Love at the Salted Caramel Cafe

by Angie Ellington

  Sierra bounced in. “What word are you looking for?” A curious Sierra inquired as she overheard the end of the conversation.

  Carlotta interjected. “A word for something being real. Like really happening instead of a joke about it happening.”

  Sierra wrinkled her brow. “Literal?”

  “That's it. That's the word I was looking for. Told ya Sierra would know,” Roxie said pursing her lips.

  Sierra contemplated asking about the topic, but chose to leave it be. She wasn't naive to her sister's envy. She was sure somehow in the five minutes since she'd entered the cafe, she'd managed to offend or fluster her sibling.

  Miranda and Richard walked in a short time later and took a seat by their corner table with a view of the fall fruit and pumpkin stand next door.

  Sierra and Roxie were doing their best dodge dances to avoid interaction more than necessary as Miranda stepped into the kitchen to check on the food supply and put in their order.

  After doing everything but a white gloved inspection, Miranda did a final taste test of the buttercream frosting Sierra had whipped up from scratch.

  “This is divine, Sierra. This is for the cupcakes for the afternoon?”

  “Yes. I meant to come in earlier, but dad had me go over and check on Wes; I mean the tenant,” Sierra abruptly corrected. She placed a fallen tendril of hair behind her ear and returned to the frosting station she had set up.

  “Roxie, how's the quiche coming along? Will they be ready for lunch?” Miranda asked. She took a taste of a sample Roxie handed her on a plate.

  “Yum. Butternut squash, pimento cheese, and bacon. I taste a hint of sweetness. Is that hazelnut?”

  “Yes. Carlotta suggested it. Just a teaspoon mixed in,” Roxie replied as Sierra and Carlotta exchanged looks of a lifelong secret pact between accomplices of a crime. Roxie would never have agreed to add the hazelnut had she known it was actually Sierra's suggestion.

  “You've got a knack for quiche, dear. Omelets too. Speaking of omelets, whip one up for your dad. He wants an omelet with ham, peppers and onions. I, on the other hand, am ready to devour this slice of quiche.”

  “I'm glad you approve, mom,” Roxie said with a mix of pride and boredom, as cooking was not something that gave her the joy it seemed to give Miranda and Sierra.

  “So, mom. Roxie. There's something I need to tell you all. It'll only take a minute,” Sierra said with a bit of shakiness in her voice; hair twirling around her finger in an attempt to calm her nerves. Miranda motioned to Richard to join them in the kitchen.

  “I think it's best if I rip the band-aid off rather than opening up a Q and A session over it. So, here goes.” Sierra blew out her cheeks and began to speak with more composure.

  “I broke up with Miles. Well, he proposed in front of everyone in the company, and humiliated me, but that's beside the point. I didn't want to marry him. It didn't feel....right...it just didn't. After that, he basically blackballed me from the resort with an offer of relocation that he knew I wouldn't accept. So, there it is. Your oldest daughter is home. Unemployed. Unmarried. And....feeling terrified and liberated at the same time. Please no questions about it. All that matters is that I am going to find a job soon. I have savings and will not be a burden on you. I just need a little time to figure out my next step.”

  Everyone can pick their jaws up from the floor at any time.

  Miranda and Richard exchanged blank stares. Richard nodded.

  “Well, alright then. You know you're always welcome home with us. Maybe if you stick around here for a while, you'll decide to stay. In Mill Hollows, that is. We're hoping to get both of you girls out of the house sometime soon. I don't know if there's enough walls for both of you to stay under the same roof for too long.”

  Sierra and Roxie shifted looks toward each other and back to their parents.

  “You girls can both work here in the meantime, then. That's settled,” Miranda said with a firmness that everyone knew not to question. Sierra and Roxie nodded in agreement.

  CHAPTER TEN

  As the lunch rush at the Salted Caramel Cafe tapered off, Sierra noticed Roxie had disappeared from the kitchen. She leaned into the kitchen and motioned toward Carlotta.

  “Where's Roxie?”

