by Ciana Stone
With panic starting to well, she folded the map and leaned forward to rest her head on the steering wheel. If ever there was a time she needed a guardian angel, it was now.
She snorted at the idea. Even if something like that existed, it was not intended for her.
At the sound of a vehicle, she looked up. A pickup truck was headed toward her. The driver crossed the lane and pulled onto the side of the road, facing her. A middle-aged, heavy-set man with a cane climbed out.
“Afternoon, ma’am. Having car trouble?”
Callie got out of the car and met the man at the front of her car. The man had a kind face and didn’t appear to be threatening, but with Lily asleep in the car, Callie couldn’t be too careful. “I – we’ll be fine, but thank you.”
The man gave her a look that reminded her of her dad when he didn’t believe a word coming out of her mouth.
“I ran out of gas,” she said, and then, embarrassed to have admitted it, quickly added, “Stupid, I know. The gas gage is broken and I thought I could make it to the next town.”
“Well you came purty close. Cotton Creek is five miles.” He looked past Callie and into the car. “Little one looks like she could use a break from the heat.” The man reached behind him and pulled a billfold from the back pocket of his pants. He opened it and showed her, then put it back in his pocket and extended his hand to Callie. “Billy Sweet, ma’am. Me and the family live in Cotton Creek. How ’bout I give you a ride to get some gas?”
“You would do that?” Callie was stunned at his kindness and his astuteness. He’d realized her discomfort and mistrust. “And I’m Callie Williams. That’s my daughter, Lily.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Williams. And course I’ll give you a ride. Why don’t you get the little one and I’ll put her car-seat in the truck? We can be there and back lickety-split and get you on your way.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Sweet.”
“Call me Billy. Everyone does. Now let’s get that baby moved and get her cooled down a bit.”
Callie hurried to roll up the windows in the car, grabbed her keys and purse and picked Lily up from her car seat. She shoved Lily’s sippy cup into her purse. Lily made a small noise of protest, then snuggled up in Callie’s arms as Billy moved the car seat to his truck.
Cool air wafted over Callie like a blessing when they were all situated and Billy cranked up the truck. “Oh god, that feels good. Thank you again, Billy.”
“Make no mention of it, Mrs. Williams.”
“Callie, please, and it’s Miss.”
“Well all righty then, Callie.” He turned the truck around and headed back in the direction he’d come. “So you from around these parts, or just passing through?”
“Passing through, I guess. I was thinking of moving to San Angelo. I have a friend who lives there.”
“Not a bad place. Bit bigger and busier than I like, but then I’m partial to small towns.”
“Is Cotton Creek a big town?”
“Not particularly, but it is a nice one.”
“Are there jobs there?”
Billy glanced over at her. “Depends on what you’re looking for. Big oil strike is in the works right now around here so a lot more folks are coming into this county and two others south of us. The town is learning to accommodate. I don’t know what you might be interested in, in terms of work.”
“Anything. I worked as a teller for a while, and was a store manager for a yogurt shop for a couple of years and I’d had my fair share of waitress jobs. And I do bookkeeping and that sort of thing. I’m not picky. I just want honest work that pays enough to provide for my daughter.”
“Well, if you’re not picky, I might be able to help. My daughters own the Honky Tonk Angels Bar and Grill and I know they’re looking for help.”
“Really?”
“Yes, ma’am. In fact, my daughter, Cody, was just complaining the other day that if they didn’t get some help soon she was gonna have to throw up a cot in the office.”
“Well, I’d be happy to do anything, but are there places to stay? I can live about anywhere, but I have to find a place that’s safe for Lily. And I’d need to find childcare that’s dependable and safe.”
“Don’t you fret about none of that. Tell you what, let’s take a run over to the Honky Tonk before we get the gas and let you talk to my girls. If they give you a job, I’ll help you find a place, even if it’s just temporary and my wife can introduce you to the lady who runs the daycare at the church.”
“Are you serious?”
