Chapter Eighteen
"Hey Zesty!"
SweeTango called out to the colt as she trotted back to their station.
"Sorry that I was gone for so long. You weren't too bored alone, were you?"
"Oh, not at all," he smiled. "I ended up using the free time to prep for tomorrow. You came back just in time for dinner, too."
The mare picked up on the savory scent simmering over a portable stove. Her eyes lit up immediately.
"Is that your famous chili?"
"One of your favorites."
"You're such a mind reader!"
"Well, it ain't gonna eat itself."
The colt pours her a bowl before helping himself. He snickered watching her nearly burn her tongue as she ate.
"You trying to burn your tongue on purpose?"
"Relax...I'm being careful! Just a little excited to eat your cooking again."
"Yet you've taste tested everything I've made at home everyday."
"Home cooking is different than confectionaries, Zesty. You have a wonderful talent for both."
She glanced over to a sheet pan rack completely covered by a large cloth.
"Seems like you did a lot while I was gone," she said. "Is that entire rack full?"
"You bet, and they'll be ready for baking tomorrow."
"Baking?" The mare chuckled. "You think we're going to get a lot of customers, huh?"
"You can never underestimate the odds. This year is our first crack at the Golden Apple Harvest, and thousands of ponies come here annually. We can't be unprepared."
"Well I'm not complaining. I only expect us to spread the word of our little hole-in-the-wall store so it'll be booming when we return home. Speaking of which, were you able to look at my notebook at all?"
"Ah, yeah. You had some nice ideas there."
"Oh really?" She smiled. "So, what did you think?"
"They were nice, but…"
"But?"
"I just don't think it's going to give our store the wow factor. I mean, we're a new business, so I feel it'd be better to keep things simple."
"Oh, you mean sell what we're known for? I mean wasn't planning on changing what we've been doing per se. Our pastries have always been great."
"That's right, and that's what makes us unique. If we were to change our model now, it would only hurt us."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right. It's good that you gave it some thought." She finishes up her chili and smiled. "Thanks for talking it over with me! Your chili has warmed my spirits once again!"
"Even though I turned your ideas down?"
"Marketing concepts are a hit and miss, Zesty. Something like this won't hurt me in the slightest! If you feel keeping things the same will bring in ponies, then I say go for it. We'll show them what we're made of!"
"Sure!" He smiled.
The mare began to yawn.
"Oh wow...I didn't expect to get tired so quickly…" she said.
"Yeah, you're usually a night owl. It's possible you might have exerted too much energy helping out Applejack and her family."
"Maybe...but all I ever did was help with inventory. Perhaps I'm just too excited about tomorrow that I tired myself out."
"Oh?"
"Just think, Zesty. Tomorrow will mark the first day we'll be selling outside of home. It'll be the best achievement we'll ever get...and our families would be so proud of us…"
"I'm sure they will be. Now let's get you to the caravan before you drift off completely."
"Don't worry, I'll get there…" She slowly enters the caravan and turns her head to the colt with a smile. "Night Zesty…Could you at least put those gummies on display before we open?"
"Sure thing. Goodnight."
Seeing his partner sleeping peacefully, he couldn't help but smirk.
"Sweet dreams, Sweet…" he said to himself, pulling out a small bottle that reads "Camomile Oil" from the nearby spice rack. "Camomile is soothing, but tasteless. It should keep her out of harm's way before tomorrow ends."
He looks over at the sheet pan rack.
"I'll show her that I'm the better chef...even if it means cutting corners to get there.
The following morning went off like the colt had expected. He got up early to bake "his" new delights, and business was fairly booming afterwards...whilst his partner remained in a deep sleep.