Candy's Wild Ride (The Candy Cane Girls Book 3)

by Bonnie Engstrom

  That was her cue, and she said a quick prayer when she took it. “You could go with Rob.”

  “What do you mean? He’s thousands of miles away in a third world country.”

  “Billy, you can afford to visit.” She knew he could, and she knew it would be good for him. Not just Rob. “You could use a break, and it would be great for both of you.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Not at all. You would love it there, and you didn’t get to go to the wedding because you were so tied up with some negotiation for some silly car.”

  “It was a 2005 Bugatti Veyron! A ‘silly car’ worth millions.”

  “Oops. I stand corrected.” Candy was glad he couldn’t see her roll her eyes. Yikes! For sure he could afford to go to Costa Rica. “Billy,” she persisted, “take a risk. Take a leap of faith. Go – for yourself, and for your friend.”

  She could almost hear the wheels spinning in his head. Grasping the phone so tightly her hand ached she appealed to the Holy Spirit.

  ~

  “Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!” Cindy’s voice came over the two thousand miles clearly. They had finally figured out how to get a phone to call the U.S. One of the pastors from Mariners Church had brought them one with a California area code when he was passing through on his way to a mission in Guatemala. They had borrowed Brian’s car and drove to Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose where the pastor was changing planes. Cindy said she felt like she was holding precious gold when he handed her the phone. He had written instructions about how to connect it to their computer. Candy heard the excitement in her voice, and her eyes filled with tears of joy.

  “Yes,” Candy said, “he really is coming.”

  “Next week? I don’t think I can wait that long.” Cindy giggled.

  After they caught up, and Cindy shared that Rob’s flare-ups had subsided, they prayed. It was a prayer of praise. Finally, Candy told her friend about the prayer vigils.

  “You’re doing that for us?” Candy nodded through her tears, then realized Cindy couldn’t see her.

  “You betcha. That’s what Candy Canes do for each other.”

  “Oh, Candy, I am so grateful.” Candy could hear sniffles on the other end. “How many people did you say showed up? Did Noelle, Doreen, Connie and Melanie come?”

  “Noelle and Braydon, her mom, his mom, and yes the other Candy Canes. Plus, the dads. Some people from Nat’s gym; a woman named Claire who is going to start a GoFundMe for you and Rob, Kerstin Day’s neighbor, a few I don’t know and the Bills. About twenty-one in all. I counted.”

  “W – who are the Bills? Was Billy your brother one of them?”

  “No, he didn’t attend, but promised he would pray at his dealership. Maybe,” she said a bit sarcastically, “he’s coming to visit out of guilt.” She knew she didn’t mean it, but it had been pretty easy to sway him.

  “Work be …!” he’d blurted out. “I do need a vacation. Where did you say I could stay?”

  “You didn’t answer my question. Or, was it too loaded?” Cindy asked, her voice full of curiosity.

  “Uh. Later. I will email you, okay?”

  “Okay. Speaking of emailing, do you think Billy would be willing to bring an extra suitcase?”

  “I guess. Guys never pack a lot. Why?”

  “It’s the only way we can get certain things – to have someone travelling here bring them. If you shipped them they would never arrive. Remember how we brought the flowers for my wedding?”

  “Do I! If we hadn’t packed them in our luggage, they would have been love bunches for the customs men’s women.” She chuckled remembering the delicate flowers wrapped in Cellophane with plastic water holders on each stem. “Send me a list, but make it specific so Nat and Billy and I won’t have to guess.”

  “Thank you. I will, and please tell Billy how special it will be to see him. I think Rob is ready to try to surf again. Brian surfs every day. So, with him and Billy looking out for Rob, I will be more comfortable.”

  Candy hung up, then remembered Claire’s other idea. Well, she would email it to Cindy. It just might work.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Natalie was cleaning again. Wiping machines and mirrors. On a Saturday. She would have to talk with the crew she’d hired to clean every night. It was morning, five-forty-five, and there was lint on the floor and handprints on the mirrors. Not to mention the restrooms. Ugh. She hated confrontation, but she couldn’t afford to pay for lackadaisical effort. Maybe if Bill invested she could hire a better cleaning crew for more money.

