by ID Johnson
“I might turn into a pumpkin at midnight, and then you might be tempted to turn me into a pie,” he replied, a playful lilt to his voice.
“Well, then I guess we better be back here before then.”
He laughed, and Delaney enjoyed the sound of it, realizing she might not speak to him again for a few days. “I think I can manage that. Have a good night, Delaney.”
“You, too, Josh,” she said, hanging on to his name as he said goodbye and she repeated it back to him before hanging up. She stared at her phone for a second, wondering how she got so lucky. She’d thought her relationship with Bradley was the real thing, but only a few minutes after meeting Josh she knew he was such a better man than Bradley.
Sighing, she leaned back against the headboard. Surely, Josh wasn’t just taking her out because he needed a break from the tree farm with the plan to never see her again after this, was he? He was really interested in her, right? She knew he was concerned about living so far away, and it didn’t sound like he was ready to commit to taking over the tree farm. But Delaney thought what they had was at the very least the promise of a lasting relationship. She was hopeful that he would be willing to take a leap of faith with her. If not, she didn’t know what she would do. It hadn’t been that long on the calendar since he’d first walked into the bakery, but she was already fully invested in being with him for the long haul.
Eventually, she returned her attention to the spreadsheet before her, which reminded her she’d have to have a very difficult conversation with Courtney the next day. She prayed that God would give her the right words to say to help Courtney to come clean and realize why what she did was wrong. She hated confrontation, but Delaney knew she had an opportunity to help this young lady learn a very valuable lesson if she handled it correctly. That, too, was a lot of pressure, and after a few minutes, she put her laptop aside and started to pray, asking for guidance. By the time she was done, she thought she knew how she would handle it, and she went about getting ready for bed with a lot less weight on her shoulders.
Wednesday morning, Cameron had seemed a little more like himself, but he still said Joanna was having issues, and Delaney’s heart ached for the young girl. She didn’t say anything to Cameron about the cocoa, though. She knew he likely had no idea what Courtney had done. He mentioned that Joanna was still upset that someone was spreading rumors about her, but Cameron still didn’t know who it was. Unfortunately, Delaney was pretty sure she did.
She decided not to tip Courtney off that she knew what she was up to or else she might not come in to work at all that day, so she waited for the girls to come in for their shift, going over what she thought she might say for most of the hours she was baking that day. Eventually, school was out, and Joanna came in through the back door. She managed a smile when Delaney greeted her, but Delaney could easily see everything wasn’t okay, and she felt terrible that Joanna was having to go through this.
Ten minutes later, and five minutes after her shift was supposed to start, Courtney bounded in. “Sorry I’m late,” she said when she noticed Delaney standing near the counter looking at her expectantly. “Ugh, Holly wanted a ride, but then she got busy flirting with Rich, and I couldn’t get her to go. And then Kyler needed to go back for his cell phone….” She rolled her eyes and let out a long sigh, like her boyfriend forgetting his cell phone was the end of the world.
Without acknowledging everything else she’d just said, Delaney replied, “We need to talk.” She’d already let Edie know she’d be occupied for a while once Courtney arrived, though she hadn’t hashed everything out with her other employee, so she knew they’d get a bit of privacy. Nevertheless, Delaney gestured to the closet, thinking it would be best if they could go in there and shut the door.
Courtney’s eyes grew wide. “Okay,” she said slowly. She took off her coat and hung it up but she didn’t bother to put on an apron. She followed Delaney into the supply closet and waited next to boxes of ingredients, her arms crossed in front of her.
Delaney closed the door and turned to face her. She looked at her intently for a second, remembering how her mother used to break her with just such a look. Maybe that would work on Courtney as well. Clearing her throat, she asked, “Is there something you want to tell me?”
Digging the toe of her left Kick into the tile, Courtney said, “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”
With a calm tone, Delaney said, “I think you do.”
