Aftershock: A Charity McAdams Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

chimes in from the corner.
    “I’ve called my second and third choice but neither of them can take this large of an order on such short notice.”
    “Since when is two months too short of notice?” I demand.
    “I don’t know Charity, that’s just what they told me,” Valerie sighs.
    I can guarantee those other bakeries could do the order but after listening to Valerie rip this other company a new one, decided it probably wasn’t worth the hassle.
    “Anyways, what we wanted to know is if the café you work at could do the desserts and the cake instead,” Valerie continues, turning to me.
    I’m speechless. She gets turned down by three of the top bakeries in Seattle but expects a little small town café in the middle of nowhere to pull everything out of thin air, and to be able match up to her impossible standards, to boot.
“Valerie, I think we need to back up here, think about what you’re asking,” I start.
    Both of them snap to look at me and I start to feel like I’m talking a jumper off the edge.
    “What do you mean?” Valerie shouts.
    “I’m just saying, we’re a small café, we don’t even have a proper commercial kitchen. Heidi makes everything at home and brings it in. What you are asking is impossible.”
    “Can’t you just get some extra helpers and make a production line or something?” My mom asks, hopefully.
    Wow.
    I hold my hands up in surrender. “Just give me the order, I’ll figure it out somehow.”
    “Perfect!” Valerie exclaims, throwing her arms around me. “I knew you’d save the day!”
    Oh my word. Talk about a pregnancy hormone roller coaster ride.
    Poor Tom , I think, having a sudden surge of sympathy for my brother-in-law.
    Since they both seem so happy with me (for now) I make a split second decision to tell them about Brandon.
    “There is one other thing I need to bring up,” I say.
    “What’s that Dear?” My mom asks from her perch.
    “I’m probably going to have to do some of the final planning from California.”
    They both look confused. “What are you talking about? Are you going on vacation?”
    “Well, not exactly. Brandon and I are back together and he’s asked me to move to California with him when he goes back to shoot his next movie. We don’t leave for another six weeks or so, but that would be right before the shower. But don’t worry, I can do everything long distance, and then of course, fly up for the actual event. Or that whole weekend, if you think that would be easiest,” I explain, rapidly.
    “WHAT!?” They both scream at the same time.
     

Chapter Eight
    “You are not going to believe this!” I shout as I burst through the front door. I step out of my shoes and kick them across the room.
    Brandon pokes his head around the corner.
    I start to shrug out of my coat but my elbow gets caught in the sleeve. In frustration, I start to violently thrash my arms around to try and get out but that only makes it worse. I let out a string of colorful profanity as I struggle to escape.
    Brandon crosses the room and calmly pulls the jacket off. “What the hell happened over there?”
    I shake my head, not sure where to start.
    I stare at my discarded shoes for a moment before going to pick them up and set them by the front door, side by side.
    I take a deep breath before launching into the whole story.
    “Everything was fine until I told them about us, and moving to California. I don’t even know what possessed me to bring it up. I should have known they’d be unsupportive. I guess I just thought that everything with your family had gone so well, that it would with mine too.”
    “What exactly did they say?” Brandon asks, with his eyebrows knit together in concern.
    “Well my mom asked me, at least six times, if I’m sure it’s a good idea. Which is pretty much her way of asking if I’ve lost my mind and Valerie flat out said that I’m being an idiot,” I answer, giving him the highlights.
    “Ouch.”
    “Yeah. That’s my family,