by ID Johnson
Delaney knew Joanna didn’t have a car of her own either, that she usually rode in her mom’s minivan to work because she didn’t have her license, and while she might be willing to meet him there, Cameron was right. It would be more meaningful if he was able to pick her up, especially if he was driving a nice red sports car. “Cameron, I totally trust you to borrow my car. As far as I know, I don’t have plans Saturday night, but if that changes, my dad has an old work truck I can borrow that I’ve driven lots of times, and he just lives down the road. Please, feel free to take my car.”
His face lit up, and though he was slowly shaking his head back and forth like he was saying no, his words said otherwise. “I can’t believe this. Wow, thank you so much, Delaney.”
Before she knew it, he had his arms wrapped around her, and while she let out a small giggle at his enthusiasm, she hugged him back. “You’re so welcome. Now, make sure you ask that girl first thing this morning so she can plan her dress.”
“I will,” Cameron nodded, letting her go. “We have first period together.”
Delaney patted him on the back as he stepped around her, headed to the front, his face still beaming. While she was confident Joanna wanted to go, she honestly wasn’t sure if she’d be brave enough to say yes. She was hopeful that she would be willing to take a leap of faith and tell Cameron she’d go with him. She was also hopeful that Courtney wouldn’t find out, at least not for a few days. After all, Courtney was acting peculiar, and she had a bit of mean girl in her. If Courtney did something to ruin this for Joanna, Delaney would be greatly disappointed.
Before long, the bakery was hopping. Cameron had left for school, and Edie was doing her best to man the front while Delaney kept the baked goods coming. She’d decided to try a new recipe that morning, a Christmas cookie she’d found online, and while it turned out delicious and was very popular, it had also slowed her down a bit. There were more customers than usual, and she’d spent more time up front than she’d wanted to.
Right before lunch, the door chimed and Delaney looked up to see her friend Olivia’s smiling face. Her blonde hair was a bit wind blown despite the beret she had on her head, and her porcelain skin had a bit of a rosy glow to it, likely from the sharp breeze. “Hey, Olivia!” Delaney called. “How are you?”
“Good,” she nodded. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in recently. I’ve been so busy.”
“Writing the next best seller, no doubt,” Delaney smiled. “What can I get you?”
“Just a large cocoa,” Olivia replied, then added, “to go.”
“You can’t stay a while?” Delaney asked, her shoulders slumping in disappointment. She turned to the cocoa machine and began to make her order.
“No, I’ve got a fast approaching deadline, and I’m not sure how I’m going to get this book finished before the end of January.”
Delaney slid the cocoa across the counter to her friend. “Is it the next book in the Virginia Sweethearts series?” she asked. “I am almost done with the last one, and it is so good, Olivia.”
Olivia smiled, humbly. “Thank you. I’m glad to hear it. Yes, it’s the sequel. And I have to have it finished by January twentieth to meet my deadline.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “With the holidays and family visiting… I just can’t get as much done as I’m used to.”
Delaney nodded. She could definitely understand busy. “Well, I for one hope you finish it soon. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I think Elliott is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time.”
Olivia giggled. “Everyone loves Elliott. I think I’m just going to rent a cabin up in the mountains, the same place dad used to take us when we were younger, and just lock myself inside for a few weeks and get it done.”
“You’ll wait until after Christmas though, right?” Delaney asked.
“Yes,” Olivia sighed. “I have to. But luckily my folks are going to Cabo for New Years, so the day after Christmas, I’ll just be looking for some peace and quiet!”
Giggling, Delaney said, “Well, good luck.” Then, deciding her friend looked like she could use a pick-me-up, she took out one of the new cookies she’d just baked and slid it into a paper envelope. “Here, you need this.”
Olivia looked at the cookie, then back at her friend. “Oh, Delaney, you don’t have to do that.”
“I insist,” Delaney said. “They’re a new recipe, and they are delicious. Now, get out of here. You’ve got to finish this series so I can find out if Margot and Elliott get together!”
