by Scott, D. D.
“Hey, whatever works, sugar. Although it looks like maybe you could use some more of your own Zen philosophy or whatever they call that stuff. What’s got you in such a snit?”
Jules swallowed the dumpling she was working on, letting every creamy part of it caress her taste buds.
Damn. Culinary schools didn’t have a clue what constituted real food. She’d take this dumpling any day over steak tartare or Chilean sea bass.
If she just kept eating perhaps the diner’s food alone might cure her problems.
“Did Cody tell you about our meeting today with Sienna?”
At the mention of Sienna’s name, Midge’s face took on the deep hurt Jules had seen on Cody. But his mother’s hurt appeared tempered by the anger of a woman whose child had suffered at the hands of someone outside her control. As if Midge was responsible for or could have prevented Cody’s pain.
“No, I haven’t seen Cody since we finished our prep this morning. If this involves Sienna, though, you better pass me some of that there cornbread and let me have a couple spoonfuls of mac and cheese.”
Midge grabbed a cornbread muffin out of the basket, un-wrapped the silverware at her place setting then slathered the muffin with butter.
“Have at it,” Jules said, pushing not just the mac and cheese but rather all three of the holy trinity dishes in front of Midge for extra reinforcement.
Washing down another dumpling with sweet tea, Jules continued, “Sienna informed us that not only are we to cater her bachelorette party but we’re now expected to join her and her friends in its new location in Cabo San Lucas.”
“That’s Mexico, right?” Midge helped herself to another muffin and an additional slab of butter.
“Afraid so. And Cody went ballistic. I don’t think it was about Cabo so much as about doing anything above and beyond reasonable for Sienna.” Jules hoped that would give Midge an invitation to fill her in on Cody and Sienna’s past.
“Oh I betchya he went ape shit.” Midge kept chewing her muffin, her face set indicating she was chewing on more than her food, hopefully contemplating how much she should tell Jules.
“Midge, I know this might not be any of my business, but in a way it is, ‘cause I gotta find a way to make these gigs work for Sweet Destiny’s success. So I’m just gonna come out with it. What happened between them?”
Jules put down her spoon, reached into her tote, and took out the crumpled magazine Cody had given her. She set the gossip rag in front of Midge.
“Cody gave me this before the meeting and told me I’d find my answers here. I haven’t looked yet.”
“You might not want to on a full stomach, Sweet Pea.” Midge pushed the magazine back to Jules. “I’ve already seen it. Grams picked up one yesterday. She thrives on those blasted things. Except when Cody’s involved. The old dear bat is on a major rampage now. Tread lightly if she makes an appearance.”
“It’s that bad?” Jules took her spoon and dug into the white beans and ham hocks.
She should probably just enjoy the food. What the hell. It didn’t appear she’d have much appetite once she got the scoop.
“That rag pretty much sums it up both in words and pictures,” Midge confirmed, taking a deep breath then rubbing her swollen ankles.
“Cody alluded to the story involving photos, but he didn’t want to talk about it beyond that, at least not today. I hope he will soon. At least give me something to work with. I can’t do all this without him. Especially now that Jacques is gearing up for Fan Fest too,” Jules said then looked at Midge who was still rubbing her ankles as if she could rub away her son’s pain along with her arthritis. “More than that, I want to help Cody get over whatever it was he went through with Sienna. He deserves to be happy, not consumed by his past.”
“Yes, he does deserve happiness. And so do you.” Midge smiled.
If the sparkle in her brown sugar eyes was an accurate indication, for the first time since she sat down, Midge’s spirit seemed to lighten. “And I think you’re just the woman to bring him that joy.”
Midge turned in her seat and took Jules hands into her own. Taken aback a bit, only because she didn’t expect the gesture, Jules didn’t pull away from Midge’s grasp. The woman’s sincerity and devotion to her son was impressive. Beyond that, Jules was thrilled by Midge’s suggestion of the role she sanctioned Jules to serve to obtain Cody’s happiness. And she sooo wanted to play that role.