  Bill bopped in at six on the dot while she was still wiping. He grabbed the dirty rag out of her hand. The scowl on his face told it all. “Doesn’t your cleaning crew do this? Do you have one?”

  She explained the budget wouldn’t allow for a better one, and that she planned to come in at ten this evening and read them the riot act. He “harrumphed.” She laughed. That made her feel better. Didn’t solve the problem, but put a little pleasure in the day ahead.

  “I will meet you here at nine-fifty-five. I will handle it.”

  Wow! Maybe he really was a fairytale prince. Her cellphone rang. Candy. She turned away from Bill to chat.

  “Got an idea after I hung up with Cindy last night. Actually,” she said, “that Claire woman gave it to me.”

  She reminded Natalie about Cindy’s hopes for church planting, and how they had met with a wall. But, not an impenetrable one, she believed. “God knocks down walls,” she said with enthusiasm. “Says so in Lamentations. Actually, they ‘wasted away.’ He also says in Joshua, ‘I will give you every place where you set your foot.’ I think verse 3 in chapter one. That’s a good one for each of us. For you, Nat, about your gym, and for Melanie about the preschool.” She cleared her throat. “I think that’s my new favorite verse.”

  “You have to send that to her,” Nat said. “Immediately. To give her encouragement and hope. I know she is a strong believer. But, I do remember she is not great at remembering Scripture. Maybe,” she continued, “you should pack a few special books in that suitcase Billy will take. Like The Circle Maker. She could walk around the housing complex every day and pray like Mark Batterson did in D.C.”

  “Great idea. Goes right along with mine. I was thinking if she and Rob started a couples’ Bible study, a low-keyed one, it might be a beginning for starting a church.”

  “Perfect. Let’s go to Family Christian tomorrow and find just the right ones.”

  ~

  Kris, the manager who often prayed with Candy among the stacks, led the girls to the Bible study section.

  “But, we need about twenty books, not too expensive, okay cheap, that couples can read together.”

  “They need to be small and lightweight, too.”

  Kris led them to the Couples’ section of the Clearance items. Natalie picked up one, leafed through it, and put it back. “Too detailed. Need something for barely believers. Not too heavy. More focused on life today, how to cope.”

  Candy explained what they were trying to do, and why. She told Kris about Cindy and Rob’s mission. She almost saw a lightbulb shine above Kris’ head.

  She took them to the section that featured Bible studies. “They aren’t on sale, but they are pretty inexpensive. I think these two might work.” she pointed to two slim books on the shelf.

  She first picked up a copy of Courageous Living Bible Study by Catt, Kendrick & Kendrick. Kris explained, “It has an introduction, a guideline for small groups and only four studies, each just ten pages. It’s from the creators of Fireproof and also has a movie if you want it.”

  Nat nodded. “Any others?” Candy asked.

  “I like this one a lot.” Kris handed each of the women a book. “I think the title says it all.” She grinned broadly, and when the women grinned back, she looked pleased. “It does have six studies, but I think it would appeal to moralistic people, or as you call them ‘barely believers.’”

  Natalie read the title aloud.
“Character – Who You Are When No One's Looking. Perfect! I love it.”

  “And,” Candy said, “it’s by Bill Hybels who is Sr. Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church which is pretty famous, like Saddleback and Mariners.”

  “How many copies do you have, Kris? They have to be taken in Candy’s brother’s suitcase.”

  “I know. I’ve heard it’s a wasted effort to mail anything to Costa Rica.” Kris raised her eyebrows and formed a tight line with her lips. “So sad. Of course, we could pray over them and trust that God will see they get put in the right hands.”

  Natalie laughed. “We will pray over them anyway. We both do trust God, but you know the old saying our grandmas used. ‘God helps those who help themselves.’”

  “Yep. My grandma used to say that as a sort of threat to get me to do my homework.” Kris chuckled.

  The women counted the books. There were only five of the first one. Kris said she would call some of the other Family Christian stores for more copies. There were eight of the Character book, so the women took them all and waited while Kris called other stores for the Courageous Living book.

