by Jamie Begley
“With its own entrance, and the parking lot outside, I think working here is a great idea,” Ginny enthused.
“So, when can you start?”
Ginny wanted to jump at Willa’s question, but held herself back.
“Are you sure? A lot of people in town don’t like me, and they won’t be happy that you’re hiring a Coleman.”
Willa, frowned with her hands going to her hips. “Why not?”
“My father made several families angry when he refused to marry the mothers of his children.”
“What your father did or did not do is no business of mine and has no bearing on you doing a good job for me.”
Ginny felt it necessary to give Willa one more chance to back out. “You have no idea how ugly they can be.”
“You think so? I’ve had my own fair share of ugly comments. Have you ever been compared to a fat piggy bank?”
Ginny paled at the comparison; her heart hurt that someone actually insulted a woman that would go out of her way to help others.
“Who said that to you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Ginny had been on the receiving end of too many insults to know that wasn’t true.
“It matters to me.” Ginny reached out and gave Willa a hug. “Tell me who it was, and I’ll refuse to serve them when they come into the diner. I’ll make Carly wait on them,” she joked.
Willa laughed hugging her back. “Thank you. That would definitely pay her back.”
Breaking the hug, Ginny gave Willa a glee-filled smile. “You really, want me to come work for you?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll give my one-week notice tomorrow night at the theater, and I can start next Monday? Give me a schedule of the hours you want me to work and I’ll give it to Toby to arrange my shifts at the diner.”
“Thank goodness. I’m looking forward to having someone to help keep orders on track with me busy trying to get everything I need to get done before the wedding. I hope you’re going to be able to attend?”
“I mailed the invitation back yesterday. I’m sorry, but I have to work at the diner; the owner is expecting a busy day with all the busybodies coming in to watch who’s coming to the wedding. The diner gives a bird’s-eye view to the church.”
“That explains why Toby doubled his order. I thought it was because I told him I was making a new flavor of cupcakes.”
“Nope. He’s expecting a big turnout. What’s the new flavor?”
“Drunken chocolate. I need a second opinion; you want to try one? I don’t like the taste of bourbon, so I can’t tell if I’m using too much or not enough.”
“I never turn down a cupcake, especially if it’s chocolate.”
Going to the metal table, Willa picked up one of the cupcakes and handed it to her. Taking a bite Ginny nearly choked at the strong liquor flavor. Forcing herself to swallow, she frantically thought of a way out of eating another bite.
“What do you think?”
“Uh … it’s a tiny bit too strong.” Not taking another bite, she saw Willa’s disappointment. “Just a little.”
“Oh, well. I bought some more bourbon, so I’ll make another batch this afternoon.”
Feeling bad, Ginny opened her purse to take out the wedding present she bought. “I wanted to give you a wedding present. I was going to wrap it and give it to you tomorrow after church so you would have it for the big day.” Watching as Willa opened the small bag from the pawn shop, Ginny spied a trash can and dropped the cupcake inside.
When Willa raised confused eyes to her, Ginny explained, “The coin is a silver sixpence. It’s a good luck charm. You’re supposed to put one in your shoe on your wedding day to bring love, happiness, and prosperity to your marriage.”
“I never heard of that before.”
“It’s an old superstition, like something old, something blue.”
“Thank you, I’ll make sure to place it in my shoe. It’s very sweet of you.”
“You’re welcome.” Ginny glanced at the large batch of drunken cupcakes. “What are you going to do with the cupcakes?”
Willa put her coin into her pocket, before frowning at cupcakes. “I’ll throw them away.”
“I hate for them to go in the trash. I’ll take them if you don’t want them. I know someone who would appreciate these … delicacies.”
“I’ll box them for you.”
Ginny gently lifted the two pretty pink boxes into her arms.
“Thank you for taking them; I hate to let food go to waste.”
“Me too, especially when it involves chocolate.” In good conscious, Ginny felt the need to take in consideration the community’s safety versus hurting Willa’s feelings. “I would only use a half a teaspoon of bourbon. After your next batch, call me, and I’ll run over and taste them for you.”
“They were that strong?”
“Put it this way. I’m walking home, and coming back later to get my car.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ginny happily notched the pink cardboard before folding it into a box. It was such a mundane chore, but it didn’t compare to the long hours she spent on her feet at the diner. She had to pinch herself numerous times that she was actually working with Willa and how much easier her life had become in three months. The only drawback was being surrounded by the aroma of freshly baked goods that she swore was adding inches to her waist with every sniff.
Once the boxes were formed, she started putting the cupcakes Willa had frosted into them. Neatly closing the box, she started scrupulously working on filling another one, beginning to worry she was doing it wrong when her new boss didn’t chat with her as they worked.
“Did I do something wrong?” she tentatively asked, not wanting Willa to be disappointed in the job she was doing.
“No, I’m sorry. I’m not in the best of moods today.”
