Tales From Sea Glass Inn by Karis Walsh

of tours
to the Oregon Coast galleries. Everyone is suffering from the lack of tourism,
and this is something we can plan even if the area’s beaches are closed. The
tours will have sack lunches and dinner in local restaurants. They’ll have
planned stops at galleries and stores.”
    “Sharing the wealth,” Jenny said with an
appreciative nod.
    “What little there is,” Mel said with a
laugh. “But it’s a start. I was hoping you could make those yummy soft potato
rolls for the sandwiches, Helen. And sand dollars for dessert, of course. Plus,
we’ll make your bakery one of the after-lunch stops, and I’ll let you know the
dates and times to expect the buses once we’ve finalized the schedule. Oh,
there’s Glen. I need to talk to him about working as a tour guide. Talk to you
later.”
    Mel disappeared again, and Helen stared at
the invoice in her hand. She had already made the decision to let go of the
bakery, but she couldn’t stop her mind from running the numbers against her
stack of bills.
    “Awesome,” Jenny said, looking over Helen’s
shoulder. “See? You’ve helped the community, and now it’s helping you. Does
this mean you won’t have to close?”
    “No…I mean, it’s a generous offer, but I
can’t…” Helen added the numbers in her head again. She could stay open at least
a few extra weeks if these tours were a success. Her bakery wouldn’t be safe
even with the big order, but maybe she could find other ways to…No. Staying
would mean giving up Jenny, and Helen wasn’t prepared to do it until she had at
least given them a chance. “I still wouldn’t be in the black. I’ll help for the
first few tours, but once the rescue center closes, I’ll be ready to shut the
bakery and move.”
    Jenny put her hand on Helen’s shoulder. “Why
rush? If the money buys you some time, then take it. I’ve witnessed this too
many times to count. When you’re caught in the midst of a crisis, everything
seems doomed, but things will return to normal.”
    “Maybe I don’t want normal. Maybe I want—”
    Tia burst into their conversation. “Helen!
There you are. We’re having a town meeting on Friday for all the business
owners. We’ll brainstorm ideas to help each other through this tourist drought.
I need you to bring about five dozen pastries, your choice, although you
absolutely must bring some of those cinnamon ones. I’ve had six already today.
And I’ll introduce you to Gary, the owner of Chez Mer. He just lost his pastry
chef to a big Portland restaurant and I told him you make exquisite éclairs. Do
you? Anyway, if you don’t already, I’m sure you can learn by Friday. Seven
o’clock at the town hall. Here’s a check for the goodies. Did you see which way
Mel went? Oh, there she is.”
    Jenny laughed. “She’s a dynamo.” She rubbed
her hands along Helen’s upper arms. “I’m so happy for you. With these
opportunities and all the other ones I’m sure you can think up, I know in my
heart you’ll be successful here.”
    Helen shrugged Jenny’s hands off her arms and
then captured them in her own. “This is amazing, all these people helping each
other, but I’ve already made my decision. I’ve been trying to tell you that I
want you . Not
my bakery, not to live here, but to be with you. If I come with you on your
next job, I can help with the work and give us a chance to be together. To
discover each other more than we can in the few moments we’ve had here.”
    Jenny shook her head and backed away, but
Helen wouldn’t let go. “You’ve been through too much to make this decision,
Helen. You’re exhausted from working so hard and stressed financially and
emotionally. Wait before you decide to throw your life away for someone like
me. Give yourself a chance to make it here because it’s a good place.”
    “And you’re a good person. You’re worth
taking a chance on, Jenny. We are worth a chance. I can sell the business and come with you. We work well
together and we