Tess glanced at the clock over Harrison’s shoulder and realized she was supposed to be helping the staff serve dinner. “I need to get to the dining room. I’ll get you your money as soon as my paychecks are ready.”
“I suppose that will do.” Before she was out of earshot he said, “And it will be even better when you’re out of this town.”
Tess paused in the doorway and turned to him. “Trust me; it will be better for all of us.”
He averted his gaze as she walked away.
~*~
Hours later Tess pulled into the parking lot near her apartment. Her feet were throbbing, her stomach was growling, and until she noticed Morgan waiting for her, she’d forgotten she’d promised to catch up with her friend. But there were two messages from Stu, one from Stell, and a text from Josh she was working on a snarky reply for, and still she was relieved she could avoid it all and hang out with her friend. One thing she was sure of, Morgan wouldn’t care if she planned to come home and pig out on frozen pizza and chips. In fact, Morgan would be happy to join her.
“Hey…sorry. Ashley-Marie finished the schedule and wanted me to take it so she could approve it in the morning after I ran it past Derek.” Tess popped the door to her apartment open.
Morgan followed her inside, flicking on the lights with a smile. “It’s all right. I only got here a minute ago,” Morgan said. She was dressed in a pair of old sweatpants and a grungy T-shirt which was partially-covered by a thick, half-zipped sweatshirt.
Tess smiled as she set the temperature on the oven, glad she needn’t worry about impressing her friend. “You want pizza?” she asked. “I don’t even remember when I last ate.”
Morgan laughed. “Sure.”
“I’ll go change. Why don’t you grab something from the fridge to drink? There’s tea...not sure what else,” Tess said as she yanked her hair up into a messy bun. She went into her bedroom, leaving the door open a crack so she could still talk.
“Thanks,” Morgan said. Tess heard her open the refrigerator and root around before saying, “So, what’s up with Josh? I’m dying!”
Tess grew warm thinking of him. Her long-distance, fantasy boyfriend. Boyfriend? “We talked forever last night. Which made me sleep in. I was a half hour late to the diner.”
“Uh-oh. Did you get into trouble?”
Tess tossed her cargo pants aside and reached for a pair of sweats and a comfy t-shirt. “Derek tried to bribe me into going out with him to ‘forget’ I was late, but I told him no way.”
“Yuck. I don’t trust that guy.”
Tess tugged her T-shirt on and went back to the kitchen. “I don’t either but what can I do? No one will hire me, and I need Flynn off my back. Would you believe he stopped by Pine View today to remind me I’m late paying him? And that was after I told him weeks ago that this month I’d probably be late with my check. Not to mention the fact that he attends the very church I was on a mission trip with.” Tess reached into the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of iced tea. She popped the lid and took a long drink. “He’s enough to make me want to go back to drinking.”
Morgan looked at her sympathetically. “Tess…”
Tess waved her arms. “I know, I know. I won’t…but it is tempting.”
Morgan smiled. “OK, so we can talk about Mr. Flynn later. Right now, you need to tell me what was so important that Josh kept you up talking so late. What is going on?”
Tess rummaged through her freezer until she found the frozen pizza. She pulled it out and put it on a tray. “Oh, the usual…” Tess gestured from her messy hair to her bare feet. “Clearly the man is enamored of me. He’s already asked me to marry him.”
Morgan nearly dropped her drink. “What?”
“All right, maybe he hasn’t proposed yet.” Tess laughed as she popped the pizza into the oven and set the timer. “But it does seem like we’ve switched roles. He’s chasing me and I’m running the other way. I am disappointed though. No homemade gifts or chalk-drawings on my driveway yet.”
Morgan sighed dreamily. “Why are you running away?”
“Oh, come on.” Tess grabbed a new bag of chips from the pantry and tugged it open before placing it on the counter near Morgan. “Besides the obvious reason, what’s the point of falling more in love with him when he’s living in Florida and I’m living in hell…I mean, here.”
