The following morning, Charlotte woke up and stretched. She looked out her window and sighed. She stretched, wishing that she could have stayed in bed a while longer. Instead, she stood slowly and changed into a simple grey dress. 

Remembering the red ink letter, she grabbed a piece of paper and her quill from her desk. She quickly wrote a letter to O'Conner and Barker about the Friend that she was meeting, and that they should also be there. After she signed it, she whispered a few words across the paper. It folded into itself, creating an image of a bird. It looked at her before it flew out the window, carrying the message within.

She watched the paper bird fly through the air toward the large buildings of Strathmore. After it was gone from her sight, she sat down at her vanity and grabbed her brush. Not long after, there was a knock at the door as she put up her hair.

"Come in," she called out as Victoria opened the door. She had also changed and was ready to go. "What time is it?"

"It's a little after nine," Victoria answered as she leaned against the door frame. Charlotte finished tying up her hair before looking over at her.

"We should get going, then."

Charlotte slipped her shoes on and grabbed her coat as they left the cottage. Victoria placed a top hat on top of her head as Charlotte locked up. She put her hands in her coat pockets as they walked down the road again.

"I swear it gets colder every year," Charlotte complained, wrapping a scarf around her neck and chin. "And it isn't even winter yet."

"It's just cold in the morning. It'll get warmer as the day goes on," Victoria reminded, rubbing her gloved hands together.

"I can't wait for summer to return," Charlotte mumbled with a sigh. Victoria shook her head and smiled.

They were able to find Maple Road fairly easily, and found a young man with bright ginger hair on a ladder. He was hammering in a sign above what looked to be a bakery. Charlotte felt herself relax, as she was early to their destination. She walked forward and waved her arm to catch his attention.

"Excuse me," she called out. The man lowered his hammer and looked down at her, his rich brown eyes smiling.

"Good morning, ma'am. How can I help you?" he asked.

"Is this the new bakery on the block."

"Yep, today's the first opening. Bought it yesterday from a bloke who needed a change of pace," the man informed as he climbed down. "Are you looking for to buy?"

"Yes, but that's not the only reason I'm here. I was wondering if you know Elizabeth Sterling."

"Ah, you must be the Madame Dragyn. I was wondering if you were going to stop by, although you heard about it quicker than I thought you would," the man rambled. He held out his hand, and she shook it firmly. "My name's Orson Goodrich, Heather's my wife."

"Pleasure," Charlotte smiled. "This is my apprentice Mistress Sphynx. Although, if you want to avoid formalities, my name's Charlotte."

"Victoria," the apprentice introduced, shaking the man's hand as well.

"Nice to meet you. Well, Heather's inside, and I think she said that Elizabeth would be coming soon as well," Orson informed, stepping to the side. "Go get warm inside. I'm going to finish this sign, and then I'll be as well."

"Thank you," Charlotte answered as he climbed the ladder again. She opened the door and walked in with Victoria right behind her.

The bakery was smaller than Charlotte expected, but it was gorgeous. The wood floors were polished with calm cream colored walls surrounding the area. There were counters and shelves half full with baked goods of every sort. There were even some tables and chairs, in case people wanted to savor the environment and the treats.

Heather was behind the main counter next to a large furnace as she stirred something in a large bowl. She had a simpler dress than when they had first met with a frilly apron that was covered in flour and sugar. She turned around as Charlotte and Victoria entered, and she grinned.

"Good morning," she greeted, placing the bowl down. Charlotte waved as Heather came around the counter. "What are you doing here? Did Elizabeth tell you about us?"

"Sort of. We're actually meeting Elizabeth here in a minute," Victoria answered, confusing Heather. With a sigh, Charlotte explained the letter and the Friend that they were meeting. Heather grimaced.

"So you're meeting him just around the corner? And how did he know about the bakery? We weren't even sure until late afternoon yesterday," Heather wondered, a little worried.

"I don't know, but he knew more than he should. That's why I want to meet him. To see how he knows so much, and to see what he knows," Charlotte answered. "But Elizabeth also wanted to come."

"And are you sure that this man is safe?"

"We have hopefully two Bureau officers coming to help. The Friend said that it would be fine to have authorities present."

"That makes this sound even more suspicious," Heather groaned as she shook her head. 

"I know, but I need to see him. I need to know," Charlotte argued. Heather hugged her arms, and nodded.

"Well, be careful. At least you're here, and I might be able to get some help if something goes awry," Heather sighed, rubbing her biceps nervously. Charlotte smiled.

"Everything will be fine. My sister and brother-in-law are also coming, so we should out number him easily," she reassured. Heather nodded, relaxing a little.

"How about some hot chocolate? Since you're here," Heather offered as the two women eagerly agreed.

"That would be wonderful," Charlotte added, sitting down at one of the tables. Heather walked over to the stove as Victoria sat with her mentor.

It wasn't long before Elizabeth walked through the door, surprised to see that Charlotte and Victoria had gotten there before her. Heather looked up and waved.

"Didn't we say we were getting here at ten? It's barely nine thirty," Elizabeth noted.

"I thought it would take longer to get here," Charlotte shrugged as Victoria nodded. Elizabeth pulled up a chair as Heather came around with four mugs of steaming chocolate.

"I guess getting here early worked out," Elizabeth smiled.

"I would say so," Heather laughed before Orson came in as well. "Did you get the sign up?"

"I did indeed," he replied, placing the ladder and hammer behind the counter.

"So, what's the name of the bakery?" Charlotte asked as Heather grimaced. 

"Orson picked it out," Heather informed quickly as her husband beamed.

"Love of Loaves. Isn't that a fantastic name? It's a play on words, and it's memorable," Orson enthused as Charlotte widened her eyes and tried to smile. 

"It's a great name," Elizabeth informed, saving her mentor from embarrassing herself.

"Isn't it? Love of Loaves. It doesn't get much better than that," he smiled as Heather reluctantly agreed. He kissed her cheek before excusing himself. He wanted to hand out flyers to get the word out about his new bakery. After he left, Heather sighed heavily.

"Is it as bad as I think it is?" Heather whispered. Charlotte slowly nodded, pursing her lips. Victoria looked down at her mug, not wanting to get involved. "Maybe he'll change his mind about it."

"I'm not so sure about that. He got up early to hammer on a sign," Charlotte reminded as Heather sat down defeatedly with them.

"I guess it's not the worst name in the world," Heather rationalized, snagging one of the mugs. Charlotte agreed, taking a sip herself.