Ginny smiled at the apology and relaxed. “That’s okay. I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t screwed something up.” Stacking the filled boxes, she smiled at her. “I’m excited about being able to cook full-time. When do you want me to start at the clubhouse?”
Ginny wanted to tie her down to an official date, afraid that Willa would still change her mind. She hated working at the diner, and Willa had offered her an actual salary with insurance. She was finally beginning to feel as if her life was on track. She didn’t miss working at the theater and was just as anxious to put the diner in her rearview mirror. Working with Willa highlighted just how much she hated working with Carly.
“Give notice at the diner, then let me know when would be good for you.”
“I’ll tell them this afternoon when I go in.” Filling another box with the pretty cupcakes, she had to restrain herself from eating one of them. “I’m renting an efficiency apartment because I can’t afford anything bigger right now. I don’t make much waitressing, so once I start working full-time for you, I’m hoping to rent a one-bedroom.”
She had moved out of Toby’s back bedroom with her first paycheck from Willa and into the efficiency. After Willa told her about The Last Riders needing a part-time cook and housecleaner, she had her heart set on a one-bedroom on the third floor in her complex.
She had immediately felt comfortable with Willa, who shared similar personality traits to Leah. When she was with her, it filled a small part of her that she had lost with Leah’s death.
“Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Shoot,” Ginny answered off-handedly, thinking about how she would decorate the imaginary one-bedroom apartment. All she had been able to afford after moving into the efficiency was a secondhand couch and a coffee table. It didn’t have much of a kitchen, with only a small stove and fridge. On the other hand, it was better than the small bedroom in Toby’s house.
“Why don’t you like the Wests? I mean, you lived there for several years, but you avoid them when you see them at church.”
Ginny reached for another box to buy herself time before answering.
<
br /> “I was just wondering, since they have custody of Darcy. Her older brother Cal is living with a friend of mine, Drake Hall.”
“They never laid a hand on me or did anything inappropriate, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Is she safe?”
Ginny thought about the best way to explain the difficulties she had with the Wests, as she transferred the cupcakes from the counter to the box. “Is your husband leaving Treepoint, or is he here for good?”
“We’re not going anywhere.”
“Then she’s safe,” she said, nodding her head.
“Did Lucky …?”
“Lucky saved my life. I’ll never be able to repay him for what he did. They aren’t bad people; they just have very high standards that I couldn’t measure up to.” If Pastor Dean hadn’t helped with her schoolwork, she would have fallen further behind. He had gone the extra mile to show Lisa his concerns. Seeing that Ginny had someone looking over her and Dalt’s shoulders had kept their detachment in check.
Had they grown close the years she had lived with them? No, but Ginny didn’t think they were capable of caring about anyone but themselves.
She hadn’t been aware that they had taken in another foster child. If Willa was concerned enough to ask her about the Wests, then she would have expressed those concerns to her husband. If Will still lived in town, she would have talked to him about the Wests taking another foster child. After she’d gotten over her anger, she’d finally confessed to Will she didn’t want to be with Lisa and Dalt. Though, even if he were still in town, she knew he’d give her the same explanation now as he’d given her then—that without proof the Wests weren’t fit to be foster parents, there was little he could do. At least, as close as they lived to the police station, he had kept an eye on them and wait for them to screw up. They hadn’t.
“I know what that’s like. I never measured up to my mother’s standards.”
“You? I can’t believe that. You’re perfect. You’re sweet, kind, and you try to help everyone. I wish I were more like you.” Ginny sincerely meant it. Willa treated everyone as if they were her friend. She was the ideal pastor’s wife. She hoped one day to live up to the standards that Willa lived every day. Unfortunately, she would never make a pastor’s wife. She wasn’t as good at turning the other cheek as Willa was.
“Go get us some lunch at the diner while I finish the order. I’ll take a chicken sandwich and a salad.”
Ginny took the twenty Willa handed her.
“Buy yourself lunch, too. I noticed you didn’t eat any yesterday,” Willa said, giving her a wink. “You can give your notice while you’re there.”
Ginny happily grinned back. “I’ll wait until I get our food, then tell them.” She was practically skipping on air as she left Willa counting boxes.
Her good humor lasted until she was leaving the diner and passed Lisa West, who stood at the entry door. She was alone, dressed as if she were worth a million bucks. As they passed, neither spoke, ignoring each other as if they were complete strangers.
Giving her order to Carly, Ginny went back to the kitchen to give her notice to Toby. The easygoing manager wasn’t upset.
“I’ll dig up the Help Wanted sign from the office. At least you gave me notice. The last one just threw her apron at me after Carly took one of her tables.”
Relieved Toby wasn’t upset, she spent a few minutes listening to him complain about the arthritis in his wrists as he made her order.
“You’ve been flipping too many burgers,” she said, sympathizing with him as she made her and Willa’s salads. When the sandwiches were done, she bagged her own order before going to the register to pay.
Returning to the church, she found herself unexpectedly alone. Setting their lunch on the counter, Ginny went to the window and saw Willa’s van was gone. Taking out her cell phone to call Willa, she reached out to the boxes of cupcakes that were still there.
