The Season for Ginger Snaps

by Katie Carver

  Ginger waved her hand at him dismissively. “Just because you are in love, doesn’t mean the whole world needs to be. Why don’t you start being helpful and fix the lights on the window?”

  “Sure, Ginger.” Spencer smiled and grabbed the strand of lights hanging from the top of the window.

  Maybe Spencer was right, maybe there was someone out there for her. It happened to Spencer when he was least expecting it. She admitted it would be nice to have someone special in her life, but she’d given up hope a long time ago. It wasn’t something she obsessed about and it wasn’t on her radar for the near future. Everyone who was in love seemed to think it was something that was destined to happen, but Ginger had never been so sure of that concept. She may just be someone who never found the right person and she was fine with that. She’d had her heart broken enough times to know that falling in love isn’t always permanent. Just like with baking, sometimes all the right ingredients are there but the timing is off and something ends up getting burned. If she were to fall in love, she’d have to make sure that it was with someone special this time. Someone who wouldn’t break her heart by leaving her behind as others had before. Until the time came around when she did find someone, if it ever did, she wouldn’t allow herself to worry about it. Instead, she’d focus on the other things she loved. Her bakery and her town.

  Chapter Eight

  A request to thank the cook directly wasn’t a novel concept, but when Sandy relayed the request that Jake deliver the meal, there was a look of warning in her eyes that let him know there was cause for concern.

  “I hope that you enjoy your meal,” Jake said to Franklin with a smile as he set his plate on the table.

  Franklin eyed his food apprehensively. “Is this chicken free-range? I only allow myself to eat free-range chicken.”

  “Yes,” Jake said pleasantly, although it seemed a more appropriate question before a meal was prepared.

  “Do you use fresh vegetables or ones from a can?”

  “Fresh.”

  “Good. I shudder to think of all the pesticides in your food, but canned vegetables are much less healthy,” Franklin said patronizingly. “You know, if this is the type of food you consume, you may want to stop by my health store. I can give you a regimen that would counteract the effects this lifestyle is wreaking on your body.”

  Jake was beginning to understand why Sandy had felt unsure about the simple request and he could see where the conversation was heading. Franklin wasn’t there to eat, he was there to pester him.

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Feel free to let Sandy know if you need anything else,” Jake said simply and walked back to the kitchen.

  Sandy soon joined him and gave him a sympathetic look. “Sorry, Jake. I had a feeling he would do something like that. He’s already told me twice I need more Vitamin D because it’s winter.”

  “It’s fine. I can handle that,” Jake said and shrugged it off. He also knew he’d be avoiding him whenever possible.

  “Are you going to the tree lighting this weekend?” Sandy asked as she handed Jake an order. “Franklin was just telling me that they’ve put up more lights this year in the town square. I bet that’ll look nice.”

  “I’m not really a tree lightning kind of guy, Sandy,” Jake said and laughed. “I’m sure it’ll look nice.”

  “You should go. It’s fun. You’ll see. People sing carols, there’s hot cocoa, and Ginger usually gives out cookies or something sweet. It really gets you in the Christmas spirit.”

  “I’m not really a Christmas spirit kind of guy either. Besides, someone will have to be here at the restaurant,” Jake said.

  “You aren’t closing? Everyone closes. I just assumed we’d be closed. Do I have to work?” Sandy asked nervously.

  Jake laughed. “No, you can go to the tree lighting.” He saw the look of relief on Sandy’s face. “Does everyone close? Why?” he asked.

  “It’s just the way it is. It’s like a holiday here.” Sandy shrugged.

  “Ginger gives out free cookies? Seems kind of silly since she is in the business of selling them.”

  “She does it every year. She’s just like that, you know. Like with my aunt, she showed up and brought her favorite pies over when she got hurt. She does stuff like that all the time. Whenever someone is sick or hurt or if they have something special happen, she brings over the person’s favorite treat. She’s probably one of the most thoughtful people in this town.”

  Jake hadn’t seen the generous side. He was as surprised to hear her perception of Ginger. “I hadn’t gotten that impression,” he said flatly.

