Summary: The seeds of a memorable friendship are sown during a chance encounter at a Boston bakery.
Rating: G Word Count: 646
She hadn’t imagined he would come, and yet there he was. Dressed in what must have been his finest suit, neatly pressed, the dark curls on the back of his neck just kissing the collar of his white shirt. It wasn’t the first time she had wondered what it would be like to run her fingers through them. Foolish thought, you silly girl.
They met by chance a few months ago when he came into the bakery where she worked for her uncle. He bought a box of dainty lemon tarts for a gift. They were the prettiest ones she’d ever made, and she had to admit her pride that they’d caught the eye of such a handsome young man. No doubt they would make a favorable impression on a lovely lady. They would indeed, he assured her. His grandfather’s housekeeper would surely be pleased with her birthday surprise, as long as he could resist the temptation to indulge himself before he got home. Not to worry, she replied, wrapping a pastry for him to enjoy on the way. Their eyes met across the counter, and she caught herself blushing as he expressed his gratitude for the unexpected favor. Something in the way he looked at her made her feel…different, though not uncomfortably so, and for once she was not inclined to look away. He visited the shop regularly after that – for scones, spice cookies, shortbread, currant buns, and lemon tarts, of course. Whatever the order, she always gave Adam Cartwright a little extra, and her reward was the dimpled smile that had melted her that very first day.
He wasn’t smiling now, though. He looked solemn and sad, shrouded in the drizzling gray afternoon. The old man next to him talking with her uncle must surely be his grandfather, Captain Abel Stoddard. Adam had spoken of him, and of his father and two younger brothers who lived out west near the Sierra Nevada Mountains. His stories of growing up on a cattle ranch amid towering trees, wild animals, and Indians were thrilling to someone whose life had mostly been confined to a few city blocks in Boston. But it wasn’t just the stories, eloquently relayed in a voice akin to music. There were so many things she wished she could say. How just the sight of him made her heart beat faster, and how it would sing afterwards for the rest of the day, and the difference his kindness had made in the life of a shy, lonely girl. Dear, sweet Adam, if you only knew. But people don’t know unless you tell them. She liked to think she would have found the courage one day, as if it still mattered. At the very least, she would have baked him a special cake today.
Happy Birthday, Adam.
He stopped in front of her, and that’s when she noticed the flowers. Did he intend them for her?
He cleared his throat.
“You don’t know how sorry I am that I never brought you flowers before now, Dorie. You should have had at least one for every time you put a smile on my face. After the first day, all those times I came to the bake shop were because of you, not because of a sweet tooth. I assumed you knew that, I hope you did, and if you didn’t, it’s my fault for not making it plainer. Honestly, I wish I had. Thank you for making me feel at home in this strange new place. I know I’m going to miss you for a long time, and I’ll never forget you, I promise.”
Adam felt the shift in the wind as he laid the bouquet on her grave through blurry eyes, pausing for a moment longer. Rising, he adjusted his collar against the cold and turned to join his grandfather waiting at the cemetery gate.
END
A sweet story with a lesson to learn, “never put off until tomorrow.”
So true. Thank you for reading, Paula. 🙂
This story’s ending was a great surprise! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Rosalyn! And thanks to you for reading . 🙂
Oh, no, I didn’t see that coming. I’m about to cry. Two people who cared for one another and never voiced their feelings. So sad but, a beautiful story.
Thank you for reading, Lanielou. 🙂
This was really lovely and sweet, then it hit hard. I was so sucked in for a story that wasn’t very long. That is meant as a compliment. Thank you for writing and sharing.
Thank you for a sweet and lovely review, CareBear. 🙂
Talk about unexpected. Dayum… great writing, drew me in completely, sent me very skillfully in one direction only to stop me cold at the end. That’s knowing your craft. Brava.
Thank you very much, Pat. I love reading stories where the ending is a like a bomb going off in slow motion and you didn’t see it coming but you realize it was there all along (Inca’s Nemesis comes immediately to mind, so if you haven’t read it, you should). I’ve used that same device in some of my other stories as well (pm me if interested). Unexpected is brilliant when it makes sense, otherwise it just falls flat, and readers will let you know. Coming from someone who also knows her craft, your comments are humbly appreciated. 🙂
Bravo! great twist
Robin, I was just thinking of you today! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Wow! Just that. Simply … wow!
Wow, I’m flattered. Truly…thanks, Cheaux! 🙂
Oh dear – like the rest, taken by surprise by that turn. Masterfully done!
There are two things I delight in as a writer — making people laugh and taking them by surprise. Thank you for reading and commenting, Tavia 🙂
Wow! That took some unexpected turns! I’m always leery of giving away too much of the story in my comments but I really enjoyed that little tale.
Thank you for your restraint in leaving such a nice review. I’m glad you liked the story. 🙂
Whoa! I did not see that coming. Your prose beautifully described their gentle friendship. I’m thinking, make every moment count. ❤️
Well, this seems to be another instance where my story unintentionally fits your Pinecone Challenge prompt, Robin. Some people come into our lives for a season and leave their footprints on our hearts. In retrospect, it almost seems divinely orchestrated, though we don’t realize the significance of the moment. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Well done, Pam! I’m dying to know more of the backstory to this friendship! But then I got to that ending and whoa, it caught me by surprise. I admit I had a tear or two forming in my eyes. 🥺
Thank you, Rachel. You’re always so kind to read and comment. I appreciate you! 🙂
O wouw this one caught me by surprise. I shed some tears. You wrote it excellent. Thank you i won t spoil the end. Thank you again for this gem.
Thank you for the lovely compliment and the gift of your time. 🙂