“Yes, she did,” called out one of the men. “Just wait until you taste them.”

Everyone laughed.

“I hope I get to taste them,” the chief said. “They’re going fast.”

“Don’t worry,” Hannah said. “I can make more. It’s the least I can do.”

Chief Campbell looked at her. “We didn’t do much.”

“Sure you did.” And she would be eternally grateful. “The restoration people said it could have been much worse if not for you pumping out the water and running the fans. So thank you.”

He shook his head. “The real praise belongs to the young man who acted quick and shut off the water main.”

Her thought turned to the handsome stranger who’d come to her rescue. She’d thank Ethan, if she could find him. She’d stopped by his aunt’s a couple of times but he was never home.

“Your father would be so proud of you,” the chief said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Thank you, sir. I’d like to think so.”

“When are you planning to have the bakery up and running?”

“I had planned to open before Easter, but now with the flood damage, I’m not sure.”

The man’s bushy gray brows drew together. “You’re still going to open, aren’t you?”

“That’s the plan.” She failed to mention a few key components such as, she could no longer afford her contractor, so he’d moved on to his next job.

“How’s your mother doing?”

Hadn’t he just talked to her at the flood? “She’s doing good. Always busy doing this or that.”

He nodded in understanding. “Tell her I said hi.”

“I will.” Why couldn’t he do that? Bluestar was a small town. It was harder to avoid people than it was to run into them. But she would pass along the message all the same.

Chief Campbell cleared his throat. “Well, if you need help with anything, let me know.”

A chorus of “Me toos” went up in the room. Their generosity filled her heart with warmth, but she highly doubted any of them knew how to renovate a bakery. Besides, it was up to her to fix things.

Hannah thanked them all once more and then excused herself. She had a lot to do that day, including a meeting at the bank to see about an extension on her first loan payment or perhaps a supplemental loan. As she departed, she passed by the table where the cupcakes had been placed. She was pleased to see only a couple of cupcakes remained in the box.

When she opened the door, the mayor was coming up the walk. Mayor Banks smiled when he saw her. “Good morning, Hannah. How are things going with the bakery?”

“Morning.” She wasn’t so sure it was a good day. “Things are moving along.”

He glanced down at the pavement as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “The thing is we need to finalize the tourist brochure soon for the printers.” He lifted his gaze to meet hers. “Do you know yet if we should include the bakery?”