Texas Sweet

by Jean Brashear

  She nodded and patted Blue’s hand. “I’ll give you your chance, Blue. I’ll give you a week to show me what you’re made of. I even have a place you can stay, my husband’s little house he kept after we married. See, I was never married until a year ago, so I do know a thing or two about not walking the straight path.” Her features firmed. “But I will not tolerate anyone stealing from me or not doing an honest day’s work. We work hard around here, and I’ll expect you to pitch in and carry your weight. After the first week, you and I will sit down with my granddaughter and Jeanette, and we’ll see how all of us feel about going forward. Sound fair enough?”

  Tears pricked at Blue’s eyes. She hadn’t let herself cry in years. “More than fair,” she managed. “You’re a remarkable woman, Ruby Howard.”

  “I am, but I’m only one of many around here. We’d welcome you to become our newest one. We specialize in strong women who’ve survived hard times.”

  “I’d like that myself,” Blue answered, and it was one of the truest things she’d ever said.

  “Good enough.” Ruby tapped the tabletop. “Let me draw you a map to Arnie’s house, but first, how about some food? Meals are included in your pay.”

  “I’d be real grateful. Is there somewhere I can wash up?”

  Ruby nodded. “Brenda, would you come here a minute?”

  Blue held her breath as her daughter complied. “Yes?”

  “This is Blue Fondreau. She’s going to have lunch on me. Blue, this is Brenda Jones. She’s our best waitress after Jeanette and one hard worker. Brenda, would you please show Blue the ladies’ room?” She turned back to Blue. “Henry is taking over for me for a couple of hours.” She grimaced. “I let Scarlett badger me into taking a lie-down each afternoon. Don’t like it one bit. I might be pushing eighty, but I’m not dead yet.”

  “No, but you’re as stubborn as an old billy goat,” said a new voice.

  Blue dragged her gaze away from her daughter and looked over to see a tall, rangy blonde.

  “Hi, I’m Jeanette.”

  “I’m Blue. Pleased to meet you.” She wondered if everyone could hear her pounding heart.

  “Blue here has waitress experience,” Ruby said. “We’re going to try each other out for a week and see how we all feel. Blue, Jeanette runs this dining room with a firm hand, and she’ll get you set up to start tomorrow. I’ll draw that map and leave you a key—I’m letting her stay in Arnie’s house, Jeanette, now that Chrissy has moved out and married Tank.”

  Blue saw the questions in the new woman’s eyes and forced herself not to look away. “I’ll do you a good job.”

  “You will, or you’ll be gone,” Jeanette said, and Blue knew that she’d have plenty of eyes watching her every move. She’d have to be very cautious to be sure she didn’t lose this chance, however much she wanted to grab every possible second with her daughter.

  Then she turned to the older woman. “Thank you, Ruby. You won’t be sorry you took a gamble on me.”

  “See that I don’t.” But Ruby’s eyes were warm and kind as she said it.

  “I love my garden, Henry,” Scarlett said, rocking side to side while patting Georgia’s bottom in the sling across her chest.

  “It looks like dirt to me,” her cousin Penny Calhoun noted. “And some green stuff. Tiny green stuff.”

  “Ignore her, Henry.” She turned to the much taller woman who also held a baby. Her son JJ wasn’t interested in sleeping but peered around him with his father Bridger’s calm eyes. “We have fresh kale in the making, and spinach coming up.”

  Scarlett pointed behind Henry. “And rosemary there, sage there and thyme. Soon we’ll have dill and when it’s warmer we’ll have basil which, for now, is growing in Veronica’s greenhouse.” She smiled brilliantly. “I also love Henry. Henry is the man.”

  Penny grinned and winked at him, and Henry tried to stave off a blush. “I’m planting cabbages and broccoli today,” he said.

  “Be still my heart,” Scarlett sighed. “Admit it, Penny. You’re a good cook, and we’re both going to love having the freshest foods.”

  “Much you know about that. Ruby and Ian are never letting you come back to work full-time.”

