It's Monday; Kate’s first day back to work. She woke up early, the first rays of sunlight peeking through her window. Kate felt a mix of nerves and excitement as she prepared for her first day back at the bakery. It had been a whirlwind since Maggie's murder and her own attack, but she was determined to recim some normalcy in her life.

  As she made her way to the kitchen, the aroma of coffee and bacon greeted her, and she found Jon had already cooked breakfast.

  Jon gnced up from his pte, a warm smile on his face. "Morning. Ready for your first day back?" he asked, his tone gentle but curious.

  Kate nodded as she poured herself some coffee. "Yeah, I think so. It'll be good to get back into a routine and feel some-what normal again." Kate grabs her pte and joins Jon at the table. “I’m kind of nervous, but I need this. It’s been tough feeling stuck in my own head."

  Jon nodded in understanding, his expression sympathetic. "I get that,” he said, his voice gentle. “Plus, it’ll be nice for people to see you again—I’m sure they missed you at the bakery."

  Kate took a seat across from him, grateful for the normalcy of breakfast together. "Thanks for saying that. Honestly, I was scared to come back. What if I can’t handle it?"

  Jon leaned back in his chair, considering her words. "You’re stronger than you think, Kate. Everything you’ve been through… not many people could bounce back like this."

  She looked down at her pte, his words sinking in. "I guess. But some days it still feels like everything’s hanging by a thread, you know?"

  Jon’s gaze didn’t waver. "It’s okay to feel that way. What matters is you keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time."

  Kate looked up, meeting his eyes. "You always know the right thing to say," she said with a small smile. "It’s like you’ve got this way of making me feel like I’m not falling apart."

  Jon chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "I’ve had some practice with that. I’m just gd I can be there for you. It’s the least I can do."

  They continued their breakfast in comfortable silence, the morning light filtering through the windows. Once they were ready to leave, Jon grabbed his keys and held the door open for Kate. As they stepped outside and approached his cruiser, he gnced at her. "If it gets too overwhelming, you call me, okay? I’ll be here, no matter what."

  Kate felt a warmth spread through her. "I will. I promise."

  The drive to the bakery was short, but Jon kept the conversation going. "So, are you pnning to stick with baking today, or will you be working up front too?"

  "I’ll be doing a bit of both, I think. I like being in the back, though—it’s kind of like my little escape," Kate said, her tone lightening. "It’s where I can just focus on making something good, you know?"

  Jon nodded thoughtfully. "I can see that. There’s something therapeutic about working with your hands. Maybe you’ll make me something special ter?" he teased.

  Kate grinned. "If you’re nice, I just might. What’s your favorite? I’m guessing something simple like cheesecake."

  "Wow, you got me pegged already," Jon said with a ugh. "Cheesecake is a cssic."

  The bakery where Kate works is a charming gem nestled in the heart of Willow Creek. Housed in a quaint brick building with rge, sunlit windows, it exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere. The cheerful storefront is adorned with a colorful awning, the bakery’s name, "Sweet Willow Bakery," elegantly scripted across it, giving the pce a timeless, cozy appeal.

  As they pulled up to the curb, Jon turned to Kate, his expression soft. “No pressure. Just take it one step at a time—you’re going to do great.”

  Kate gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks, Jon. You’ve really helped take the edge off.”

  “I’ll be right here when your shift ends,” Jon assured her. “Just call if you need anything.”

  With one st reassuring thumbs-up from Jon, Kate watched him drive away, his cruiser disappearing down the quiet street. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her nerves, squared her shoulders, and walked into the bakery, ready to tackle her first day back.

  Stepping inside Sweet Willow Bakery was like entering a warm embrace. The cozy interior radiated comfort, with its polished wooden floors, vintage decor, and small tables adorned with fresh flowers. Sunlight streamed through the rge windows, casting a golden glow over the space. The air was thick with the heavenly scent of freshly baked bread, buttery croissants, and sweet pastries—a mix of nostalgia and home.

  The centerpiece of the bakery was the gleaming dispy counter, filled with an array of mouthwatering treats. Behind the gss, rows of fky scones, colorful cupcakes, and meticulously decorated cakes were arranged like edible works of art. Above the counter, a chalkboard menu listed the day’s specials in vibrant, handwritten script, adding to the bakery’s personal touch.