  “The store near where I live has three copies and several study guides. I can pick them up on my way home this evening and have them here for you tomorrow. Would that work?”

  Natalie pulled out a credit card and passed it to Kris at the cash register. “Oh, forgot to mention,” Kris said, “if you buy one at full price, there will be a coupon at the bottom of your receipt for twenty percent off the entire next purchase you make.” She peered closely at a notice next to the register. “Says it starts tomorrow. So, why don’t I hold all the rest for you until then?”

  Candy and Natalie linked arms and almost skipped to Nat’s car like toddlers. “We are so blessed,” Nat said.

  “And,” Candy responded, “we are blessing Cindy.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Candy and Natalie were huddled in front of Nat’s computer in her little office reading Cindy’s list.

  “Chips?”

  “Chips!”

  “Chips?” The loud voice boomed through the partially opened door. Bill Senior stepped in with a quizzical expression on his face. “Poker chips? You girls ordering poker chips online?”

  Both women got hysterical. Candy wiped her eyes and Natalie grabbed a tissue to blow her nose. When they finally stopped laughing, partly at Bill’s question and partly, as Nat said later, the expression on his face, they shouted in unison, “NO!”

  “C – corn chips,” Nat blubbered. She was still trying to control her laughter. “A special brand. For Cindy in Costa Rica. Candy’s brother is going there and taking stuff for her and Rob.”

  “We were reading her shopping list.” Candy gestured to the computer. “In her email.”

  Bill still looked puzzled. “Can’t she buy corn chips there? It is a Latino country, isn’t it? Surely they sell corn chips.”

  “Yes, but she says they are thick and tough. She found a special brand here in the states that are thin and crispy, and low cal. Nachos are her specialty, even her recipe for them is published in a book.” Nat blew her nose again. It was probably turning crimson. How embarrassing.

  Candy explained. “It’s a brand made by some famous food company. It’s called $2 Only.”

  Bill cocked his head and winked. “Sure it is. Come on.”

  “Really, Bill. I’ve seen them on the shelves.” Natalie huffed. “You don’t believe us?”

  “Uh, yeh, guess so.” He changed the subject. “Place looks sparkling this morning.” He was grinning from ear to ear.

  “Oh, it does. Thank you so much for last night. You really did the trick.” Nat beamed.

  Candy looked askance with eyebrows raised.

  “No, no.” Nat explained how Bill had firmly let the cleaning crew know they needed to do better, be more thorough. “He didn’t even have to yell, just gave them the look.”

  “What was that look?” Candy couldn’t resist teasing. She looked Bill directly in the face, and he complied with a fierce scowl.

  The girls burst into laughter again. They agreed later he did have an elastic face.

  They asked Bill to excuse them so they could continue reading Cindy’s list. He left for the gym shutting the door behind him. Both girls sighed loudly. “That was fun, but we’d better get back to work. I have a class in twenty minutes, and if I don’t hustle, Claire will take over for me.” Nat giggled. “Although not a bad idea. Claire would keep everyone in line.”

  ~

  Nat and Candy printed out two copies of the list, one for each. They each starred the items they would buy, agreeing to remove things from packages that would take up too much room. Except, of course, the chips. They had learned from the trip to Cindy and Rob’s wedding that most food items could be brought into Costa Rica as long as they were labeled Made in the U.S.A. Nothing from China, or even European countries they thought.

  They had also heard that some people travelling from the states were able to take in steaks as long as they had the U.S.A. label. Cindy thought it would be a special treat to send them some filet mignons from Costco, a flank steak and a small pork roast.

  “But, that’s too heavy,” Nat protested. “Billy will have to pay extra duty.”

  “He can afford it,” Candy replied with a twinkle in her eyes.

  “He can? Why am I not dating him?”

  That comment gave the duo another laugh. Natalie went to conduct her Zumba class, and Candy left to wait for her mom to pick her up. She still couldn’t afford a car, but she knew God would provide when the time was right.

