Derek leaned forward.
“I needed the money to close. You weren’t going to keep that bakery open anyway.”
For years, I’d wondered whether my mother had misunderstood what happened.
Now I knew.
She’d made the decision deliberately.
And Derek had known.
He pushed the release toward me.
“Come on, Greta. Sign this. I’ll repay you when I can.”
I looked at him.
“Grandpa already explained what you need to do.”
Mom crossed her arms.
“So you’re really going to risk the family home over an old disagreement?”
“No,” I answered. “I’m going to respect Grandpa’s wishes.”
I left without signing.
Over the following weeks, I continued working overnight shifts at the bread factory.
On my days off, I drove to Park Rapids.
Gus helped move equipment into the storefront.
Lois checked on my progress.
Slowly, the empty building began looking like a bakery.
