Sandwich, With a Side of Romance

by Krista Phillips

  She pushed open the door and didn’t bother to turn on a light or change her clothes. She just walked over to the bed and curled into a ball on top of the quilt.

  God, are you there? Can you hear me? I know you work hard on Sundays, so maybe you take Mondays off or something? Because this day stunk really bad. Worse than a skunk. Was I really leading Reuben astray? I didn’t mean to. You know good and well I didn’t want to like him.

  Silence filled the room. No answer. No apology from God for his oversight. No explanation for the crazy events of the day.

  Maybe he’d be back in business in the morning.

  20

  God was taking an extended vacation.

  “Thanks for the ride, Betty.”

  The older woman sat in the driver’s seat, her mouth drooped into a frown. “I still don’t understand why you’re going back to the Cut ‘N’ Style.”

  Maddie wasn’t sure she understood either, but the bottom line was she needed a job, and even if Livy was wrong and Reuben did need her, her presence created a strain on Reuben’s impending marriage. She may be a lot of things, but a marriage wrecker wasn’t one of them. “I just think it’s better this way. Reuben doesn’t really need me anyway, and Judy was nice enough to give me my old job back.”

  “What did Reuben have to say about this?”

  Maddie looked at her fingers. She hoped Livy had told him, and prayed that she was right, that he wouldn’t mind her not giving notice. “Livy is going to tell him.”

  Betty folded her arms. “What does that parasite have to do with anything?”

  “Did you just call her what I think you did?”

  Betty’s hand covered her mouth as a flush rose up her neck to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  That Reuben’s mother didn’t like his choice of women was an interesting turn of events, but Maddie determined not to interfere anymore. Her ex-boss’s relationships weren’t her business. “I told Livy last night about my decision, and she offered to relay the information, is all.”

  Betty’s eyebrows rose. “Are you sure she didn’t have more to do with this?”

  How does one not lie but still not tell the truth? “I made the decision, Betty.”

  The older woman studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Fair enough. But I want you to come to the big house for dinner tonight, you hear? Nothing fancy, just a goulash.”

  The tip of her tongue almost refused, but instead she gave in. “I’d enjoy that, thank you.”

  She stepped out of the car, thanked Betty, and walked toward the Cut ‘N’ Style. Major déjà vu. Had it been over a month since her first humiliating day here?

  The door jingled as she opened it, and the pungent scent of perm solution and shampoo wafted under her nose. For the last two years, she’d loved that smell. But now, she fought the urge to sneeze.

  Judy walked from the back room, her hands on her ample hips. “Look who’s come crawling back for her job.”

  Not exactly. “I appreciate the opportunity, Judy.”

  “Rules will be the same as last time. A complaint in the first week and you’re fired. You’ll get walk-ins only and the rest of the time you can sweep up after the other stylists and clean.”

  She nodded. Oh, why couldn’t it have worked out with Reuben? Maybe she should have asked him first, talked it out. But no. Livy was right. He only acted out of guilt and a sense of responsibility, not out of true need.

  She set her purse under the counter. Her heart soared when she glanced at the mirror to see Kyle’s picture and the Bible verse still taped exactly where she’d left them. A few times she’d almost given in and come back to get them, but fear that Judy had torn them up and trashed them kept her from making the trip downtown.

  The morning passed by uneventfully. The only walk-in was a mother bringing her two-year-old for a trim. She’d managed to make the cut presentable after being bitten, kicked, and screamed at for almost twenty minutes. The little girl’s mom had been apologetic, and Judy had tossed her a bandage for the teeth marks that bled.

  The door jingled at a little after eleven, and Maddie turned around to see Reuben standing there, fire in his eyes.

  Miss Agnes tried to hail him over to the reception desk, but his eyes never left Maddie.

  “You left.” His voice was low and firm.

  The customers who waited for the other stylists took extreme interest in him as he strode closer to her. She fingered the broom in her hand, glad she had it between them and that there was an audience. “You didn’t need me.”

  “Says who?”

  “Me.” And Livy, but that was irrelevant.

  Judy stepped from behind her. “Reuben, you need a cut again so soon?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “No, I just need a word with your new stylist.”

  She looked at her watch. “Well, you’ll have to wait a few more hours until her shift is over.”

  His jaw worked over a few times, and Maddie knew a moment of doubt. What if he had wanted her? Needed her? Or had it just been a silly crush like Livy noted, that would only cause him to stumble?

  “I need a cut then, and I request Maddie.”

  A hush fell over the salon. Judy looked from Reuben to Maddie. “Fine. But you’ll pay for it this time. If I’d known it was your fault before, I never would have given you a freebie. In fact, I should charge you double.”

  He didn’t respond, just strode over to the chair and sat down with a huff.

  God, I have no idea what to do right now.

  As soon as she prayed it, the answer seemed too simple. Duh. Cut the man’s hair. She slid into routine, wrapping the cape around his neck, her fingers brushing against his skin. She jerked her hand back as if his skin was poisonous. In some ways, it held more danger than a snake.

  She walked around and leaned against the counter. “How would you like it cut, sir?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I trust you to make it look good.”

