by Lydia Rose
Nicole smiled. “I have never seen you so excited about anything.”
“No, Nicole, I haven’t been for a long while. Thank you for taking a chance on me.”
“Mom, I would do anything for you. I’m going to try and pick up some extra hours at the hardware store and maybe you can put in some hours here. This way we can add to your nest egg.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Karen said standing as she noticed the crowd walking toward them. “Time to get to work.”
After everyone was satisfied with their purchases, Nicole walked over to Millie.
“Your mom looks very happy,” Millie said grinning.
“Yeah. We worked out a plan. Can you come back after work to speak with us?”
“Sure.”
The stand was empty again and Karen was cleaning up. “There was a new woman in the group today.”
“She just started this week,” Nicole said straightening up her station.
“She’s very pretty,” Karen said.
“Mm,” Nicole said not paying attention.
“Is that all you’re going to say?” Karen asked.
Nicole stopped what she was doing and looked at her mother. “Yes, she’s very pretty and very shy.”
“She watched you the whole time,” Karen said smiling.
“She did?” Nicole asked.
“I bet if you ask her out, she’ll say yes.”
“I don’t know anything about her,” Nicole responded.
“That’s why you go on a date. To get to know someone,” Karen said moving closer to Nicole.
“I’ll see how it goes next week and then maybe I’ll ask her out.”
“If you don’t hurry up, that Kay will beat you to it.”
Nicole’s mouth dropped open. “Kay told me that Millie told her to leave Jessica alone.”
“Do you think someone like Kay is going to listen?” Karen asked with her hand on her hip.
“Okay.” Nicole held up her hands. “I’ll ask her out on Monday.”
“You don’t want to do it today?”
“Mom, I’m working Saturday night and Sunday morning.”
Karen looked at her and grinned. “Okay, ask her Monday.”
“Gee thanks, Mom,” Nicole said sarcastically.
At five o’clock Karen returned to the stand to talk with Millie. It was almost five thirty before Millie stepped into the stand.
“Okay, ladies. What are the new plans?” Millie asked carrying her pad.
“We want to build a new place for food prep and move the stand next to it. We want to be near the corner down by the main road. It’s better for us to be near that road anyway.” Karen couldn’t hide her excitement.
Millie laughed. “I can see you’ve thought about this.” Millie made some notes. “How big to do you want this place?”
“We need room for a stove and a commercial smoker. We also need a prep sink and a refrigerator. Oh, and a prep counter.”
Millie looked at Nicole and laughed. “You forgot a sliding window to serve the food,” she said with a laugh.
“Millie, you have an idea what my mom wants,” Nicole said pointing at Karen. “Can you work up some numbers?”
“Nothing fancy, Millie,” Karen added.
“I’ll do my best to keep the numbers down.” Millie stood up. “I’ll have an estimate one day next week.”
“Take your time, dear. We have plenty of time,” Karen said. “Oh, Millie, is Jessica single?”
Nicole’s hand went to her head as Millie looked at her. “Mom.”
Millie laughed. “I already told Nicole that Jessica was single.”
“See and you said you didn’t know anything about her,” Karen said pointing her finger.
“I’ll leave you two ladies alone. Enjoy your weekend,” Millie said continuing to laugh.
Nicole held her head with her hands. “Did I embarrass you?” Karen asked.
“Yes, Mom. I think it’s great that you’re accepting me so easily, but I don’t need you to find me a girlfriend.”
“Obviously I do since you haven’t done a good job yourself.” Karen stood up. “I would love a grandchild or two.”
“Well, you’ll have to be the one to have them,” Nicole called as Karen walked to her car.
CHAPTER TEN
Monday at lunchtime Jessica came into the farm stand with the rest of the crew. She smiled at Nicole and went about picking out what she wanted.
“Hi,” Jessica said as she reached the register.
“Hi, Jessica.” Nicole took her money and handed Jessica the change. “Can you hang around until the crowd dissipates?”
Jessica nodded. “Sure.”
Once the crowd had gone back next door she moved closer to Nicole.
“What did you need?” Jessica asked.
Nicole felt tongue-tied. “I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime.”
Jessica didn’t respond.
“Maybe for just a coffee?” Nicole asked trying another tactic.
Finally, Jessica smiled, “I would like very much to go out with you. When?”
“I was thinking we could go to dinner on Saturday. If you’re free?” Nicole added.
“I’d like that,” Jessica said with a wide smile. “Do you want me to pick you up?”
“Where do you live?” Nicole asked.
“About ten miles south of here.”
“That’s perfect if you like fish,” Nicole said returning the smile.
“I do.” Jessica took out her phone. “Give me your number and I’ll text you directions.”
“Great. What time would you like me to pick you up?” Nicole asked before giving Jessica her phone number.
“How’s seven o’clock?”
****
“Hi Alice,” Jane said answering her phone.
“How about dinner Saturday night?” Alice asked.
“This isn’t going to be a fix-up dinner, is it?” Jane asked suspiciously.