“Um, is this about Joanna?” Courtney asked. “Because I didn’t really say any of those things about her. I mean… I heard them, and I didn’t, like, disagree, but I didn’t really start any of the rumors.”
Her eyes widened, and Courtney’s expression told her that the young girl realized Delaney hadn’t known for sure she was involved in the rumors until just now. Courtney attempted to backtrack,“Oh, that’s not what….”
“The cocoa, Courtney. I wanted to talk about the cocoa. But… you were involved in the rumors, too?” Delaney asked, her heart feeling even more heavy than it had before. “I thought Joanna was your friend.”
“She was, I guess,” Courtney shrugged. “I mean, we don’t really talk that much at school. She’s not really like the other girls I hang out with. I try to be nice to her, but she’s just so… weird.”
Delaney swallowed hard. “It really hurts to hear you say that. Joanna is very nice. Sure, she’s smart, and sometimes that can make a person stand out, but to hear you say you helped spread rumors about her…. Courtney, I thought you were better than that.”
“You don’t understand, Delaney,” Courtney shot back, her voice raising. “I try to be nice to her, but she doesn’t even care. And then… when Cam started talking to her at school, and all the other girls were like, ‘Why is that cute guy from your work so interested in Joanna?’ it made me mad. Like, why does he care so much about her?”
“So you’re jealous that Joanna’s gotten so much of Cameron’s attention? But you have a boyfriend.”
“I know,” Courtney said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “But Kyler’s a dumb jock. And Cameron’s, like, a real guy. I mean, he’s like an adult. He’s cool. Everyone likes him. I guess… I just didn’t like that he was so interested in Joanna and not me.”
“So you decided to spread some rumors about her and try to get her fired?” Delaney asked, trying very hard to maintain her cool even though she was starting to grow more than a little upset.
Courtney was carefully studying the floor again. “I didn’t mean to get her fired,” she said quietly. “I just wanted her to get in trouble. I thought if Cameron knew she was stealing your recipes, maybe he wouldn’t like her so much.”
“But you tried to tie him to it, too,” Delaney reminded her.
With a big sigh, Courtney said, “I thought if he got in trouble, maybe I could make him feel better.”
Delaney shook her head slowly from side to side as Courtney looked up at her, tears in her eyes. “Wow, Courtney. I’m so… disappointed in you right now. You’ve worked here for almost a year, and we’ve never had any major issues. Sure, you’ve been late a few times. But you’ve been trustworthy and easy to get along with. This whole thing just makes me really sad.”
Tears were streaming down Courtney’s cheeks now. “I’m sorry, Delaney. I never meant to disappoint you. I didn’t really steal your recipe. I just wanted you to think someone had. No one ever ordered it, and if they had I wouldn’t have been able to ship it anyway, because I don’t know it. And… I know I’ve been just awful to Joanna.”
“Yes, you have,” Delaney agreed. “Listen, if you’re truly sorry for what you did, then you need to apologize to her, not me. And you need to make sure those rumors stop, too. I’ll go cover for her, and she can come back here, and you can tell her how you feel, okay?”
“Yes, I’ll apologize,” Courtney agreed, brushing the tears away on the back of her hands. “Am I fired?” she asked, a solemn expression on her pretty face.
�
��No, you’re not fired,” Delaney said, shaking her head. “I believe in second chances. But you’ve got to promise that nothing like this will ever happen again.”
“Thank you,” Courtney said, flinging her arms around Delaney. “My mom said if I got fired I’d be grounded for a month, and that would mean I’d have to miss the Winter Formal.” She realized it might not be appropriate for her to hug her boss at that moment and promptly let go. “I promise you’ll never have another issue with me again. I’ll never even be late again.”
“Okay,” Delaney agreed, doubting the latter part of that statement was true. She reached for the doorknob but then stopped. “By the way, how did you know where I keep the tin with my secret ingredient?” she asked.