“What do I owe you?” Olivia asked, digging in her back pocket.
“Girl, please,” Delaney said, shaking her head. “For the hours of entertainment you’ve supplied me and the rest of the world, I owe you.”
Olivia’s smile broadened. “I didn’t come in here to take advantage of a small business owner, you know?”
“I know,” Delaney replied. “It was nice to see you, though. After you finish the book, we’ve got to do something fun together.”
“Definitely,” Olivia replied. “Melody, too.” She took out a five-dollar bill and slid it into the tip jar.
Delaney remembered all the fun times they’d had together in high school. The three of them had been almost inseparable. Now, she didn’t think Olivia and Melody had done much more than say hello since Melody had been in town. She’d like to help change that. “Absolutely,” Delaney nodded. She said goodbye and watched Olivia return to the blustery weather outside.
The rest of the day was just as busy, and before she knew it, it was time for her to head home. She hated to leave Edie when it was so busy, so she decided to stick around and wait until Courtney and Joanna arrived. Even though it would make almost an eleven-hour day for her, they were running low on chocolate chip muffins, one of their most popular items, so she decided to pop another tray into the oven while she waited on the girls. Joanna almost always got there a few minutes before her shift began whereas Courtney would likely be a few minutes late.
When Joanna arrived, Delaney tried to read her expression to see if she looked any happier than usual. She didn’t; in fact, as the young girl went about hanging up her backpack and putting on her apron, Delaney thought she actually looked a bit upset. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Fine,” Joanna mumbled, tightening her ponytail.
“You don’t look fine,” Delaney observed.
Joanna said nothing, only adjusted her glasses and shrugged her shoulders as she headed toward the front.
Delaney was just about to go ask her if she wanted to talk when Edie came into the kitchen. “Delaney? Josh is here. He’s asking for you.” Edie was beaming, and Delaney could hardly believe her ears. While she was pleasantly surprised, she’d been working all day and could only imagine what her hair and makeup must look like now. Edie brushed a few loose strands of brunette hair behind Delaney’s ear as the baker wiped her hands on a towel. “You look beautiful,” Edie assured her.
“Right,” Delaney mumbled, setting the towel aside. “Thanks.”
Once she saw him, standing against the counter, smiling in anticipation, she was no longer concerned with what she might look like, and she felt her face begin to glow. Joanna was ringing him up, and he slipped her some cash as Delaney approached. “Hi,” she said, running her hands along the sides of her jeans. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
He laughed. “I know. I would’ve called, but I was just headed back from Winchester and thought I’d stop in and see if you were here. I didn’t know what time you got off.”
Delaney glanced at the time. “About two hours ago.”
“Right,” he said, chuckling. “I know how that goes.”
She wasn’t sure what to say, she was so happy and surprised to see him. He did look a bit tired, as someone might who had been delivering Christmas trees all day. But his hazel eyes were twinkling, and his smile lit up her heart. “It’s great to see you.”
“You, too,” he replied. “I actually can’t stay too lo
ng. I’ve got one more load to drop off on the way back home. But, while I was in Winchester, I saw a sign for a community production of A Christmas Carol, and I thought that might be fun. Do you want to go? It’s Friday night.”
Delaney was shocked. She certainly hadn’t expected him to ask her out on his quick stop just to say hello, especially not in front of Joanna and Edie, who were clearly listening in, but before the question was even out of his mouth, she was nodding. “Yes, I’d love to.” He could’ve asked her to a bathroom cleaning convention and she would’ve said yes.
“Friday?” Edie echoed. “That’s the night of the Christmas parade.”
Delaney realized she was right, and even though attending the Charles Town Christmas Parade was an event she’d never missed in her entire life, at that moment, she couldn’t have cared less. “That’s okay,” she shrugged. “I’ve seen it. Lots of times.”
Josh chuckled nervously. “If you’d rather go to the parade, we could do that instead,” he offered.
