by Kat Brookes
“Yes, hello.”
“I’m calling in response to your job application, which I must say was quite impressive.”
“Thank you.”
Jake felt his heart sink. He knew what this call might mean for her, but for him it could be the end of the future he’d begun to see for them. But the man was right. Addy was the best of the best when it came to creating recipes and baking. Throw in her skill for managing people and she was a shoo-in for any pastry chef management position.
“Unfortunately, we’ve chosen a different applicant to fill the position,” he said in a businesslike manner. “We do, however, appreciate your taking the time to consider our hotel in your job search.”
“I see,” she said, and it took everything in Jake not to glance her way. He’d let her finish her call first. “Thank you for calling to let me know.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied. “Have a good rest of your afternoon.”
Addy disconnected the call. “Well, one down. Four more to go.”
Jake looked her way. A moment ago, he might have wanted to celebrate this outcome. But instead he felt disappointment for her. Her happiness meant everything to him. Even if it didn’t align with his own dreams. “I’m sorry,” he began and only then realized she was smiling. “Addy?”
She looked his way as if that call had never happened. “Yes.”
Was she hiding her emotions because he was in the car? Addy had always guarded her emotions well. “Are you okay?”
“I am, actually,” she said, as if surprised by the fact.
“I take it that wasn’t one of your top choices?”
They turned, heading out of town. “I thought it was,” she admitted. “But when he told me I didn’t get the job, I was surprisingly relieved. I know it doesn’t make a lick of sense, especially when I submitted my résumé to them with the hopes of being hired on.”
“Maybe it’s not what you want to be doing,” he surmised. “Or where you want to be.” He wished that last part hadn’t sounded so hopeful. But maybe it was possible that she’d be happier staying in Sweet Springs and finding work in the area.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” she told him. “I love being a pastry chef. Love creating new recipes. Especially those revolving around dessert.”
“Have you ever considered going out on your own? Maybe opening a bake shop?”
Addy laughed. “Have I ever? Only a zillion times. But to start up something like that in Atlanta would require a lot of money. While I have a good bit saved and have the cash from my severance package I could use, it’s just not an option. I would never risk running my savings down.”
He nodded in understanding. Knowing what he did now about Addy’s life growing up, he could imagine how important it was for her to have that financial security. He admired her for wanting more than she’d had growing up, for working so hard to make that happen.
“Maybe your cookbook will really take off and give you more financial freedom to realize your dreams.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice?” she said with a smile.
“Maybe we’ll order some to sell in The Perfect Peach.”
Her face lit up. “That’s so sweet,” she said, deeply touched that he’d followed through.
“Absolutely,” he replied with a grin. “I mean, I was a big contributor to this cookbook, being your recipe taster and all.”
“True. Hmm...”
“Hmm...what?”
“I’m just thinking I need to add an acknowledgment page to let the world know how much I appreciate your putting your stomach on the line to sample my new recipes. Oh, and I’ll have to acknowledge Finn, too,” she added.
“Without a doubt,” Jake agreed with a chuckle. It felt so good to be able to laugh again. To set some of his emotional pain aside. Addy had been a big part of that, truly leading by example, and he was so grateful she’d determinedly forced her way back into his life after he’d shut her out.
They turned onto the road leading to the orchard. “Do you need a ride to therapy tomorrow?”
Jake shook his head. “No, but thanks for the offer. Braden’s taking me to my session, and then we’re going to grab some lunch and catch up.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you at church on Sunday,” she said as she pulled up to the house.
“See me?”
Her head snapped around, worry creasing her brow. “You’re not going?”
“Oh, I plan on it, but I thought we were going to do this together. That is, if you don’t mind picking me up.”
She placed the car in Park and then turned to face him. “I don’t mind. In fact, having you there with me when I walk through those open church doors will help give me the courage I know I’m going to need.”
Jake smiled. “Addy, keep in mind that those doors are open in welcome. God’s house is for everyone who chooses to enter it.”
“Thank you for saying that,” she told him.
“They’re not just words,” he told her. “The Lord does forgive. I believe that in my heart.”
The front door opened, and Mason stepped out onto the porch with a wave.
Jake groaned. “I told him I would call when I was ready for him to take me up to the house.” He wasn’t even close to ready. He would sit there until night fell talking to Addy if he could. But she had a recipe to work on, and he’d promised Mason he would help with plans for building a fort for Finn in the new backyard, complete with a rope ladder and a kid-size rock wall.
Reaching down, Addy popped the trunk so Mason could grab Jake’s wheelchair. “I’m sure your brother’s anxious to get to work on those plans. You’re so good at envisioning things that don’t exist and making them a reality. I can’t wait to see what you two come up with when I come back for the wedding.”
He didn’t want to think about her leaving, but that’s all he seemed to think about lately. How each day was one day closer to not having her right next door. How seeing her smile over a video chat could never compare with the warmth it exuded in person. “I look forward to showing it to you when you come home.” Reaching down, he opened the door.