  Sandy smiled. “I think you just have to get to know her a little better. You’ll see she’s really nice most of the time.”

  “What do you mean most of the time?”

  “She’s great, but if you cross Ginger that’s a whole other story. She’s can be ruthless.”

  “I guess I shouldn’t cross her then.” Jake smiled as he finished an order and handed Sandy a plate.

  “I wouldn’t,” Sandy said as she took the meals to the dining room.

  He thought Sandy was a sweet girl, but he knew that her definition and his definition of ruthless were probably much different. Ginger didn’t strike him as having the disposition for the type he’d seen before in his last position.

  Sandy returned a moment later. “Mayor Curtis is here. He said he needs to speak with you right away.”

  Jake looked at the timer on the oven. “Can you ask him to come back later?” He had way too many things cooking to be bothered with the mayor right now.

  “I tried, but he said it was urgent and would just take a minute.”

  Annoyed, he finished rinsing the lettuce and dried his hands. He walked to the hostess stand where Mayor Curtis waited and tried to muster a pleasant greeting.

  “Mayor Curtis, what can I do for you?” Jake asked cheerfully. The quicker he could end the conversation the better.

  “Jake, I know you are busy and I hate to have to come in here and bother you, but time is running out and it needs to be addressed,” the mayor said urgently.

  Jake couldn’t fathom what would need to be addressed during a time when the lunch crowd was in full force, but he played along anyway. “What seems to be the problem?”

  “The thing is, Jake, that all of Main Street has an obligation to set a gold standard when it comes to the seasonal festivities. With the tree lighting this weekend, it is imperative that all the businesses on the street have their decorations completed before then. I understand that you are having some difficulty finishing yours and I wanted to make sure you were aware of the importance your decorations will have in making the festival a success.” Mayor Curtis stared at Jake intently.

  “I’m not having any difficulty finishing. I just simply won’t be decorating,” Jake answered.

  Mayor Curtis looked at Jake thoughtfully for a moment and rubbed his stubbled chin. “Yes, I see the problem now. I was concerned that you weren’t aware of its importance and that isn’t the case at all. Well, I’m not going to lie to you, Jake, I can’t help but be a bit disappointed. I’m sure the rest of the town will feel the same.”

  The mayor’s tone was light and friendly, but Jake knew his words were meant to guilt him into submission. “I doubt the entire town will be disappointed because I choose not to participate. I’m sure that it cannot be that big of a deal.”

  “Oh, but it is, Jake.” The mayor looked off into the distance and placed his hands dramatically in the air. “Picture it, every town citizen in for the festival, the whole of town square brightly lit up with hundreds of twinkling little lights and every single business on Main Street is beautifully decorated, all except one. Yours, Jake. Now how do you think that will make everyone feel? Well, they’ll be disappointed. And what of the kids that attend who look forward each year to the magic of Christmas? All those children will be disappointed. All because you won’t decorate.” He looked back at Jake and shook his head sadly.

&nbs
p; “I think that is a little dramatic, Mayor. I’m sure that my lack of decorations will not ruin the magic of Christmas for anyone.”

  This was getting out of hand. If he had known it would take this long, he would’ve never agreed to come up to the front. Jake thought of the food cooking in the kitchen, he wondered how burnt it would be when he returned.

  Mayor Curtis clucked his tongue. “I can see now that Ginger was right. I was hoping she misunderstood you. She sometimes is a little over the top and I admit I was hesitant to believe her, seeing as you’ve been such a wonderful addition to our little town so far. It’s just a real shame. Are you sure you won’t reconsider?” he asked hopefully.

  “I’m sure,” Jake said. He needed to get back to work. He started to back away in hopes Mayor Curtis would follow suit and the conversation would end.

  “I will respect your decision,” Mayor Curtis said and started to the door. He stopped just before he reached it and turned to Jake. “Oh, I almost forgot. That last permit that was held up for the signage on the building, I’m sorry to say that it’s been denied.”

  “What? Why?” Jake had been waiting for the permit for two months. He couldn’t get the Jake’s Place sign hung until it was approved.