“No, I’d love to go see a play. I can’t remember the last time I went to anything like that,” Delaney insisted. She’d loved theater when she was in high school, but that seemed like a million years ago, and while Winchester’s hometown production wasn’t likely to be stellar, it would definitely be an event to remember.
“Well, if you’re sure, I’ll give you a call later this week and you can give me directions to your house.”
“Perfect,” Delaney smiled. “And we can talk about the cocoa then, too,” she added.
“Yes, we need to do that as well,” Josh nodded, and Delaney wondered if that meant his mother had been driving him crazy about cocoa for the last few days. Raising his to-go cup, he said, “It was nice to see you, Delaney.”
“You, too,” she smiled. “Talk to you soon.” She watched him cross to the door, and just as he had done last time, he paused with one hand on the exit and looked back at her. Delaney felt her knees weaken, and she knew her cheeks were ablaze. She didn’t care; that man had to be the most handsome one she’d ever seen, and he was sweet, caring, compassionate, smart—perfect. For her anyway.
Once he was gone, Edie said, “Well, willing to miss the Christmas parade for that fellow, hmmm? I do believe you’re smitten, Delaney.”
There was no use denying it. “I guess you could say that,” Delaney replied. She was definitely glad now that she’d decided to stay until the girls got there.
Thinking about Joanna and Courtney caused her to look up at the clock. It was well-past the time Courtney was supposed to be there, and she had yet to show up. Looking to Joanna, Delaney asked, “Do you know where Courtney is?”
Joanna shrugged. “I don’t know. I talked to her this morning, but when I smiled at her at lunch, she acted like she didn’t know me.”
Joanna looked so sad at reliving the experience, Delaney’s heart hurt. Courtney could be so rude. “Okay,” she said, giving Joanna a sympathetic smile. Maybe that’s why she seemed so glum, even though if Cameron had asked her to the dance, Delaney would’ve expected her to be over Courtney and focused on Cam. “I’ll go call her.”
As Delaney went to the back to call Courtney in private, the backdoor swung open loudly, and a flustered Courtney came in. “Sorry I’m late,” she said.” Her hair was untamed and she had streaks down her face, as if she’d been crying.
“Is everything okay?” Delaney asked.
“Yeah, everything is fine,” Courtney replied as she went to get her apron and threw it on. “It’s just been an awful day.”
Delaney didn’t like the sound of that. Maybe Courtney hadn’t been trying to be rude to Joanna. Maybe she just had something else going on. “Anything you want to talk about?”
Courtney looked at her as if she might say something, but then she shook her head. “I’m fine,” she said.
Delaney wasn’t sure if she trusted that or not, but she decided not to press the issue. She certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable talking if Delany tried to force her to. “All right,” she said. “Well, call me if you need anything. I’m going to head out.”
“Okay,” Courtney mumbled, and without saying goodbye, she stepped past Delaney and went to the front. Edie said hello, and Courtney mumbled hi, but she didn’t speak to Joanna at all, and when Joanna turned to look at her as if she might greet her, Courtney turned away.
Edie made her way to the back, glancing over her shoulder at the two teenage girls. “I do believe the peace has finally been breached,” she said. Edie had been warning her for months that those two just didn’t “gee and haw” and that eventually Courtney would do or say something so nasty to Joanna that she wouldn’t be able to work with her anymore. While Delaney thought that might be possible based on their personalities, she’d been hopeful that they were both mature enough to keep their differences outside of work. The tension today, however, made Delaney uneasy, and she considered staying until the bakery closed to make sure the girls got along.
As if she was reading her mind, Edie said, “Delaney, you have to go home and get some rest. You can’t work a twelve hour shift today.”
“Sure I can,” Delaney replied. There’d been lots of times when the bakery had first opened that she’d worked much longer than that.
“Not today, not as busy as we’ve been. Go home and get some rest. I’ll be here for another half hour or so, and I’ll subtly make sure they know it’s imperative that they get along until closing. Okay?”