“I’ll see you Sunday morning,” Addy said as he worked his way out of the car and into the waiting wheelchair.
“I look forward to it,” he replied.
“And Jake...” she called out.
He dipped his head to look inside, meeting her gaze.
“There’s nobody I’d rather have by my side when I reclaim my faith than you.”
“Same,” he said with a tender smile before closing the door.
Mason backed the chair away from the car as Addy pulled away. “Are you ready for me to push you inside? Or would you prefer to sit here watching Addy’s car go until it disappears from sight?” his brother asked, his tone teasing. “Because that’s the kind of thing we men do when we’re mooning over a girl.”
“I suppose this broken leg is my saving grace,” Jake admitted. “Or else I might have gone so far as to run after her down the road, professing my undying love.”
Mason threw his head back with a chuckle. “Now that I would have loved to see.”
“Come on,” Jake said, inclining his head in the direction of the house. “Let’s go get that big-boy adventure play set drawn up.” As they turned to start for the house, he found himself sneaking just one more glance of Addy’s car as it disappeared from sight.
Chapter Ten
Addy reached down, fruitlessly trying to brush the dirt from the front of her cotton skirt, as she stood outside her car. Then she straightened, her gaze straying across the church parking lot to the building where she had long ago learned to worship. Where had the week gone, that it was Sunday already? Her stomach felt twisted up in knots. Maybe if they weren’t running late, she’d have less anxiety. But this was a big day for both her and Jake. One that hadn�
��t started off so well. She prayed it wasn’t a sign from the Lord, telling her that the welcome mat to His house, the church she was eyeing apprehensively from the parking lot, was not meant for her.
Taking a deep breath, she rounded the car to get Jake’s wheelchair out of the trunk.
The passenger door opened, and Jake unfolded his six-foot frame until he was standing there, balancing on one leg.
“Jake,” she gasped as she hurried over to him, “what are you doing?”
“Saving time,” he replied with his usual disarming smile. “I promise I didn’t put any weight on my bad leg.”
“You better not have,” she muttered as he lowered himself into the chair. “Your momma would have my hide if you undid all the healing that’s been done.”
“You okay, Addy?” he said, growing serious. “I mean, I know this morning hasn’t gone as smoothly as we’d like, but we’re here now.”
She looked toward the church again. “We’re here now,” she repeated and then looked down at Jake. “Is it bad that I’m wishing I hadn’t changed that tire as quickly as I did? I’m not sure if I’m ready for this.”
“We’ve got this,” he told her, reaching out with his unbound arm to take her hand in his, giving it a supportive squeeze.
She glanced down at their joined hands and then back up into Jake’s clean-shaven and undeniably handsome face. “Yes, we do.” When she was with Jake, she felt like she could face anything, do anything.
Releasing her hand, he settled back against his wheelchair. “You do realize that Momma is probably sitting in church right now, convinced we changed our minds about coming this morning.”
Addy nodded in agreement and moved behind him to push the chair up the ramp. “I think you’re right. Your momma didn’t sound the least bit convinced when she called to see where we were and you told her a flat tire had us running late for Sunday service.” Jake’s phone had been on speaker when he called to let his momma know what was going on. There had been no missing the hint of disappointment in his momma’s voice when she’d said she hoped they make it for at least part of that morning’s service. Looking down at her outfit, she said with a laugh, “Luckily, we have proof of our misadventure this morning.”
“I’m not sure ruining your nice skirt because you had to change a tire would be considered lucky by most people,” Jake pointed out with a shake of his head. “But I will say that I was very impressed with your ability to change a tire faster than a professional racing pit crew while in not only a skirt but heels as well.”
She laughed at his exaggeratory compliment, but it tickled her that her actions had impressed him. That he appreciated her ability to handle certain situations that arose, because she had worked so hard to never again be that helpless little girl. “I didn’t mind doing it. I’ve been seeing to my own tire changes since buying my first car. I can even change my own oil but prefer to go somewhere to have it done for me.”
Jake glanced back at her over his shoulder. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t able to take care of that flat tire for you. I’ll buy you a new skirt.”
“I’m not worried about my skirt,” she told him. “And I don’t think the Lord is going to mind a few smudges of dirt on my Sunday best. It’s proof that God is good, giving us a safe place to pull over and change our tire. And it’s not raining, despite the morning news having called for a shower or two.”
He glanced back at her again. “You, Adeline Mitchell, are a truly amazing woman.”
“Must be why we get along so well,” she told him with a warm smile. “You’re pretty amazing yourself.”
They entered the sanctuary just as the congregation stood to sing one of that morning’s scheduled hymns and the organ played. Addy had always loved listening to the instrument. It was so powerful, sparking life into every single note lifting Heavenward through those pipes. The sound was undeniably moving to one’s soul.
Addy eased the chair to a stop, her gaze searching the church. As if sensing their arrival, Mama Tully cast a glance back, catching sight of Addy and Jake at the rear of the church. She nodded with a smile as she continued singing. She was seated with Lila, Finn and the rest of the Landers family a few rows back from where Reverend Hutchins stood at the pulpit, his face animated with joy as he joined in the heartfelt singing.