  Everything in her wanted to say, “It looks good just how it is,” but she refrained. Instead, she walked behind him and started to trim the perfectly fine haircut. The salon behind her finally started to buzz again with independent conversations, so she bit her cheek and started into her normal, friendly discourse. “So everything going okay for you today?”

  “No.”

  She bit her lip trying not to smile. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “My assistant quit on me with no notice today. Didn’t even bother to tell me either.”

  Her fingers stilled. “Didn’t Livy relay the message?”

  “She did, but not until she came in for the day, about three hours after I expected you, and two hours after I gave in and called my mother who told me where you were.”

  Her heart sank. Now he thought her a good-for-nothing employee. “I’m sorry. Livy said not to worry about telling you, that she’d do it.”

  “Which leads me to another question. What were you doing talking to Livy about your employment? You work for me, Maddie.”

  She sighed. In hindsight, he was right. But at the time it seemed like her only option. Livy made it all sound like perfect sense. “She’s the manager at the restaurant.”

  He shifted in his seat, and Maddie held tight to the scissors. Did the man want a repeat of their last disaster?

  “Like I said, you work for me.”

  “Worked.”

  “Work. I’m offering you another job.”

  She walked around in front of him, set the scissors safely on the counter, and turned to look at him again. Big mistake. He looked way too cute sitting there, face set in stone, his body covered in a cape and his hair all wet and crazy. Take about twenty years off of him and he reminded her of a stubborn seven-year-old who didn’t want a haircut. “After I just quit?”

  “This will be part time. To help with your funds. Gary told me about your car costing so much, and I already know about Kyle. I don’t know what you think, Maddie, but I really did need
your help. Even if you just come for a few hours after your shift here.”

  The proper answer would be no. But the money would be a help. She glanced behind her to look at Kyle’s picture. He was her priority right now. Not Reuben. Not Livy. She clenched her fists. No one would get her mind off the goal.

  “Okay. I’ll come back. But my hours here vary. So sometimes it will be in the morning.”

  He nodded. “Even better. Just let me know the week before what your schedule will be.”

  “Deal.”

  He smiled at her, and her traitor heart skipped a beat. “So are you going to finish my hair?”

  “I’m done cutting it, but I can style it if you like and sell you a miracle gel that will make all the difference.”

  He sat back in the chair. “Sold.”

  She squirted a glob of gel into her hand, walked back behind him, and plunged her fingers into his hair.

  Their simultaneous intake of breath reminded her that running fingers through his hair was indeed a very, very bad idea.

  Reuben flung open the restaurant door as hard as the metal door allowed and stalked back to the kitchen, ignoring the whispered glances of customers, to where Livy stood barking orders to the cook.

  “We need to talk.”

  She turned around, her lips curving into a smile but the action not quite reaching her eyes. “It’s the lunch hour, Reuben. Can’t it wait?”

  He took a breath to keep from yelling out his reply. “Now.”

  Not waiting for her to argue, he turned around and stomped out of the kitchen. Never had he been so angry as he’d been after talking to his mother that morning. Maddie was the best thing that’d happened to him in a long time. He’d made more progress in the last month than he had in the last year. With her taking care of the administrative work and keeping him organized, he actually had a snowball’s chance in Mexico of having two grand openings next year.

  He reached his office and slammed the door closed behind him. The dining room probably bustled with gossip about him, but at the moment he didn’t care. At all. Let them print it in the newspaper for all he cared. “Extra, Extra! Is The Sandwich Emporium owner on the verge of going postal?”

  He paced between his desk and Maddie’s, unable to sit down. He needed to hit something. Hard.

  The door opened, and Livy entered, her face as innocent as a puppy who’d just peed on the carpet. “You wanted to see me, Reub?”

  He stopped his pacing and pointed to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit.”

  She complied and sat, crossing her legs at the ankles. Her hair was pulled into a bun, something he’d never seen her do until today. What was she trying to do, practice being queen?

  He moved to sit in his office chair, needing to put the desk between them. He wasn’t afraid he’d hit her. His dad would climb right out of his grave and pummel him if he ever hit a woman. But shouting in her face wasn’t beyond his temperament at the moment.

  “Why’d you do it?”

  Livy folded her hands in her lap. “Do what?”

  “Fire Maddie.”

  Sparks flew from her eyes. “Excuse me? Is that what she told you?”

  Not exactly. But no one could convince him that she had no hand in it. “I want to hear your side of the story.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I took her home last night, and we got to talking. I’d mentioned that Judy was still shorthanded, and Reuben, you should have seen her eyes light up. I could tell her heart was there.

  “And I know you, honey. I know you wouldn’t want anyone to sacrifice a dream on your behalf. I’d heard Judy mention that she’d take Maddie back in a flash, so I relayed the information. The girl was so tickled, I thought she’d jump out of her seat. I told her she should really give you a little notice, but she asked that I tell you for her.”

  Maybe he got the sense from being in the sandwich business for so long, but Reuben could usually spot bologna a mile away. This time though, he had two very different stories and had no clue which to believe. “So you’re telling me this was Maddie’s idea? And only because she wanted to work at the salon?”

