Bonus Scene

From Louise’s Point of View

“Mom! Someone used the last of the milk!” David, her oldest, shouted from the kitchen.

When you had six kids, it was pretty much guaranteed that you were out of something at all times. While they could do without a lot of things for at least a little while, milk was not one of them.

“Okay, Williams clan, it looks like we’re headed to the store,” Louise said loudly to no one in particular. As expected, a chorus of voices rang out throughout the house.

“Yes!” Jill said.

“Can we get candy from Doc?” Thomas asked

“Can we get the good fruity cereal, even though Daddy says it’s gross?” Melissa smiled as if that would help her get what she wanted.

Louise shook her head. “Let’s talk about it in the car,” she replied to all.

“Can we go to the bakewy?” Little Eric asked in his tiny voice.

“Sweetie, it is still closed,” Louise called out into the next room. “I don’t know if it will reopen,”

“Awwww… But I want a muffin!”

“We will see if The Corner Store has a mix. We can make some ourselves,” Louise said, hoping that might be the end of the bakery discussion, even though the last thing she wanted to do that afternoon was make muffins.

“But it isn’t the same!”

She didn’t have a response to that. It was true. The bakery was a favorite stop for so many people, and when it closed, it was devastating for the town. With Bea’s passing, who knew what was going to happen. She was the heart of the town. Would Aspen Cove ever be the same?

***

People always wondered what it was like to have six kids. It was a challenge, but her kids were good at helping each other and her. It wasn’t necessarily a well-oiled machine, but it could be much worse. Louise was thinking this as the oldest kids appeared at the front door, fully dressed and ready for an outing, towing the youngest along with them.

The kids loved going out, even if it was just to the store. They knew that a trip to Main Street would include a walk up and down the street where they would “window shop” (which meant people watching and greeting townsfolk, who often had something to offer to the brood) and a trip to the pharmacy, where they could pick out one sweet treat each.

Doc always shook his head and acted irritated at an invasion from the Williams kids, but she knew he secretly loved seeing everyone. He had delivered each and every one of them, and he felt a particular responsibility toward them.

They pulled up to the curb in front of the store, and everyone unloaded onto the sidewalk. Louise glanced across the street and saw movement in the bakery.

Interesting.

She wondered if it had been sold. While the thought of the bakery reopening was initially a good one, she hoped some chain store wouldn’t be going in. That was one thing this town didn’t need.

Louise ushered her family into The Corner Store and sought out all of the things they needed immediately. Bobby would head into Copper Creek for the regular big shopping trips, but they relied on the tiny store in town for produce and milk and the occasional odds and ends.

Old Marge sat behind the counter watching her little TV. Price is Right played in the background. Her husband, Phillip, leaned against the wall with his eyes partially open, but Louise knew he was asleep by his whispering snore that started with a large inhale and a sputtering release.

Marge ignored Phillip and pointed across the street. “Have you noticed the new people in town?”

Louise thought about the movement she’d seen in the bakery.

“I haven’t seen anyone in particular, but I think maybe someone is doing some work in the bakery. The lights were on, and I wondered if it might be reopening.”

“I heard a rumor that B’s Bed and Breakfast might also have a new owner,” Marge half whispered like it was a big secret, which was funny because there were no secrets in a small town. If there was a new owner, it would be all over town in a flash. All news started here or Maisey’s Diner. They were as good as a telegram service or broadcast news.

“Well, hopefully, any changes are good ones.” She and Bobby loved Aspen Cove just the way it was. The small-town feel, the way everyone looked out for each other. It was a special place to raise their children, and she knew they’d never leave, but she also hated to see the town lose what made it so great and part of that left the day Bea passed. Deep inside, she knew that the death of one thing often meant the birth of another.

She gathered what they needed and said goodbye before waddling toward the door. She didn’t have a lot of energy for anything except keeping up with her kids, including the one currently in the oven.

People gave them a hard time about their growing family and thought it resulted from boredom of living in such a small town. She wouldn’t say that she didn’t love the act that led to the babies. That was a given—practicing was half the fun. But in truth, they had always wanted a big family. Each child they brought into the world was a special gift to them. Eventually, they would reach a point when they’d decide their family was complete, but they weren’t there yet.

They filed out of the store, and Louise put any perishables into an insulated bag in the car so they could spend some time on Main Street. As she was finishing up, she spotted Cannon across the street, getting out of his truck. She knew he had a lot on his plate with his father and his business. She hoped that someday soon he would find what she and Bobby had. Well, without all the kids. She was pretty sure that a baseball team-sized family was not on everyone’s wish list.

She and the kids waved, but he didn’t notice. Instead, she watched him stop in his tracks, then stalk toward a gorgeous redhead who was exiting the bakery. Cannon looked angry and his raised voice seemed to demand something from the girl.

Louise was a little worried for her, but the redhead stood her ground and seemed able to take care of herself. Angry words floated on the air, but they were indecipherable from that distance. She wished she knew what they were saying.

Just then, a slim, pretty blonde came out of the bakery to stand next to the other woman.

Damn. If those girls were going to be spending time here in Aspen Cove, Louise wondered if maybe she would need to get a new haircut. She wasn’t worried about Bobby wandering—he only had eyes for her—but she felt like she might need to up her beauty game. No one wanted to be the only daisy in a bouquet of roses.

The kids pulled on her, wanting to start their adventure, but Louise was transfixed by the scene unfolding in front of her. She watched as Cannon shook his head and walked away. The girls stared after him, clearly curious about the angry man who had just confronted them.

If she wasn’t mistaken, there were some serious sparks flying between Cannon and the mystery redheaded woman. The air crackled with energy as if the atmosphere could feel a change from their presence as well. While she wasn’t a fan of change, she had to admit that new blood might be a good thing for the town. As she watched Cannon storm away and walk into the sheriff’s office, she thought it might be a good thing for him, too.

Things were definitely shifting in Aspen Cove. And Louise looked forward to having a front-row seat.