then in my dream, you let me worship your beauty. Starting from here,” and he kissed both her eyes, “Then here,” kissing her lips, “here,” moving down to her neck. “TJ, this is torture,” she groaned. “Oh, you’re in a hurry, are you?” TJ teased her. Kissing her collarbone, with his thumb he stroked her nipple, then pinched it a little and saw Jane arching her back, moaning. He went down to kiss her breasts, moving his hand under her breasts, to her ribcage, to her hips, then to her stomach. Then he noticed Jane opened her legs a little more. This was a dance of love, where their bodies reacted to the music of their hearts. His hand moved on top of her red mound. It was like velvet under the palm of his rough hand. Sublime. He gently closed his hand to stroke her mound and she moaned. He could stay there forever listening to her moaning. His middle finger slipped between her lips, sliding up and down in her wetness. Her moaning intensified, she arched her back, gently rocking her hips, and, panting, she whispered, “Please, TJ…,” she couldn’t continue. “Shh, this is your time. I want to make you feel really good,” he said and went back worshipping her breasts, while his finger was circling her entrance. She pushed up her hips and a loud “Aah” accompanied the entrance of his finger inside her pussy. She began pushing her hips following the rhythm of his finger in and out her pussy. He then decided to try with a second finger, and she replied with a loud moan. After a few moments, she began panting rapidly, her hips rocking faster. Around his fingers he felt her pussy squeezing, drenching him in liquid heat. She grasped the sheets in her fists, spasming and rocking. Then she began relaxing, milking his fingers, she wrapped his face with her hands and kissed him, deeply, passionately. Against his mouth, she said, “I want you, now!” He grabbed a condom from his wallet and wrapped his cock in it. TJ knelt between Jane’s legs, he placed the tip of his cock at the entrance of her pussy without pushing. He wanted to go slow and enjoy the feeling, but Jane pushed her hips up in a not-so-subtle message, and his cock slipped inside her without any resistance as she was more than ready. He began to slowly pump his hips. She pulled her knees up and crossed her legs behind his back, while with her hands she stroked his butt and pulled him deeper inside her. Around his cock TJ felt warm wetness and the twitching of Jane’s pussy. He was having a hard time holding back, “I wanted this to last longer, but I can’t. Sorry,” he groaned just before speeding up his thrusts. She came hard, crying out, feeling his cock thrusting deep inside her, and with four deep, rough thrusts, he came right after her. Jane was relaxing, soft, and satisfied, her pussy still milking TJ’s cock. He smiled looking at her blushing face and kissed her. They were both panting and spasming, exhausted and happy. He stayed there, inside her for a few more minutes. He liked that place. He wanted to put his cock in that warm, wet place more often. Exhausted he leaned beside her, stroking her body. “This was perfect. I can start all over again,” she said with her eyes closed, enjoying the care he was giving her. He chuckled and said, “Give me a moment, and I’ll be more than happy to do this all over again.” “By the way, I like what you dream,” she said giggling, facing him, referring to when he said that he dreamt about this moment several times. “Well, it’s not complete. In my dream there was something else,” he replied. “Ooh? And what was it? Something I did?” she asked, running a finger around his nipples and then down to his stomach. When she closed his cock in her hand, he answered, “Actually no. Not that I’d mind, trust me, but it was something else.” With her hand still around his cock, he kneeled between her legs, moved away her hand, and bent down to kiss her mound. She opened her legs to give him full access. He nibbled her clit, teasing just enough to send her to the edge, but then stopped or changed rhythm to prevent her from orgasming. Then he pushed his tongue inside her pussy, and she climaxed in his mouth, moaning and writhing. When he went back up to kiss her, he was aroused again, ready to fill her again, and he did. “Jeez! The condom!” he exclaimed, gesturing to get it. “No need, I’m on the pill and totally safe. Please, don’t leave me, I like to have you naked inside me,” she said in a husky voice. After another incredible orgasm, he pulled her against him, spooning. A few minutes after he felt her regular, soft breathing and knew she was sleeping. Reluctantly he left her to sleep. He had chores to do and knew she needed to rest. He grabbed his clothes, put them on, kissed her on the head, and left. When Jane woke up and didn’t find TJ, she texted him, “Where are you?” “I wanted to let you sleep.” “Never again. Next time I want to wake up with you beside me.” TJ chuckled. That winter the bakery was closed for remodeling, but Hanna offered her kitchen so Jane could bake the few loaves for the regular customers, and some pastries. Meanwhile, taking advantage of the land available around her property, Jane and TJ transformed the cabin into a bigger house, with rooms for Jane’s family when they were visiting and, one day, some children. The following summer Oliver went to see the bakery remodeled and was pleased by the results. Jane made room for the elderly that had to wait for their orders, with a bench along one wall. The room was colorful but with a gentle touch of country style and gentle music in the background. She also renewed the kitchen with a bigger and modern oven and a new stove. Jane invited Oliver to dinner that night and when they were all together, TJ, Oliver, Tom, and Hanna, Jane, standing up, said, “I want to propose a toast,” TJ stood up beside her, placed an arm around her shoulder, raised his glass, and together they said, “Christmas will bring a baby to this family!.” Needless to say, they all stood up, hugging, toasting, and crying, especially the grandparents-to-be. It’s Christmas again, Jane and TJ now have four beautiful redhead little girls and are about to fly to Savannah to spend Christmas with Jane’s family.
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