“I have you know. I have fallen in love with the most beautiful woman in the world. And we get on. We like the same music. We love the same kind of food. And I am in love. Yes Sir! I am in love with you!” He smiled as he confirmed his order and shut the site down.
He looked up as there was a tap on the door.
“Come in Mum.” Zeba walked in and smiled.
“Who were you talking to?”
“Myself for a change. With no chit chat or back chat.” Zeba grinned.
“Tanya arrived home this morning. After her so called breakfast run.”
“Really?” Zeba grinned.
“And she had crumpets for breakfast. With honey.”
“No! Where did she get those?”
“Funny I was going to ask the same thing. And I did not see that on your menu!”
“No!” Zeba grinned.
“And there is more.”
“Oh I am very interested in this.” Zeba took a seat.
“A pair of boots was polished and buffed this morning.”
“Tanya?” Zeba nodded.
“I noticed the brand name. Harley. Now isn’t that strange. A young lady rode through here yesterday with a pair of Harley boots.”
“Are you saying we should find her and see if Tanya stole her boots? Maybe we should get Dalton to go and take a ride in the desert and see if there is a body. Or see if there is a missing persons report out for her. Mum you have got me worried!” Zeba roared with laughter.
Jordan grinned.
“Olga. A travelling wine sales representative?” Zeba shook her head.
“Now I have believed many things in my life. But that is far-fetched!” Jordan smiled.
“And where is this Olga woman?” Zeba shook her head.
“I haven’t the foggiest!” Zeba got up.
“I am watching you Jordan. Very close.” Jordan chuckled as Zeba walked out. She joined Lloyd, Dalton and Anne for their breakfast.
Jordan walked through. He put the list on the counter.
“Frank. Can you go through this list and see if any of these need a special mix. And see how they are mixed.” Frank walked over and looked at the list.
“None of them need a mix. Kahlua we know. No. We will be fine.”
“Can you work out a tot price. But we are going to use those snazzy glasses. The little ones with a long stem. See how many we have. I have a feeling we might need quite a few.” Frank smiled.
“Those little glasses are just over a tot. I will work out a price.” Jordan nodded.
“Same mark up?” Jordan nodded.
“Same. Cinnamon. We need Cinnamon for the Kahlua Coffees.” Frank smiled and nodded.
“I think they have some in the kitchen.”
“Beg, steal and borrow.” Frank grinned and nodded.
Jordan walked up and down. He greeted his patrons. An hour went by and he still hadn’t heard Joy come back. He went outside and checked. Her van was parked in her parking bay next to his. He walked back inside. Craig smiled.
“The Professor asked me to put a few things in your office.”
“And did you?”
“I did. And then she seemed to vanish into thin air. Probably left.” Jordan nodded.
“Thanks.” He walked into his office and smiled. His office was clear. He walked upstairs. He heard the humming.
“Now you are a humming bird?” Joy chuckled.
“I am busy. Like a bee. I already fetched all my things. I have an empty room. I put my things in one of the spare rooms. Okay?” Jordan smiled and nodded.
“And what are you doing?”
“Found a few things in the shop down the road. So I am busy baking.”
“At eleven in the morning?” Joy nodded.
“For after lunch.” Jordan smiled.
“What would you like for lunch?”
“I will make a sandwich.” Jordan smiled and nodded.
Joy smiled.
“You sure about this?” Jordan pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently.
“Yes I am sure.” Joy smiled and kissed Jordan.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you.” Joy smiled. Jordan shook his head.
“What is it that we are baking? Because I can smell it.” Joy smiled.
“Banana loaf.” Jordan smiled.
“Tea time?” Joy nodded.
“A big loaf?” Joy nodded.
“Big.” Jordan smiled.
“Nose in the files.” Joy chuckled as Jordan kissed her and walked out. Joy stood and sighed.
“Oh Jordan. It is going to break my heart to leave. I feel as if I am at home.” Jordan smiled and listened as he walked down the stairs. He whispered.