Biting her lip worriedly when the call went to voicemail, she then dialed Pastor Dean’s number when she heard the sound of a police siren going through town. Even more worried, she decided to clean the kitchen and look at the delivery orders for the cupcakes. By then, Willa still hadn’t come back or returned her call.
Looking at her watch, she saw it was almost time for her shift at the diner, so she decided to deliver the cupcakes to the Silver Slipper restaurant. She was lifting the stacked boxes into her arms when her cell rang.
“Pastor, thank you for calling. Have you seen Willa—”
“She’s with me at the hospital.”
“What happened …?” Visions of losing Leah had Ginny gripping the counter in panic.
“She has a dislocated shoulder. She’s being treated now.”
“How? She was here when I left to get lunch!”
“Willa will give you a call as soon as she’s able.”
“All right … I was leaving for the day. Should I drop off the order that she was working on?”
“I’m sure she will appreciate it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. If there is anything else I can do, please let me know.”
“I will.”
Ginny shakily disconnected the call. It took her a few minutes to gather herself before she lifted the cupcake boxes into her trembling hands. Losing Manny, then her dad and Leah had shown her how fragile life was.
Upset that Willa had been injured while she was at the diner had her looking around the kitchen, trying to figure out how her boss got hurt.
After delivering the cupcakes to the Silver Slipper, she drove to the diner. Grabbing her uniform from the back seat, she hurried inside, and changed in the restroom. Tugging her light brown hair into a ponytail, she left the bathroom to begin her shift.
Carly, who she was relieving, gave her a nasty look before reaching under the counter for her purse. “Funny, you haven’t been late since you started working here, but the day you give notice, you’re late.”
Ginny raised her chin at the snide comment. “I’m ten minutes late,” she said calmly, sliding an order pad into her front pocket. “I worked thirty minutes over to cover for you yesterday and an hour the day before. I’ll put my timecard up against yours any day of the week.”
The woman’s glare was hot enough to reheat the coffee cups of the customer’s sitting at the counter. Jerking off her apron, Carly went through the swinging doors that led to the kitchen.
Shrugging off Carly’s anger, she got busy waiting on the customers, not stopping until she locked the door after the last one left. She tiredly wiped down the tables and set them up for service in the morning.
“Night, Ginny. You need a ride home?”
“No thanks, Toby. I have my car.”
“You want me to stay?”
“No, you go ahead. You have to be tired.”
“I don’t like leaving you alone.”
“The sheriff’s office is across the street; I’m good. You go.”
Ginny locked the door behind him. Then, going behind the counter, she turned Toby’s radio on, listening to it as she sat at the counter to roll silverware. Hearing a tap at the door, Ginny turned toward the door. Her lips tightened when she saw who it was.
Carter Dawkins’s conceited face stared back at her, giving another sharp rap with his knuckles for her to open the door.
She casually went to the door as if she were going to open it for him. Instead of unlocking it, though, she flicked the switch off the blinking Open sign.
“I want a hamburger,” he yelled through the door.
“Then go home and fry one.” Ginny didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t care if he heard her or not. Carter would get the message when she didn’t open the door.
His landscaped grey eyebrows frowned at her.
She rolled her eyes and took out her cell phone, speaking loudly enough for Carter to hear. “Sheriff, I think someone is trying to break in the diner. I’m afraid to go outside to my car. Could you ask a deputy to come over and escort me?”<
br />
“I’m at the front desk filling out a report. I see who’s at the door. I’ll be right there.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.”
Ginny turned, giving her former boss her back.
Sliding the container of silverware to the back of the counter, she grabbed her purse and her street clothes before grabbing the keys to the diner from the register before going back to the door. Dawkins was gone and the sheriff was patiently waiting for her.
“Evening, Knox,” she said, greeting the sheriff as she went out the door, then locked it.
“How many times have I told you not to stay at the diner by yourself?”
“Too many to count,” she quipped as he escorted her to her car.
“It’s not a joke. I told you last week to come by the office and put a restraining order out on him.”
“His days of being able to hang out at the diner are almost over. I gave my notice today.”
“I’d feel better if you took out the restraining order.”
Ginny unlocked her car door. “Willa hired me to clean and cook for The Last Riders. After I serve my notice, I don’t think Carter will be bothering me anymore, especially when he finds out where my new job is. Do you?”
The huge sheriff’s lips twitched in humor. “No.”
Ginny grinned. “See? All’s well, and it’s going to end well.”
He shook his head at her, his humor turning to concern. “Any other woman in town would have been screaming at me to arrest him for harassing and stalking.”
“Knox, I’m going to tell you a little secret, not many people in town knows this about me.”
He narrowed his eyes on her as if she were going to confess to having a gun to protect herself. She could see he was just waiting to warn her not to shoot herself.
Grinning wider, she rested an arm over the car door, lowering her voice so no one could hear her secret, despite no one being around this late at night.
