Chapter 7 - New Seeds
Evelyn's luxury sedan sped away down the street, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
Mark watched the car disappear into the distance.
A quiet calm settled over the garage.
He closed his toolbox and walked upstairs to his apartment.
When he opened the door, the sweet smell of fresh cinnamon rolls greeted him.
Sarah was at the counter, dusting flour off her apron while Leo played quietly with wooden blocks on the rug.
She looked up at Mark and noticed a strange look of calm on his face.
"Was that a black car outside?" Sarah asked gently.
"It was Mother," Mark replied, sitting down at the wooden table.
Sarah paused, her eyes widening slightly. "What did she want?"
"She wanted us to apologize and move back," Mark explained.
"She threatened to cut off my inheritance if I refused."
Sarah stepped closer to him, taking his hands. "And what did you say?"
"I told her to keep the money," Mark smiled softly.
"I told her our peace is worth more than anything she owns."
Sarah let out a long breath, a soft smile spreading across her face.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Mark's shoulders.
"I am so proud of you, Mark," she whispered.
Just then, a knock sounded at the front door.
Martha walked in holding a small notebook and a bright smile.
"Sorry to intrude, folks," Martha laughed warmly.
"I brought someone who wants to meet you, Sarah."
Behind Martha stepped a friendly middle-aged woman wearing a green apron.
"This is Clara," Martha introduced. "She owns the corner coffee shop down the street."
Clara smiled warmly at Sarah.
"Martha gave me one of your blueberry muffins this morning, Sarah," Clara said.
"It was the best muffin I've tasted in ten years."
"I run a busy morning crowd, but I don't have time to bake fresh goods every day."
"I was wondering if you would be interested in baking three dozen pastries for my café every morning?"
Sarah stood frozen in surprise.
"You... you want my baked goods for your shop?" Sarah asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"I will pay you upfront every week," Clara offered kindly.
"You can bake right here in your kitchen while caring for your sweet boy."
Sarah looked at Mark, her eyes glowing with excitement and hope.
Mark beamed with pride, nodding his head vigorously.
"I would love to do that!" Sarah exclaimed.
"I'll help you package and deliver them every morning before my shift starts," Mark added proudly.
That night, as baby Leo slept soundly, Sarah sat at the kitchen table writing down her first official baking list.
May you like
For the first time in her life, she wasn't just surviving.
She was building something of her own.