“Oh, I discovered it a couple of months ago when I was getting a bag of sugar,” Courtney replied. She stepped on top of the board that Delaney popped out of place to access her hiding place and there was a little squeak. “My grandma has a secret hiding place in her kitchen where she keeps her stash, too, and it makes the same sound when you step on it.”
Delaney shook her head. She had no idea that board squeaked. She wondered if everyone knew her secret ingredient was down there, and no one ever mentioned it. She’d need to find a new hiding place. “What’s your grandma’s secret stash?” she asked out of curiosity.
“I don’t know,” Courtney admitted. “I can’t tell what it is either. But I will tell you she bakes the most delicious pecan pie on earth.”
Delaney had to fight back a fit of laughter, thinking about the conversation she’d had with Josh the night before. Perhaps a pecan pie bake off was in order. “I’ll go get Joanna,” she said. “Thank you for being honest with me, Courtney. It means a lot to me that you were willing to apologize and accept responsibility for your actions.”
“Thank you for giving me another chance, and I promise I’ll delete that website as soon as I get home.”
“I believe you,” Delaney said, smiling before she went out. She hoped that Courtney would actually hear “I believe in you.” Sometimes all it took was a little faith from someone who didn’t have to give it to teach a lesson that would last a lifetime.
Delaney went up front and told Joanna that Courtney needed to speak to her. The blonde looked a little nervous, but Delaney gave her a reassuring smile, and she headed to the back. A few minutes later, the teens emerged smiling, with their arms around each other. Delaney took off her apron, and turning to Edie she said, “My work here is done.” Edie laughed, and Delaney went to the back to hang up her apron, grab her purse, and sneak out the back door like the hero from a western movie riding off into the sunset. Of course, unlike The Lone Ranger, she’d have to ride back in the next day, but at least for now she had saved the damsel in distress and brought the villain to justice… or something like that.
Chapter 17
Delaney was wearing a long red velvet dress and thick black tights with black boots. She planned to wear her long black dress coat as well. She wanted to look nice, but she also wanted to be warm. It was a bit windy outside and there was a chance of snow. Nana had insisted she borrow her mistletoe earrings, which her grandfather had given his wife as a gift a few years before he passed away, and even though Delany thought it was a little cheesy, she’d agreed to wear them. Her hair was pulled back in a half updo with little curls framing her face, so she didn’t think the earrings were too terribly noticeable, though she had a feeling Josh would love that she had borrowed something sentimental from her nana should the topic come up.
She was ready to go well before he was due to arrive. The excitement building inside her had been too much for her to handle, so she went ahead and got ready, and now she sat on the sofa near Nana’s recliner trying to watch The Santa Clause, though she really hadn’t heard a word Tim Allen had said in the last twenty minutes. The twinkling lights on the Christmas tree were a constant reminder of the wonderful day she’d spent with Josh, just as he said the tree would be, and she spent most of her time staring into the warm glow wondering what fate had in store for her tonight.
Finally, a little before 7:00, Delaney heard the familiar crunch of gravel outside and knew that Josh had arrived. Planting both feet firmly on the floor, she leaned forward and took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm her racing pulse.
“Is he here?” Nana asked, her hearing no longer as good as it used to be.
“I believe so,” Delaney replied, straightening her dress.
Nana’s face lit up. “Oh, goody. I finally get to meet him.”
She gave him a moment to get out of the car and approach the porch. Two quick knocks on the door, and Delaney slowly pulled herself to standing. As she walked by, Nana reached out and squeezed her hand.
Delaney glanced through the glass at the top of the door to make sure it was him and was delighted to see his familiar face smiling back at her. She pulled the door open with one last deep breath. “Hi, Josh,” she said, smiling, hoping he couldn’t see how nervous she was.
“Hi,” he replied. He was wearing a nice brown coat with matching dark slacks and a green shirt with a red tie. His hair was about as tamed as she’d ever seen it, and she couldn’t help but think he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. “This is for you,” he said, holding out a wreath. “My mom made it.”
