BPOV

"Yes, thank you! I'm looking forward to it." I'm trying not to gush over the phone, but I'm so excited. "I've got it marked down in my calendar: Christmas Eve at Black Industries. You won't be disappointed with the selection of pastries and tarts I've chosen."

"If they're half as good as the ones I had at the bridal shower I went to last week, then we'll be very happy. We look forward to seeing you on December 24th, Bella. Have a nice Thanksgiving."

"Thank you, Jane. Enjoy yours as well. Talk to you soon. Bye-bye."

After hanging up the phone, I lean back against the counter in the prep kitchen of my small bakery and start laughing to myself. I just landed a huge catering job for a Christmas dinner for one of the biggest companies in Seattle. I couldn't wait to call my dad and tell him the good news. He was always worried that business wouldn't pick up, but over the last few years, with diligent work from me, it really had.

My happiness is short-lived though when I hear my bakery manager yelling at what I assume is a customer in the front of the store. I walk toward the doorway to break things up when I hear what should be the final nail in her coffin. "Well, I'm the manager and what I say goes."

This can't be good.

I step out and place a hand on Alice's shoulder. "Is there something I can help with?"

"This woman is demanding that we make her keto tarts!" Alice is fuming and indignant. I suppress an eye roll and send Alice to the back to start inventory.

The woman looks livid, with a red face. "I simply asked that woman if you had keto tarts. I wasn't asking for something to be made special."

"I am so sorry for her behavior," I say with a gentle smile. "My name's Bella, and this is my bakery. I do offer two different keto tarts, and I'd love to send two of each home with you at no charge."

"Well, I don't think—"

I begin boxing up the tarts. "I think it's the least I can do to make up for Alice's behavior, and I'm confident that once you taste these, you'll come back." Once boxed up, I smile at the woman again. "I want to apologize again. I'll have a talk with her and make sure her attitude is straightened out."

"This is very generous of you. I've heard excellent things about your products, but I'll warn you—her reputation precedes her." She saunters out the door, and I shake my head. Alice certainly does have a mouth on her, and if word is getting around about her, then it's finally time to let her go.

I hear the shop phone ring, and when Alice calls my name to pick up the line, I'm worried she can't even take an order over the phone anymore.

"Bella's Bakes, thanks for holding. How can I help you?"

"Bells? It's Dad," my father's soft voice comes through the line. "Are you planning on coming home for Thanksgiving?"

"Hi, Dad." I cringe. "I hadn't planned on it. It's kind of a busy time for me. Why don't you come down and see me?"

"I'd love to, but I've been cleaning out your grandmother's place to get it ready to sell, and I finally found the will."

The silence stretches between us, and finally, I ask what happens now.

"It's with the lawyers, but you'll probably need to come up at some point for a reading or something. I'm sure she left you something." He sighs. "And it'd be good to see you, kiddo."

I miss my dad fiercely; I've just been so busy. Maybe I can close up the shop for a few days and go home to see him and handle all this business.

"I'll see what I can do about Thanksgiving and call you tomorrow. We've still got five days until Turkey Day."

"Sounds good, sweetie. Sue sends her love. Talk to you tomorrow."

When I hang up, I know I can't say no. I'll need to go home and wrap up my grandmother's life and final wishes. Plus, it'll be good to see my dad and his longtime girlfriend, Sue, again. I can take a few days and relax because I'll need the break before the holiday season really starts.

"Alice?" I walk into the back, and as expected, my bakery manager is almost done with the inventory. She's quick and efficient when she doesn't have to deal with people. "Alice, I think I'm going to close up shop for Thanksgiving this year."

"Really?" She doesn't bother to look up at me, just continues to count and mark things down. "I think that's a good idea."

"About that customer …"

"She was rude to me, and I—"

I hold up a hand to cut her off. "She asked for something we actually make and sell. There was no reason for you to behave like that."

"We have keto tarts?"

"We've had them as long as you've been here. You're very partial to the chocolate one," I tell her pointedly, and she shrugs and has the good sense to look somewhat ashamed.

"Can I blame it on my hormones?"

"Are you on your period?"

"No, I'm pregnant."

Silence for one, two, three, four beats.

"Congratulations," I deadpan. "I still have to fire you. This isn't the first time you've gotten into a yelling match with a customer, and it isn't the first time a customer has complained about you. I've warned you before."

"Are you serious?" She drops the clipboard and stares at me with daggers in her eyes. "I can't believe you."

"Hand me your keys, and I'll pay you for the rest of the day. You can go home."

She pulls her keyring from her pocket and hands it to me with the little cupcake keychain I gave her dangling from it. "You'll regret this, Bella."

"Maybe I will, but I think I gave you plenty of chances to change your attitude. Good luck and I'll be happy to write you a flattering recommendation." She storms to the back, and when she comes out, she's in her coat with her purse slung over her shoulder.

She brushes past me without a backward glance and exits the bakery without saying goodbye, slamming the door so hard the front windows rattle.

Maybe I will regret it later, but right now, I feel light. So I send out a quick email coupon to my regulars letting them know I'll be closing in two days for the next week and prepare for the onslaught that's sure to come. I make a mental note to call Charlie and tell him I'm coming home.

A/N: The list is long this time! Thank you to, Alice's White Rabbit for taking care of my words, Pandora's BoxIs Heavy, maplestyle, quantumfixx, and Sunshine 1220 for being so supportive, and Marie S Cullen for banging out a banner in less than a week! My love and gratitude to each of you. Lastly, to you, the readers: this has been an exciting year for me as an author and I wouldn't be where I am without you! This will be my last fic of the year. I hope you enjoy it!