The Legend of Lollipop

by Lisa Prysock

  “Landon, my friend, I don’t know about any of that legend nonsense surrounding those horses, but if you set any stock by it, just remember one thing. You’re already a success. You’re a respected horse trainer. With the number of races your horses have won at Grand Prairie Downs, many other tracks, and several Kentucky Derby wins under your belt, people all over the country look up to you. In any case, I still hope you can manage to capture those horses. Clearly, they have unusual potential.”

  Chapter 2

  "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan press on has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race."—Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States of America.

  HALSTON STAFFING, L.L.C., downtown, Main Street, Historic District, Lander, Wyoming

  Trisha Halston took notes, quickly scribbling every detail Logan Haven told her over the phone into her spiral notebook. When the call was finished, she’d carefully rewrite it onto an open job order form as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it would have to wait until she finished her two interviews. She had one interview waiting in the main foyer near her administrative assistant’s desk, and another taking a typing, ten key calculator, and data entry test in the testing area.

  She finished asking him the last question on the job order form. “Thank you again, Logan, for choosing Halston Staffing for your employment needs. I’m sure we can find some staff for your bakery. I’ll do a search in our database and get back with you as soon as possible.”

  When she hung up the phone, she spotted the message Holly had handed her while she’d been on the phone. A human resource manager from one of Lander’s largest retailers had called, indicating they needed some personnel. Three more cashiers and two warehouse temps by tomorrow. Glancing at her watch, she realized it was almost noon. She’d better return the call before the human resource manager disappeared for lunch and at least thank him for the job order and assure him she was working on it. She didn’t need too many details other than which shifts and location since she’d filled other orders like these in the past for the company.

  Trisha scribbled another note to remind herself to thank McGuire for referring Logan to her company. In fact, she’d thank him tonight in person since she and her younger sister, Anastasia, would be having dinner with his wife, Katie, and her brother at their log cabin home later that evening. She could hardly wait to see her nieces, Jamie and Tracy.

  However, at present, she and her assistant were swamped. She’d be doing well to be able to have any time to eat lunch herself. Trisha drew in a deep breath, swung her long legs around in her swivel chair, and leapt to her feet in her cream sling back heels. Smoothing out the long skirt to her pale lavender suit, she reached for her suit jacket on the back of the chair and slid it on over her cream blouse.

  There was no time to glance in the mirror to see if her brown locks were still pulled securely into the knot at the nape of her neck, but she quickly pushed a few loose bobby pins back in place. She applied a thin layer of light pink gloss to her lips and returned the tube of gloss to her middle desk drawer. Thankfully, she went through the same routine so often, she seldom required a compact anymore to freshen up.

  Trisha picked up the application Holly had brought her with the applicant’s information and read it over quickly. He had poor job longevity, but his skills appeared to be varied and diverse. In his favor, he’d completed high school and then one full year of business school. The applicant had filled out everything thoroughly, and more impressive, not only was his application legible, he hadn’t misspelled any words.

  Satisfied, she paused before opening her office door to glance out of her office window at the beautiful sunshine spilling over the vacant but well-maintained lot next door. There, she could enjoy a view of several sturdy oak trees and one large mulberry tree, a variety of shrubs serving as a perimeter, a few flower beds, and a span of green lawn with several benches. She’d truly been blessed to obtain a reasonable mortgage on the old Victorian house on Main Street for office space. In turn, since the building had private entrances to access both the second and third floors, she’d easily been able to rent out the second floor to a small law firm. She shared the third floor as an apartment residence with her sister. The law firm had even ordered a legal secretary from her when the attorneys moved into the space. The arrangement had worked out well so far, other than the occasional creaks in the flooring both above and below.

  She caught sight of a sparrow landing on one of the branches belonging to the mulberry tree. The sight reminded her she needed to find time to enjoy the beauty all around her. Taking a moment to escape the busy comings and goings of her day kept her mind prayerful and rejuvenated, even if only for ten or fifteen minutes. Then she opened her office door and stepped confidently into the hallway and toward the foyer to resume her duties.

  WHEN SHE AND HOLLY had finished the interviews and returned important calls, Trisha had time to do a brief, preliminary search in the company database for applicants who might be qualified to be bakery managers or assistants. Her search had only yielded three people. However, when she contacted each of them, one person didn’t answer, one said the job was too far away, and the other had recently accepted a temp-to-perm job elsewhere.

  Disappointed with her search results, she looked at her watch and returned to the foyer to invite Holly to lunch. “I know this morning has been absolutely crazy busy, but why don’t we close the office for a change of pace and step out for a quick bite to eat before we get clobbered again with phone calls and applicants to interview.”

  Holly glanced up from her desk near the front door with a smile and a look of relief as she tucked one of her blond curls behind her ear. “Sounds great. What a busy day it’s been. The phone has been ringing since eight o’clock this morning. Do you want to try the new café up the block?”

  “Anastasia mentioned it to me. Sure, let’s try it out. I’ll just get my purse.”

