She’d delayed this moment as long as possible by agreeing to have dinner with her mother at The Lighthouse Café. When her mother suggested they include Ethan, Hannah had brushed off the suggestion. She was so grateful her mother hadn’t pursued the subject.

As she rode to the bakery in her golf cart, she focused on the bakery. Hannah’s dream had started many years ago in her grandmother’s kitchen. And now Ethan had helped her make this dream come true.

She didn’t know how to thank him. What was the appropriate way to repay someone who saved your dream from being utterly ruined? She didn’t know but she’d think of something.

When she pulled to a stop in front of the bakery, it still looked the same from the front. The paper was still on the windows blocking out any curious onlookers. She hadn’t seen the inside in days and she wondered how much work would be left for her to complete.

When she stepped up to the front door, she was surprised to find it locked. Usually, Ethan left the doors unlocked when he was working. He must be upstairs as she just saw his family at the café without him.

She rummaged in her backpack purse to find her keys. She unlocked the door, all the while wondering what she’d find inside. No matter the state of things, she would finish it. She could do it. At least that’s what she wanted to believe.

Hannah opened the door, letting the last rays of sunshine in. With the windows covered, she couldn’t make out much. Using her hands to make sure she didn’t run into anything, she slowly made her way toward the counter.

She skirted around a table in the middle of the room. Where had that come from?

After bumping into a couple of things, she made it behind the counter. She ran her hand over the wall and finally located the light switches. The spacious room was flooded with light. Her heart leapt into her throat.

This can’t be real. She blinked just to be sure she wasn’t imagining things. But the beautiful room still existed. It was like a dream come to life.

In the middle of the room stood a round pedestal table. It was made of light-colored wood with a whitewash. It was shabby chic beach. In other words, it was perfect.

She moved forward and ran her hand over the smooth finish. “I love it.”

Above the table hung the chandelier from the estate sale. It looked perfect in the middle of the room. It was definitely a center piece. She couldn’t believe Ethan had gotten all of this done in such a short amount of time.

She had to see him. She had to thank him. Though she doubted she would ever be able to find the words to express what this all meant to her, but she had to try.

She rushed to the door that separated the bakery from the private residences. She called upstairs. “Ethan? Ethan, come here!”