“He needs you, Jules. Don’t let him convince you otherwise. He’s just like his daddy that way. Always hiding behind his own demons. Pushing away the people who care and love him enough to help him through the pain.”
“Sometimes it would be nice if demons could be pushed away,” Jules said, unable to conjure up anyone other than Jacques to fill that hellacious image.
“Trust me, dear,” Midge said, her voice cracking with each syllable while resonating with a stoically poignant grace, glazing over something causing her profound pain. “You can’t outrun your battles.”
“But how do you continue fighting when each step forward ends with a monster shooting you back down a few ladder rungs?”
Although Jules didn’t have it in her to quit going for her goals, she was wore out from Jacques and Sienna’s tricks.
“Which demon are you referring to? We have so many to choose from these days,” Midge said then laughed in a way as if to attempt to drown their sorrows in humor, knowing she couldn’t possibly keep their distress under the surface.
“Jacques. Hell incarnate. That’s the dark presence of the moment. I just don’t get how he could even be in the running for securing the catering for Fan Fest. The application deadline was the last day of February. It’s almost October. And he just got into town last month.”
Jules pounded her fists on the top of her planner.
“Who could he have schmoozed this time?”
“You do know Sienna’s mother is on the Fan Fest Board of Directors?”
Midge raised her eyebrows then lowered her head, gently shaking it back and forth as if soaking in the ramifications of what she’d said. “You might start there. Cody’s daddy always thought that woman was a conniving witch. He was right about that.”
Tears filled Midge’s tired eyes, a barrage of liquid emotion, barely able to remain confined to her lash line. Jules squeezed her hands.
“What’s wrong?”
Feeling the tiniest of tremors flit through Midge’s hands, Jules didn’t let go. Instead, she held on tighter.
“You know, come to think of it, Cody never talks about his dad anymore. When I first met him, he talked about all of you, you, Bill and Grams, all the time. But the last couple months, he hasn’t mentioned his dad. Is everything okay?”
One tear tumbled over Midge’s sparse lashes and splashed onto the tablecloth. She pulled back from Jules’ hands and reached for a napkin then wiped up the spill.
“No, Sweet Pea, everything not okay. Cody’s daddy left us a little over two months ago. I’m not sure where he is but I do know why he’s gone.”
“Does Cody know where he went or why?”
“Nope. Neither.” Midge collapsed against the booth’s backing, her shoulders dropping as if deflating from the pressure of holding in the truth.
“It’s his daddy’s place and responsibility to tell him. Not mine.”
“Does Grams know where he is?”
“I think so, but if she does, the stubborn mule isn’t saying.”
Midge shook her head, a smile almost escaping her desperate frown.
Suddenly Jules’ troubles seemed like nothing. She, of all people, knew what it was like to lose a parent. If she could keep Cody from that pain, she’d put everything else in her life on the backburner.
Why hadn’t he told her?
“Well, maybe if we gang up on Grams, we can get her to break,” Jules said, thinking it was worth a shot, although not underestimating Grams’s stick-tuitiveness. The woman was hard as biscotti.
“I doubt it.�
� Midge finished wiping her eyes then pushed herself up from the booth. “I’m sorry to have burdened you with our family’s problems. I just know how much you care about Cody, and I’m worried about him. Between Sienna’s bullshit and his daddy’s blunders, it’s no wonder he wants out of this diner so bad, which breaks my and Grams’ hearts. Even though we understand why he’d feel that way.”
“What do you mean he wants out of the diner?” Jules about choked on her last dumpling. “He didn’t tell me that either. Damn. I’m about to tell him a thing or two about keeping things from me. I’m supposed to be his partner.”
“He doesn’t know we know about his diner issues. But Grams overheard him talking to a real estate agent about finding a building to open up a produce market. Something about a produce market specializing in — ,” Midge leaned in close to Jules then continued, “ — penis foods. Well, that’s what Grams said she heard, but I’m sure she got something screwed up somewhere. Pun intended.”