Delaney wanted to trust Edie, wanted to trust the girls as well, but this was her business they were talking about. What if the girls started arguing in front of the customers—or worse? Surely, nothing like that would happen. Eventually, Delaney gave in. “Okay,” she muttered. Joanna and Courtney would only be alone for an hour. Surely, they would be okay for an hour, wouldn’t they?
With one more glance around, Delaney slipped her coat on and grabbed her purse. Looking up at the front, she saw Joanna working the cash register while Courtney refilled drinks and gathered dirty dishes. Everything would be just fine—right? It had to be.
Chapter 15
The next morning, Delaney walked through the back door of the bakery half expecting to see the entire shop trashed. However, everything was in its place and it was clear that the girls had taken the time to wipe everything down before they left the afternoon before. All the money in the register was counted and bundled correctly, the trays were prepped, and Delaney was able to jump into her morning routine just as usual. With a sigh of relief, she started her baking, hoping whatever was happening between the two teenage girls was over.
She hadn’t even gotten the first tray of muffins in the oven when the back door opened. It was a bit too early even for Cameron, and she was surprised to see Courtney standing there, looking dressed and ready for school, with a worried expression on her face.
“Courtney?” Delaney questioned, shocked. Courtney had never come in early before, ever. Even when she was supposed to. Delaney set the tray of baked goods aside and turned to face her. “What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry to bother you so early,” Courtney said, crossing over to her. “But something has been bothering me, and I needed to talk to you about it, even though I’m not sure how.”
Delaney felt her stomach tighten. Was Courtney in some sort of trouble? “What’s going on?”
Letting out a loud sigh, Courtney reached into her pocket and took out her phone. “Now that I have a job, I thought it would be nice to buy my family Christmas presents for once. So, I’ve been doing a lot of looking online, trying to decide what to buy. Well, last night, while I was looking for something homemade to buy my mom—you know how she likes crafts and all that stuff—I found something that I thought you should see.” Courtney pulled up a website on her phone and handed it to Delaney.
Her forehead crinkled, Delaney looked at the website. It was one of those sell-your-own-crafts sort of sites, something like Etsy, but not one Delaney was familiar with. It was a picture of a little girl
drinking hot cocoa out of a bright red mug. While Delaney didn’t recognize the child and supposed it could’ve been a stock image, the description certainly caught her attention. The listing was for “award winning hot cocoa, just like your nana used to make.” Customers could order the dry powder for delivery to their home, and it came with directions for how to mix it yourself.
Confused, Delaney handed the phone back to Courtney. “Okay. I’m not sure what it is you’re trying to say.”
“I looked at the shop address,” Courtney explained, swiping at the screen with her finger. “Look.”
Delaney looked at it again. It was an address in Charles Town. She was even more confused now. “Are you saying you think someone’s trying to sell my cocoa?”
Courtney sighed heavily. “Delaney, that’s Joanna’s address. She’s attempting to sell your cocoa online and pass it off as her own.”
Delaney’s eyes widened in disbelief. She really didn’t see how that was possible. She began to shake her head.
“I caught her in the closet the other day snooping around,” Courtney continued. “I asked her what she was doing, and she said nothing. Ever since then, she’s hardly spoken to me. Now, she’s hanging out with Cameron a lot. I don’t know him very well, since he’s new and all, but maybe they’re working together. I don’t know…. I just felt like you should know so you can make her stop. I mean, I didn’t want to say anything because I’d hate to see either one of them lose their job, but it’s not right for them to try and sell your cocoa as their own.”
Delaney really wasn’t sure what to say. That explained the canister being moved, but how would Joanna even know where she kept it? And did she know enough about baking to guess what the secret ingredient was? Could she replicate her cocoa recipe? Her head was swimming, and she leaned back against the counter, not even sure what to say.
“I want to go before Cameron comes in,” Courtney said, backing toward the door. “I don’t know if he’s involved or not. But… please don’t let them know I told you, okay? Can you just say you found it yourself?”