  Ten minutes later, they were seated comfortably in the café and a waitress had taken their orders. She returned with their sweet tea a moment later, and shortly after, brought out a tray with a plate of thick slices of banana bread, two salads, and two cups of Wisconsin cheddar cheese and broccoli soup. “Extra butter or ranch dressing?”

  “Yes, please.” Trisha chuckled. “I’ve burned enough calories this morning to afford both extra butter and ranch dressing.”

  “That goes for me, too,” Holly agreed, laughing as they accepted the extra condiments the waitress offered.

  “Since we’re really busy, I’ll just leave the bill here so you don’t have to wait if I get tied up and you’re in a hurry, but I promise I’ll try to check on you in a little while,” she assured them before disappearing to take more orders from a table nearby. They nodded understandingly as the waitress moved on, pleased with the efficient service and how appealing everything looked.

  Trisha prayed for their meal, glad her employee was also a Christian with obvious appreciation for the prayer. Then she buttered and tasted some of the banana bread. “Wow, this is amazing! It tastes just like my sister’s recipe. I can see why they’re so busy...” Her voice trailed off and her big blue eyes lit up at the same time.

  “Your wheels are turning.” Holly giggled as she buttered a slice of the banana bread. “You’ve got that same look on your face I’ve seen before whenever you have a marvelous idea.”

  “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before! My sister would be perfect for the manager’s position at The Sweetwater’s bakery.” A wave of relief swept over Trisha as she considered the possibility.

  “You know, you’re absolutely right. She’s between jobs, she has plenty of bakery experience, and she loves to bake. She’s always bringing us plates of cookies a
nd other goodies.” Her administrative assistant held her banana bread suspended in the air.

  Trisha’s brow furrowed. “In fact, I don’t know why McGuire didn’t recommend Anastasia directly to Logan Haven for the position.”

  “Maybe your brother doesn’t know about the vacancy,” Holly pointed before she tasted a spoonful of the soup.

  “Good point! I’ll call her after our lunch when we return to the office. I think she might want the position in spite of having a dream of owning her own bakery again someday. This might be the next best thing.”

  Holly nodded. “It’s hard to own your own business. Maybe Anastasia will enjoy managing a bakery for someone else far more than owning one. I don’t know how you do it, Trisha, owning a company with three locations, juggling everything you do, and handling it all with grace.”

  “Most days, I don’t know how I do it, either. I certainly couldn’t do it without your help.” She tasted some of the soup and sighed. “This is absolutely perfection.”

  “It sure is. Look how busy they are. There are people beginning to line up outside. It’s a good thing we arrived when we did, before this rush.” Holly stared out of the window a few tables over at the long line of hungry customers forming on the sidewalk.

  Looking at the line of people gave Trisha anxiety about filling the job orders waiting for them back at the office. “Remind me when we’re done eating to take a few minutes outside to just chill. I’m going to try to read a book on one of those garden benches in the vacant lot next door to our office.” Trisha stabbed a cucumber slice with her fork.

  “Sounds like a good idea. I might dash across the street to browse the book store. It’s become one of my favorite things to do lately. I can’t seem to stop buying books these days. I discover so many wonderful stories and want to read them all.”

  Trisha smiled. “You and me both, girl. I bought five books there last week.”

  Chapter 3

  “God can cause opportunity to find you. He has unexpected blessings where you suddenly meet the right person, or suddenly your health improves, or suddenly you're able to pay off your house. That's God shifting things in your favor.”—Joel Osteen.

  THE SWEETWATER RIVER Ranch, Lander, Wyoming

  Jed Dalton removed his hat and gingerly entered through the open door to Logan’s spacious office. It was located immediately beyond the front counter to the left of the foyer in the main barn-shaped house. He had no idea what was up, but usually everything concerning the wranglers went through his supervisor, Buck. It was rare to be asked up to the office, but it did happen from time to time. “You wanted to see me, boss?”

  Logan Haven looked up and motioned him in, placing a document to his right as he stood up from behind his massive desk, everything atop it organized and in its proper place. “C’mon in Jed.”

  The owner of The Sweetwater was meticulous. His wife, Jill, helped him keep everything running smoothly on a part-time basis, even with five kids and a newborn. Jed often marveled about how efficient they were, wondering how they accomplished all they did.

  “Thanks for getting here so quickly. I know you’re busy, but I need a favor. Have a seat and I’ll explain.” Logan waited until Jed was seated in one of the leather chairs opposite the desk before continuing. The boss sat down in his desk chair and rolled it forward, his hands resting on the arms.

  “What can I do fer ya, boss?” Jed asked curiously, his eyebrows arched.

  “We’re in a dire predicament or I wouldn’t ask, but I hope you’ll hear me out.” Logan cleared his throat. “I know it’s an unusual request and I’ll understand if you say no.”

  “Fair enough.” Jed nodded.

  “This morning, The Sweetwater Bakery manager had to resign due to a family emergency. I guess his mom has to have an operation and was rushed to the hospital last night. It’s a pretty serious situation and he doesn’t think he’ll be able to return. It involves relocation and a long-term absence.” Logan sighed, shaking his head.

  “Wow, that’s rough. Carl must be devastated. He loved being here.” Jed felt bad for the fella. He’d done a great job of managing the bakery.

