Then, she suddenly laughed. “Margaret wasn’t exaggerating about your ears.”

I sighed. “Wonderful. My reputation arrived before I did.”

Denise led me behind the counter.

Customers ordered coffee while employees carried trays of pastries.

Then she pointed toward the menu.

I froze.

“Margaret wasn’t exaggerating.”

Halfway down the menu, in large letters, were the words:

“TOMMY’S TERRIBLE TOAST.”

I stared. “What on earth?”

Denise grinned. “It’s one of our bestsellers.”

“What on earth?”

Underneath the name was a description.

“Sweet cinnamon toast inspired by the only boy who could burn bread and still convince Maggie to kiss him.”

My face grew hot. “She named a pastry after me?”

“Years ago.”

Denise handed me a piece.

I tasted it.

It was delicious!

I tasted it.

“Margaret invented this?”

“Yes. She said the original was considerably less edible.”

I laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks.

Then, the manager showed me a framed photo behind the counter.

Margaret and me at 17.

“Margaret invented this?”

Underneath, my first love had written:

“Some people are worth waiting for. Others should stay away from the stove.”

I stood there, smiling at that photo.

Even after more than four decades apart, she’d remembered my terrible cooking.

I stood there, smiling at that photo.

***

Unfortunately, owning a bakery wasn’t as simple as receiving free cinnamon rolls.

I knew nothing about running a business.

My first meeting with Wade and Denise involved payroll, suppliers, equipment maintenance, and tax paperwork.

I stared at the documents. “Would it help if I prayed over these?”

Wade grinned. “Only if your prayers include bookkeeping.”

I stared at the documents.

I laughed, but I was worried.

Margaret had worked too hard for me to ruin everything.

***

For several days, I considered selling the bakery.

Then I reread her letter.

I was worried.

I hadn’t noticed it before, but on the back, she’d written:

“Tommy, don’t let fear make your decisions. You’ve always been braver than you think.”

I decided to give myself time.

Wade helped me understand the finances.

Denise explained the daily operations.

I hadn’t noticed it.