  She nodded. “Exactly. I wouldn’t come in between you and your direct report, Reuben. That would be just plain rude of me.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way. Because I hired her back.” Livy’s eyes widened, her face blushed a fuchsia pink, and her lips parted. “I, uh, how? I mean, she was so happy about working at the salon. Why would you want her here when she’s unhappy?”

  “We compromised. She’ll work full-time at the salon, and a few extra hours here everyday. I know she could use the money. It’s a win-win all the way around.”

  She bolted from her seat and straightened her shoulders. “I’m glad it worked out. If we’re through, it’s still the rush hour.”

  Reuben nodded and watched her go.

  Something smelled fishy, and it wasn’t the grilled tuna sandwich Police Chief Garrison ordered every Tuesday.

  21

  The goulash was amazing, Betty.”

  Her landlord waved down the compliment as she loaded the dishes into the stainless steel dishwasher. “Nonsense. Plain ol’ goulash can’t be called amazing. But I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  Maddie opened her mouth to explain more but snapped it shut. The truth was, the goulash tasted good and reminded her of a similar dish her mom used to make, but the company is what made the meal special. She never ceased to be awed by the friendly banter back and forth between Betty and Gary, the genuine interest the two seemed to have in Reuben’s life.

  Even though the man himself seemed to resent it. He’d remained quiet the entire meal.

  Allie and her crew weren’t in attendance that evening, which Maddie feared would make the evening intolerable. On the contrary, the dinner made her heart yearn for the family life she’d never had, for the relationship with her brother that would turn nonexistent if she didn’t get custody of him soon.

  Even though she had zero clue how she could pull it off, she was determined not to let him go.

  “Reuben told me about the situation with Kyle.”

  Maddie’s hands stilled on the Tupperware container she was sealing leftovers in. “Then you understand that my need to move isn’t personal?”

  The dishwasher started whirring and Betty joined her by the counter. “I never thought it was. In fact, Gary and I have been keeping an eye out for places for you to rent. You know us retired folks; too much time on our hands makes us dangerous.”

  Maddie smiled. “I doubt that, more like makes you godsends. Seriously, thanks for understanding and for lending me the use of the cottage. It’s the nicest thing anyone has done for me in … well, in a very long time.”

  “It’s our pleasure. You’ve been delightful company and we’ll miss you. But you’ll still come over for dinners, right?”

  That sounded heavenly. “Of course. I couldn’t give up a Callahan meal. They’re known for their fabulous cooking, you know.”

  The woman laughed as if she’d just told the most hilarious joke. “Honey, I can make a mean goulash, but my culinary skills don’t go much past that. Reuben’s father was the real chef in the family.”

  “What about Reuben?”

  “He’s pretty good at it himself, although he’s got himself so wrapped up in the numbers stuff at the moment that he’s lost the joy of owning a restaurant. I try to tell him it’s quality over quantity, but he doesn’t listen to his Momma.”

  Interesting. “Well, about the housing. Not sure when I’ll be able to find something, but will let you know in advance. I still want to pay you for the time I’ve been here.”

  Betty’s eyebrows raised an inch and she put a hand on the counter. “Madison Buckner, if you even think about giving me money for my Good Samaritan action, I’ll, I’ll, well, I don’t know what I’ll do, but it won’t be pretty. You’ll be robbing me of a blessing.”

  Robbing her? She’d stolen quite a few things in her life, but a blessing? “I do
n’t understand.”

  “The Bible clearly says that those who give and get nothing in return, their reward is given from God. But if I get an earthly reward for my good deeds, well, then why should God give me one too? Not to be mean, but a reward from God is much greater than any money you could give me. And besides that, I don’t need the money, and you do.”

  Who could argue with that logic? “Then I guess I’ll settle with a thanks.”

  “Good, and you’re welcome. We’re finished in here, so why don’t we join the men out in the living room?”

  They walked to the front of the house to find Gary reclining in his chair and Reuben flipping through channels. Maddie sat down on the couch, putting a full foot in between herself and Reuben. She would have sat at the other end, but feared it would look too obvious that she was avoiding him. Betty took her regular chair and propped her feet on the ottoman.

  Reuben clicked off the TV and turned his attention toward her. “So, Maddie, what are your hours the rest of the week?”

  “I work mornings since I wasn’t originally on the schedule. I should be at the restaurant by four every day.”

  He nodded. “That’ll work. The architect gave me a preliminary draft of the blueprint for the new restaurants, and I want to show it to you. And I got really behind on things today. The payroll company had to call me because I forgot to approve everyone’s hours.”

  Now that could have been a tragedy. She’d forgotten about finalizing the payroll. “I’m sorry again about leaving like that. I just thought—”

  He reached over and laid his hand over hers. “No need to explain. I understand.”

  She felt the stares of Betty and Gary, so snatched her hand back and pretended to examine a nonexistent hangnail.

  Gary cleared his throat. “How’s the Tracker running for you?”

  Thank you, God, for a change of topic. “Great. Thanks again for taking me over there this afternoon. It behaved like a charm on the way home.”

  “Good, good. And how about that, the bill coming up so much less.”