Wedding Date in Hot Springs, Arkansas

by Annalisa Daughety

  “I’m looking forward to the game,” she said as they walked toward the busy downtown area. “It will probably be my last weekend free for a very long time.”

  “That’s right.” Jackson looked over at her and smiled. “The opening is creeping up on you.”

  Violet nodded. “I can’t believe it’s October already. It seems like just yesterday that summer was starting.” She shook her head. “It’s like I blink and a whole month passes.”

  “Do you think that gets worse as you get older? When I was a kid, time seemed to drag on. But now it goes so fast it makes my head spin.”

  She smiled. “I think it must feel that way for everyone. Remember how when you were in school, classes felt like they lasted forever? My workday always seems to fly past.” She laughed. “Unless it’s the Friday before a holiday or something.”

  “I thought we’d go to the Rendezvous if that’s okay. They’re famous for ribs, but the barbecue sandwiches are good, too.” He took her hand. “It almost feels like you’re on some kind of movie set getting to the place though. It’s kind of hidden down an alley.” He liked the way her hand felt in his.

  “That sounds great. I love barbecue.”

  They walked hand in hand down Union Avenue.

  “I think this is the right street,” he said.

  They found themselves on a narrow, deserted street.

  “I smell the barbecue. We must be headed in the right direction,” Violet said.

  Thirty minutes later they were seated and had ordered.

  “You don’t talk about your work much,” Violet said. “Do you enjoy it?”

  Jackson smiled. “I guess I’m weird about that kind of thing. When my dad passed away last year, I promised myself that I’d never get so bogged down with work that I wouldn’t see what was really around me. You know?” He took a sip of sweet tea.

  “I do, actually. I’ve known people who are so focused on work it’s like they’re not really present. Their body is there—at the dinner table, sitting in the bleachers, visiting with a friend—but their mind is elsewhere.”

  “I don’t ever want to be that person. I want to be present in my own life and not just at work.” Jackson sighed. “It’s tough to find a balance, especially if you enjoy what you do. I think you just have to put priorities on your personal relationships over your career.”

  “Easier said than done. I have a friend that’s sort of struggling with that right now. You know Reagan.”

  Jackson nodded. “Doesn’t she stay home with her kids?”

  “Yeah, but she’s miserable. She loves her kids. She’d do anything for them. But I think she really needs to do something outside of the house occasionally.” Violet filled him in on Reagan’s freelancing opportunity. “I get the idea that she’s worried her husband might think it means she’s putting more emphasis on herself and her career than she is their kids. It’s a tough spot to be in.”

  “Maybe they can work out some kind of compromise that will make them both happy.”

  Violet smiled. “I sure hope so.” She folded her straw wrapper into a tiny piece. “What about you? What would you do if you could do anything?”

  “I love what I do. Working to bring new industry into a town that desperately needs it is very rewarding. But if I were ever going to explore other options, I’d probably look at Heifer International. They have positions in Little Rock, and I think it’s the kind of place I’d enjoy being a part of.” Heifer International’s mission was to end hunger and poverty by providing livestock to people in need and encouraging them to then pass along the offspring of their livestock to other people in their community who were in need. Jackson appreciated the “pay it forward” approach.

  “That would be fulfilling.” Violet grinned. “And I bet you’d get to travel to some pretty far-off places to see the programs in action.”

  He shrugged. “For now I’m happy doing what I do. But if I ever change careers, I’ll probably go the nonprofit route. If not Heifer, then another one I believe in and that will help me to feel like I’m making an impact.”

  The waitress placed their food on the table. “Let me know if you need anything else, you hear?”

  Jackson offered a quick prayer before they dug into their food.

  This was turning out to be the perfect weekend.

  Chapter 25

  Violet Matthews: THE WEEKEND WAS FUN. THANKS FOR TAKING ME! AND NOW: IF YOU COULD HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT IT TO BE? (Text message sent October 16, 4:23 p.m.)