  Henry smothered a grin as Penny’s ribbing made the steam spout from Scarlett’s ears. “I will be back on Friday, whether those two like it or not.”

  “What are you going to do with Georgia?”

  “Grandma Sophia will keep her at Nana’s during the day for now. Mrs. O has volunteered to help out, too. I’m saving up breast milk, but I’d rather that be last resort, and fortunately, Sophia feels the same and is willing to go the extra mile.”

  Henry squirmed a little. “Guy here. Stop saying that stuff.”

  They both laughed. “Oh, suck it up, Henry. It’s a natural process, a mother feeding her child,” Penny said.

  He squeezed his eyes shut against the image of either woman’s bared bosoms. “I’m going inside.”

  Scarlett took pity on him. “Stop tormenting him, Penny. He’s shy.” She smiled at him. “Ian and I are so pleased to be hosting Brenda’s birthday party at our new place.”

  “I promise I’ll do all the work—”

  “You most certainly will not. We’re all going to help, right, Penny?”

  “Absolutely. Bridger will barbecue, and each of us can bring a dish. You just have to decide how many people get to come, because you know everyone will want to.”

  “The townsfolk really care about her, but I don’t know if it should be a big crowd. I don’t want to spook her.”

  “So…family only, is that what you want?” Scarlett asked.

  Penny chuckled. “That will make a good fifty people right there. You sure you’re up for that many?” she asked Scarlett.

  “Absolutely. But some feelings will be hurt if we don’t let others come, like the quilters, the cafe staff and the geeks.”

  Henry couldn’t help frowning. Geeks would include Big D.

  “What’s wrong?” Penny asked.

  “Nothing—” he said hastily.

  “Are you still letting Big D monopolize her time?” Scarlett asked.

  “He seems to have loads of it to waste,” Henry muttered. “Unlike me.”

  “She’s not serious about him,” Penny declared.

  “How do you know?” He couldn’t keep himself from asking.

  “You’re not watching her when she knows you’re not looking.”

  Warmth spread inside his chest, but he shrugged it off. “I guess.”

  “Or,” Scarlett noted. “How you look at her. What are you waiting for?”

  He rolled his shoulders irritably. “For everybody to get off my back. She might be eighteen, but that’s still too young.”

  “My mother was seventeen when she married my dad,” Penny said. “They were crazy in love until the day she died.”

  “She hasn’t had an easy life.” He clamped his mouth shut before he could reveal more about her past. That was hers to share.

  “I think we all figured that,” Scarlett agreed. “But she’s a lot more settled now than when she came. She still works too hard, though.”

  “She wants to buy the flower farm and also set up a flower shop downtown.”

  “Really?” Penny asked. “I didn’t know that. I thought she was just helping out Veronica because she’s, well, she’s Brenda. Too sweet to say no.”

  “She has a deft hand,” Scarlett noted. “I love it when she brings table arrangements to the cafe. I’ve been thinking of hiring her to provide them for Dreams. She has an artistic eye. Veronica can’t say enough good things about her.”

  “Jackson is so grateful to her for taking the load off Veronica, he’d probably give her a flower shop as a thank you.” Penny glanced at Scarlett. “But he knows you and Ruby need her too much at the cafe and at Dreams.”

  “Nana says Blue is working out great, though, so maybe if we could get a couple more waitresses, both Brenda and Jeanette could go on and do what they real
ly love.” She grimaced. “Right now we can’t spare them.” Scarlett turned to him. “What do you think about Blue, Henry?”

  That something was a little off about her, was his initial reaction. She was great with the customers and the rest of the staff, but stiff around Brenda. Such an odd thing, given that Brenda was the gentlest soul he’d ever met. “She works really hard, and the customers like her.” He grinned. “Jonas Mickan has been in more in the last week than in the last six months, I swear.”

  Scarlett grinned. “Get out. Hardly-says-a-word Jonas?”

  He nodded, and they all shared a smile.

  “How old do you think she is?” Penny asked.