  “It seems there are some issues with the size and lettering. I can’t remember exactly. I’d have to check the notes. I’m sure you can apply again.” The mayor smiled sweetly and walked out the door.

  Jake stared at him as he walked past the window, a sly smile across his face. He had heard the talk of how the mayor operated, but to see it in action was something quite different. He was withholding the permit because Jake refused to decorate. Jake turned towards the dining room and saw an obnoxious smile plastered upon Franklin’s face, his plate had still untouched. Jake had a feeling the true reason for his presence wasn’t only to extoll the merits of healthy living but to watch as the mayor chastised him. Jake stomped back to the kitchen to find the oven slightly smoking. He pulled the charred dish out and threw it angrily onto the top of the stove. Having a sign was a basic necessity for having a business. Having the permit dangled in front of him like a carrot so that he would decorate was low but he couldn’t help but be a bit impressed. He had misjudged Mayor Curtis. He presented himself as the jovial town crusader, someone who was just glad to be everyone’s friend and neighbor. Jake hadn’t seen his manipulative side coming. Maybe being out of the city was making him lose his edge. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. He figured he had two choices. He could either stick to his guns and not decorate or give up and follow through with the ridiculous demand. There was no rule someone had to decorate, no laws making it mandatory, but there was only one real choice to make. He knew he’d have to decorate in order to make peace with the mayor and get his permit. He could only blame Ginger for this mess. She must’ve told the mayor of his refusal and she was the reason he was in this predicament. Sandy had warned him not to cross her, but being a tattletale wasn’t the same as being ruthless, it was just petty. Jake smiled as an idea crossed his mind that would not only make the mayor happy but also get back at Ginger at the same time. He wondered how long it would take him to decorate the most annoying and obnoxious display the town had ever seen. He chuckled to himself. He knew the answer to that question immediately. With as crazy as this town was, he’d probably better get started right away.

  Chapter Nine

  Ginger packed up the last box of cookies and took a deep steadying breath. She didn’t mind lugging the boxes to the park for the tree lighting, but with as many as she had made for the town, it took her a few trips. Every trip meant that she’d have to walk past the Christmas display in front of Jake’s Place. He’d done exactly what was asked and then proceeded to make the display as obnoxious as possible and walking past it for the sixth time was going to be unbearable. She locked the door to the bakery and squinted her eyes trying to avoid the flashing lights. The overall display was jarring to the senses. Instead of taking her suggestion of putting up a wreath, he filled the window with an overabundance of mismatched Christmas décor that made even her pitiful display look tasteful. Large reindeer in neon colors lined the sidewalk and were intermittently lit up by the erratic flashing of the oversized Christmas light bulbs that lined the large restaurant window. More than a dozen plastic figures of angels and a Santa, that looked more menacing than jolly, hung from the awning. It was so difficult to look at that Ginger imagined even the Griswolds would have believed it to be over the top. The sight of the display wasn’t even the worst part. The worst part was the music. Over and over on a sinister loop played Jingle Bells in a version that was repulsively grating. Ginger found the actual song innocuous and enjoyed it, but it seemed sped up and higher pitched than any other version of the song she’d ever heard before. He left it on all day and night so that she was even able to hear it when she was in her apartment over the bakery. She looked forward to the tree lighting more than she ever had before. It was an escape from the torment of the display. She hurried across the street and saw Victoria jogging towards her.

  “Need a hand?”

  “I’m good, just trying to get away from that nightmare of a display.”

  Victoria shuddered. “It is pretty terrifying. Maybe Mayor Curtis needs to revisit the mandatory decorations. I’m not sure everyone is cut out for design.”

  “I think that was the goal. When I spoke to him, he wasn’t even going to do it and then that disaster happened. I think it was to make a point,” Ginger said.

  “Point taken.” Victoria chuckled. “It could just be a misguided attempt at decorating. Not everyone has the ability to throw together something and have it look good. He may think it looks nice.”

  “Mr. Dress Slacks? No, he knew exactly what he was doing. He’s a piece of work. He's gone overboard to get on my nerves, I know it,” Ginger said angrily.

