A Sweet Taste of Love

Chapter Four

As the rest of the week flew by quickly, Ryleigh found herself caught up in the bustling activities of the bakery. Despite the busyness, there was an underlying sense of unease in the air, casting a shadow over the usual brightness that filled the space.

Trying to ignore the unsettling feeling, Ryleigh greeted Landon as he stormed into the bakery, his face adorned with his trademark scowl. Determined to maintain her cheerful demeanor, she asked him, "Hi, what can I get you?"

"What's got you all perky, Sunshine?" Landon snapped, disregarding her question.

Ryleigh crossed her arms, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "I'm always happy when I work in the bakery. And don't call me Sunshine."

Landon rolled his eyes and replied dismissively, "Whatever. Give me anything you got."

Slightly taken aback by his dismissive attitude, Ryleigh couldn't help but scoff. She turned to box up his order, silently reminding herself not to let his presence affect her. Deep down, she had secretly hoped that Landon would change, but her expectations appeared misplaced.

"Here," Ryleigh said, passing him the box.

Without waiting for her to mention the price, Landon placed the money on the counter and muttered something about keeping the change. As Ryleigh watched him leave, she rolled her eyes and mentally scolded herself for allowing her belief in his potential transformation to cloud her judgment. After all, Landon had been the same stubborn, unkind person for as long as she could remember.

Shaking off her disappointment, Ryleigh focused on the remaining tasks at hand. She took orders from customers, skillfully packing their baked goods with precision and care. The aroma of freshly baked treats filled the air, momentarily lifting the weight of the earlier encounter with Landon.

Ryleigh was determined not to let one person's negativity dampen her love for the bakery. This place was her sanctuary, a space where she could pour her passion into creating delectable delights that brought joy to others. No matter what challenges or difficult individuals she encountered, she wouldn't allow them to overshadow her true purpose and happiness.

Just then the bell above rang signaling a new customer. Ryleigh looked up with a smile. A beautiful young lady walked forward, her eyes scanning the place.

"Hi, are you new here?" Ryleigh asked.

"Hi, yes I've heard so many wonderful things about this place I thought I'd give it a try," the young lady says returning the smile.

"Is there anything specific you'd like to try," Ryleigh asked her.

"Not really so you can surprise me," she answers.

Ryleigh chuckled softly. "I love surprises! Well, in that case, let me prepare something special just for you. How about a mixed box of our best-selling pastries? You'll get a taste of everything we have to offer."

The young lady's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That sounds perfect! I can't wait to see what you come up with."

Ryleigh eagerly started assembling a variety of pastries, carefully selecting each item to create a delightful assortment. As she worked, she couldn't help but notice the genuine curiosity and interest in the young lady's eyes. Interacting with someone who seemed genuinely enthusiastic about trying new things was refreshing.

"So, what brings you to our bakery?" Ryleigh asked, striking up a conversation as she arranged the pastries in the box.

The young lady leaned against the counter, her expression thoughtful. "I've recently moved to this neighborhood and been exploring different local businesses. I heard about your bakery from a friend who raved about your amazing pastries. I thought I'd start my culinary adventure right here."

Ryleigh smiled, appreciating the young lady's adventurous spirit. "That's fantastic! We're thrilled to have you as our newest customer. I hope you'll find our pastries as delightful as everyone says."

Just as Ryleigh was about to close the box, she noticed a pastry she had been experimenting with earlier in the week. It was a new creation—a flaky croissant filled with a creamy chocolate ganache and garnished with crushed pistachios. The young lady's presence and genuine interest inspired her to take a chance and offer it as an extra surprise.

"Wait just a moment," Ryleigh said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I have one more surprise for you."

She carefully added the special croissant to the box, making sure it stood out among the other pastries. The aroma of the chocolate and pistachios mingled with the sweet scent of the bakery, creating an irresistible combination.

Handing the box to the young lady, Ryleigh said, "Here you go, a mixed box of our best-sellers, and a little something extra. I hope you enjoy it!"

The young lady's eyes widened with delight as she peered inside the box. "Wow, this looks amazing! Thank you so much."

Ryleigh beamed with satisfaction, happy to have brightened someone's day with her creations. "You're very welcome! If you have any questions or need any recommendations in the future, feel free to ask. We're always here to make your culinary adventures even more enjoyable."

As the young lady left the bakery, a sense of fulfillment washed over Ryleigh. Despite the earlier encounter with Landon, she realized that the joy she derived from her work and the connections she made with customers far outweighed any negative moments. The bakery was a place of warmth, not only in terms of the delicious treats but also in the connections forged with those who appreciated their craft.