Sandwich, With a Side of Romance

by Krista Phillips

  In that spirit, all she’d asked was if Livy was okay lately, since she hadn’t seen her and Reuben spare more than a handful of words in the past week. And given her conversation with Allie two days prior, it seemed a little odd.

  She turned back to her own computer. “How long have you been dating, anyway?”

  “On and off since high school.”

  Maddie twirled back around in her chair. “So, what, like ten years?” Was she baiting him since she already knew the answer via Allie? Yes. But otherwise he would know she’d been talking behind his back. And she was insanely curious as to what was going on.

  Reuben only nodded, his eyes still glued to the computer screen.

  The dude must have serious commitment issues, especially if he needed to “take a break” after ten years. Or maybe Allie was right and he didn’t really love his new fiancée. “Was this hiatus your idea or Livy’s?”

  He shrugged. “Mutual.”

  Even an idiot could tell there was much more to this story than he was letting on. She wouldn’t have even gone there at all except that she’d gotten a phone call from Livy that morning asking to talk with her privately tonight. Not an evening she particularly looked forward to having.

  No use riling him up about it though. She turned back to her computer and continued on the newest task her boss handed over to her: payroll. They used a company to process it, but from the looks of things, Reuben did nothing more than call in the pay and horde the information he got back: no double-checks, no filing of payroll journals.

  She’d already been on the phone three times today with his accountant to ensure everything was flowing to him correctly. What a mess.

  “What, no more questions?”

  Maddie swiveled around again to find her boss sitting back in his chair, his hands clasped across his chest, his eyebrows raised.

  “Uh, not really. It sounded like you didn’t want to talk about it.” She smiled and winked at him. “I’d like to keep my new job, you know. No sense grilling the boss about his personal life and making him mad.”

  Reuben leaned forward and set his elbows on his desk. “Have I told you that you’re doing a marvelous job and I have no idea what I’d have done if you hadn’t botched up my haircut?”

  She tossed a pencil at him, which he caught midair. “That was not my fault. We’ve been over that already. Speaking of, you’re still doing your hair all wrong.” His hair that was supposed to be spiked lay limp to the side. He looked like he had on a bad toupee.

  He ran his fingers over his head. “I can never get it to go right. Does it look that bad?”

  “No, you just look much more handso—uh, professional the other way.”

  His eyes twinkled at her blunder.

  Maddie turned back to her computer so he couldn’t see her embarrassment. As she typed something completely unintelligible onto the screen, she attempted an air of normalcy even though her heart rejected her attempts and thudded in her chest. “You need to go ask Judy to give you some of the special hair gel for that. It will solve all your problems.”

  Maddie stilled her fingers when she sensed a presence behind her and a weight leaning on the back of her chair. She glanced back to see him leaning over her shoulder, his arms resting on the back of her chair. Hadn’t the guy every heard of personal space? Her tingling skin didn’t mind. Although it really should. “Do you need something?”

  “Just curious about what you’re trying to get at with all that stuff on the screen.”

  Heat flooded her face as she pivoted her gaze back to her screen, which read “al;sdkfjaoij;rlkj;alsdfj1o98okjd” in the document she’d been typing on.

  Her hair smelled good.

  Which meant he was way closer to her than he should be. What had he been thinking?

  He knew the answer to that before he thought it. His flattered self had kicked into manly high gear at the thought of Maddie having a crush on him. He was more convinced than ever that she did. The red cheeks, the slip of calling him handsome, the fake typing on the computer.

  He took a few steps back, turned the guest chair in front of his desk around and sat. A safe, comfortable, non-lawsuit worthy distance. “Have you heard anything more about your brother?”

  Her pink cheeks drained of their color. “No. Everything is up in the air right now. No formal paperwork has been filed, so that’s a little hope.”

  “I was serious about finding you a new place. Something with two bedrooms. You have a job now, you’re doing fabulous and unless you steal from me or something, I wouldn’t think of firing you. I’d be happy to tell the case worker that as well.”

  Her smile didn’t meet her eyes. “Thanks. At this point, I don’t know how much help it’ll be. They’re looking at what’s best for him in the long run, and I’m not exactly the poster-child of stability.”

  “Have you talked to Kyle to see what he thinks about all this?”

  Maddie shook her head. “Caseworker says it would look bad, like I’m trying to get to his head or something. I requested a weekend visit for him to come see me, and she thought she could get it approved, so that’s a plus. Do you think your mom would mind if he stayed with me?”

  His mother was likely to organize a parade and fireworks to welcome the boy. “She won’t mind. But I’m curious, I always figured that they give relatives a major consideration.”

  Maddie shrugged. “They probably do. But my case is a little different.”

  He might be opening Pandora’s box, but he couldn’t stand not asking. “Why?”

  “Well, since I aged out of the foster care system for one. But let’s just say, I didn’t have a stellar history either.”

  “Like?”

  “I was a teenage girl in the slums of Chicago. Your imagination can fill in the blank.”

  The blank was a large one with many options, some worse than others. Reuben refused to even guess. “What made you change?”

