Chapter 29

• The Lawson yard smelled like exhaust, old leather seats, and the last warm swirl of a coffee pot that hadn’t been scrubbed since dawn. The big family truck rattled to life under the pale dawn, Cade behind the wheel, West and Beck arguing about the cooler, Colt slamming the tailgate shut on bags they’d tossed together while their daddy barked instructions between sips of burnt gas station brew.
• Sadie stood on the front step — hair tucked under a faded bandanna, old tee knotted at her waist, bare legs cold in the morning chill but she didn’t flinch. She leaned into her daddy’s big arms when he pulled her close, kissed her temple the way he always did like she’d never stop bein’ his little girl.
• “Keep the place warm for us, Sadie girl,” he murmured gruff against her hair. “Your mama’d be so proud of this bakery. I’m proud too, y’hear?”