Fearing that Jake might be uncomfortable trying to get himself out of the wheelchair, Addy bent down to whisper, “Would you mind very much if we take these empty seats right here at the back of the church? I’d feel better easing into things this morning.”
He nodded his reply. Moments later Addy was seated next to Jake in the last pew, his wheelchair folded up and tucked securely away.
When the music ended, Reverend Hutchins welcomed everyone to that morning’s service and announced that the day’s sermon was going to be about courage.
Such a fitting topic to begin their return to the Lord with, Addy thought. It had taken courage to go through the things they had and not break completely. It took courage for Jake to forgive her and for Addy to forgive herself. It took courage to step into God’s house after having forsaken Him.
Addy glanced over to see Jake with his eyes closed. This time it was her hand moving to cover his. It took courage to love as well.
* * *
“Glad you made it to church this morning,” Mason told Jake, reaching for the basket of biscuits on the table in front of him. Then he looked to Addy. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she replied in confusion.
“For getting my brother to rejoin the world around him,” Violet said as she stabbed at a chunk of pot roast, placing it onto her plate.
“And to come back to his roots and attend church again,” his momma chimed in with a happy smile as she passed a dish of southern-style green beans to Mrs. Tully, who was seated next to her at the table. “To be honest, until I stepped outside to call you, I worried you might have changed your mind about attending this morning’s services.”
“We figured you might have thought that,” Jake said, exchanging a glance with Addy. “We would have called or texted but knew that everyone would have their phones off.”
“Daddy didn’t,” Finn piped up before stuffing a forkful of fried potatoes into his mouth. “He was sending hearts to Momma on his phone.”
Jake nearly choked on the drink of lemonade he’d just taken. He looked to Mason, whose face had taken on a bit more color than normal.
Lila giggled. “Which I didn’t see until after church when I turned my phone back on.”
“In my own defense,” Mason said, “I shut my phone off as soon as the music began.”
“Hearts,” Jake said with a grin as he returned to eating.
“I think it’s sweet,” Addy said in Mason’s defense. Oh, how she’d missed this. She hadn’t joined in one of their family after–Sunday service meals since she’d fostered there. “It’s those little things a man does that lets a woman know she’s never far from your thoughts.”
Mason’s brows lifted, a smug smile spreading across his face. “Take note, little brother. I have what is known as swag.”
Jake rolled his eyes. He was not the heart-and-flower-texting kind of guy. But maybe he should be. He glanced toward Addy, wondering if she would appreciate those little lovesick emoticons, too? Because if it would put a smile on her face, maybe even make her day, he would definitely reconsider his stance on the silliness of it.
“Jake,” Lila said, drawing his attention her way, “you might also make note of the importance of proofreading any texts you might send to that special someone.” She looked to Mason. “While heart emojis are quite romantic, having them followed by the words I lobe you makes it all just a little bit less special.”
“Love,” Mason blurted out. “I love you.”
Lila reached up to pinch Mason’s cheek playfully. “And I love you, too.”
“Oh, how I’ve missed this,” Addy announced as she looked around the table. “Dinner with Momma and my stepdaddy have never been like yours. The desserts definitely couldn’t compare with the ones you serve.”
“Speaking of desserts,” Jake’s momma said to Addy, “how is that cookbook of yours coming along?”
“Faster than expected,” she replied, her posture perking up at the mention of her beloved project. “I just have one more recipe I want to add to it, but it’s not quite right. I’m going to work on it again tomorrow. Hopefully, I can get it figured out.” Her smile widened. “It’s hard to believe it’s finally going to happen. In two weeks or so, my very own cookbook will be available for people to buy.”
“You should be very proud of yourself,” Jake’s momma said.
“I know we are,” Mrs. Tully chimed in, her statement followed by the bobbing of heads all around the dining room table.
“If you need any help with that last recipe, I’m available,” Jake told her, looking for any excuse to spend more time with Addy. He also wanted to be a part of her realizing this dream. To see the pride and joy on her face when that last recipe was perfected.
“Thanks, Jake,” Addy replied with a smile. “You’ve been so much help already.”
Mason grinned. “It’s not like it’s been a real hardship for my brother, getting to taste all those sweet confections you come up with.”
“Not in the least,” Jake agreed, his focus fixed on Addy. “Look, I know it’s not your day to come over tomorrow, but we’ve got a big kitchen here. I’m sure Momma wouldn’t mind us doing a little cooking in here.”
“Not in the least,” his momma agreed. “Violet and I are going to be busy at the market all day putting up holiday decor.”
The Perfect Peach’s most popular piece of decor was the life-size animated snowman, or as it was, the peachman, which he and Mason had painted in varying shades of red and peach at their momma’s request. Christmas had always been her favorite holiday. His too, because of all it represented. More now than ever before, having gone through what he had. He only wished Addy’s stay could be through the year’s end so they could share in the joy together.