Perfect Contradiction by Peggy Martinez Page B

cash register sat on the far corner of the counter. An eclectic collection of baskets and cake stands that I’d collected for the past few weeks lined the top of the rest of the counter. The window near the small tables had white lace curtains pulled back so guests could see out into the front yard. The front porch swing was right outside the window.
    “It’s perfect,” Beth said after walking around the room.
    “Let me show you the rooms,” I said after a moment. I showed her the few finishing touches upstairs that she hadn’t seen. A throw blanket here, an old vase there, even an antique toy truck I’d picked up for the multicolored room. It went perfectly.
    “Ladies… we’re ready for you.” Matt’s voice reached us from downstairs. My eyes widened. Pastor Wright and Matthew were out in the yard working on last two things I needed done before the grand opening in a few days.
    “They’re ready,” Beth said excitedly. “Are you?” she asked.
    “I am,” I said, nodding my head. And I thought I was. We headed down the stairs, refraining from rushing down them like a couple of schoolgirls, but it was a very near thing. When we got outside, I walked quickly with Beth to the front lawn. I stopped, my eyes welling up as I took it all in. Matt and Pastor Wright stood there with huge grins on their faces. The sign stood proudly in my front yard, close to the road. It hailed my home proudly as the Countryside Inn and Bakery. The sign was wooden and distressed purposely to look a little old fashioned, just like my house. Beth wound her arm through mine as we turned to look at the house itself. A sign hung there too. From two chains, a smaller, identical sign to the one in the yard hung from the porch just above the stairs. It looked like it was meant to hang there, that it had always been a part of the house. It was perfect .
    “Your momma would’ve been so proud,” Beth whispered.
    I smiled and hugged her arm tightly. “Yes, she would have been,” I answered.
    “Thank you so much, Pastor Wright, Matt,” I said after a moment.
    “It was our pleasure,” Pastor Wright answered with a smile. They began getting all their tools together and loading up their truck while Beth and I just stood there staring at the house.
    “So, you’re going to do this,” Beth said softly. I knew she wasn’t just talking about the inn.
    “I am. It’s for the best,” I said. I could feel her eyes on me, watching me as I stood there with my chin tilted defiantly.
    “Okay,” she answered after a moment and a sigh.
    “Okay,” I agreed. Now to stick with my plan and everything would turn out hunky-dory.
    “Well, this time next week, you’re going to be a busy lady with the inn opening up.”
    I was grateful that Beth had decided to change the subject. “Yeah, getting up that early to bake each morning is gonna be hell,” I said with a groan.
    Beth smiled widely. “My niece, little Elizabeth , doesn’t like early mornings?’ she asked in baby talk. She reached out a hand, but I slapped it away.
    “Don’t you even dare, Elizabeth Michaels Wright!” I huffed. Beth chuckled, but smartly let her hand fall away before getting too close to my stomach. “And besides… it could be a boy.” Beth snorted in derision as I grinned.
    “Beth! We’re ready to head out.” Beth waved over to Matt.
    “Well, I gotta get going. I’ll be over the day before the grand opening to stay the night and lend a hand like I promised,” Beth said.
    “Sounds good. We’ll see how much your taste testing comes in handy,” I said with a grin.
    Beth put both her hand on her hips. “Quality control is an important part of any growing business,” she said matter-of-factly.
    I laughed. “And you are definitely highly qualified in that department,” I joked.
    Beth beamed. “I’m gonna take that as a compliment.”
    “You should,” I agreed. “I’ll see you in six days then. Please thank Pastor Wright and Matt for me again.” Beth