“Well, ’course I am.”
“Wow, thank you so much.” Callie was overwhelmed and had to fight back tears.
Just then, Lily woke. She looked around and when her gaze landed on Callie, a smile came on her face. The smile faded and she stuck out her bottom lip. “My belly hurt.”
Callie smiled and at Billy’s look of concern explained, “That’s her way of saying ‘I’m hungry’, or ‘thirsty’. We’re still working on getting the specifics ironed out.”
“She sure is a cute little thing. How old is she?”
“Just turned two.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lily,” Billy said to Lily.
“Hey.” Lily smiled up at him. “Truck. Me like truck.”
Billy laughed. “Me too, honey.”
He looked over at Callie and she smiled. “Thank you, Billy. I think you’re the kindest person I’ve ever met.”
“Well then, you ain’t never been to Cotton Creek. There’s a whole lotta good people there, Callie. People willing to lend a hand to a friend when it’s needed.”
“But I’m not a friend.”
“You are now.”
This time she couldn’t stop the tears. They poured down her face.
Lily reached over to pat Callie’s arm. “Belly hurt, mommy?”
Callie brushed away the tears and kissed Lily’s cheek. “No, mommy’s fine honey, and we’ll get you something to eat and drink real soon.”
“Indeed we will.” Billy pulled out his phone and placed a call. “Cody, how ’bout fixing me up a couple of plates? I’m headed over and bringing two new friends who could use something to eat. One of them is two, so fix me up one of those child plates you put on the menu. And…” He looked at Callie. “What does Lily drink? Milk, juice?”
“Juice or water is fine, thank you.”
He nodded and spoke back into the phone. “And some juice for the little one. Thanks, sugar. I’ll see you in about ten minutes.”
Billy ended the call and glanced down at Lily. “What say we go get us something to eat, Miss Lily?”
“Eat eat time?” she asked and beamed at him.
“Yes indeed,” he said and laughed. “Eat eat time.”
Once more, Callie had to fight the tears. Maybe she’d been wrong. Maybe guardian angels did exist.
*****
Jayce tested the dumbwaiter one more time, then stepped back. “I think you’re in business, ladies.”
Cody and Hannah Sweet had hired Weather’s Construction for some additions to the Honky Tonk Angels. When they’d first rebuilt, they’d added a second story but had not finished it. It was a loft, closed on three sides with the inner wall left open and railed to overlook the seating area, dancefloor and stage below.
They’d decided to go ahead and finish it now that there were so many more people coming in, thanks to work starting up with the newly formed Cotton Creek Energy Corporation. Jayce and his crew had finished the upper floor just yesterday. Today, they had installed a dumbwaiter that allowed the kitchen staff to send orders upstairs, rather than having servers run up and down the back stairs.
It was a good plan, at least in his opinion. The upper floor had a wet bar for drinks, and Hannah said on busy nights they’d keep at least one wait staff stationed upstairs to keep anyone from having to use the stairs so much.
Hannah gave the dumbwaiter a try and grinned at Jayce. “Perfect. Thank you so much.”
“How about a glass of tea or some lunch? It’s close to noon and I know you’re bound to be getting hungry. It’s on the house.”
“I won’t turn that down.”
“Well good. Have a seat and I’ll get you fixed right up.”
Just then, Cody emerged from the back door. She stopped and tested the dumbwaiter. “Great job, Jayce.”
“Thank you.”
Together, they walked out into the bar and looked up at the newly finished upstairs.
“The place is great,” Jayce commented. “And again, I think the upstairs is a good idea.”
“Fingers crossed.” Cody looked at Hannah who joined them. “Dad’ll be here any minute. He asked for some plates. He’s bringing new friends.”
“Who?”
“He didn’t say, but one of them is two and he wants a kid’s plate and two adult.”
“Oh, okay.” Hannah looked at Jayce. “I’ll bring your tea right now and get started on your lunch.”
