“I guess I did.” Charlie gave Faye a weak smile.

“Please, don’t let it get to you like this. It’ll blow over, I’m sure of it. And if you want Sharon to be on your side, all you need to do is give her some of your sourdough starter. She’s trying to start a dog biscuit company or some such, and she’s been yapping all over town about how if she only had some of the famous Woodburn starter she’d be able to make the best biscuits in the world.”

“Oh, so that’s why she was acting strange about the starter this morning,” Charlie said. “But why wouldn’t she have just said something?”

“We don’t always know how to ask for what we want,” Faye replied. “Look, Cassie. You’re a smart, tough young lady and you’ll figure out what to do about this, and Makewell’s. I know you will. And I know it will not involve backing down and apologizing to Brett, or rolling over and letting anyone ruin your family business.” Faye glanced at her watch. “Now, I need to get going. I have some Christmas shopping to do, and then Jake’s dog will be wanting her romp around the yard.”

Just the mention of Jake’s name, even in her bleak mood, lifted Charlie’s spirits. But only for a second. A boycott. This was not good. She thanked Faye for coming in, and then reluctantly returned to the laptop and the streaming. She fast-forwarded past all the innocuous stuff—mostly, she and Walter discussing the Starlight Bread—and then, a long tract of time when it was just Walter working in the bakery, which must have been during her hike with Jake. Charlie pressed play again as a shadowy figure appeared at the door, then came into focus. Then, on-screen Walter was telling her someone was there to see her. She was used to watching herself on camera, but this was different, and her mouth went dry.

“How about you don’t tell me how to run my bakery?” On the screen, her voice was harsh and cold. It made her wonder how anyone at all believed she was Cass. Her sister never spoke to anyone like that.

The on-screen conversation went on. “You’re like a stranger these days, Cass,” Brett was saying. “Like an imposter. Like someone has taken over your brain. I’m here because I love you, and up until recently, I thought you loved me, too!”

“Well, that’s on you, Brett. I think I’ve been very clear about my wishes for you to give me some space—”

“I have been giving you space. But I never imagined you were going to cheat on me!”

“Cheat on you?! Brett, we are broken up, don’t you get that? We are no longer together, and that means I am free to do what I want.”

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this to me. You’re breaking my heart, Cass—”

“Please, just stop it. Stop it with the guilt trip. I can’t take it anymore.” Charlie, sitting in the empty bakery watching all of this, knew the worst was yet to come.