Chapter 5 — The Bakery Calls
Daniel looked toward the cake.
“Can it be fixed?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
He checked the bakery receipt.
The cake came from Miller & Rose Bakery, fifteen minutes away.
Daniel called.
The owner, Rachel Miller, answered.
“Miller & Rose.”
Daniel explained.
Not every detail.
Only:
“Part of the frosting was accidentally damaged while we were trying to remove the back plaque.”
Rachel paused.
“Remove the Claire plaque?”
Daniel frowned.
“You remember?”
“Very clearly.”
Then Rachel said something unexpected.
“Actually, I was about to call Vanessa.”
Vanessa looked up.
Daniel put the phone on speaker.
“Why?”
Rachel sighed.
“We made a mistake on the cake.”
Vanessa stared.
“What mistake?”
“The removable plaque wasn’t supposed to be attached with frosting.”
The bakery order clearly said:
PLACE LOOSE ON BACK EDGE — REMOVE IF CLAIRE CANNOT ATTEND.
But a new decorator had secured it directly to the frosting.
Rachel noticed the mistake only after reviewing a photograph taken before delivery.
“I was trying to reach you before anyone removed it.”
Vanessa sat down.
“So that’s why it wouldn’t come off.”
Rachel apologized.
“We can repair it.”
“How quickly?” Daniel asked.
“Twenty minutes if someone brings it in.”
Daniel looked toward the clock.
Guests would begin arriving soon.
“I’ll come.”
But Sophie suddenly spoke.
“Can I come?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Sure.”
Then Sophie looked toward Vanessa.
“Mom too?”
Vanessa looked surprised.
“If you want me to.”
Sophie nodded.
“It’s my cake.”
For the first time that morning, Daniel smiled.
“Good point.”
They carried the damaged cake to the car together.