“Thanks, Hannah.” He turned his attention to Cody. “So, how’re you holding up there, firecracker? Running this place and the ranch?”
She shrugged. “Just doin’ what needs doin’. You know how it goes.”
“Yeah, just like I know about all work and no play thing making for a dull life, girl.”
“Hey, I’m not opposed to play, but until we get some more help, we’re just gonna have to keep at it.”
“I heard that Milly Tilden’s daughter was looking for part-time and summer work. Teaching isn’t exactly the highest paying job.”
“Well, if you see Milly, tell her to have her daughter drop by. Maggie, isn’t it? Maggie Thompson?”
“Yep. She’s married to that fella from over in Rock Ridge, Stan. He just signed on with the new oil company so now he doesn’t have to commute every week. Milly says he and Maggie are mighty tired of that. Especially him. Living in a little third wheel trailer all week gets old.”
“Amen to that. So, what’s up with you, Jayce? Any play happening in your life?”
“I wish. Business is booming and you know me, I can’t turn it down, but dang if these twelve hour days aren’t getting old. With Carson’s sports schedule, I’m doing good to have time to shit, shower and shave, if you get my drift.”
“And shaving sometimes gets the boot?” she teased.
Jayce laughed and rubbed at the two-day old growth on his face. “Sometimes.”
“Well, I guess we’re in the same boat, my friend.”
“Yeah, a boat that needs to head for good time waters.”
“Amen to that.”
Just then, Billy Sweet walked in. “There’s my girl,” he boomed, drawing Jayce’s and Cody’s attention.
The first thing Jayce noticed was the woman following Billy. She wasn’t a big gal, or tall, but dang if she wasn’t pretty. Her hair was a blend of light brown with blond highlights and her eyes the color of summer hay before it turned golden, that curious green gold that made you think of spring.
In her arms was one of the cutest kids Jayce had ever seen. From the pink shirt and matching skirt, he guessed the child was a girl. Hair the same color her mother’s, it cascaded in curls around her face and her big green eyes looked around with open curiosity.
“Hey, Daddy.” Cody came out from behind the bar. “Well, who’ve we got here?” She smiled at the little girl.
“This here is Callie Williams and her daughter, Lily.” Billy made the introduction. “Callie, this is my daughter Cody, co-owner of the place.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Cody gave Callie a smile. “Come on in and take a load off. I’ll bring your lunch right out.”
“Thank you so much,” Callie said.
“Tank you,” Lily echoed, earning a chuckle from Billy and even making Jayce smile.
Billy gestured to a table and yelled at Cody. “Where ya’ll keep them kid’s booster seats?”
“In the closet near the door.”
“I’ll get it,” Jayce offered.
“Thank you, Jayce,” Billy said and took a seat, propping his cane against a chair at an adjacent table.
Jayce found the booster seat and returned to the table. Callie sat holding Lily, who was looking around and taking it all in.
“Here you go.” He placed the booster seat in an empty chair and strapped it in.
“You obviously have experience,” Callie commented.
“It’s been a while, but yeah.” Jayce gave her a smile. “Jayce Weathers, ma’am.”
“Callie Williams.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He leaned down to look at Lily. “And you too, Miss Lily.”
It purely surprised him when Lily grinned and reached for him. He cut Callie a quick look. “Is it okay?”
“Sure.”
He picked Lily up, surprised at how natural it felt to hold a child again in the crook of his arm. She smiled and put her hand on his face. “Fuhhy.”
“Furry?” he asked and chuckled. “Yeah, I guess it is a little. So, how old are you, Miss Lily? Two, three?”
“Two,” Callie answered.
“She’s a cutie.”
“And hungry, I hope.” Cody’s voice drew everyone’s attention as she headed for the table with a tray laden with food. “Hope you don’t mind, but I just brought everything together.”
“You eating?” Billy asked Jayce.
“Yep.”
“Then pull up a chair.”