  Jackson Stratford: THANKS FOR GOING! HAVE FUN WORKING AT THE SHOP THIS WEEKEND. I’LL PROBABLY STOP BY AT SOME POINT. AND I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEKEND FOR THE GAME! OH, AS FOR MY TALENT—I WISH I COULD SING! YOU? (Text message sent October 16, 4:29 p.m.)

  Violet Matthews: I WISH I WERE GOOD AT SPEAKING IN PUBLIC—IT TERRIFIES ME! PLENTY TO DO AT THE SHOP—STOP BY AND I’LL PUT YOU TO WORK! AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GAME, TOO! (Text message sent October 16, 4:35 p.m.)

  Violet pulled a test batch of cupcakes from the oven. Her Memphis trip had inspired her to try her hand at an Elvis-themed cupcake.

  “Banana cupcake with peanut butter icing?” Shadow read the recipe over her shoulder. “That sounds kind of gross to me.”

  Violet grinned. “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. If it was good enough for the King, it might be good enough for you.”

  “The King?”

  “Yeah. You know. The one and only Elvis Presley.” Violet curled her lip as much as she could. “Thank you, thank you very much.”

  Shadow shook her head. “What’s so great about Elvis?”

  Violet stuck out her tongue. “You’d better be kidding.” She dusted her hands off on her apron and went over to the record player. “Just you wait.” She slipped her favorite Elvis album out of the sleeve and put it on the turntable. The familiar crackle of the needle on the record filled the shop, followed by Elvis’s smooth voice. “‘Jailhouse Rock’ is one of my favorites.”

  “It’s not bad,” Shadow said once it was over. “But I still don’t know about peanut butter and banana cupcakes.”

  Violet laughed. “I won’t have them on the menu every week. But I want to have some variety. So if you ever think of another flavor that might be fun, let me know and we’ll give it a try.”

  Shadow nodded. “Sure.” She hobbled across to the counter to get the icing Violet had just made and put into the tube.

  “Are you okay? You’re walking funny.”

  “I’m going out with a new boy who rides horses,” she explained. “So I took a riding lesson yesterday after school.” She grinned. “My whole body hurts.”

  “So is it serious with this cowboy?” Violet asked.

  Shadow shrugged. “I think he’s getting ready to tell me he doesn’t want to see me anymore.” She dramatically threw herself into a chair. “I don’t understand why I meet a boy and think he likes me, but then in a couple of weeks, he dumps me.”

  “Do you think it’s possible that you’re picking the wrong boys?” Violet asked gently.

  Shadow shook her head. “No. I’m picking the right ones. It’s just that they aren’t picking me back.”

  Violet hid a smile. She might be far removed from her teenage years, but it was nice to know dating was just as full of angst as ever. “Hang in there. I’m sure a special one will come along soon who’ll choose you over all the rest.” She grinned. “As long as you choose him right back.”

  Shadow brightened. “I hope so.”

  Violet didn’t say so, but she hoped the same thing for herself.

  Reagan bent down to touch her toes before class started. She wanted to limber up because the advanced teacher was leading the class again today.

  “You’re here early,” Maggie said as she took her place next to Reagan. “What gives?”

  Reagan grinned. “I’m trying to get up an hour earlier in the mornings to get stuff done around the house.” She shrugged. “The up side is that everyone in m
y house was ready on time as a result.”

  “So the best way for the whole family to get somewhere on time is for Mom to lose another hour of sleep?” Maggie asked.

  Reagan nodded. “Doesn’t seem fair, does it?”

  “Many things in life don’t.”

  “I think this is going to be my last month here,” Reagan said. “Things are just too hectic for me to try and fit the gym in.”

  Maggie narrowed her eyes. “Does this mean you’re accepting freelance work?”

  “Yes. I finished another job earlier in the week. And I’ve had a couple more inquiries just based on word-of-mouth advertising.”

  “What about your weight-loss goal?”

  Reagan sighed. “That’s partly why I’m making myself get up an extra hour early. I’m going to start training for a 5K or maybe a half marathon. Plus having to load three kids up twice a week and bring them here and then unload and then go pick up Izzy from school was getting to be too much. I’m literally taking kids in and out of my van nearly nonstop.”