Midge rolled her eyes and picked up her tray. She pulled out a bag from one of her apron pockets and handed it to Jules before retrieving several Styrofoam boxes from underneath the nearest service station.
“You betch your ass Grams is ready to throw all her money into the venture. I don’t know where he’d get such a crazy idea. Penis foods and produce. Hmmph. Although it is unique. I’ll give him that.”
“I know exactly where he’d get the idea.” Jules shoveled her leftovers into the boxes then bagged them. “I’ll see what I can find out and get back to you.”
“Thank you, sweetie,” Midge said, then gave her a hug. “As long as he’s happy, I don’t care what he does. I’d hoped the diner would stay in our family. But with Cody’s daddy gone, I don’t know if I really care about that either. As long as my boy’s happy. That’s all that matters.”
Jules stuffed the magazine holding some of the answers she needed into her tote, grabbed her doggy bag and stood to go. Giving Midge a huge hug back, she said, “Don’t worry. I’ve got Cody’s back. He’s always had mine. It’s my turn to take one for the team.”
Midge breathed in deep and for the second time during their lunch looked as if at least a little bit of her stress had lifted.
Jules reached in her purse to dig for her sunglasses, her fingers instead grazing the keys to her new Harley.
Fingering the Harley emblem on the key ring, she knew exactly where she was headed.
She had a magazine article to read then it was time for her first riding lesson. All she needed was her instructor.
Chapter Ten
A motorcycle ride?
Cody digested Jules’ proposition for all of two seconds.
Yeah. Hell yeah.
Ever since he’d seen that bike in her garage, he’d been dying to get on it. More than that, he’d fantasized on several occasions about riding with her tucked in behind him.
He’d bought his first bike right after high school at his father’s insistence. His dad was a big rider, constantly impressing upon Cody there was nothing like the wide open road, you, your bike and Mother Nature.
That was one odd thing about his dad’s disappearance, Cody thought. He’d left behind his bikes along with his family. It was the one hope Cody held onto that his dad would come home. He’d never make it long without riding.
It had only taken Cody one ride to find the same thrill, the same total detachment from the world while at the same time feeling as if he was one with all the natural-world offered.
When he was riding, no work thoughts cluttered his mind, no personal problems weighed him down. On a warm, sunny day with the wind whipping against his face, he could ride forever. The rumble of the exhaust relaxed and refreshed his soul. The feel of the raw power beneath him and under his control was energizing.
Riding was just him and his bike. Freedom. Exhilaration. A spiritual connection with every piece of nature he passed.
He still had that first bike — a classic black, white and red Honda Shadow with chrome trim. He’d upgraded since then, now owning two Harley Davidson’s in addition to the Shadow, but it was the Shadow that continued to bring him the most joy and the best ride.
When Jules finally joined him on a bike, the experience would change to a different form of delight.
Instead of riding to get away from it all, Cody was looking forward to sharing his adventure and enjoyment with the woman he hoped someday knew and shared with him everything he was and wanted to become.
Exchanging his Stetson for a skull cap, he tied the cap around his head, securing it over the tips of his ears. He wondered if Jules had gotten a helmet. Refusing to let her on a bike without one, he grabbed his mom’s. She wouldn’t care if Jules borrowed it.
Heck, she’d more than approve. The two of them had really hit it off, something that had both surprised as well as pleased Cody. His gut buzzed just thinking about it. And with his dad gone again, his mom sure could use the company.
Inconsequential for many men that a woman of his choosing meets his mother’s approval, Cody thrived on that vote of confidence. His mom and Sienna had butted heads since the first disastrous day he’d brought Sienna into the diner.
But damn had his mom been so right. Cody would have saved himself a lot of gut wrenching if he’d listened to her instincts. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. But with Jules, it didn’t look like he had to worry. She was in with both his mom and Grams too! No easy accomplishment on either account.