  “A teacher. After I graduated, I worked odd jobs for a year or so, then enrolled in cosmetology school at the insistence of our social worker. My mom always loved to do hair before she died, used to be a hairdresser when I was really little, so I guess it runs in the family. Anyway, my teacher was a Christian. I thought it hokey at first, but my mom was a Christian, even though we never went to church, so it intrigued me.”

  A Christian who didn’t go to church? Odd. “Why didn’t you go to church?”

  “My dad didn’t want us to. Anyway, Ms. Johnson showed me that Jesus loves me, so there was at least one dad who wasn’t a jerk. I gave my heart to Jesus, and the rest is history.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  “Seven months.”

  “Wow. So you’re really just a baby Christian then.” He regretted the phrase as soon as he used it. It sounded so immature, almost degrading.

  “I’m still learning, but I doubt I’ll never know it all”

  He nodded. “I’ve been a Christian since I was four, and I’m still learning.”

  Her nose wrinkled in the most adorable way. “Did you say four? As in, four years old?”

  “You have a problem with that?”

  “But … how did you even know what to do? That you even needed to?”

  The faded memory still lingered of that bittersweet day. “I was a very astute toddler. My grandmother passed away that year, and everyone told me that she was in heaven. I wanted to make sure I’d go there too, so I prayed with my Dad the night of her funeral.”

  Maddie shifted in her seat. “I feel like I’m in the presence of Mister Experienced Saint.”

  He sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees. If she only knew…. “I am so far from being a saint, it isn’t even funny. Christian’s aren’t perfect, Maddie. You should know that by now even in the short time you’ve been one.”

  “I’m different. My life has been full of crap for years now, and old habits are hard to kick. But you? What’s the worst thing you’ve done? Steal gum from Walmart?”

 
“Actually, no, a Snickers candy bar.”

  Her lips flickered with a satisfied grin. “See? What did I tell you?”

  He shook his head. “I struggle with sin every day. It may not be physical harm stuff, or doing drugs, but a sin is a sin.”

  “Give me an example.”

  “Of what?”

  “What have you been tempted with today, let’s say?”

  Her eyebrows were raised and her bangs fell ever closer to her eyes. Her mouth twisted in a sideways move, such a classic Maddie face, daring him to prove her wrong.

  Oh, yeah, he was definitely tempted today. In a way that was so disturbing he got up and walked to his office chair and refused to look at her again. “I’m tempted to fire you if you don’t let me get back to work, that’s what.”

  Maddie laughed. “You’re such a liar.”

  In more ways than she knew. “You’re right. I’m gonna go grab some lunch. Do you want something?”

  She shook her head. “No, I need to call your dad to see if there’s any update on my Tracker.”

  He’d wanted a diversion, but explaining Gary wasn’t what he had in mind. “He’s not my dad.”

  Maddie twirled in her seat to face him. “I’m sorry. I guess I knew that but—”

  “My dad died two years ago.” Thanks to the man who conveniently filled his shoes six months later.

  “Again, I’m sorry. I have to call Gary anyway. If it’s ready, do you mind if I take a long lunch to go get it?”

  “Of course not. Let me know if you need a ride.” Although he fully planned on making Gary do the honors. The man wasn’t good for much. He could at least do that.

  Maddie had always heard of people having panic attacks, but never had she been close to experiencing one until she heard the quote from the mechanic.

  “How can that be? I thought it was just a radiator hose.”

  The man with the blue, oil-stained work shirt with A&J Automotive printed on the pocket shook his head. “Yep. But that was only the beginning of your problems.” He began listing engine parts she’d never heard of and detailing their paltry condition. “So, in all, it’ll come to about $1,100 with tax.”

  It’d take every cent currently in her checking account, minus about twenty dollars. All the money she’d been saving for a deposit on a rental. “Is there anything that can wait?”

  The older man rubbed his chin. “Well, we could probably wait on a few things and save you a couple hundred dollars, but I wouldn’t go more than a month or so before getting those taken care of.”

  Gary took her elbow and led her to a chair. “You all right, Maddie? Your face went pretty white there for a minute.”

  She nodded, not certain of her voice at the moment. A few hundred dollars would help the short-term, but there was no way she’d get to move now.

  God, are you listening? Do you see what’s happening? I gotta tell you, I’m totally confused. I was trying to trust you and….

  “Miss, what would you like me to do?”

  Gary answered before she could. “Go ahead and fix it all.”

  Her heart thudded in her chest and her hands shook. “No, no. The minimum is fine. I’ll bring it by later for the rest.”

  A hand rested on hers and squeezed. “Chuck, I’ll take care of the difference. Just make sure it’s safe for her to drive, okay?”

  The mechanic nodded at him. “Yes sir. I should have it ready by tomorrow.”

  Maddie stared at his back as the grease-covered man walked away, her eyes wide and her mind racing to figure out what to say. She hated being a charity case. Already she was mooching lodging off of the family, not to mention a made-up job. “Gary, I can’t let you do that. I have money.”

  “I know you do. But I want to help.”

  She blinked a tear away. Every inch of her wanted to protest, to tell him no, she could make it on her own without help. But the excuse sounded flimsy. Gary knew now that she was a big fat failure. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll take you back to the restaurant. I’m sure Reuben will bring you home tonight.”

