Chapter 9: The Key He Left Behind

His funeral was smaller than the wedding had been. Miles stood beside me in a dark little jacket, holding my hand with both of his. Patricia stood on his other side. Somewhere during those final weeks, we had stopped being two women divided by a ruined story and become something close to family.

After the service, Patricia drove me to a narrow storefront with white trim and a large front window.

I knew the place immediately.

I had walked past it a hundred times, slowing in front of it more than once.

Patricia handed me an envelope. Inside was a key. Luke had arranged the lease before he got too weak. He had set money aside for the bakery I had dreamed about for years. He could not give me the life he promised, but he had still tried to help build the one I wanted… Continue Reading ⬇️