Annika motioned to Stacy that she was taking a call, then cradled the phone to her ear as she raced up the stairs to her apartment. “Hi, Mom.” She closed the door and plopped onto the couch. She wanted to be seated in the privacy of her home before hearing whatever her mother had to dole out this time.
“Hi, yourself. How’s it going in Mistletoe Springs?”
“Not bad. All the coffee shop updates are finished. I did a soft open, and I’m considering having a formal grand re-opening.”
“What a wonderful idea. You should do it soon though, or you’ll miss that window of opportunity, and people will wonder why you’re having a grand re-opening when you’ve been in business for months.”
“True. I’ve just been very busy.”
Her mom ignored her comment and went on to list off everything Annika needed to do in preparation for the event. “And I want to be there. If you’d like entertainment, I’ll bring my guitar along and do a few songs.”
Having her mother perform in the shop might go a long way to mending a few opinions about her. Her mom was good. The only thing Annika resented was that Mom’s career always came first and her family last. But in this case it was a win-win. “Performing here is a great idea, Mom. I’ll get some fliers worked up, post an ad in the paper, and put it up on the shop’s website. Send me your current promo picture, and I’ll have it up before the end of the day.”
“Wonderful! I’m sending the photo now. I’m really looking forward to this. The only thing is, I need it to be this weekend.”
“What? I can’t pull this together in four days!”
“Sure you can. There’s not that much to do. Plus, I’d like to be there, but my summer tour starts early this year and this coming weekend is my only free time.”
Annika frowned into the phone. Her mom could’ve brought this up sooner, so she’d have time to plan. But then again it wouldn’t take long to get the word out and order several dozen cookies from the bakery. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
“Great! Love you.”
“You too.” She tucked the phone in her pocket and kicked her feet onto the coffee table. Never in her wildest imagination did she think her mom would volunteer to play at her shop. Mom had always been about herself when it came to her career. She rarely did charity events or Annika would have booked her for the shelter’s fundraiser.
She hopped up and trotted down to the coffee shop. Stacy was behind the counter helping a customer, but otherwise the place was quiet, so she detoured to the kitchen and got busy on the flyer. An hour later she had the website updated, scheduled a week’s worth of tweets and sent the flier document to the copy center for printing. The fliers would be ready by five. All that was left was to order the cookies.
With an extra bounce in her step, she waved to Stacy and promised to be back soon. She trotted across the street to the bakery and paused inside the doorway. Sweets ‘n Treats had an exposed brick wall just like hers, but the color scheme was nothing like the coffee shop’s. Where she’d chosen warm coffee-inspired colors, the bakery had a light and airy feel with a mint green and cream striped wall and white table and chairs set off to the right of the entrance. Overall, the effect was inviting.
Annika’s clogs clicked on the hardwood floor as she walked straight ahead to a clear glass case filled with a variety of cookies—exactly what she was looking for.
“Hi there,” she said to a brown-haired woman wearing a pretty mint-green-and-cream striped apron. “I’d like to order twelve dozen cookies, and I need them Saturday morning.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Are you having a party?”
“A grand re-opening. I own Main Street Java.” She held out her hand. “I’m Annika.”
“Jamie. You must be Annette’s niece. I remember seeing you at the shelter fundraiser meeting, but I didn’t place you with Main Street Java.” The younger woman shook her hand before grabbing a pen and pad of paper. “I’m sorry we haven’t gotten to know each other, especially with our shops so close to one another.”
Annika waved a hand. “I don’t get out much. I’ve been so busy updating the shop and learning how things are done there that I’ve practically been a hermit.”
“I imagine you will meet lots of people at your event.” Jamie grinned.
“I hope so.” She eyed the display case and her mouth watered. So many choices. “What do you recommend?”
“They’re all customer favorites. I suggest an assortment.”
“Great idea.”
Jamie studied the cookies, head cocked to one side. “Then . . . chocolate chip for sure. How about if I make up four dozen each of oatmeal, white chocolate macadamia and chocolate chip. You’re sure to cover most of your customers with that selection.”
“Perfect. I hope you’ll stop in on Saturday. Penelope Rush will be performing at noon.”
“I’ve heard of her. How exciting to have a famous singer in Mistletoe Springs.”
“Right.” She had a difficult time matching the enthusiasm of many of the towns’ residents, but worked at playing along. Penelope Rush might be her mother’s stage name, but to Annika she was just Mom or her real name, Deloris Cooke. She looked forward to some mom and daughter time. In spite of everything, she loved her mom. Annika paid for her order and headed back to work.
* * *
The rest of the week flew by in a blur, and unlike most days, Friday’s closing snuck up on her. All the preparations were in place for tomorrow’s grand re-opening. Her mother would be flying in this evening. Annika couldn’t wait. She felt like they’d finally turned a corner in their relationship, and her mom was actually trying to be a part of her life.
It was no secret, as a child she’d resented her mother’s career, and the attitude had carried over into adulthood. Now that her mom had reached out and was sharing herself, Annika was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt and view her in a whole new light.
