“You’re a natural, Anna,” I said in Violet’s voice. “You’re a blessing sent from heaven. It’s like you literally just dropped out of nowhere.”

The vision ended and I said, “Anna’s a blessing sent from heaven.”

Violet’s eyes widened. “What?”

Though I could have explained the vision to her, there was no real point. It hadn’t told me anything important or pressing. I sighed and followed her. “I think Anna will be great. When do you want her to start?”

“Don’t you think we should discuss it with Joe first?”

“I thought you said Joe doesn’t care.”

“He is part owner.”

“I don’t want to discuss it with Joe. I’m majority owner and I say it’s fine. But if you feel the need, go ahead and run it by him.”

She gave me a pointed glance. “You have to talk to him, Rose. You’re acting childish.” She was quiet for a moment. “You haven’t spoken to him since the day Neely Kate lost her babies, have you?”

I didn’t answer. What did it matter to her?

“How’s Neely Kate doin’?”

“Not so great, but I have a special surprise planned for her this afternoon.”

“That’s good. Just give her lots of love.” Tears filled her eyes. “Your love was the best medicine when it happened to me.”

I pulled my sister into a hug. “Sometimes I forget you lost a baby right after you and Mike were married. How’d you survive it?” After my own baby scare and the surprising disappointment I’d felt after finding out I wasn’t pregnant, I couldn’t imagine losing a baby I’d planned for and wanted from before its conception.

She gave me a soft smile. “It helped knowing I was loved.”

“Is it hard to think about how happy you once were after everything that’s happened?”

Her eyes filled with sadness. “I have to believe everything will work out for the best.” She forced a smile. “Besides, I have Ashley and Mikey now. Neely Kate will have other babies.” She grabbed my hand, worry wrinkling her forehead. “But don’t be telling her that. Too many well-meaning people say things like that and it hurts more than it helps.”

I shook my head. “I won’t.”

“Just be yourself. That’s the best you can offer her.”

“Thanks.” I headed out to my truck and glanced at my phone, seeing I had a missed call and a text from Mason.

Sorry I couldn’t get away to meet you for lunch, but I can spend a few minutes with you this afternoon if you get a chance.

I smiled and texted: Lucky you. I have about fifteen minutes to spare.

I drove back downtown and parked halfway between the courthouse and Dena’s Bakery, the new competition to Ima Jean’s Bakery. Ima Jean’s was a Henryetta institution. Rumor had it her bakery had been open since the town’s incorporation in 1865. I wasn’t so sure about that, but her baked goods certainly tasted old enough to have been prepared for the grand opening. Dena, on the other hand, had a knack for creating delicious treats. I knew for a fact that Neely Kate loved her strawberry cupcakes, and since Mason had a weakness for pie, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone.

Dena greeted me as soon as I walked into the bakery, glancing up with a smile as she packaged a cupcake for the man at her counter. He had thinning gray hair and wore dress pants and a white dress shirt. I was pretty sure I’d seen him at the courthouse before while visiting Mason or Neely Kate, back when she still worked there. He cast a baleful glance at me as I let the chilly January air inside, then turned back to the case.

Another customer was waiting at the counter. She wore a heavy cable knit sweater over a shirt stretched over her middle-aged spread. Dark circles under her eyes suggested she was exhausted. Dena took two boxes to the register and let out a big sigh. “Thanks for waiting, Marta. If I stay this busy, I’m gonna have to hire some help.”

“That’s a good problem to have, isn’t it?” the woman asked, but she didn’t sound happy about it.

“That it is.” Dena rang up both of the customers. The woman took her box to one of the few small tables in the back, and the man bustled out of the shop so fast, I was surprised the door didn’t hit him on his rear.

“Rose! How’re you doin’?” Dena asked as I walked up to the counter, occupying the space they had just left.

I perused the glass case. “If you have any of your strawberry cupcakes left, I’ll be great.”

“It’s your lucky day. There are two of ’em.”

“I want them both. And a chocolate caramel one too. And a piece of apple pie.”

Dena laughed. “I hope you’re not eating all this yourself, or you’re gonna have to do some serious workouts.”

I grinned. “The cupcakes are for Neely Kate and the pie’s for Mason. So if you could box them up separately…”

“Not a problem,” she said, grabbing a box for the cupcakes.

“So, business is good, huh?” I asked. “Every time I come in, you just get busier.” It wasn’t hard to figure out why. In addition to selling food that was actually good, Dena’s bakery had a cozy atmosphere. While it was small, it had lots of charm—from the soft pastel swirls painted on the white walls like decorator frosting to the kitschy ceramic cookie jars lined up on the shelf behind the counter. The interior of Ima Jean’s shop looked about as ancient as her baked goods tasted.