Marie's dark eyebrows dipped together over her perfect nose. "I haven't seen you at church the last couple weeks. Is everything..."
"I've been selling my pies at farmers' markets around the island." Marie's face relaxed, and she blew into her mug, sending steam spiraling.
"But that's...kind of why I'm here." Whitney released the last words in a quick stream, still afraid to ask, yet terrified not to. She couldn't back out now. "My oven broke. Again. And I can't make more pies if I don't have an oven. And I need..."
Her mom had always said that it was uncouth to talk about money. But she needed it.
The Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown had no problem talking about money. And asking for it. And reminding her that if she wanted her spot to remain reserved, she needed to make a payment. That just wasn't going to happen without an oven—a fully functioning one at that.
"Oh, Whitney. I'm sorry about your oven. How can we help?"
Great. Marie was going to make her say the words. It would only take five of them. But really, couldn't she just offer?
Whitney took an unsteady sip of her cocoa. It was watery and fairly flavorless, but at least it gave her something to do while she stared at the floor and plucked up all her courage. "Maybe...if it wouldn't be too much trouble...would it be okay if..."
Marie's eyebrows pinched all the way together, confusion clearly written across her face.
Taking a deep breath, Whitney closed her eyes and opened her mouth and prayed that the words that came out would make sense. "Would it be okay for me to maybe use the inn's oven to bake my pies?"
"Oh." Marie's mouth hung open, her eyebrows raising nearly to her hairline.
The silence between them fell heavier than a blanket of wet snow, and Whitney rushed to fill it, but Marie beat her.
"I mean, I'd love to help you out. It's just..." Her arm waved toward Jessie happily clapping pan lids together like cymbals. "It's such a..."
Busy time.
Marie didn't need to fill in the words. The whole island was nearly buzzing in anticipation of Christmas and all the activities the season held. And Marie's season was going to be extra full.
After struggling so much to find the words only minutes before, Whitney had no trouble spitting out a wholly unexpected trade. "I could watch your kids while you have guests."
She was certain she looked as shocked as Marie in that moment. She liked Marie and Seth's little ones more than any others in their little hamlet, but she didn't know much about caring for kids. Her own sister was only eighteen months younger, and there were no nieces or nephews in the family yet.
The offer hung there like week-old laundry on the line, nearly forgotten but refusing to be ignored.
A slow smile stretched across Marie's face, her eyes lit by a flame within. "Really? That would be amazing. Even a few hours a day—like when I'm at the church for rehearsals or going shopping. Seth has been focused on a remodeling job in Cavendish, and he's trying to wrap it up before Christmas. He's been leaving early in the mornings. And we agreed to the job before Aretha told us about her guests." Marie sighed as though she'd set down a heavy weight. "Do you truly have time?"
A glimmer of hope flickered inside. Whitney didn't have time not to, so she nodded quickly. "Sure thing. I'd be happy to."
"And you would just need to borrow the oven?"
Hesitating to stretch the request, Whitney swallowed softly. "And maybe the kitchen to do some prep." Caden had top-notch tools that could make her even more productive.
Marie took a step forward, resting her mug on the island. "And maybe cook some breakfasts?"
Her mouth went dry, and no amount of sipping rapidly cooling cocoa could change that.
"The Lord knows Caden is a wonderful teacher, but she hasn't taught me squat." Marie chuckled. "Nearly ten years of friendship and I can barely cook scrambled eggs. I'd like to be able to offer our guests a little something more."
"You want me to fill in for Caden?" Whitney began shaking her head to answer the question before she had even finished asking it. "I don't think I'd be..."
Marie slipped around the edge of the island and leaned in close. "But you're a natural. And you were part of Caden's first class of summer school students. I'm not asking for much. There are only two guests. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Simple. Edible."
"So, if I watch the kids and make breakfast, I can use the whole kitchen?"
Blue eyes flashing bright, Marie nodded. "Please."
This wasn't exactly how she'd planned to spend the Christmas season. Then again, she hadn't really made any plans. She had booked farmers' markets and festivals all the way up until December 22. Then, if the roads were clear, she'd venture down to the city to see her parents.
Suddenly the next five weeks stretched before her, all bags of flour and cups of sugar, fresh fruit and warm pies.
Just her. And some pastries.
Jessie pulled a pot from the cupboard, and it crashed to the floor, making both women jump. Setting down her mug, Whitney scooped up the little girl and looked at her mom. This didn't have to be a lonely holiday season. And if spending the upcoming weeks helping at the Red Door meant access to Caden's kitchen, she couldn't possibly refuse.
"All right. I'll do it."