The buzz around town sizzled in anticipation of Penelope Rush performing at Main Street Java. The best part of all was that people in town were smiling at her and saying hello when they saw her. Talk about a switcheroo. Who would have thought bringing her mom to town would cause people to be nice to her?
The door swung open. She looked up to see who’d popped in right at closing time and grinned. Now this was a good way to end a day. “Hey there, Bryan. I forgot you and your band were practicing tonight. Stacy brought the sound equipment in and left it in the storage room.” Her mom would set up whatever she needed in the morning.
“I think we can do without it tonight.” He laid a guitar case on a table and asked the three other guys to move the tables away from the brick wall. “You don’t mind, do you?” He cast her a quizzical glance.
“Of course not. In fact, there’s no need to return the tables to their place since Penelope Rush will be setting up here in the morning.” She worried her bottom lip. Mom should have been here an hour ago. She’d tried texting and then calling, but there was no response.
Annika observed the band as she went through her closing ritual. They all wore jeans and T-shirts and sort of reminded her of a boy-band with their put-together look, albeit these guys were grown men, not teens.
Would giving up the stage space so the guys wouldn’t have to move things around every time they practiced hurt business? She could shift the layout easily enough and maybe only lose one or two tables. She’d have to experiment with the tables to know for sure, but it would be nice to save them the set up time. The sooner they finished practicing the sooner she could call it a night.
Her cell rang. Mom. “Hey. Where are you?”
“Honey, I can barely hear you.”
“Sorry.” She moved to the kitchen and closed the door. “Better?”
“Much. I’ve been busy and just saw your texts and that you called. I’m so sorry, but I’m not going to make it for the grand re-opening.”
“What?” Annika took a calming breath. “Why won’t you be here? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s just that there is so much to do before I leave for tour. Honestly, I completely forgot and didn’t even book a flight.”
“You said you would be flying in tonight.” This couldn’t be happening! Mom had never been the greatest parent, but she was always professional.
“I did? Hmm, well, nonetheless I won’t be there.”
“I’ve been promoting you all week just like you suggested. Mom, you can’t do this. There’s still time for you to get a flight and be here for the concert.”
“I wish I could, but I’ll make it up to you. I have to go now. Love you.”
Annika’s entire body shook. Angry tears spilled down her face. She swiped them away and thrust her phone into her pocket. That was it! Never again! She was done with her mother and anything that reminded her of Penelope Rush. She’d do the thing for the shelter, but that was it. No Open Mic Night. No band practices. Nothing.
Music blared from the dining area. She rammed her hands over her ears and squeezed. The sound muffled. “This is useless.” Maybe if she kept busy she could block out the sound from her mind. She pulled on rubber gloves and grabbed a scouring pad. Back and forth she ran the scrubber over the sink.
“You’re going to wear a hole in that sink if you keep scrubbing like that.”
She gasped and whirled around. “Bryan. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. Is something bothering you?”
“Nope.” Yes!
He tilted his head. “Okay. If you say so, but the only time my mom scrubs like that is when she is upset. Have you had any more problems with those teens?”
She shook her head and tossed the worn out scouring pad into the garbage.
“Good. You’ll let me know though if they egg your door again?”
“Why?” She titled her head.
“Thought I’d save you the work of scrubbing your door. I’ll spray it with the fire hose.” He winked. “Seriously though, the band is finished, and I came for the mop and bucket.”
“You don’t have to ask to get it.” She yanked off her gloves and strode into the cleaning closet. The mop sat exactly where she’d left it the day before. She pulled it out and turned, bumping into Bryan. Her skin tingled at his closeness. She hopped back.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” She thrust the mop into his hand, then rushed into the dining room stopping at the counter. She needed to get it together.
Bryan rolled the bucket to the far corner and pushed the mop back and forth in a steady rhythm. “So I talked to the guys and they’re in, if you’d still like for us to play at the charity BBQ.”
“You have a great sound, so yes, I would.”
“It’s a Christmas theme right?”
“Uh-huh.” She bit her bottom lip. “Bryan, I need to tell you something, and you’re not going to like it.”
He stopped mopping and stood facing her. “Okay.” He drew the word out.
“Your band can’t practice here anymore.”
His head jerked back as if he’d been struck.
She rushed on. “I thought I could handle having the band here, but I can’t. It’s too hard.”
“It’s too hard?” He put the mop in the bucket and marched over to her side. Crossing his arms, he leaned onto the counter. “I know we’re not the best band around, but since you want us to perform at the fundraiser, I have to assume you like our group. So, why can’t we practice here?”
Annika took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She hated confrontation. “I can’t explain why.”
“Come on. You at least owe me that.” Irritation laced his voice.
She shook her head and stepped away from the counter “I’ll finish mopping. You can go.” She strode across the room, and her foot came out from under her. She waved her arms and grasped at the air. Her body hit the floor and air whooshed from her lungs as her head smacked the tile.