Morgan reached to take a handful of chips. “This from the woman who’s told me about a million times she can’t wait to move away. What’s to say you couldn’t move to Florida and get everything you ever wanted—Josh, a new start, a dream job?”
Tess laughed. “You’re funny. I think I’ll keep you around.” She glanced at her phone. It vibrated that moment with Josh’s tune.
Morgan laughed. “Tell me that isn’t Jed’s ringtone.”
Tess reached past her friend and shut the ringer off. “It’s not Jed’s ringtone.”
“Right.” Morgan paused. “You give a man a ringtone you might as well ask him to marry you.”
Tess rolled her eyes, secretly aware that no matter how hard she was fighting it, she’d wanted to answer the phone more than anything she’d wanted to do all day. And she was certain things were too complicated for her to figure out yet.
~*~
Josh pressed the phone to his ear and wondered why Tess wasn’t answering. Maybe he was too eager. Maybe she was busy. No matter the reason she never answered, Josh hated the fact that he cared so much. He was finding it increasingly difficult to do his job when all he wanted was to talk to her. She was the missing piece in his life.
“Hey, Tornado. Susannah committed to helping with the ministry we started with the retirement community. Anyway, she’s already connected with this amazing lady there, Betsy,” he laughed. “She’s taken Susannah under her wing and I think it’ll be good for both of them. So…I hope everything is good with you. Give me a call when you can. I also wanted to ask you a question. Something that might help you with—everything.” He hung up and sat back on the couch. Before he could reflect on the events of the day, he took out his computer and opened the file he’d been working on. His resume was nearly complete and he was certain that getting it to the church immediately was critical. Still, it was a big step.
And it might freak Tess out if he showed up unannounced in Maple Ridge. How serious was she about moving on? Maybe he should talk to her about it first. Or maybe he should trust that she would like to find he’d come for her, for the town she’d once loved as much as he did, for the chance to put down roots in a place he’d longed to call home.
The ringing telephone made Josh jump, and he nearly knocked the computer over. He pressed the phone to his ear without checking the display. “Yeah. This is Pastor Thorne.”
“Hey, Pastor. You busy?”
Brody’s voice surprised Josh, but he wasn’t disappointed to hear it. “Hey, loser. What’s up?”
“Not much. I, um, invited Tess over for dinner yesterday, and I was surprised to find she was acting like she used to. Actually it was kind of refreshing, considering.”
Josh cleared his throat. “Considering what?”
“Well, everything… “
“Listen,” Josh sighed. “If you’re calling to find out whether Tess talked to me about her past, the answer is yes, she has. And I’m fine. I wasn’t there, Brody. And I don’t understand what it was like for you or anyone else who loves her, but I’m sure of what I’ve witnessed during her visit. And I can tell you, she’s got a real passion for God. I don’t have any reservations about getting close to her. I mean, I’m not proposing marriage or anything. I just want to, well, date, I guess.”
Brody’s laugh interrupted. “You need to calm down. Whatever is going on is none of my business. At least that’s what Stell keeps telling me. I’m trying to keep out of it.”
Josh cleared his throat awkwardly. “Oh, OK.”
Brody chuckled again. “I said I was trying to keep out of it. That doesn’t mean I will.”
This time Josh laughed. “OK, so what can I do for you? I mean she’s states away.” Josh put his feet up on the coffee table and sat back, closing his eyes.
“I’m not sure,” Brody sighed. “It’s not even as if I got her back yet. I’m only starting to realize that she’s back to what I remember—the fun, quirky, seat-of-her-pants girl. Not the dark, partying trouble-maker.”
Josh smiled. “I imagine they’re both different facets of her personality—only now she can use that energy in a positive direction. She’s still tight as ever with Stu but how are things with your parents?”
Brody laughed wryly. “Mom barely speaks to her and dad acts as if he’s clueless about what to do with her. They gave up after the last go-round. But Stu made her come to Sunday dinner the last few weeks. Everyone’s working on it. Change isn’t easy to come by. Tess is clear on that.”