Alice laughed. “No. I want to go to that seafood restaurant that we like. Just the three of us,” Sandy paused, “unless there’s someone you want to ask?”
Jane laughed. “No. It will be just the three of us.”
“Okay, we’ll pick you up at six thirty and make a seven o’clock reservation. If you decide to invite someone, let me know.”
Jane laughed again. “You’ll never give up until I am happily cohabited.”
“Of course I won’t. I want you to be happy.”
“Alice, I am happy. My business is doing great. I bought my first home. What more could I want?”
“Someone to share your life with,” Alice asserted.
Jane chuckled. “See you Saturday night.”
Jane went back to her book, but laid it on her lap thinking she needed to go check on the new house. She had stayed away since Millie had told her what Nicole and her mother were planning, but she wanted to check the progress. She sighed and thought she would stop by at lunchtime tomorrow.
****
Nicole watched as Jane got out of her car and never looked toward the farm stand before walking toward the back of the house.
Jane was surprised at the progress Millie had made. The walls were insulated and new sheet rock was covering some of the walls. A new roof had been installed on the house and Jane could finally start to see herself living there.
“Hi Millie,” Jane called out as she got to the living room. “The place is looking good.”
“It’s starting to come together.” Millie turned to the crew. “Go ahead and take your lunch break.”
The crew put down their tools and walked toward the back door.
“Come on upstairs so I can show you what your new master bedroom and bath are going to look like.”
Jane followed Millie up the stairs and into the room. “Oh, this is going to be a nice size bathroom.” She turned toward the framed closet. “The closet isn’t the largest I’ve seen, but it will be fine,” Jane laughed, “especially s
ince I’ll have all the closets in the house to myself.”
“I spoke with Nicole.” Jane’s eyebrows rose. “They have me working up numbers to build the food prep building down near the corner of the main road and then move the farm stand to the same location.”
“Really?” Jane asked surprised. “What did you do, twist their arms?”
“No. I thought for a while they were going to abandon the entire project, but they found the money somewhere I guess.”
“What do you mean they were going to abandon the project?”
“I think they were afraid you’d sue to keep them from converting the stand.”
“Did you tell them I would do that?”
“No. I hinted that I’ve seen things like that happen.”
Jane covered her mouth with her hand. “They must hate me.”
“I doubt that. Let’s go next door so I can get some snacks,” Millie said already leading Jane from the room.
Millie and Jane walked into the stand and saw Kay and another woman speaking with Nicole. “Who’s the woman with Nicole?”
“Jessica. She’s new and came highly recommended. She worked with her ex-girlfriend and it became uncomfortable. She’s a good addition.”
“So which one is Nicole dating?” Jane asked.
“Neither as far as I know. I know Kay hangs around Nicole a lot, but I don’t think Nicole’s interested,” Millie said as she opened the refrigerator and took a slice of pie from the shelf. “Do you want anything, Jane?”
Jane nodded as her eyes drifted to the register as Nicole laughed at something someone had said.
“Hey, Nicole. What’s on the menu for Friday?” Bill asked.
“Smoked sausage sandwiches with onions and peppers.”
The crowd oohed as Nicole explained the sandwich.
Someone noticed Jane in the crowd. “Jane, when we finish your house, can we build something else on your property so we can hang around longer?”
Jane laughed. “Sure. If you want to build it for free.”
The crew laughed including Nicole.
“While we’re building the new place, we’ll have to feed you,” Nicole chuckled as she told them.
The crew showed their appreciation with cheers. Once everyone had left the stand, Jane walked up to Nicole.
“Millie told me about your new plans. Thank you.”
“Hey, it might work out better to have a new place down there.” Nicole pointed toward the corner. She knew that they could never afford to fight Jane in court and looked away.
“Well, I just wanted to say thank you,” Jane offered quietly.
Nicole walked over to the vegetables and made herself busy ignoring Jane and her thank you.
Jane, realizing that Nicole wasn’t going to say anything else, turned and left.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Nicole walked up to Jessica’s front door and rang the bell. The butterflies in her stomach were beginning to make her nauseous. Her black straight jeans were pressed and the light blue button down shirt was new. She took a deep breath as she waited for Jessica to open the door.
“Hi Nicole,” Jessica said opening the front door. “Come on in while I get my purse.”
Nicole looked at Jessica who wore a tan pair of slacks and silk blouse. She took Nicole’s breath away. She now looked at the neat and decorated apartment. “You have a nice place here, and you look very nice,” Nicole said swallowing hard.
“Thank you. You look nice too. I haven’t been here too long so I’m still getting used to the place.” Jessica looked at Nicole. “Are we ready?”
“Sure. I made a seven-thirty reservation.” Nicole put her hand in the small of Jessica’s back and led her out of the door. She opened the car for Jessica and went around to the driver’s side.
“So you recently moved into the apartment?” Nicole asked struggling to find something to talk about.
“When I left my last girlfriend, I needed to find a place to live,” she said with a shrug.
“When did you break up?”
“Six months ago,” Jessica said softly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be nosy,” Nicole said reaching for Jessica’s hand.