  “So this way you’ll still be working out, but won’t have that extra burden.”

  Reagan nodded. “Exactly. And early in the mornings, Chad will be in the house with the kids, so he can take care of them if they happen to wake up. Which probably won’t happen unless someone’s sick, in which case I probably won’t feel like running anyway.”

  Maggie frowned. “I’m going to miss you. Zumba won’t be the same without watching you try not to trip over your own feet.” She laughed.

  “We weren’t all blessed with the shimmying flair that you were.”

  Maggie wiggled her hips. “It’s all about the hip action.”

  Reagan laughed. “I guess so.” She did another stretch. “Did you find another family looking for a nanny?”

  Maggie shook her head. “I think my full-time nannying days might be over. My husband is home more now that he’s retired, so it’s probably for the best. I’m trying to find something a couple of days a week.”

  An idea formed in Reagan’s head. “You might be the answer to a prayer. If my freelancing business actually takes off, I’d like to look into having someone come to the house for a few hours a couple of days a week so I can get some work done.”

  “What does Chad think about it?”

  Reagan wrinkled her nose. “He doesn’t know yet because it might not even pan out. So why argue over something that might not happen?”

  “I’d be glad to come over to your house to watch the kids.” Maggie smiled. “But I don’t like the idea of caring for kids unless both parents are onboard. In fact, before I ever agree to a permanent arrangement, I prefer to meet with both parents just to get a feel for the family.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. And obviously if this is something that would actually be a permanent arrangement, I would bring Chad into the decision-making process.”

  Maggie nodded. “Good. After class I’ll give you my references in case you ever decide you want to have me come watch them. I’m certified in CPR for children and infants and also have taken a course in wound care.”

  It sounded perfect to Reagan. Maybe Chad would agree to a part-time nanny just for a few hours a week so Reagan could get some things done.

  The loud music filled the room for the warm-up.

  Reagan let herself forget all the outside stresses and focus on only one thing—trying to stay on her feet.

  Violet stood on the porch at Jackson’s the following Saturday and waited for him to answer the door. Since the Razorback game was in Little Rock, it made sense for her to meet him at his house. Which was fine with her—she’d always thought you could learn a lot about someone by their home.

  She glanced around the brown brick exterior. Just as she’d expected, everything was clean and well-maintained. Either he spent a lot of time doing housework or he hired it done.

  The door swung open, and Jackson stood on the other side, decked out in a long-sleeved Arkansas Razorback T-shirt and faded blue jeans. He wore a baseball cap with a razorback emblazoned on it. “Come on in,” he said.

  She stepped into the living room and looked around. Gleaming hardwood floors, wall-to-ceiling mahogany bookcases, and a matching leather couch and love seat screamed that it was a man’s house. “Very masculine.”

  “I should hope so.” He winked. “I decorated it myself.”

  She perused his bookshelves. Impressive. Classics, the typicals—Grisham, Koontz, and Dekker, and a variety of nonfiction ranging from Dave Ramsey to Stephen Covey. “So I gather you like to read?”

  “Guilty.” He smiled. “You have your vintage typewriter and records, I have my books. That’s the one thing I can’t throw out.”

  Based on the fact that the rest of his house looked as spotless as a magazine ad, she believed it. “Do I get a grand tour?” she asked.

  “Absolutely.” He pointed to the crown molding. “I installed that myself. And I know you’re turning your nose up at my brown walls, but I like them.”

  She laughed. “I’d feel like I was living inside a cardboard box, but to each his own.” She followed him into the kitchen. “Now this I like. Yellow walls, stainless-steel appliances.” She smiled. “It gets my stamp of approval.”

  “That means more than if it came from Good Housekeeping.” He grinned. “Down this hallway is the master bedroom, guest bedroom, and office.”