Josh opened his eyes. “Yeah. I think we all get it. So, what do you think about this? Me and Tess? I mean, maybe?”
Brody laughed. “I’m having a hard time thinking of both of you as adults and not Tess trailing after us to the ball fields swearing she’d tell Uncle Stu if we didn’t let her play too.”
Josh laughed, remembering. “Yeah, and really play not like she’s a girl, Brody,” he said, mimicking the voice Tess would whine with.
Brody laughed before exhaling. “So that’s it. There’s no agenda on my end. Just be careful and don’t get hurt. And more importantly, don’t hurt her. I got faith, not much, but some, that she’s really coming back this time and I’ll pretty much go crazy if you or this relationship ruins that.”
Josh swallowed the hard lump that formed in his throat. “Yeah. I get it. And don’t worry, I’ll be careful. I think this is something that’s really important for both of us.”
14
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12: 2
Tess rolled clean silverware into a napkin and laid it in the tray with the rest of the bundles. It was near the end of her shift and it had been two days since Derek asked her out on a date. It was practically a record.
Two days also passed since she’d gotten enough time in her schedule for a real conversation with Josh. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she missed him. Spending a few days with him was wonderful but not nearly enough to convince her that she could continue long-term with a relationship based solely on a few phone calls and texts each week. It was wearing her patience thin. She was even entertaining pleading her case again with Uncle Stu, regardless of how hopeless she knew it was.
“Hey,” Derek flopped into the seat across from Tess and waved the schedule from Pine View in her face. “There’s no way I can make this work. I got ten other waitresses with problems too.” He dropped the paper on the table and shook his head. “This weekend stuff is the real problem…” he pointed to the schedule. “I need at least four waitresses on a Friday night, but you can’t work. Neither can Sheila or Deb. It’s really sticking me.”
Tess continued rolling silverware as she gave a quick glance toward the clock over Derek’s shoulder. Her shift at the nursing home started in a half hour. “It’s only for two weeks,” she said. “Surely you can figure it out. I’ll work doubles for you once Ashley-Marie gets things together at Pine View, OK?”
Derek stared at her. “Really? Why?”
“Because I need you to do me a favor. I’m not above doing one for you…” she quickly caught herself and qualified her statement before her boss could turn it into something inappropriate. “Within reason, of course.”
“Of course,” Derek ran his fingers through his hair. He sighed heavily.
Tess finished the silverware and stood. “I’m leaving,” she said.
Derek glanced at her. “Hey, I’ll work this out,” he said. “But it sure would help if you’d do me a real favor.”
Tess sighed heavily. “I will not go out with you, Derek. Please stop asking.” The words sounded almost robotic to Tess’s ears since she’d repeated them so many times before.
Derek smiled. “Wow. Thanks,” he said. “Glad that wasn’t the favor, but the offer is still open.”
“I’m sure it is.” Tess leaned against the end of the table. “All right, what is it?”
“Get me the number for that friend of yours. The one with the…” Derek glanced around. “Connections.”
Tess’s stomach clenched. Derek was referring to Justin Trapp. Tess was, at one time, what one might loosely define as ‘friends’ with the man a few years earlier. He was one of the first to get Tess into the messes she so readily found on her own shortly thereafter. Tess was not interested in reconnecting with him. She shook her head and stood up straight, ready to take on extra shifts or work until her arms fell off in an effort to avoid this. If she so much as even admitted she had a clue where Justin hung out or how to get in touch with him, Uncle Stu would find out and banish her from the family forever. “You don’t want to be friends with him. Besides, he changes his number every other week to avoid the police.”
Derek rolled his eyes. “Cut the bull.”
Tess’s phone began vibrating in her pocket. She shook her head. “No way.” She yanked her apron off and walked away, tossing it angrily on the counter as she headed into the back room to answer her phone. “What?” she demanded.
“Well, that’s some greeting.” Uncle Stu’s voice sounded both amused and concerned.
