Gettin' home, I crawl into bed. Such a weird and emotional day. I'm beyond exhausted. Closin' my eyes, visions of long brown hair, pouty lips, and Tina's sweet face flood my mind.
Chapter Six
Tina
Loren worked one day and didn't show up for work the next. I tried to call her but she didn't answer. Five times. Guess she just didn't like working here. It's not that I don't mind her not working here anymore. God knows I couldn't take her whining, but now I have no chance to go out on a date with Nash. Again. Sigh. The universe is out to keep us apart. I swear! It's another long day, working alone at the shop. I'm happy for Sadie and Shiloh for having their babies, and now Prie is pregnant too, although I don't think she's told Trevor yet. It's like our little family is full of baby boomers! But sheesh! A little help would be great right now.
By one o'clock, I'm freaking worn out from the lunch rush. If I could just sit down and take a small break. "May I help you?" and "Come again" seem to be my only vocabulary today. I take another order and start fixing their coffee. Looking over at the display case I notice we're almost out of sandwiches. How in the hell am I gonna go make more when I can't leave the counter? I look up and around the woman I'm serving to see a long line has formed again. Holy crap! I'm glad business is so good but give me a freakin' break!
"Excuse me."
I blink away my daydreams of sitting in the back room, talking with Nash while he holds my hand, and see a girl standing beside the customer I'm helping. She's pretty with long blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a nice smile, one that I can't help but smile back at. I hand the customer her coffee and the next one moves up, stopping me from talking to the pretty girl. Finally, something happens that makes my day. The girl walks around the counter. My mouth opens ready to tell her she can't come back here, when she asks the next person in line what they'd like. As I fill my customers order, I watch this girl in fascination as she fills the other person's order and waits on the next person. We work perfectly in sync. I watch the way she fills orders and knows how to do everything, she's friendly to the customers and talks to them the whole time, even kidding around with them. It's as if she's worked here forever! I'm amazed and totally grateful for the help.
By the time we make our way through the crowd, I start cleaning up the counter and look at her. "What's your name?"
"Oh! Where are my manners?" She stops cleaning the display case and walks over to me, hand outstretched. "I'm Misty Williams," she says as she shakes my hand. "I'm sorry I just took it upon myself to help out but you looked like you needed some help."
I lean against the lower counter and smile. "No. Thank you. I totally needed help." She smiles.
"I'd noticed the help wanted sign in the window and came in lookin' for a job. I had been takin' care of an elderly lady for quite some time. Sadly, she passed away last week."
Wow! I admire people who can do that. To me, it says a lot about their character. "I'm sorry."
She waves her hand around. "Thanks. It was a long time comin'. I'd been with her and her family for a few years. But now...." She looks around and sighs then back at me. "After takin' some time to grieve, I'm lost at what to do."
Standing up straight, I let out a small laugh. "Well, you sure know how to take and fill orders. You're pretty good with people too." I think about how great this timing is. She needs a job, and I need help. I like her too. That's always a plus. After Loren, I'm a little gun shy at who would walk through our door asking for a job. I can't take whiny. "You're hired!" She nods eagerly. "Any hours in particular you'd like to work?" Oh, God! Please don't let her be pregnant or have any babies at home. Not that I'd begrudge her that but it seems to be the way around here anymore.
"Nope. I'm single and have too much time on my hands, now. I can work as many hours as you need me to. Open. Close. Whenever. I'm at your disposal." Thank the Lord! "I can get the family I worked for to write up a reference, if you'd like. I love people, and I think I know how to do just about anythin' here. If not, I'll ask." God, I think I love her!
"No need. You're already hired!"
That afternoon, once we'd slowed down for a bit, I showed her how to make the donuts, the other pastries, and the sandwiches. She's actually a natural. She even showed me how to make something she'd created herself, a pastry she used to make for the woman she took care of. The elderly lady had said it was her favorite. So, we named it after her.