  “She stepped outside to take a phone call. Someone has been calling and texting her all morning. I'm afraid it's Dean,” Carlotta said with concerned eyes.

  Sierra felt her body shift into protective older sister mode with a swiftness that only her family could bring out in her otherwise, mostly cool-headed demeanor. She stepped outside in the back of the cafe to hear Roxie raising her voice as she sat with her head down and rocking her knee on a nearby picnic table. She moved closer to listen in.

  'Why have you put me in this position? Now, you're going to jail, and can't even pay any child support for your daughter! It wasn't like you were much help before, but now...what am I supposed to tell Eden? I don't want her knowing her daddy is in jail.'

  Sierra folded her arms and leaned against the brick. She hadn't realized how much her sister was really going through.

  'We're done, Dean! I'm not paying to get you out this time. I don't know what I'm telling Eden, but one thing I do know. She deserves better and now I finally see that I do too. Just do your time, get some help, and maybe...just maybe you'll get to see your child again. But not now. You need help, Dean.'

  Roxie tossed her phone into the grass and placed her hands behind her on the table. Sierra rushed over and sat beside her. Sierra rubbed her sister's back as they sat in silence for the next few minutes.

  “Roxie, what can I do? What do you need from me? I'll help you get through this.”

  “There's nothing anyone can do, Sierra. It's my fault. I should have let him go to jail the last time he was caught with marijuana in the car. I have always tried to support him. He's the father of my child. Ya know? But, I'm just tired. I am over it all. I'm tired of the cafe. I'm tired of feeling miserable. The only bright spot in my life is Eden.”

  “Well, I'm here now. I know we have our issues, but you need me. Take the rest of the week off from the cafe. I'll help Carlotta. I'll talk to mom. She's doing so good now. She can come in and help more. She probably wants to, but doesn't want to be in your way.”

  They exchanged looks and chuckled.

  “Well. We know that's not our mom's concern, but I really do think she's trying in her own way to let you take charge because she thinks this is what you want. I know that it's not. You've always let mom think you enjoyed cooking and working here, but you don't, do you?”

  “I don't hate it. I just don't love it the way you did growing up. I enjoyed being a hair stylist. When mom got sick, I had to step in. Someone had to.”

  “You're right. You've been the one here to make sacrifices when I couldn't. I mean, I could have. Perhaps I should have,” Sierra said as a pang of guilt consumed her.

  “No. Don't do that. I resent you on one hand, but I admire you on the other. You're the one with the education and personality to run a business. I know you were happy at the resort. I just assumed you had it all. The perfect life that I'd never have. I'm almost happy you lost your job. I'm sorry. I'm a terrible sister.”

  “No, you're not. You just have a hard time stepping in someone else's shoes. I can see how hard it is for you to do that with all that you have dealt with, though. Come on. Let's go inside. Have a pumpkin spice latte and that leftover plate of cheddar biscuits Carlotta has hidden in the warmer. Then, go home. I'll go get Eden from pre-school. I'll go to revival tonight and you just rest.”

  “No. I'll go to revival. I think I need Jesus more than ever right now. You go see that handsome new neighbor. I've seen him. He stopped by to check out the cabin last week.”

  “Let's go sis. We've got this, I promise,” Sierra said as she squeezed Roxie's shoulder with her arm.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Sierra returned from the cafe to find Miranda and Eden in the kitchen having a milk night
cap. She found Roxie curled up on the couch asleep. Sound asleep. The kind of sleep that sends one into another dimension and leads to drool emissions. Miranda placed a plush blanket over Roxie as Eden giggled at hearing her mother snore.

  “Come now, sweet pea. Let's not wake your mama,” Miranda whispered as she took Eden by the hand and led her down the hall. Sierra brushed her sister's hair away from her face gently, remembering how many times she'd shoved her foot against Roxie when they were teenagers and Roxie would begin to snore in the middle of a movie. She would always insist upon staying up late to watch a movie with Sierra, but rarely made it through a full viewing before drifting into sleep. It had annoyed her then, but now it made her long for those simpler times.

