“Hey, you coming inside with that great big pastry box?”

She glanced over to find Greg Hoover. She craned her neck to take in his golden-brown face and short-cut dark curls. He immediately sent her a big friendly smile. He’d been a year ahead of her in school. Back in those days, he’d been tall and skinny—the star of the basketball team and popular with the girls. These days he was still the tallest man she knew at six feet seven inches but he’d filled out with muscles.

“Good morning, Greg.” She flashed him a smile.

“You didn’t say, are those treats in the box for us?” He waggled his dark brows at her.

She laughed. “Are you trying to tell me with that trim figure of yours that you have a sweet tooth?”

“Only when it comes to your baking.”

“Aw…well thank you.”

He held open the side door for her that led into the small reception area. “I’m not the only one that has a weakness for your baked goods. All of the guys were so upset when they learned your bakery had been flooded. We were all planning to send a lot of business your way.”

Knowing it wasn’t just her anticipating the grand opening meant a lot to her. “I still hope to open for business soon.”

Greg looked at her. “You don’t stop by much anymore.”

She shook her head. “Just too busy these days.”

That wasn’t the whole truth, and she was pretty certain they both knew it. Coming here reminded her of the hole her father’s untimely death had put in her heart—the deficit it’d put in her family.

Since they’d lost her father, things for her family had changed a lot. Her younger sister left the island—seeking fame and fortune in Nashville. Her brother rarely left the farm. And her mother had gone back to work at the visitor center. They weren’t as tight as they’d once been.

As though the men and women could smell the baked goods, the firefighters migrated from the bay area into the reception area, which filled up quickly.

Hannah placed the box on the counter and knew she had to say a few words. “I came here—”

“Wait,” Greg said, “I should get the chief.”

He made his way to the office and tapped on the closed door. He immediately opened it. She was too far away to hear what was being said, but soon the chief followed him into the reception area.

Hannah made her way to Chief Campbell. He smiled brightly when he saw her. “Hannah, it’s so good to see you.” Instead of shaking her hand, he reached out and hugged her—just like he’d been doing for years.

When she pulled back, she returned his smile. “I brought a little thank you for what everyone did to save the bakery.”

The chief’s gaze moved to the counter where his crew were busy scooping up the cupcakes and devouring them. “You didn’t have to do that—”