“Then don’t go.” Joy smiled. She sat on the couch and went through her notes and all the paperwork. She took out the plan of the school that she had requested. She marked every class off and wrote the teacher’s name in the area. There were a few classes to spare. She would soon work something out for those classes. She knew what they needed. She put the notes down and got up as the timer went off on the oven. She walked over to the oven and took the Banana Loaf out of the oven and put it on the counter. She smiled as she took the loaf of bread out and made herself a ham and cheese sandwich. She smiled and made another two for Jordan. She had a funny feeling he would join her.
She heard the footsteps. Jordan smiled.
“Oh just in time.” She handed him his sandwiches. They sat at the little bar table and had their lunch.
“And did you work out what you are going to be doing tomorrow.” Joy nodded.
“They are going to be assigned a classroom. And the kids are going to be marching.” Jordan nodded.
“But that is how it is supposed to be done.” Joy nodded.
“And I have a few classrooms left open. I will sort something out with those. But that is how it will be. The kids get the roster. They will move. Not the other way around.” Jordan nodded.
“I see our tea time snack is ready.” Joy chuckled.
“It is. Would you like a take away?” Jordan grinned. Joy sliced a few slices and buttered them and put them in a container.
“Hide it.” Jordan grinned. He kissed Joy and left. Joy stood in the kitchen and touched her lips. She closed her eyes and smiled. She whispered to herself.
“I am in love with you Jordan. I have fallen in love with you.” Joy smiled as she stood in the kitchen. She walked back to the lounge and got busy again. There was so much to change. But the first day’s changes were huge.
CHAPTER 5
Jordan sat in his office and went through the previous day’s till slips. Everything balanced. He looked at the turnover and smiled. He looked up as Sarah put his cup of coffee down.
“Thanks Sarah.” Sarah stood with her hands on her hips. Jordan looked at her.
“Where did that come from?” She pointed at his little container which had already been opened.
“Uhm. Uhm. I.” She took one of the little slices. She took a bite and nodded.
“She bakes well. The ingredients are perfect. The texture is right. Marry her Jordan.” Jordan roared with laughter. Sarah leaned over and whispered.
“I know where that came from. My nose is trained.” Jordan grinned. Sarah smiled.
“Let me have that recipe and I will get the sales up!” Jordan roared with laughter. Sarah nodded.
“I bought it from the shop down the road.”
“They don’t do Banana loaf.”
“Well. That is strange.” Sarah smiled.
“You have a little bundle of fun in your home.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“You do. But I am not going to say a word.” Jordan chuckled.
“I am innocent. Honestly.” Sarah looked at Jordan.
“You might be innocent but you look different today. You actually look happy.”
“I am always happy.”
“Yes. But I mean really happy.” Jordan shook his head.
“I haven’t done anything.” Sarah smiled.
“You don’t have to do anything to be happy. Happiness comes from within. And when you meet a certain somebody you feel even happier. It shows.” Jordan smiled and looked at Sarah.
“Not saying a word. But I know.” Jordan chuckled.
“They do a good Banana loaf down the road.” Sarah smiled and walked out.
“I don’t think they know how.”
Jordan chuckled. He had to be very careful. He knew his staff would never breathe a word to anyone if they knew. But he didn’t want a slip of gossip going around. It would not be right for Joy. He smiled to himself. He always came down first thing in the morning and went back home late in the evenings. He never went home during the day. And he had already popped in once. He got up and listened to his staff. They were always busy. He quietly walked up the stairs.
He smiled as he got to the lounge. Joy was huddled in a little ball on the couch with all her papers piled on the floor. He walked down the passage and fetched a blanket and carefully covered her. Joy smiled and opened one eye.
“Hey handsome.” Jordan felt his little insides take a turn. He loved that she had said that. He spoke quietly as he went down on one knee.
“I don’t normally come home during the day so that is why I am so scarce.” He kissed her on the lips. Joy smiled.