  Sweet Willow Bakery was more than just a pce to grab a bite—it was a community gathering spot, where people shared stories, ughter, and a little slice of comfort in their day. As Kate took in the familiar surroundings, she felt a flicker of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, life could start feeling normal again.

  ***

  Kate’s day at the bakery flew by as she immersed herself in the familiar rhythm of work. Kneading dough, frosting cakes, and chatting with customers offered the perfect escape from her worries, and for the first time in weeks, she felt a hint of normalcy. As the afternoon drifted by, an idea sparked—a way to express her gratitude for Jon’s constant support. She decided to make her signature cheesecake, a treat she knew he would appreciate.

  Kate’s special cheesecake was a cssic New York-style recipe, rich and indulgent with a buttery graham cracker crust. She started by crushing the graham crackers, mixing them with melted butter and a touch of sugar, then pressing the mixture into a springform pan. The crust baked to a golden brown, filling the bakery with a warm, toasty aroma.

  Next came the filling. Kate combined cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and a spsh of vanil extract, blending it all until the mixture was smooth and creamy. She poured it over the baked crust, sliding the pan into the oven to let it bake until just set with a subtle jiggle at the center—the perfect texture.

  Once cooled, the cheesecake was left to chill in the fridge, allowing the fvors to meld and the texture to firm up. Before her shift ended, Kate added the final touch: a homemade strawberry compote spooned generously over the top, its bright red hue and sweet-tart fvor perfectly complementing the creamy richness of the cheesecake.

  When her workday was done, Kate carefully boxed up the cheesecake and stepped outside to find Jon waiting, just as he’d promised. He grinned when he saw her approach. “How was it?” he asked, his eyes warm with curiosity.

  “Busy, but in a good way,” Kate replied, holding out the box with a shy smile. “I made this for you—to say thank you for everything.”

  Jon blinked in surprise, then broke into a wide smile. “You didn’t have to do that, Kate. But I’m not compining—this looks incredible.”

  Kate’s heart swelled at his reaction. “I wanted to. You’ve really been there for me, and it means a lot.”

  Jon opened the passenger door for her, and as they drove home, a contented silence filled the car. For the first time in a long while, Kate felt a genuine spark of happiness—like maybe, despite everything, she was beginning to find her way back to herself.

  ***

  Later that evening, Kate decided to make dinner for herself and Jon as another way to show her gratitude. She prepared a simple but delicious meal of grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and a fresh garden sad. The aroma filled the house, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

  Jon came into the kitchen just as she was putting the finishing touches on the table. "Something smells incredible," he said, taking a deep breath.

  "Just a little thank you for all your help," Kate replied, smiling.

  Jon turned to Kate with a grateful smile. "Thank you for dinner, Kate. I can't remember the st time I had a home-cooked meal. As a single guy, it's usually takeout or whatever's quick."

  Kate smiled back. "Cooking is one of the ways I unwind."

  They sat down to eat, and the conversation flowed easily. Jon shared stories about the test happenings in Willow Creek, while Kate talked about her day at the bakery. The dinner was perfect, and both of them enjoyed the moment of normalcy and connection.

  "You know, it's funny," she began, "I was thinking about how things have been slowly getting back to normal. My birthday is next week, and I realized I haven't even thought about how to celebrate."

  Jon looked up from his pte, genuine interest in his eyes. "Really? Well, we'll have to do something special.”

  Kate smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Thank you. I'll think about it. I've never been one to go over the top for my birthday. It's always been more about spending time with friends, maybe going out for a nice dinner or just having a quiet night in."

  Jon nodded in understanding. "I can rete.”

  Kate smiled, “It’s about the memories you create. I must admit though, I might not be opposed to a more memorable experience, you know?”

  Jon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? I think I can make something happen.”

  Kate felt a rush of excitement.

  After finishing dinner, they cut into the cheesecake. Jon took a bite and closed his eyes, savoring the fvor. "This is amazing, Kate. Seriously, the best cheesecake I've ever had."

  Kate blushed, pleased by his reaction. "I'm gd you like it. It's my special recipe."

  Jon nodded thoughtfully. "You know, I was thinking... How about I take you shopping for ingredients sometime? It could be fun, and I'd like to contribute more than just eating all your delicious food."

  Kate's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds like a great idea. I'd love that."

  They finished the evening with ughter and lighthearted conversation, the weight of recent events momentarily lifted. As Jon helped Kate clean up, both felt a growing bond. A bond that promised a future of more shared dinners, cheesecakes, and perhaps even something more.