  “I don’t know. She’s had a hard life, Nana says, and I think there’s more to the story, but Nana’s not talking.”

  “There’s an edge on her,” Penny declared. “As though she’s been through rough times, plus she seems kinda solitary, as if she’s been alone a long time.”

  “She has a terrific memory—never forgets someone’s favorites, Jeanette says.”

  Penny whistled. “High praise from Grumpy.”

  Scarlett smiled, but at that moment, Georgia woke and began stirring, rooting around at her chest. “Uh-oh. Somebody’s hungry. I’d best get where I can sit down. Unless you don’t mind me nursing her here, Henry.” Scarlett grinned.

  He resolutely kept his eyes on the dirt. “Um…”

  Both women started laughing.

  “Okay, that’s mean,” Scarlett admitted. “I won’t torment you anymore. Thank you, Henry, for all of this. I can’t wait. And I will be back Friday, so there is hope. You won’t have to work double shifts all the time.”

  “Laura’s been a big help, and so has Penny.”

  “I bet. My cuz here, cooking and talking to folks halfway around the globe on her bluetooth, standing in front of the stove in her stilettos while she plots world domination in her role as COO for Enigma Games.”

  “She’s been great,” he insisted. “But thanks to Laura, we don’t need her as often.”

  “And thanks to Little Bridger here, I’ve got my own hands full,” Penny responded. “But I’ll whip up something for Sunday, Henry, don’t you worry. Brenda will be blown away.”

  “I hope so. I hope she’s not mad.”

  “Mad that you care enough to throw her a birthday party? I don’t think so. Okay, little man,” Penny responded as JJ started fussing. “Let’s get you back in the car and drive until you fall asleep. Or until I find your daddy and hand you over.”

  As she walked away, Scarlett spoke to Henry. “She was so scared she’d be a bad mom, but she’s terrific.”

  “Bridger has never looked happier,” Henry commented.

  “You’ll be a good dad, too, Henry.”

  “Scarlett…”

  She trilled a silvery laugh and patted his shoulder. “Okay. Teasing time over.” She winked. “But you will be, mark my words. Assuming you ever work up the nerve to get the girl.”

  Henry only rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Go home, Scarlett.”

  She blew him a kiss and traipsed off.

  Chapter Six

  Brenda was filling salt and pepper shakers at one last table when Blue walked over. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  Brenda liked the other woman fine, but something about her intense regard made her squirm. “I think we’re done.”

  Blue hesitated. “Do…” She pressed her lips together. “Do you have plans for the evening?”

  It was one of the nights when Dreams was closed, so Brenda’s day was theoretically over, but she had work to do at the flower farm. “I have flowers to put in sleeves for tomorrow’s deliveries,” she said. “I’ll be heading for the flower farm as soon as Ben gets done with basketball practice and can come get me.”

  “I could give you a ride. You don’t drive, I’ve noticed.”

  “I don’t have a car, and I’m saving my money for something else.”

  “Have you ever learned?” Blue asked. “I could teach you.”

  Brenda hesitated. “Henry wants to, and since he already offered…”

  “Sure. I don’t blame you. Better to be hanging out with a good-looking guy than some stranger you barely know.”

  The sadness in Blue’s voice touched her. “It’s not that, really.” Brenda glanced at the clock. “Ben won’t get out of practice for another half hour, and I need every minute I can get. If you really wouldn’t mind, a ride out there would be a big help.”

  Blue flushed with pleasure, and Brenda thought about how lonely she’d been here at first, too, the odd man out even though people were kind.

  “I’d be happy to. Let me get my purse. Do you want yours?”

  Brenda nodded. “Thanks.” Blue rolled her neck as if easing a tightness, and for an instant Brenda had a sense of familiarity about the gesture…

  “You’re heading out for the flower farm?” Henry asked as he came inside. “Need a ride?” He regarded her so carefully, so cautiously as if she were dynamite set to blow.