He put both his helmet and his mom’s into his truck then scoured the storage compartment in the console for his realtor’s card. She’d stopped by the diner and left her card with the address of a building for him to check out for the market. Thank God he was the only one at the diner when she’d dropped by. He’d taken the card, promising her he’d swing by the storefront and take a look. If he was interested in seeing more, he’d then give her a call to set up an appointment.
Having a few extra minutes before he was due at Jules for her first riding lesson, he headed for the listed property.
Encouraged by the address being only two blocks from Jules’ bakery, his stomach pitched in anticipation.
He wasn’t sure if the rumbling turmoil was from the unexpected opportunity of the building being up for grabs or from Jules’ invitation to ride.
But if he was serious about the market, Cody needed to look at all locations available. And since this property was up for foreclosure and his financing had been pre-approved, he’d also be able to get a decent price.
He tightened his hands around the steering wheel then drummed his fingers to the beat of Big and Rich blaring from the radio. If he didn’t commit to a place soon, his guilt over leaving the diner would suffocate his ambition.
At least he was making an effort, starting somewhere, he thought, bolstering his ego. Baby steps. He was all about baby steps.
But could he afford to continue taking baby steps with Jules?
Right now he didn’t have any competition. ‘Course he had the annoyance of Jacques. But Jules had made it clear from day one that there was no way she’d go back to that asshole.
It was the other men in Music City Cody worried about.
Even though she was clueless regarding her appeal, Jules turned heads everywhere she went. Cody had been with her on many occasions and been privy to the tongues wagging.
It wasn’t just her amazing, perfectly proportioned curves — and he was a man all about proportion — or her beautiful face and hair. It was the way she carried herself. The way she smiled. She made a person feel lucky to be in her company. She made that same person feel they were the most important person in the room.
Hell, the whole package she presented had Cody hooked.
Too bad she’d made it clear she didn’t need or want a man as more than a friend. Although he’d swear the kiss he’d stolen on their pizza night betrayed her intentions.
But should he risk their friendship by pursuing more from her? And how did he go about finding out if that was e
ven an option?
He cruised toward Sweet Destiny, feeling closer to Jules by looking at something that belonged to her. But he wasn’t near close enough. He just hoped his plan to rein her in wouldn’t do the opposite and push her further away.
Jules had really struck gold with her storefront, Cody thought, while waiting on the light to turn the block before the bakery. And boy had he struck gold ending up with her in his life.
When passing by the bakery’s sugar-filled, whimsical wonderland, Cody couldn’t help wanting to go in. And, he’d overheard several Sweet Destiny customers make similar comments.
From the stunning windows and entrance that looked like it came straight off a movie set to the upscale dessert bar lining one side of the door, Jules had made one helluva sweet impression on her block of upscale boutiques, coffee shops and eateries.
She’d make it, with or without the Cruz’s, preferably without, Cody thought. Giving that family credit for anything stretched his eye-for-an-eye psyche.
Two more blocks toward the heart of Vanderbilt’s campus, Cody pulled to the curb in front of the For Sale sign in the window of the building matching the address on his realtor’s card.
If he carried through with the aphrodisiac angle, having Vanderbilt University’s liberal arts crowd across the street would give him a clientele willing to step outside the box to try his produce.
Great windows spanned the front of the building. And from what he could see, there was ample storage in the back. Nice.
He tapped the realtor’s card against his steering wheel.
What would it hurt to make an appointment to see the inside?
Thinking how proud his grandpa would be, Cody smiled. What a step up from the roadside-stand Papa had built for him in the early days of Cody’s produce enterprise. Cody had kept the stand, and he planned to rebuild and use it in his new market.
His grandpa would be thrilled to see Cody going after his dream — their dream. They were the only two in the family who’d ever thought beyond The Lunch Box.
Cody took his Blackberry out of the cup-holder and dialed the realtor’s number. Not getting any answer, he left a message for her to call him, afraid he’d change his mind if he didn’t take that next step now.