“I don’t mind as long as you don’t mind me here.” Jordan smiled.
“I love you being here. Have you had some coffee?” Joy smiled and shook her head. He walked to the kitchen and sliced a few more slices of Banana loaf and put some on a plate for Joy. He poured her a cup of coffee and took it over to Joy with the plate. He put them on the floor. Joy smiled.
“Take some for tea time.” Jordan smiled.
“It is tea time. I will see you later.” Joy smiled and put her arms around Jordan’s neck.
“See you later.” He whispered.
“Did you mean that. About me being handsome?” Joy smiled and kissed Jordan.
“I did.” He smiled and kissed her.
“Later.”
“Later.” He took his slices and headed down the stairs with a huge smile. He had fallen head over heels in love with Joy. What she had said meant the world to him.
Tanya walked in just before six.
“And how was your day?” Jordan nodded and smiled.
“A lovely day and yours?” Tanya nodded.
“The folks are at home. They did pop in though.” Jordan smiled and nodded. Craig smiled as Tanya walked in.
“So what is news? Anything we should hear about?” Tanya shook her head.
“Nothing to tell. The residents are behaving.” Craig chuckled and nodded.
Frank walked up to Jordan and Tanya.
“News has it that there is a new woman in town. We don’t know who she is though.” Tanya nodded.
“So give us all the news.” Frank nodded.
“This is not gossip. I don’t gossip. This is all truth.” Jordan nodded.
“And?”
“Well now. There is a lot to tell.” Jordan and Tanya looked at Frank.
“So. The lady went to the bank so that they can move her branch to here.” Jordan nodded.
“I hope Gretchen doesn’t disclose any of her details.” Frank shook his head.
“Now that she doesn’t do.” They both nodded.
“And the lady went to the wholesaler and placed a whopping big order. Garth is a little scared.” Jordan nodded.
“But if she placed the order she will pay for it.”
“Only when it arrives. And Garth says the things are rather funky and if she doesn’t take them they won’t sell.” Jordan nodded.
“Has he ordered the goods?” Frank nodded.
“He has. But he is hoping that she buys them.”
“I am sure she will.”
“And.” They both looked at Frank.
“She went for a haircut at Alfonso’s.” Tanya grinned.
“And since when is Alfonso cutting ladies hair?” Frank smiled.
“Alfonso is so proud. And he says it looks so good.” Jordan chuckled.
“I hope it wasn’t a number two.” They all chuckled.
“So who is this lady then Frank?”
“The lady that came here with the bikers. That lady. I am sure it is her. I think they said her name is Miss Sheridan.” Jordan nodded and smiled.
“By the way. Those liqueurs. When are they going to arrive?”
“During the week some time. Hopefully by Friday.”
“And why are we carrying that kind of thing?” Jordan nodded.
“Well. On Friday. I noticed quite a few new couples coming in.” Frank nodded and smiled.
“So have you got your eyes on a particular lady?” Jordan chuckled and shook his head. Tanya watched Jordan as he answered.
“I will let you know.” Frank smiled.
“Never known you to look. The ladies know to steer clear.”
“And that is how I like it.” Frank nodded.
“No change.” Jordan chuckled and shook his head.
“No change.” Tanya looked at Jordan.
“Are you going home for supper then?” Jordan looked at his watch.
“Yes. I will be down a little later Frank.” Frank nodded.
Joy stood in the kitchen. She heated the left over macaroni until it was warm and she added the salmon. She chopped up a little cheddar cheese and added a little Feta. She mixed it all up and made a nice sauce to add to the salad. She hated a dry noodle salad. She looked at the dish and started adding all sorts of things. Boiled eggs and onions were next. She took a taste and nodded. She took out the bread and buttered a few slices. She heard the giggling as Tanya ran up the stairs.
“Quietly Tanya.” Tanya chuckled and nodded. Joy smiled as they walked in.