  She peeked in each room. Each was tastefully decorated in muted tones and expensive furnishings. “It’s really pretty. Definitely more modern than my place.” She preferred to pick up pieces with a history, and her favorite thing was to find a piece of furniture meant for one thing and repurpose it for another. She’d found the most gorgeous dresser a few months ago, and after some sanding, paint, and new hardware, it made the neatest sideboard in the dining room.

  Jackson led her back to the kitchen. “Those french doors lead to a deck and a fenced-in yard.”

  “Without a dog to enjoy it.” She shook her head. “Such a shame.”

  He grinned. “Arnie is welcome to visit the yard anytime, as long as he doesn’t dig or go to the bathroom.”

  She laughed. “Okay, I’ll let you be the one to inform him of that.” She ran a hand along the granite countertops. “It’s really pretty. I’m impressed.”

  “Thanks. I know it isn’t all warm and cozy and cottage-like the way your place is, but it suits me.”

  “Yes, I suppose it does.” She smiled.

  “How’s the shop? The opening is just days away.”

  She sighed. “Don’t remind me.” She’d spent the last week and a half perfecting recipes and training Shadow on the cash register. “Thanks for your help last week though. You really play the role of a disgruntled customer well.”

  He chuckled. “I just wanted to make sure Shadow was prepared to deal with the public.”

  “Well it was great training. She really took to you.”

  Jackson shrugged. “What can I say? I have a way with the ladies.”

  Violet laughed. “And you’re so modest.”

  “Are you ready? We should get going. Traffic will be terrible. Jeff and Lauren went early to get a good tailgate spot, so at least we don’t have to worry about that.”

  She followed him out the door and to the vehicle. She’d been at ease meeting his sister, but she was a bit more nervous about meeting his best friends. “Sounds perfect.”

  They headed toward the stadium in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

  “Do you go to many games?” she asked.

  Jackson nodded. “I used to have season tickets, but now I just go to a handful of games each year. Jeff and I usually road trip to one away game. My dad and I used to always try and make it to one game in Fayetteville and one in Little Rock each year.” He took the exit for the stadium, and they waited in a long line of traffic. “Jeff texted earlier to tell me where they’re set up. They’re bringing the food.” He grinned. “Lauren said that if I’d bring you, they’d do the cooking. I’m pretty sure she do
ubts your existence.”

  Violet laughed. “So does that mean you haven’t introduced them to many girls?”

  Jackson made a face. “Can I confess something to you? Because Lauren will probably tell you if I don’t.”

  “Spill it.”

  “I’ve introduced them to a couple of girls over the years, but none of them have really been my type. They’re sort of what prompted our arrangement in the first place. I’ve had a habit of dating what Lauren calls ‘bubble heads,’ and I promised her I’d bring someone suitable to the awards banquet.” He sighed. “The last time I introduced them to a girl, it turned out Lauren used to babysit her. She was only ten years younger than us, but still. Lauren said she was really tired of me bringing girls on double dates who have no recollection of the eighties other than from VH1.”

  Violet chuckled. “Sounds like Lauren and I will get along just fine.”

  “Yes, I suspect you will.” He pulled into a parking space on the golf course next to the stadium. “Here we go.”

  She waited for him to open the passenger door and took his hand when he offered it. “This will be fun.”

  He squeezed her hand as they walked toward the tailgate area. “It sure will.”

  Chapter 26

  Jackson Stratford: ARE YOU READY? THREE DAYS UNTIL THE GRAND OPENING! YOU WERE A HUGE HIT WITH LAUREN AND JEFF YESTERDAY. THEY’RE READY TO GET TOGETHER AGAIN. (Text message sent October 28, 2:33 p.m.)

  Violet Matthews: GETTING THERE. IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IN JUST A FEW DAYS THERE WILL BE REAL CUSTOMERS! (I HOPE!) AND I REALLY LIKED JEFF AND LAUREN, TOO! (Text message sent October 28, 2:39 p.m.)

  Violet put the finishing touches on the menu board. It looked great. Shadow had put her artistic skills to use to paint a beautiful border of multicolored gerbera daisies, and they’d painted the inside with chalkboard paint so the menu could be changed weekly.