Caught Bread Handed (32 page)
Read Caught Bread Handed Online
Authors: Ellie Alexander
Mom and I had discussed expanding Torte someday, and suddenly that dream was becoming a reality. We both had reservations about more than doubling our square footage though, especially as she was starting to think about scaling back. At the same time we knew that opportunities like this didn't come very often.
Having help from the city would be paramount. Renovating the basement space was a much bigger project than our kitchen remodel and new ovens. We couldn't afford that kind of undertaking on our own, but with grant money or a low-interest loan from the city, the idea was one step closer to a reality. The only problem was that this was a temporary offer.
“Juliet, I can't stress this enough. If you're serious about moving forward you have to be ready to go. This is unprecedented. Thanks to your friend Lance we have secured an art development grant, but that money has to be spent before the first of July. If Torte is awarded a grant, construction must start immediately.”
“I understand.” I nodded. The final loan papers felt heavy in my hands as I thanked Rosalind for her time and left. Outside the sky continued to drip. I took a different route back to the bakeshop, along the Calle Guanjuato, a brick path complete with antique street lamps that paralleled Lithia Creek. The trees lining the path revealed the first signs that spring was on its way. Tiny green buds bent the tips of their branches. I tightened my rain coat and smiled at the thought of cherry blossoms and fresh-cut grass.
The basement space we were considering was at the far end of the cobblestone path. Steep concrete steps with a black iron railing led down to the shop. I couldn't resist peeking in the window for the hundredth time. The steps were slippery. I held tight to the railing as I made my way down the slick moss-covered steps. Water had pooled in a large puddle about two inches deep in front of the door. That couldn't be a good sign.
I bent down to see if it was spilling under the rusted old door. Power had been cut off to the empty space months ago, so it was too dark to tell. I'd have to mention that to Mom and add potential flooding to our “con” list. The plaza sat in the middle of a flash-flood zone. When heavy rains fall (which fortunately doesn't happen very often) they spill down the city's surrounding hills and funnel straight into the plaza and Lithia Creek. I remember one summer when I was in high school a thunderstorm erupted over the city and dropped three inches of rain in less than an hour. Every business on the plaza, including Torte, was inundated with water. We ended up better than most, with only a few inches of water flooding Torte's dining room. It took weeks to pump all the water out.
Was this a sign not to move forward? I pressed my face to the wet glass and peered inside. As far as I could tell the basement looked dry. At least for the moment.
I sighed and walked back up the stairs. A contractor would know what to do about potential flooding. We were scheduled to meet with the city's building inspector tomorrow. Keeping the space dry was going to be my first question, but for the moment I had a date with some delicious dark chocolate â¦
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St. Martin's Paperbacks titles by
Ellie Alexander
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ELLIE ALEXANDER
is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she's not coated in flour, you'll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. You can friend her on Facebook to learn more! You can sign up for email updates
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Contents
St. Martin's Paperbacks titles by Ellie Alexander
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
CAUGHT BREAD HANDED
Copyright © 2016 by Kate Dyer-Seeley.
Excerpt from
Fudge and Jury
copyright © 2016 by Kate Dyer-Seeley.
All rights reserved.
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eISBN: 9781250088048
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St. Martin's Paperbacks edition / July 2016
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