“No, it’s fine. At least we got that out of the way. What about you?”
“No ex-girlfriends to worry about.”
“Never?” Jessica asked shocked.
Nicole laughed. “That’s not what I meant. I haven’t had a serious relationship in a long time.” She left out the part that her one and only serious relationship was when she was in high school.
“How old are you, Nicole?” Jessica asked.
“Thirty.” Nicole turned sideways. “What about you?”
“Twenty-eight.”
They pulled into the restaurant and the conversation ended. Nicole walked up to the hostess and said, “I have a reservation under the name Hansen.”
“Right this way, ladies,” the hostess said, leading them to their table.
Nicole pulled out the chair for Jessica and took her seat.
The waitress came over and asked, “Can I start you out with something to drink?”
Nicole looked at Jessica. “A glass of white wine.”
“I’ll have a beer on tap,” Nicole said and opened the menu.
Across the restaurant, another table watched as the three women walked into the dining room. “I guess it’s Jessica she’s dating,” Millie said with a chuckle.
“I thought Kay would have been the one,” Jane said picking up her wine glass.
“I don’t think Nicole is looking for someone like Kay.”
“Kay will never settle down,” Alice said. “She loves the women and the women love her.”
After Jessica and Nicole ordered their meal, Jessica went back to her questions. “So you live at home?”
“Yes. When you work on a farm, it doesn’t provide enough money to get your own place.”
“So you work in the fields?”
Nicole felt like she was being interrogated and felt she wasn’t doing very well. “Not anymore. My brother recently joined the military and my dad has hired a couple of part-timers and an apprentice from the University. I now take care of the garden that provides the fruits and vegetables for my farm stand. I also work at a large hardware store part-time.” Nicole could tell from Jessica’s face that she thought Nicole was a loser. This is going to be a long night. “My mom and I are going to build a take-out place on our property selling barbecue and I’ll hire someone to run the farm stand.”
“You mean with sandwiches like you’ve been serving on Fridays?” Jessica asked smiling again.
“Yes.”
“I think you’ll both do very well. Everyone has been raving about the brisket and pulled pork.”
“Thanks.” Nicole looked around the restaurant and noticed Jane and Millie. “There’s your boss,” she said leaning toward Jessica.
Jessica looked up and saw the table was watching them. Her hand came up in a wave. “I guess that’s Millie’s wife?”
“Yeah, I think so. I saw her once at the house. Is this awkward for you?” Nicole asked.
“Not at all. It’s my time and Millie can’t tell me who to see,” Jessica said with a smile.
Whew, Nicole thought. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be a total disaster. The waitress delivered their meal. “So have you always been doing construction work?”
“My dad was in commercial construction and he taught me a lot when I was a kid. My sister was the brain who wanted to go to college. It only seemed natural to me. I got lucky and got a job during high school as an apprentice with my former boss’ crew.” She took a fork full of food. “Then I met Jenny and I was head over heels. We were together for seven years.” Jessica shrugged. “It didn’t work out,” she said without elaborating.
“I’m sorry,” Nicole said and smiled. “I’m glad we met.”
Jessica grinned. “Me too.”
“Well, are you ready to go, ladies?” Millie asked as she s
tood. “Come on Alice, I want to introduce you to Nicole and Jessica.”
“Millie, they’re on a date. Let’s not interrupt them,” Jane said already out of her seat.
Millie took Alice’s hand and led her to their table. “Hi, ladies.”
Jessica and Nicole looked up and both said, “Hi, Millie.”
“I wanted to introduce you to my wife, Alice,” Millie pointed. “Alice, this is Nicole and our newest member of the team, Jessica.”
“I’m happy to meet you both,” Alice said shaking both their hands.
“And this is Jane,” Millie said pulling Jane forward. “It’s her house we’re working on,” Millie said looking at Jessica.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jane,” Jessica said and added, “I think your house is going to be beautiful.”
“Thank you. I think it will too,” Jane said with a chuckle. She looked at Nicole. “It’s good to see you too, Nicole.”
Nicole gave Jane a small smile in return, but she didn’t really acknowledge her.
“Enjoy the rest of your dinner,” Alice said before the three women walked away. She had not missed the tension between Jane and Nicole as they left the restaurant. Once they were in the car, Alice turned in her seat to face Jane. “What did you ever do to Nicole?”
Jane chuckled. “Did Millie tell you about the take-out place Nicole wants to build?”
“Yes, I’ve seen the plans she’s been working on.”
“Well, initially they were going to convert the farm stand and I objected to a restaurant next door to my house.” Jane punched Millie’s shoulder. “Your wife told Nicole that I could hold them up in court.”
“Hey, wait a minute,” Millie said. “I didn’t say you were going to do that. I said I’ve seen situations like this that have gone to court.”
“Oh honey,” Alice said shaking her head. “So she thinks you were going to stop their project?
Jane nodded. “So the plan has changed, but Nicole won’t even talk to me now.”
Back in the restaurant. “You and Jane don’t get along, do you?” Jessica asked.