  Sierra quietly walked down the hallway and into Roxie's room. “I'll give Eden her bath. I told Roxie I'd do it,” Sierra said.

  “I'll do it. Grandma hasn't given this one a bath since they moved in,” Miranda said as she tickled Eden's waist. “You just relax. Roxie isn't the only one in need of a little self-care time. I let her skip the revival service tonight, as she was sleeping like a baby when we got home.”

  Sierra heeded her mother's advice and changed into fleece leggings and an old Virginia Tech sweatshirt she'd found in her closet. She pulled her hair into a ponytail and slid into her suede boots.

  As she stepped outside onto the side steps from the mudroom, Richard shut off his old Ford pickup truck and met her in the yard.

  “Where ya headed?”

  “I'm going for a walk down the driveway or something. Roxie's getting some much needed sleep on the couch, so we're giving her a little longer before waking her.”

  “I'm glad. I don't think she's been getting much sleep lately. I'll take my boots off after I ease in the door and head on back to the den. I had my monthly Lodge meeting and am stuffed. I can't wait to get in my jammies as Eden calls them. You be careful out here. Darkness and mountain life don't mix for walking around.”

  “I know. I need my bat I used to carry around when I was younger. I may just sit on the front porch or the back deck. Breathe in the fresh mountain air.”

  “Now that sounds strange coming from a girl who couldn't wait to have summer all year long in Florida.”

  “I still like my summer weather, but I'm not missing Tampa like I thought I would. At first, I thought I'd apply to other resorts in Miami and perhaps Ft. Lauderdale or The Keys. It truly is beautiful there. I wish you had visited with mom. Roxie too. Mom and Tom are the only two I could pry away from Mill Hollows.”

  “I'm sorry, honey. You know it would take a life or death situation to get me on an airplane. Roxie must have inherited my fear of flying and attachment to country life. Neither of us like the beach either. I do hate we didn't visit you, though. I'll tell ya a secret. I'm glad you aren't marrying Miles. I was already dreading a tropical wedding since you worked at a resort. Can you see your ol' man dressed like Don Johnson from Miami Vice?”

  They both snickered.

  “Well, glad I kept you from having to get a spray tan, dad.”

  ****

  Sierra rounded the corner toward the front porch when she spotted headlights going down toward the cabin. A moment later, she heard a door shut as it echoed over the pond.

  Wes is home.

  A jolt of excitement rushed over her as she contemplated going over to the cabin to say hello.

  It would be nice to check in on our tenant. He did just move in. Of course, I was there this morning. If I go over, he'll think I'm some kind of stalker popping up out of the dark like a serial killer.

  She found a seat on the top step and tucked her knees inward; placing her feet on the step below. A few minutes later, she heard a door shut again and headlights illuminating the driveway from the cabin toward the road. She watched as the truck turned onto the road and then, surprisingly, into her driveway.

  He's coming over here.

  It was too late to rush into the house. He'd see her. The headlights of the Toyota were now picking her up in the edge of their glow. Quickly, they went dark.

  “Hey, Sierra. Sorry about the lights. I didn't mean to blind ya. I wasn't expecting anyone to be outside, but then again, it's a great night to sit outside. You're just missing a fire pit,” Wes said as he approached the bottom step, bag in hand.

  “I think it's going to be colder starting tomorrow. A fire pit would be a great idea for sure,” Sierra replied.

  “So, is your boyfriend joining you since you're here for a while?” Wes asked rocking on his heels.

  “Umm. No. My dad didn't know at the cabin this morning, but I dropped that fun little bomb at the cafe. I ended things with my ex, Miles, before coming home. Suffice to say, he will not be joining me.”

  “I'm sorry. I hope you're OK.” A mix of pleasure and concern fought for his attention.

  “I'm fine. He wasn't the one. He wanted to get married and I knew he wasn't who I envisioned myself growing old with. Really, I'd rather move forward.”

  “OK. I won't pry any further. I wanted to drop off some mail for your sister that was in the mailbox. I don't know if she's checked it in a few days, but there was a bunch of stuff in there. I put it all in this bag. Most of it is probably junk, but anyway. I'll give it to you.”