  ~

  Candy shuffled on the sidewalk. Hopefully, Mom would come soon. Her birthday was in two weeks. Maybe God would send her a car for a present. “Not too likely,” she mumbled to herself. Still, she would be happy if it was a clunker, just something to get from point A to point B.

  Mom pulled up humming along to the radio. “Happy day, girl!” she said with joy in her voice. “Why do you look so glum?”

  “Just feeling bad you have to drive me everywhere, you or Natalie.”

  “Oh, pshaw. Don’t mind at all, and it gets me out of the house and out of laundry.”

  Candy settled into the passenger seat just as Mom said, “I hear your brother is going to Costa Rica. To surf.”

  Candy nodded. Should she tell Mom she was the one who encouraged him? Almost begged him? Or, would Mom care?

  “Yes. It’s exciting. He needs a vacation.” She left it at that.

  But, it came up at dinner, when Billy appeared. He had his own place, but some evenings he craved Mom’s cooking, and she craved her only son. So, here he was.

  He was so excited, so full of piss and vinegar, as Gramma used to say. Candy was thrilled he was happy, but Mom obviously had some reservations. She had questions.

  ~

  Candy slammed the ten pound free weights down in place. She turned to Natalie who was spotting her. “I mean, Nat, he is thirty-two years old. He runs his own car brokerage. He’s probably a millionaire. Guess I should look him up on Google.”

  “Guess you could. And, show your mom. Would that really solve or resolve anything?”

  “Probably not. She wants to believe what she wants. He is her boy, her only son. But,” Candy grimaced when she replied, “what am I? Chopped liver?”

  The two girls laughed at that quip, an old one from over a decade ago. Even their Jewish friends had used it. They all knew it meant the person being referred to it was lower than low. Still, it wasn’t PC. Or, did that matter between friends?

  Natalie tossed Candy a towel. “Come into my office. We need to discuss Cindy’s list”

  ~

  They were just about to click off Cindy’s email when Connie burst in shouting. “What can I do? I want to help. And, why aren’t you having the prayer vigil?”

  Nat and Candy looked at each other with Frisbee eyes. Nat took a deep breath, grabbed Connie by the shoulders and shook her slightly. “First, this is
Thursday. The prayer vigil is Friday. Second,’ she said, “of course you can help. Maybe in a very special way.”

  “Oh. Got my days mixed up. Duh.” Connie rubbed her ear, a habit of hers when she was nervous or embarrassed. Candy winked at Natalie and they both giggled.

  “What? You’re hiding something from me.” Connie’s face crumbled.

  “Calm down, Con. We will share. But, at this point they are only suspicions, conjectures.” Natalie pushed her into the stiff wood chair. “Now listen. Here’s the deal.” She gestured toward the computer as if it held all secrets.

  Candy took over. “We have been reading Cindy’s wish list. For the things she wants Billy to take to Costa Rica next week.”

  “So?” Connie leaned forward in the chair.

  “Pickles. She wants pickles. Nathan’s extra sour pickles,” Nat replied. She looked deliberately at Connie’s face waiting for a reaction.

  “Well, she always did like spicy food.” She stared at both the women. “Don’t they have pickles in Costa Rica?”

  “I imagine they do, but,” she paused dramatically, “probably not Nathan’s.”

  Connie still looked puzzled, shook her head, then slapped her cheeks. Just then Noelle flew in the door. Connie screamed, “Cindy is pregnant!”

  The four Candy Canes hugged each other, danced around the desk in the small office, clapped, giggled and finally cried tears of joy. “We are going to be aunts!” Someone cried out.

  ~

  Connie, Natalie and Candy elbowed each other walking through the market. Noelle had to be in class teaching Junior and Senior English, specifically Shakespeare. They knew she was devastated to be missing their shopping excursion. Missing all the fun and giggles.

  “What about this?, Connie asked. “It’s spicy, requires corn chips, and she can always add pickles.”

  The other two girls laughed. “It’s not just about spicy stuff, but about specific stuff. Press on, girls.” Natalie pressed a button on her phone again to get the email list from Cindy.

  “Hello, Ladies!”