Married Before Midnight by Sienna Quinn - Chapter 15

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Married Before Midnight


Chapter 15: Sweet Beginnings Take Flight


The morning sun cast a golden glow over Sweet Beginnings, the Carter family’s humble bakery stall, as Eleanor and her daughters bustled behind the counter. The temporary permit—secured thanks to Mrs. Langley’s intervention—was proudly displayed, a small but hard-won victory. The scent of cinnamon and butter filled the air, mingling with the laughter of customers who had quickly become regulars. Hannah, ever the strategist, had wasted no time in implementing new ideas. She handed out flyers with a weekend special menu, designed boxed sets for students rushing to class, and even convinced Olivia to offer free samples of their newest creation—a honey-glazed apple turnover. “We need to think bigger,” Hannah murmured, tapping her pen against the notepad where she’d scribbled calculations. “If we can get more consistent foot traffic, we could expand.” Charlotte, balancing a tray of freshly baked croissants, grinned. “Or we could just bribe people with free cookies. Works every time.” Lillian rolled her eyes but smiled. “Spoken like someone who’s never had to budget for ingredients.” Their banter was interrupted when a well-dressed man in a tailored suit approached the stall. His polished shoes and crisp demeanor stood out among their usual crowd of students and neighbors. He surveyed the pastries with an appraising eye before selecting a chocolate almond croissant. “This is excellent,” he said after the first bite, his tone genuine. “Who’s the baker?” Eleanor wiped her hands on her apron and stepped forward. “That would be me and my daughters. Everything’s made fresh every morning.” The man nodded thoughtfully. “I’m James Whitmore, the café manager from The Oak & Ivy downtown. We’ve been looking for a local supplier for artisanal pastries—something with real heart.” He glanced around at the sisters, his gaze lingering on Hannah’s sharp, attentive expression. “If you can maintain this quality on a larger scale, I’d like to place a standing order. Five times your current volume.” A stunned silence fell over the stall. Olivia’s hands stilled over the cash register.


Emily nearly dropped the tray of samples she was holding. “That’s… a lot,” Eleanor said carefully, her mind already racing through the logistics. Hannah recovered first, her business instincts kicking in. “We’d need to upgrade our equipment, secure a steady supply of ingredients, and possibly hire extra hands.” James smiled. “I’ll give you a week to decide. If you can commit, this could be a turning point for your business.” He handed Hannah his card before walking away, leaving the Carters in a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety.


That evening, the family gathered around their kitchen table, the air thick with possibility and worry. “We can’t pass this up,” Hannah insisted, spreading out her notes. “This could be our chance to go from a stall to a real bakery.” Eleanor sighed, rubbing her temples. “But do we have the means? A bigger oven alone would cost—” “We could ask Mrs. Langley for a loan,” Olivia suggested. “Or find small investors in the neighborhood. People believe in us.” Lillian tapped her fingers against the table. “We could also streamline production—prep the dough the night before, assign roles so no one’s overwhelmed.” Emily, ever the optimist, grinned. “And imagine the packaging! We could do little branded boxes with ribbons. People love pretty things.” Charlotte snorted. “Says the girl who still has frosting in her hair from this morning.” “Their laughter was interrupted when a neighbor came running over to announce:” “Brenda Miller’s telling everyone your stall isn’t up to health codes. She’s opening her own stand next week—right across from you.” The room went cold. Olivia’s jaw tightened. “That woman doesn’t quit.” Hannah’s fingers curled around her pen. “She’s scared. We’re gaining ground, and she can’t stand it.” Eleanor placed a hand over hers. “Then we’ll prove her wrong. With quality. With heart.” The sisters exchanged determined glances. They had faced worse than Brenda Miller. They had faced Mason’s cruelty, Alexander’s coldness, Richard’s betrayal—and they had survived. This was just another battle. And they would fight it together.