“Just in time for a fishy concoction. And how are the boots doing?” Tanya smiled and looked at Joy’s feet. She wiggled her toes.
“Fit perfect.” Tanya grinned.
“These boots were made for walking. And tomorrow back to heels.” Joy chuckled and nodded. Jordan leaned over and kissed her hello and Tanya looked away. She had never seen Jordan kiss a woman.
Joy dished up for everyone and added a slice of bread. Tanya grinned. She took a mouthful and sighed.
“This is divine!” Jordan nodded as he ate.
“I could hear my stomach grumbling.” Tanya grinned. She looked at the Banana loaf.
“Oh you are so spoilt! Banana loaf!” Jordan chuckled and nodded.
“Joy felt like baking.” Joy nodded.
“Stranger things have happened.” Tanya grinned.
“So what did you do all day?” Joy hopped off of her bar stool.
“That reminds me.” She gathered all her paperwork and walked through to the bedroom and put it on the bed. She walked back to the kitchen.
“We definitely need lollipop chairs and a table like this. Are you okay standing Jordan?” Jordan chuckled and nodded.
“Not really.” He walked out and ran down the stairs and took a bar stool. Everyone looked at him and he chuckled. He walked up the stairs and put the chair at the table and hopped on it. He smiled as he got up on the chair.
“Much better.” Tanya smiled.
“Lollipop chairs?” Joy nodded.
“It is like a bar stool. With a thin tube and then you have a little plastic chair that you sit in. They come in all sorts of colors.” Jordan chuckled.
“We will have to get the brochures out.” Joy chuckled.
“I had to go through a catalogue at the wholesaler. Gosh his range is boring.” Tanya chuckled and nodded.
“Very boring.”
“So back to work for you tomorrow Tanya.” Tanya nodded. She got up and dished a little more onto her plate. Jordan smiled as he watched.
“We will see what this week brings. The new Principal starts tomorrow.”
“And what is news of this new Principal?” Tanya sh
ook her head.
“There is absolutely no news. And on Thursday it is my turn to have her in my class. That is all we know. It is a woman. But we don’t know how old or anything. So I am just going to take it as it comes and hope like crazy that she likes me. I love teaching there.” Joy chuckled and nodded.
“And are you hoping for a big change?”
“I am hoping something gets done about the school. The results are never good. We have about a sixty to seventy percent failure rate. Which does not look good on my resume.” Joy nodded.
“I am sure something good will happen.” Tanya nodded and sighed.
“I really hope.” Jordan smiled.
“Just be positive and wait and see.” Tanya smiled.
“I am very positive. Things were really bad with Mister Anderson in charge. And well Mister Walters is much the same. They are both so wimpy. They stand back and let things happen. They don’t guide.” Joy smiled and nodded as she listened. Tanya and the rest of the staff were in for a big surprise.
Jordan got up.
“See you much later sweetheart.” He kissed Joy and him and Tanya walked down the stairs. Tanya smiled and whispered as they got to his office.
“I have never seen you kiss anyone.” Jordan smiled.
“Get used to it.” Tanya smiled.
“I rather like it. Mum would like her.” Jordan smiled and nodded.
“Not a word.”
“But why?”
“You will soon realize.” Tanya nodded.
“If you say so.” Jordan smiled as Tanya kissed him on the cheek and she headed home.
It was back to work for Jordan. He served behind the bar counter till late. Frank smiled.
“Can’t wait for the new stock to arrive. More of a selection.” Jordan chuckled and nodded.
“We might have to sample something.” Frank chuckled.
“You never drink.” Jordan nodded.
“I like to keep a clear head.”
“But you don’t even drink during the day. Not a beer or anything.”
“Don’t need to.” Frank nodded.
“Wise.” Jordan nodded.
“Very.”
It was just after nine when Jordan made his way upstairs. Joy smiled as she handed him a cup of coffee.
“I can see you are bushed.” She smiled as he put his cup of coffee down and pulled her in to his arms.
Taking Charge Page 5