The wreath was freshly cut and smelled wonderful. Golden jingle bells and red ornaments adorned the sides with a big red bow at the bottom. “Oh, it’s so pretty,” Delaney said, holding it at arm's length so she could admire it. “Look, Nana,” she said, stepping toward her grandmother.
“Isn’t that nice,” Nana said, smiling but not getting up from her comfy recliner.
As Delaney walked over to her so she could get a better view, she remembered her manners. “Oh, Josh, you can come in. I’m sorry,” she said.
He stepped through the door and pushed it closed behind him. “No problem. You must be Nana,” he said, and Delaney realized he probably didn’t have any idea what her real name was.
“Nana, this is Josh. Josh, this is Nana. Her real name is Nora Jean but everyone calls her Nana.”
“That’s right,” Nana said, taking his outstretched hand. “Awful nice to meet you, young man.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, too,” he said patting her hand gently with his free one. “Delaney has told me how much she enjoys living with you. And I sure am impressed with your cocoa recipe.”
Nana snickered. “She gives me too much credit. I know she’s made that recipe all her own. But she’s a good girl, and I’m lucky to have her here to take care of me.”
“You take care of me, too, Nana,” Delaney reminded her.
“You kids be careful tonight. Don’t drive too fast,” Nana warned as Josh released her hand.
“I’ll take good care of her,” Josh assured the grandmother.
Delaney set the wreath against the table near Nana’s chair, thinking she’d hang it up when she got home. She leaned over to kiss Nana’s cheek. “Night, Nana. See you in the morning.” She knew Nana would be in bed long before she got home. She liked to go to bed early so she could get up with the roosters.
“Night, dear. It was so nice to meet you, Joshua,” Nana added.
“Nice meeting you, too,” he replied, and Delaney thought it was sweet that he didn’t insist she call him Josh or attempt to correct her.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“Yes,” Josh replied, gesturing toward the door.
“The cocoa’s right there in that big tin, if you want to grab it,” Delaney said, gesturing toward the tin she’d purposely set by the door earlier in the evening so she wouldn’t forget it. He reached down and picked it up as she held the door for him. “The directions for how to mix it are on the side. I taped the lid closed, so hopefully it won’t spill all over your car.” She slipped her coat on and grabbed her handbag where she’d stashed a couple of cookies and little bottles of water for the snack she’d promised.
“Spilling it wo
uld be bad,” Josh agreed as he carried the container out toward his car. Delaney looked out to see a black Mustang in the drive. It was nice and shiny and looked like it might go really fast. Just her type of car.
“Do you want me to get the door and you can put it in the back?” she asked.
“If you’ll get the driver’s side, that would be great,” Josh replied as Delaney hurried over and did just that. He set the tin down in the back while Delaney waited, and once he had it situated, he followed her around to the passenger side so he could get the door for her.
“Thank you,” Delaney said with a smile as she slid into the seat. He was already so much more of a gentleman than Bradley had ever been.
The ride to Winchester would take about forty minutes, and Delaney was certain they would spend the whole time chatting. Josh was so easy to talk to; she didn’t even have to try with him. It was nice to be able to converse with someone interesting and not constantly have to struggle to come up with something to say. With Josh, it was natural.
The first topic he’d asked about was the situation with the girls at work, and she’d filled him in on what had transpired as they munched their cookies. Since the conversation she’d had with Courtney and Joanna, the girls had been getting along much better, and she was almost as excited about tomorrow’s Winter Formal as the kids.
“I think it’s so nice of you to loan Cameron your car,” Josh said. “He seems like a really good kid.”
“He is,” she assured him. “I wish I could pay him more so he could get his own wheels soon. But he’s trying to help out his folks, and I’m not sure how long it might take for him to save up.”
“A lot of trucking companies around Winchester are hiring. Maybe his dad should look over here,” Josh suggested, and Delaney made a mental note to suggest it to him. “Are you sad you’re missing the Christmas parade?”