  She could hardly stand it, keeping his surprise celebration from him. She hoped he’d be pleased. He was such a good person, and always so nice to her. Henry wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous like Jackson or Mackey maybe, but she liked his looks. Seeing his face made her heart happy. He was the best friend she’d ever had. If she wished for more…well, that was her problem.

  “Brenda?” The tips of his ears turned red sometimes when he was embarrassed.

  “Oh—sorry. No, thank you. Ben was going to come by after practice, but Blue offered to take me now, which would help me get an earlier start.”

  “You shouldn’t have to work there so late. Jackson should hire you more help.”

  “Oh, he would, but I’m fine with—”

  “You work too hard,” he insisted, and his voice took on a deep, husky tone. “Someone should be taking care of you, Brenda.”

  She jerked back. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”

  “Maybe not,” he said with an edge, his hazel eyes sparking. “But you deserve better.” She couldn’t tear her gaze away from his intensity. “Let me come help you tonight.”

  “Henry, you’ve worked a longer day than I have.”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  She cocked her head and studied him. “Because you’re a man? Or because you don’t think I’m up to it?”

  He grabbed her hands and turned up her palms. “Because you have delicate, beautiful hands, and they’re getting all rough from this work. Someone should—”

  She yanked back her hands. “I’m doing what I want, and you know that. I’m building a life and taking steps toward a dream.”

  “I could help you.”

  His eyes were so earnest and so worried.

  She laid one hand on his forearm, noticing the ropy muscles and shivering a little at the feel of him. “I know you could, but I’ve been lost for most of my life, and I’m finally making my place here. I like that feeling. People always treat me like a china doll, but I’m not fragile. I can do a lot, and I can endure a lot. I already have. You know that.”

  He watched her, his conflict evident. “I’m not trying to take away anything, Brenda. I just—I want more for you.”

  “So do I,” she answered. “And I’m getting it on my own. Not because nobody will help me, but because I need to prove it to myself. I let the world toss me around for a long time because I didn’t know what I wanted and never felt like I belonged, but I feel differently here.”

  “You do?”

  She nodded.

  “You don’t want to go zipping off to some big city like Seattle or something?” His look was penetrating. “Big D says you do.”

  “Big D doesn’t fit in Sweetgrass, and he really doesn’t want to. He’s just playing around here. He’s not like us, Henry. You belong, and I’m trying to.”

  Relief flickered, and at last he smiled. “You already belong. Everybody loves you.”

  Do you? She
wanted to ask, but she didn’t want to hear another you’re too young response. “Well, that’s good because I’m not leaving. I love this place, and I want to show that I can contribute. I’m going to have my own part in building this town, just you wait and see.”

  Blue walked up then. “Am I interrupting? I can wait outside.”

  Brenda pulled her gaze from Henry’s. “No, we’re done.” She glanced back at him defiantly. She wasn’t going to be weak or meek anymore.

  “Henry?” Blue asked.

  Brenda didn’t sigh that Blue seemed to be asking his permission to go. She plucked her purse from Blue’s fingers and started out. “We’re done. See you tomorrow, Henry.” She glanced back to catch him watching her go with a look she couldn’t interpret, except that there was a little surprise there, mingled with irritation.

  But also, she thought, a little heat he’d never allowed before, and some…considering.

  She turned away, smiling to herself and walked outside as Blue followed.

  At the flower farm’s packing shed, Blue managed to keep finding ways to help while maintaining a little distance so Brenda wouldn’t tell her to go. She marveled as she watched her daughter’s efficient movements, her fingers swift and sure as she chose flowers to combine in bouquets she wrapped together with rubber bands before setting them aside to be sleeved.

  Blue had taken over sleeving them and carting full buckets back to the cooler.

  “You’re really good at this, Brenda.” She’d gotten the hang of calling the girl by the name she’d chosen, made easier because this girl was so much older than the Dilly she’d known and so much stronger, too.

  Though, when she considered it, Dilly had always been strong. No little girl should have to find her own breakfast because her mother is huddled on the sofa, too lost in despair to care for her child.