Tess grabbed her purse and headed out the back door into the cool spring air. Although the calendar said March, it was still felt like February most days. Thankfully, Tess was so angry she didn’t notice that her breath was visible in the cool air. “Rough day,” she muttered as she hopped into the truck, shoving the key into the ignition. When it roared to life she gunned it out of the parking lot, sending gravel in her wake. She popped the phone on speaker mode and set it on the center console.
“It’s barely noon, Mouthy.” Stu cleared his throat. “No trouble, I hope.”
“I’m not in jail yet, if that’s what you mean,” Tess snapped, then softened her tone. “But it’s still early.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“Not now. I need to get over to Pine View. So, what’s up?”
“Hmm. If you’re on your way to Pine View and you just started the truck and you’re angry, that would mean your other boss is giving you a hard time…”
“When isn’t he? That isn’t exactly your best detective work.” Tess stopped at a red light and waited. Strangely, she spotted the man Derek was asking about moments before. She averted her gaze and made sure her doors were locked.
“I figured I should warn you I’m heading home soon. Wanted to make sure you’re doing OK.”
“Busy, but I’m behaving.”
“You get the bike out yet?”
Tess sighed, wishing she’d been given enough time to even crave her beloved motorcycle. “No. Too busy working, and it’s been raining and sleeting so…”
“We’ll go over it when I get back.”
“Sounds good.”
Stu grunted. “How’s Josh?”
Tess headed down the street toward the nursing home. “He’s fine. I mean, I guess. We’ve talked a few times, and things are good.” She pulled into a parking space. “I told him most of what happened. He doesn’t seem bothered, Uncle Stu. Should I be worried?”
“Why? He likes you. It’s good you two can talk and get reacquainted with each other. Besides, it gives him time to wrap his mind around how to move ahead if he wants—or if you even can. One day at a time.”
Tess turned the truck off and grunted. “So you keep saying. Any chance I can quit the diner?”
Stu laughed. “If you already got another job or Ashley-Marie decides to give you a raise, I guess that would be an option. Otherwise, I’d say you need to stick it out for a few more months.”
“Dang it.”
“
Go to work.”
“You too. Careful coming home.”
“See ya soon, kid.”
Tess punched the off button and drew a deep breath. Before she could step out of her truck her phone buzzed again. She glanced at it to find a text from Josh that read: Hope you’re having a good day!
She smiled and texted back: Don’t ask…call you later.
~*~
“You know what I’d love?” Grandma Vi asked. She was sitting with her feet up, waiting for Tess to measure her medication.
“What’s that, Gram?” Tess handed her grandmother a glass of juice along with her pills.
Gram shook her head as she took the pills, slugged the juice and handed the empty glass back.
Tess chuckled. She wondered for a brief moment if she’d gotten her drinking skills from her own grandmother.
“I’d love one of those blueberry muffins you make. Doesn’t that sound good? With a nice cup of tea.”
“It’s your recipe, Gram.”
“But they won’t let me cook,” Vi protested.
“Well, you could help me sometime. Maybe the cooks would let us do a little something in the kitchen.”
Vi dismissed her with a wave of her hand. “Bring me a muffin tomorrow. And while you’re at it, make a whole batch and send them to Josh. He’s still away at school, isn’t he? Bet he’d love a care package from you. It would make a nice surprise.” Grandma winked at Tess, who nearly dropped the pill bottles she was collecting.
“Um, what?” Tess was certain she’d never mentioned her renewed friendship with Josh and she doubted any of her family had done so either.
Vi pointed at Tess with a smile. “He’s a nice young man. He’ll come around eventually.”
Tess laughed at her grandmother calling Josh a ‘young man’ when he was past thirty years old and well over six feet tall. “Oh, Gram…” she said carefully, neither confirming nor denying a thing.
Vi sighed, still smiling. “He’ll marry you. He may not admit it yet, but he will.”
Forgiving Tess Page 12