  “I take it you and Jake haven’t exactly hit it off then?”

  “That is an understatement,” Ginger said flatly.

  “He doesn’t seem so bad. My brother likes him. He says he’s been really friendly to him.”

  “I haven’t experienced one conversation with that man that has been even remotely friendly. Do you realize that I can hear that song when I’m trying to fall asleep? It’s a good thing I’m so exhausted when I lay down right now or else it would keep me up all night and not just most of it. He’s not friendly, he’s vindictive.” Ginger placed the box of cookies on her table near the gazebo that was set up next to Matty. “You’re on the other side of the restaurant, doesn’t it bother you?” Ginger asked.

  Victoria gave a pitiful look. “I admit it’s kind of much, but honestly I don’t hear the song at all. It seems that the way it is set up, it’s more aimed in your direction.”

  “I knew it. I told you he’s doing it to annoy me.” Ginger rolled her eyes. “I’ll figure out a way to get him back for this, I promise you that.”

  “You know, you could always just ask him to turn the music down or off. Have you tried that?” Victoria asked.

  “I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing it’s getting on my nerves,” Ginger snarked.

  “Maybe you should give him a break, Ginger,” Victoria said softly

  “Why would I give him a break after everything he’s done?” Ginger asked with irritation. Why was she defending him after she had just explained the grief he was causing her?

  “I’m just saying that it can’t be easy for him,” Victoria said soothingly. “He’s obviously got a lot on his plate right now with getting a new business started and he’s moved to an entirely new town that probably isn’t anything like what he’s used to. It’s got to be a little stressful. Give him a chance to get used to the town and become part of it.”

  “First off, I find it hard to believe that he’s stressed. He’s too arrogant and conceited to not think that he’s going to do well and stress only comes with the fear of failure. Secondly, he doesn’t want to become part of the town.” Ginger thoug
ht of the conversation she had overheard and knew exactly what he thought about all of them.

  “I’m not saying he hasn’t had his moments, Ginger. I’m just saying you should give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s still new here and it’s probably going to take some time for him to acclimate. Andy said he seems lonely. Maybe what he needs right now is a little understanding.”

  “He’s not going to get that from me,” Ginger said heatedly.

  “Can’t you give him a chance? Think about how you would feel if you didn’t have any friends around and you were being told to do things you didn’t feel like doing? You’d be angry and probably a bit spiteful. Maybe the two of you just got off on the wrong foot. Why don’t you try to start over?”

  “Why would I want to do that, Victoria? Give me one good reason.”

  “If you do, there’s a good chance he’ll turn off the music,” Victoria smirked.

  Ginger thought about that for a moment. Victoria did have a small point. The music was going to drive her crazy if it wasn’t turned off soon. “I don’t know,” Ginger said hesitantly. “Having the music turned off is a good incentive, though.”

  Victoria’s smile broadened. “It doesn’t hurt to try. If he’s still a jerk, then you did your part and no one can fault you for anything. Be the bigger person.”

  “You know, sometimes I can’t stand you,” Ginger said and smiled.

  “I know,” Victoria said sweetly. “I’m going to go check the place out, but I’ll check back to see how things are going and if you need any help.”

  “Thanks, Vic,” Ginger said and sighed.

  Victoria was one of the few people who knew how to talk her down and even if she didn’t want to hear it, she knew that it made sense. It wouldn’t hurt to extend an olive branch. He might actually be a decent person or, at the very least, tolerable. She set up a few platters of cookies on the table and sat down on the folding chair. She looked over at Matty seated next to her and saw that she was giving out tiny candy canes with the hot cocoa. The tree lighting was just getting started and people were wandering in slowly. She knew in about a half-hour, they’d be mobbed with people trying to get their snacks. It was the same thing every year and it got a bit hectic, but it was worth it. She didn’t mind baking frantically for two days if it meant she could give a little something back to the town. She had wonderful memories of it as a child when her mom and aunt gave out cookies for the tree lighting. She thought of it as her responsibility to keep the thoughtful tradition going.