“You sure you don’t mind?” Jayce looked at Callie. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“No, please.”
“Well thank you. I’d be honored.” He put Lily into her seat, scooted it up close to the table, then sat in the vacant chair between Billy and Callie.
“This looks wonderful,” Callie commented and looked at Cody. “Thank you so much. I hope it wasn’t too much of a bother.”
“Heck no.” Cody turned a chair from an adjacent table and took a seat. “Ya’ll dig in.”
Jayce noticed that Callie’s attention was on her child. Apparently, Lily wasn’t a picky eater, even if she did favor fingers over the child-sized eating utensils. In moments, she was stuffing her face with potato salad and baked beans.
“So, Callie, how do you know my Dad?” Cody asked.
“He rescued us.” Callie smiled at Billy before continuing. “The fuel gage in my car is broken and I thought I had more gas than I did. I ran dry about five miles from town. Billy came by and was nice enough to bring me here to get gas. And offer lunch. Thank you again, Cody.”
“Don’t mention it. So, were you headed for Cotton Creek or just making a pit stop?”
“That depends on whether I can find work here.”
“You’re looking for a job?”
“Yes.”
“Doing what?”
“Whatever pays for Lily and me to live.”
“Ever work in a bar or restaurant?”
“Yes. I worked for a chain restaurant in Nashville as a server and bartender, and for several privately owned restaurants and bars, and I did the books for some of them.”
“You do accounting?”
“Yes.”
“And you don’t mind waiting tables or working a bar?”
“Not at all.”
“Well girl, you just might be the answer to my prayer.”
“Seriously?”
Cody grinned at Callie and then at her father. “I know now why you called.”
“Anything to help my babies,” Billy said and smiled.
Cody reached out to give his shoulder a squeeze, then yelled for her sister. “Hannah? Get out here, girl!”
A few seconds later, Hannah appeared. “What ya’ll need?”
“Come over here.” Cody motioned her over.
When Hannah reached the table, Cody gestured to Callie. “This is Callie Williams and her daughter Lily. Callie, my sister and partner, Hannah.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Hannah smiled and bent d
own to address Lily. “And you too, beautiful girl.”
“Belly hurt,” Lily said with a mouthful of potato salad.
Billy laughed at the concerned expression on Hannah’s face as she looked at Callie. “That’s her way of saying she’s hungry,” he explained
“Oh.” Hannah smiled. “Well eat up sweetheart. There’s plenty more where that came from.” She looked at Callie. “She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“So, Hannah.” Cody drew Hannah’s attention. “Callie is in need of a job and I was just about to tell her that we’re in desperate need of someone to do the books here. She has experience in doing the books for some bars and restaurants in Nashville.”
“Oh my god, yes.” Hannah quickly pulled up a chair and addressed Callie. “We have a computer and QuickBooks, but I really don’t trust myself to get it right and Cody would rather be beat than do that stuff.”
“God’s honest truth.” Cody added and looked at Hannah. “So, what do you think?”
“I think hell yeah, sister.”
“Bam.” Cody grinned and looked at Callie. “So, we could definitely use you – what you think, Hannah? Three days a week for the books?”
“Yes,” Hannah said, and added, “And if you want extra work, we can put you on as many dinner or night shifts as you want. We’re really shorthanded.”
“Seriously?”
“Hell yeah,” Cody answered.
“Don’t you want references?”
“Well sure, but we don’t have to have them this minute.”
Callie looked around the table, and Jayce couldn’t help but notice how overwhelmed she appeared. “You’d give me a job just like that?” she asked.
“Sure, why not?”
Callie looked over at her daughter and reached out to stroke the child’s curls before responding. “I – I don’t know how to thank you.”
“By telling me when you can start,” Hannah answered.
A stricken look came on Callie’s face that had Jayce feeling sorry for her. “Oh dear.” Callie’s hands went into her lap and clenched “I – I don’t know. We don’t have a place to stay and I’d have to find child care for Lily and—”