  Oh, goody. Just what she wanted.

  She wasn’t sure which one she dreaded more, bumming a ride from her boss or her looming talk with Livy this evening.

  When she arrived back at the restaurant, the mood had shifted. Livy was there, her eyes following Maddie as she walked to the office.

  Reuben ignored her when she entered the office, which was just fine, except she needed to tell him about her car and the ride she would need that evening. She’d never felt so humbled in her life, except maybe for when social services came banging on their door and took her and Kyle away. The neighbors, including her friends, had watched as the lady ushered them into the back of the state minivan, her dad yelling curse words from the front door.

  She sat in her seat and turned on her computer monitor.

  “I’m leaving in about a half hour.”

  Please, God, let him be coming back before the end of the day. “Where are you going?”

  “To the architect’s. He’s up in Joliet, so I’ll be gone all afternoon. You can hold down the fort, right?”

  She forced her head in an up and down motion. “Yes, but I was hoping I could bum a ride from you tonight. The problem ended up being more complicated than they thought.”

  He stood up and grabbed a briefcase beside the desk. “Livy has Monday nights off, so she can swing you by home.”

  Wonderful. Just absolutely peachy. “Are you sure she won’t mind?”

  He hesitated a moment, but nodded his head. “Positive. I’ll mention it to her on my way out. Oh, and I left a few things for you to get done on your desk.”

  He walked out of the office without even a wave good-bye.

  “I’m glad this worked out for me to take you home. I’d wanted to talk to you anyway.”

  Maddie shifted in her seat, praying the ride would finish quickly. Just a few more blocks. “Yes, you mentioned that when you called last night.” The phone call had been completely out of the blue. She wasn’t even sure how Livy knew her cell number.

  “I’m sure you’ve heard that Reuben and I had a little tiff.”

  Or a big one. “Yes, Reuben mentioned something briefly.”

  “What he probably didn’t mention was that it’s all your fault.”

  Maddie blinked. Her fault? That wasn’t how Reuben explained it. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  Livy pulled into the driveway and shifted the car into Park. “I have eyes, Maddie. I can see that you’re attracted to Reuben.”

  “It’s not like that at all. I promise.” Kinda. Sorta.

  Livy reached a hand across the center console and squeezed Maddie’s. “First, I want you to know that I understand. It’s perfectly natural at your age to have a crush on an older guy, especially your boss. You didn’t have a good childhood and you’re looking for that male figure to fill the void.”

  Maddie crinkled up her brow. She didn’t know she was doing all that … and what was the “at your age” stuff? Livy was five, maybe seven years older than her, but acted like a spoiled two-year-old half of the time. Not exactly the older, wiser woman Maddie wanted to take advice from.

  The would-be psychologist continued. “Listen, you don’t have to say anything. But I just want to make sure you realize the problems this is causing.”

  “Livy, I’m not—”

  She held up her hand. “Just hear me out. Reuben’s been working his heart out trying to grow the Emporium into something big. I’ve been patient, knowing that as a man he has needs regarding his career. He needs to feel like he can provide for me, that he’s worth something. But we’re finally to the point where we can take our relationship to the next level, and in comes this girl, barely out of high school, who has a major crush on him.

  “Of course this is going to make him go a bit crazy. But you have to know that you aren’t what’s best for him, Maddie. He needs a woman who knows him, who’s experienced, who can be his helpmate. Not
some flighty child who still, really, hasn’t found herself yet.”

  Her eyes softened. “We all know how poorly the two times you tried to help in the restaurant turned out. Both times you cost Reuben a lot of money and long-time customers. Not to mention the added payroll expense. The only reason he hasn’t fired you is that he feels bad for you.”

  Tears stung Maddie’s eyes. Had she really become a burden? Useless?

  “Just think about it. In the end, I’m sure it would be best for us all if you could just go back to cutting hair and let Reuben run his business exactly as he had been.”

  “I can’t go back. Judy fired me.”

  Livy’s lips lifted into a sly smile. “I’ve already talked to Judy and have it taken care of. You can start back tomorrow if you’d like.”

  She shook her head. As crazy as her childhood had been, even she knew that just up and leaving wasn’t appropriate. “No, I’d need to give Reuben notice. I can’t just leave him like that.”

  “That’s sweet of you, but really, do you think he needs you, Maddie? You do realize he’s just handing over busy work because he feels sorry for you, right?”

  No, she hadn’t realized. She’d thought he appreciated her help, that he needed it. But obviously it’d all been an illusion that she created in her mind.

  “You’re right. I’ll call Judy in the morning.”

  Livy nodded. “And I’ll talk to Reuben. I’m sure he’ll be relieved.”

  Maddie let herself out of the car and dragged her feet toward the cottage behind the garage. As she walked, a calm breeze rustled her hair, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside her heart.

  She reached her door, then looked back at the house. Through the French door, she could see Betty and Gary laughing, having dinner together at the kitchen table. They were such a sweet couple, and from what she’d heard, they’d gone through a lot of pain in their lives, having lost their spouses. How nice that they had each other to lean on.