"I have a friend. Her name is Pam Miller. We've been friends for years. Grew up together. She's lookin' for a job too, part time, and would be perfect here." Oh, really? "She works for Doc Larry Franklin. He works at the hospital but has a private practice at the other end of town, in the same house where Doc Kathy Stevenson is. Not sure you know them, but he's a medical doctor and she's a psychiatrist. I don't know how he has the time. Or her, for that matter. They both also help out at Prie MacKay's boarding house." I actually know all this but I let her continue. "Anyway, Pam works there during the day, Monday through Friday, but she was just tellin' me the other day that she wanted a part time job on the weekends and a couple of evenings durin' the week." Interesting. My mind goes in all different directions, thinking about how I could actually get some time off. "I told her I was comin' here to apply and thought I'd ask if you'd want to maybe interview her too. She's a real hard worker. I can vouch for her."
I finish sliding the sheet of pastries into the oven and turn around with a smile. "That would be amazing! Thanks!"
In the next few days, I had two new employees. Misty had opened the shop by herself and Pam had worked her first evening. If this keeps up, I might get to go on a date with Nash soon! I'm nervous yet excited and totally scared! I haven't seen Nash for the last couple days but being so busy with the shop and training they've flown by.
"Someone really likes you."
I stand up from my hunched over position, putting the last milk container I'd gotten at the grocery store in the small fridge behind the counter. When I turn around I see Misty carrying a very large vase with a bouquet of various flowers and letting out a sing-song of its arrival. Since spring is around the corner, it's fitting. And they're beautiful. She sets them down on the counter, smiling. "There's a note!" I know it's only been a few days but I really like Misty and feel as if we're becoming fast friends. Wearing my own smile, I pull the card out.
Darlin',
I'm sorry I haven't been around much
Manuel is home so I've been tendin' to him
Hope this finds you well
Yours,
Nash
"Oh, my gosh! Is that Nash Harris?" I nod, reading the note over and over again. "He's dreamy." I keep nodding, knowing all too well she's so right. "He likes you." Finally, I look up and see her staring at me, smiling with a light blush spread across her cheeks. I shrug, like it's no big deal. It's totally a big deal! "So...." She waves her index finger back and forth. "Are you two datin'?" Setting the vase of beautiful flowers down on the counter so I can look at them all day, I shrug again, biting my lower lip.
"We haven't really gone out yet." I move a couple of the flowers around, spreading out the beautiful colors more evenly. "At this rate, I'm not sure if we'll ever go out," I mumble in a whisper.
"What? You haven't gone out yet and he's sendin' you this amazin' bouquet?" Slyly, I look over at her and back at the flowers. If she only knew how hard it's been for us to get together, how long we've been secretly looking at each other and wanting to go out. No help here. Manuel's accident. So many things always getting in our way. It's like the universe is against us. I let out a sigh. "Go out!" she screams, still smiling, and I jump. Walking over, she places her hand on my arm. "I mean it, Tina. Go out with him. I'm here. I can close up." Maybe we could? I dunno. She hasn't been here long. I'm nervous about leaving her alone, having to lock up and have everything ready for the next morning. Maybe I could prepare things for the next day ahead of time? What if she gets swarmed and is by herself? I feel her squeeze my arm and look into her eyes. They're soft, caring. "Go. Go out tomorrow night when Pam is here. Between the two of us, we can close and get ready for the next day." She squeezes my arm, again. "We can handle it for one night, Tina." Her smile is bright. She really is beautiful.
"You all would really do that? It wouldn't bother you?"
Still smiling, she walks around me and picks up the spray cleaner and cloth and begins cleaning the display counter. "Nah. If somethin' comes up, it's not like we can't call you. But I'd try not to. I think we'll be just fine for one night. Really!" She's too sweet. Oh, my God! I'll actually be able to go out with Nash! Cue nerves. Wait! "Oh, no! You're one of those over thinkers, aren't you? What's wrong?" she asks in concern.
I look at her and frown. "His friend had an accident. He won't be able to leave him alone. There's still no way we can go out yet."