  Sierra took the bag as their hands touched in the exchange. Even in the dusk of darkness, they caught each other's stare for a moment; each softly curving their lips upward.

  “Guess I'll leave ya to your porch meditation session, then.” Wes' lips opened into a crooked smile as he rubbed his hand over his scruffed face.

  “Yeah, OK. Do you have everything you need...I mean, at the cabin?” Sierra said as she leaned back on her hands, hoping to sound aloof.

  “I don't know if I have everything I need, but I definitely think I'm going to like living here for a while. Your family are top notch landlords. You know,” Wes said as he turned clockwise away from Sierra and paused. “I'm off tomorrow, and I'd like some company on a canoe ride down the Roanoke river if you'd like to tag along. If it's not your kind of thing, that's cool,” he said returning to face her as he fidgeted with his hands in his back pockets.

  Sierra had loved canoeing when she was younger. She hadn't been in a few years. She leaned against the porch column and tilted her head.

  “Sure. That sounds fun. I haven't been canoeing in a long time.”

  “Great. I'll pick ya up about 10?”

  “See ya then,” Sierra replied, biting her lip.

  As Wes drove away, Sierra watched him until she heard the sound of the truck door close once more across the way. She stretched her arms out and spun around.

  He makes my heart pound and my head spin. I've never felt this way for someone I haven't even dated. Actually, I've never felt this way...ever.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  An adrenaline inducing force of chilled air tumbled down from the mountain peaks upon the lower elevation of Mill Hollows. The sway of tree branches cast leaves into the air; floundering and frolicking toward the ground. Sierra closed her window as Wes turned into the driveway; an olive green shaded canoe visible from the truck.

  Sierra wrapped a knitted infinity scarf around her neck. She had convinced Roxie to braid her hair into french braids down each side. She slipped into her old hiking boots she had found tucked away in the closet.

  Thank goodness I kept these old boots. If I decide to stick around, I think investing in new ones will be a necessary purchase.

  Wes knocked at the side door as Sierra hurriedly grabbed a puffy North Face vest from the back of her closet. She never needed the coat in Florida, so she was thankful for the quick access to warmer attire than her bags contained.

  Growing up in the Roanoke Valley had taught her how rapidly weather patterns can change in the mountains. It was one of the reasons she had chosen to move to southern Florida, as she assumed she'd deal with warm weather consistently. She hadn't considered that even in beautiful Tampa, it could rain and return to blue skies at any m
oment on repeat each day.

  “Hi,” Sierra said with a higher pitch than usual. “I'm all set,” she added, forcing her decibel level down from 'winning a million dollars to a normal day on the lake' volume.

  “Hey, yourself. I...umm...like the braids. Very Eddie Bauer,” Wes said as his pulse began to race. He continued standing in the doorway.

  Noticing his appreciation of her appearance pleased Sierra and comforted her anxiousness.

  “I'm ready when you are,” Sierra said with a confident grin and a shrug.

  “Yeah, umm. Not sure why I'm blocking your exit. Let's do this,” Wes replied, pivoting on his heel and giving himself an inner scolding. “Man, pull yourself together,” he thought.

  ****

  A ride through the winding roads of rural farmland and mountain views seemed different than all the times before as Sierra breathed in contentment of her surroundings. Sitting in close proximity to a man in perfect fitting jeans, a sun-kissed golden glow upon his face, and one hand hung over the steering wheel, made the journey to Carvin's Cove an excursion all its' own.

  If we turned around and drove back right now, my day would be complete.

  Sierra was not alone in her thoughts, as Wes was already devising a plan to drive left handed on the way back, in hopes of adjoining his right one with Sierra's left if the day went well.

  Dating hadn't been on Wes Carter's radar in quite some time. Traveling as a geologist had taken him all over the mid-west for the past few years. He never stayed in one place long enough to form any attachments to anyone, despite being sought after as the new guy in a few other small towns along the way.