  Logan nodded. “He is, but he’s even more worried about his mom. On top of that, the new assistant he hired turned in his keys, too. Said it just wasn’t for him.” Then he leaned forward. “That’s what brings me to how you might be able to help us.”

  Jed still didn’t see where Logan was going with this. Sure, he liked to bake stuff now and then, mostly cookies, but he didn’t have a clue about running a bakery. Jed glanced nervously around the office, trying to deny the urge to run. He couldn’t help but laugh. Several times.

  When he managed to stop laughing, he managed to choke out, “Me?”

  Logan was barely managing to keep a straight face himself. He wore a look of hope in his eyes.

  “Surely you jest,” Jed blurted out, still stunned. He was a wrangler, not a baker. He’d never worked in a restaurant a day in his life. He began bouncing one knee up and down to expend nervous energy. Were his palms really sweating?

  “It’s not what you think. We just need someone to help out for about a week until the new manager settles in,” the boss clarified.

  “Oh, you’ve got a new manager, then?” He began to relax a little.

  “Well, no, not yet...” Logan cleared his throat again. “But we’re working on it. McGuire’s sister’s job placement agency is going to send someone over as soon as possible.”

  “Oh.” Jed nodded, his eyes wide with amazement, his mouth agape while he tried to think of something to say. Anything to defer Logan’s clearly misguided line of thinking.

  “Jill and I thought of you because you won that first place blue ribbon for your chocolate chip zucchini bread at the bake off a few months ago.” Logan swiveled around in his chair, retrieving the framed photo of him receiving his award. He swiveled back around and placed the memory on the desk.

  Jed rolled his eyes and coughed, remembering the event. It had taken him a week of experimenting before he’d had the guts to enter the contest, and he probably wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for McGuire and Jack egging him on and it being the dead of winter. He’d been bored out of his mind that week.

  Cookies. He liked baking chocolate chip cookies. Well, and snickerdoodles. Sometimes those peanut butter kiss cookies or the kind you cut into shapes, frost, and then sprinkle with colored sugar at Christmas. That’s it. He could—on rare occasion—make a decent banana or pumpkin bread. He spent most of his time picking egg shells out of the bowl, but he guessed he liked baking cookies best. Sure, he enjoyed a little baking, but a baker, he was not.

  “What about Corky or Mrs. Wright?” Jed heard himself finally ask a reasonable question.

  “With the ranch booked to full capacity, we just can’t spare either one of them from their regular duties.” Logan drank some of the coffee in his cup.

  Jed’s eyes lit up with another idea. “Have you asked Jill’s mom? Everyone knows Betty Anne Fontaine is one of the best cooks in Wyoming.”

  Logan shook his head. “She’s in Europe for the next few weeks—by herself—much to Jill’s dismay.”

  “Europe?” Jed’s mouth dropped open and then shut again. How’d he miss that detail? If anyone managed to leave Lander, it was big news.

  “London for a week, then Paris.” Logan sighed and then shrugged. “I know, right? Horrible timing! I guess she’s never really done anything like a vacation by herself and wanted to prove to herself she could do it.”

  Jed stopped his knee from bouncing. “We could’ve dropped her at a James Bond movie and then lunch at that new café in Lander. Same impact and she’d have been home in time for dinner.”

  Logan busted out laughing and Jed finally relaxed again. He couldn’t help but smile a little. He couldn’t crack eggs without getting shells in the batter, but at least he could still crack silly jokes and make people laugh. That made him happy.

  When he stopped laughing, Logan
leaned back in his desk chair and clasped both hands behind his head, his elbows jutting out. “We don’t expect much right now, Jed, especially since there’s only a part-time bakery clerk to help out. If you could keep the front case stocked with cookies and breads or whatever you can manage to whip up, that’d be great. Run the register, order supplies, that sort of thing. Keep the place clean. Try not to break any health department rules. Then when the agency sends someone over, stay there for about a week until he or she is acclimated. You know, try to keep to the regular bakery hours as much as possible. Keep the coffee hot and fresh. Give people some free coffee or cookies if you have any unhappy customers.”

  “I dunno, boss,” Jed sighed. “I’m not much of a baker. That blue ribbon was a fluke.”

  “Jill and I would really appreciate anything you could do. We’d make it worth your while with overtime pay while you’re there.”

  Jed liked the sound of overtime pay, but he hesitated to say yes.

  “Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re going to be exhausted when the week is up. Jill and I already thought of that. We’re willing to throw in a three day getaway to my cousin’s ranch, The Broken J, whenever you wanna take it, all expenses paid, courtesy of The Sweetwater.”

  “Now you’re talking my love language.” Jed grinned.

  Logan laughed. “Do we have a deal?”

  “There’s just one more thing, boss.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I have no idea what I’m doing, so ya can’t hold any mistakes or upset customers ‘gainst me. I’ve never worked in a bakery or a restaurant or anything like this before,” Jed warned, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Fair enough.” Logan leaned his head to the right and nodded. “Jill and I will hold you exempt from repercussions as long as you do your best.”