Married Before Midnight by Sienna Quinn - Chapter 16

[adminnovelsaudio]

Listen Audiobook Version:



Married Before Midnight


Chapter 16: Sweet Redemption


The morning sun cast a golden glow over Maplewood as Hannah Carter stood at the corner of Elm Street, her fingers tightening around the stack of freshly printed flyers. The words Sweet Beginnings: Free Tasting Event Today! stood out in bold, cheerful letters. Beside her, Olivia adjusted the tablecloth over their makeshift stall, her lips pressed into a determined line. “We’ll win them back,” Olivia murmured, more to herself than to Hannah. “One pastry at a time.” Eleanor emerged from the small kitchen behind the stall, her hands dusted with flour. “Are we sure about this?” she asked, her voice laced with worry. “Giving away so much for free—what if we can’t cover the cost?” Hannah turned to her mother, her eyes steady. “We won’t just be giving away food, Mom.


We’ll be proving that Brenda’s lies are just that—lies. People will see how clean our process is, how fresh everything is. Trust is worth more than a few batches of pastries.” Charlotte, Lillian, and Emily arrived just then, arms laden with trays of freshly baked croissants, muffins, and Eleanor’s famous cinnamon rolls. The scent of butter and sugar filled the air, and already, a few curious passersby slowed their steps. “Alright,” Olivia said, clapping her hands together. “Let’s do this.” By noon, the stall was bustling.


Neighbors, regular customers, and even strangers drawn in by the aroma lined up for samples. Olivia greeted each person warmly, her smile never faltering even as her feet ached from standing.


Behind her, Eleanor worked the small oven, pulling out tray after tray of golden-brown pastries, making sure everyone could see the care she put into every step. Hannah moved through the crowd, handing out flyers and striking up conversations. “Try the apple tart—Mom’s secret recipe,” she said to a hesitant woman. “And if you like it, we’d love to see you again.” The woman took a bite, her eyes widening. “Oh my—this is incredible.” Nearby, Brenda Miller lurked in the shadows of a storefront, her arms crossed. Her smirk had long since faded as the line for Sweet Beginnings only grew longer. She muttered something under her breath before slipping away, unnoticed by everyone except Hannah, who caught the flicker of movement from the corner of her eye.


Then, an unexpected figure approached—James Whitmore, the café manager from The Oak & Ivy. He carried a folder under one arm and a pleased expression on his face. “Well, well,” he said, surveying the crowd. “I had a feeling you’d pull something like this.” Hannah’s pulse quickened. “Mr. Whitmore. What brings you here?” He handed her the folder. “A contract. Provisional, of course, but if you can keep up with demand, The Oak & Ivy would like to place weekly orders. Your determination to clear your name impressed me.” Olivia nearly dropped the tray she was holding. “You’re serious?” James chuckled. “Dead serious. Quality and integrity matter in this business. You’ve got both.”


The sisters exchanged stunned, elated glances. This was their chance—their real chance to grow. But just as the day seemed perfect, a stern-faced man in a city uniform approached. “Food Safety Inspection,” he announced, holding up a badge. “We’ve received a complaint about unverified ingredients.” A hush fell over the crowd. Hannah’s stomach twisted, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Of course,” she said smoothly. “We’d be happy to show you everything.” Eleanor stepped forward, her hands steady as she presented receipts, supplier contracts, and even opened every bag of flour and sugar for inspection. The inspector scrutinized their workspace, their tools, even the temperature of the oven. Finally, he nodded. “No violations. In fact, this is one of the cleanest setups I’ve seen.” A murmur of approval rippled through the onlookers. Then, from the back, someone shouted, “Brenda Miller put you up to this, didn’t she?” The inspector hesitated, then admitted, “The complaint was anonymous, but…” The crowd erupted in outrage. “Shame on her!” one woman cried. “Trying to ruin a hardworking family!” Brenda, who had been lingering nearby, paled and hurried away, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Carter women packed up their stall, exhausted but triumphant. That night, they gathered around the kitchen table, the contract from The Oak & Ivy laid out before them like a promise. Eleanor wiped her eyes. “I never thought… after everything…” Hannah reached for her mother’s hand. “We’re just getting started.”


She tapped the contract. “This is our proof—we can do this. We can turn Sweet Beginnings into a real bakery.” Olivia grinned. “So what’s next?” “Next,” Hannah said, pulling out a sheet of paper, “we plan. Proper equipment. A bigger space. Maybe even a storefront.” Emily bounced in her seat. “I’ll design the logo!” Lillian laughed. “And I’ll handle the books.” Charlotte smirked. “I’ll charm all the customers.” Eleanor looked around at her daughters, her heart full. “Then let’s dream big.” And so, with flour-dusted fingers and hopeful hearts, they sketched out their future—one pastry, one step, one storm weathered together at a time.