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Mia Arnold could not remember the last time she had a good night’s sleep. Her body ached from the sheer exhaustion of her busy life. Business was picking up at the bakery. They had several cake orders to fill just for that weekend alone.
She also had the annual Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser coming up and needed to prepare for that. Even though she had moved away from New Orleans, she promised the council that she would stay active with the fundraiser. However, she had been so busy starting her business in Bear Creek that she forgot to arrange the fundraiser. Thankfully, she still had a month to prepare. She needed to call The Riverside Inn and confirm they could use the banquet room again this year. Lately, she felt as if she was being pulled in twenty different directions.
Once she pulled into her drive she began to relax, everything had a way of working out. Everything would fall into place.
She loved her quaint house. The bayou was in her backyard and the bakery was ten minutes away. Bear Corner had grown substantially over the years. Her parents were euphoric that she moved back home. As much as she loved New Orleans, when she came home late one night to find someone in her apartment she decided to move. She didn’t want to become one of the many casualties there.
Mia had managed to save a good sum of money working for one of the top restaurants in New Orleans. Since she worked almost twenty-four/seven and didn’t have much of a life, she never had time to spend her money.
As soon as she saw the weathered building that housed her bakery, she knew it would be perfect. Located on the corner of Main and Jackson, the bakery overlooked the bayou. The kitchen was off to one side of the building which allowed the dining room a view of the bayou. It had once been an elegant restaurant that failed due to poor management. The location was perfect for a business. The old building still held its original embossed white tin ceilings reminiscent of the era in which it was built. While cleaning out a storage closet in the back of the kitchen, she found an antique cash register. After a thorough cleaning, it now sat proudly on top of one of the glass display cases. Their actual cash register was hidden in a cabinet behind it. She arranged several glass display cases near the kitchen so when they exited the kitchen with the treats they could arrange them right in the case. The setup also helped to keep the flow of the main area pleasant and open. Guests could sit at the small bistro tables and enjoy the scenery.
Unlocking the front door of her house, she walked inside and breathed a sigh of relief. Out of habit she walked around the house to ensure that no intruders were lurking about. This was a habit she had had ever since that fateful day. She even slept with a nightlight. She had become paranoid, even though she should feel safer here than in New Orleans.
When she decided to move back home, Mia’s parents suggested that she live with them, but she needed her space. As much as she loved them, she could not keep her sanity living with her parents. Besides, when she stepped into this house she fell in love with it. It may be bigger than a single person needed, but the house had her dream kitchen. It was large, spacious and had almost every amenity someone like her could want. The kitchen, dining room and living room were one great room that overlooked the bayou. There were two small bedrooms along with a roomy master bedroom. Mia turned one of the bedrooms into a spare room and the other into her office. The screened in back porch had a magnificent outdoor kitchen installed by the previous owner, which allowed her to either cook indoors or out. It was as if this house had been designed for her.
The house was the perfect setup for her. When she wasn’t at the bakery she was here working on new recipes. One of these days Mia hoped to write a cookbook. Right now, she was happy playing around in the kitchen.
She walked into her bathroom and opened the door of the large walk in shower. Reaching in, she turned the porcelain knobs to just the right temperature of water. As she undressed, she looked around at the gorgeous Italian marble tile, double vanity and the jetted tub. What a change from the small bathroom in her old apartment.
By the time she had finished, it was almost midnight. Climbing underneath the covers, she pushed all other thoughts from her mind. She fell asleep within minutes. Tomorrow would be another hectic day, and she needed the rest.
***
HE WATCHED HER HOUSE from the bayou. He had been working diligently to rid the streets of New Orleans of sinners, but what did he do now that she had moved back home? Was God telling him it was time to rid Bear Corner of its sinners too?
He still couldn’t believe God had brought her back to him. But first he must finish doing God’s bidding. There were too many more souls to cleanse before he could make her his. Everything had to be perfect, and the world was still far from perfect.
The love he felt for her had grown stronger over the years. He knew, in time, she would feel the same way for him. He must wait for the perfect moment to let her know of his unrequited love.
Whispering to her house, “I won’t keep you waiting much longer. Soon we will be together and so happy. You will love me even more when I tell you everything I have done for you. Sweet dreams my love.”