by Robyn Neeley
“Mom, who was Jack?”
“A wonderful man. I think I loved him.”
Becca scanned the rest of the short message that was unmistakably a love letter. Was it to her mother? She flipped it over, but it was blank on the other side. Was this from Jack Cooper?
When had they even dated? She recalled the conversation she’d interrupted between them all those years ago in the diner’s alley. Her mom had brushed it off as Jack only needing to break change for a twenty.
Becca blew out a breath. There was no fault with her memory—her mom had been crying that night. Had she and Jack been seeing each other back then? Had Becca interrupted a lovers’ quarrel?
“Would you read the others?” her mom asked, motioning to the box.
Becca folded the first letter and reached for a second. Good idea or not, she was more than a little curious to read it.
She read the second letter out loud. This one was from her mother. At least she assumed it was from her mom. It wasn’t signed.
Her heart swelled at the purity and honesty of what unfolded with each letter—a beautiful love story. Her mom, young, shy, and from a modest upbringing, had fallen for the charming and wealthy Jack Cooper.
And he loved her, too. Her mom had clearly enchanted one young Jack Cooper, who seemed to do everything he could think of to woo her.
Two people from the wrong side of the tracks had fallen in love.
Becca swiped a tear.
“I remember,” her mom whispered, clutching one of the letters.
“Being with Jack?”
“Yes, all of it.” She pulled the letter down. “This man was smart, and handsome, and funny, and I loved him with my whole heart.”
Becca sat stunned, not believing what she was hearing, but it didn’t matter. What was happening right now on this bench was the most important thing in the world. Her mother was remembering.
And Grayson had given her mom that remarkable gift.
Her mother pointed to the letter. “You know, that was the last letter Jack wrote me. It was the only letter in which he called me Nora. He apologized for blurting out that he loved me.” Her face fell.
“Why was that a bad thing?”
“It had all happened too fast, and he was just starting his business and fulfilling his parents’ wishes. He was from one of the wealthiest families in town. How was it going to look if he brought me home? Nora Strawberry, a woman whose family struggled to get by.”
Becca rubbed the chills now going up and down her arms. She’d felt the same way when she’d learned that Jack might have picked her for his son. “Did you break up with Jack?”
“I stopped writing him. My cousin, Rodney, was heading to Hollywood, and I decided to go with him. I left Sweet Ridge.” She frowned down at the letter in her shaky hands. “I thought it was for the best for both Jack and me.”
“So it was over before you met Dad?”
“Yes. I met your father in LA, but when my mother became ill, I convinced your dad to live here. By then, Jack had moved on and married Denise Harper and had his first son.” She paused. “I loved your father, and we tried to make it work, but I could never fully give him my heart when I’d left it in this box.” She gently touched the lid. “I can’t believe I remember.”
The alcohol abuse all those years—her mom had been trying to soothe her broken heart. Becca peered into the box, not realizing there was a final letter. “There’s one more in here.” She picked up the envelope and gasped.
“What is it?”
“Pictures.” Becca pulled them out and her heart raced seeing the two photos of her mom with a young Jack Cooper at the beach and in front of a fountain looking blissfully in love. The remaining ones were single shots of her mother looking happy and beautiful.
Her mom reached for the one of her with Jack in front of the fountain. “My darling. It’s good to see you again.” She pressed the photo to her heart.
“Mom, would you like me to read the last letter?”
“Yes.” Her mother’s face was full of love. “Yes, I would.”
Becca nodded and unfolded it.
“My sweet, darling Nora…” She read out loud the final letter and her heart bloomed. Jack had loved her mom with everything he had. He didn’t care about her mom’s status or the fact that her family couldn’t rub two nickels together. She wiped her eyes and turned to her mom. “He never stopped loving you.” She handed the letter over.
“He had so many dreams for us … our future. He didn’t understand that I didn’t know how to fit into his life, and he was on the brink of having the success he’d dreamed. I needed to let him go.”
Becca sat back, her gaze resting on the beautiful pink sunset. “I’m sure he understands.”
“Do you think it’s too late?” her mom asked, hope in her voice.
She reached over and pulled her mom’s shawl around her shoulders. “Too late for what?”
“To tell Jack I love him?”
Her mom didn’t know that Jack had passed away.
She wrapped her arms around her mother, giving her a gentle squeeze while tears blinded her own vision. It was too late. Becca knew that. She’d tell her mom, too, but not tonight.
Right now she’d grieve for the both of them.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Becca pulled on her smock and let out a heavy sigh, staring at the calendar in her locker. It’d been a week since all hell had broken out in the Legacy conference room.
And two days since she’d learned that Jack Cooper had been the love of her mom’s life.
Now, she was a mixed ball of emotions. On the one hand, she wanted to smother Grayson in kisses for the tremendous gift he’d given her mother. That box had reunited the star-crossed lovers for one brief moment in time. She started to tear up again.
And the next minute she hated Grayson for his lies and deceit. She’d meant what she’d said in the boardroom. She didn’t want the shares. And as hard as it was to leave this company, working with Grayson wasn’t an option. Not when what he’d done had hurt her to the core.
She wasn’t so naïve as to believe they wouldn’t run into each other around town—it was Sweet Ridge, after all—but she could control having to see him at work, and that meant leaving Guac Olé.
She’d called Jack’s lawyer and told him she wanted to give the shares to Grayson. She didn’t want his money. With her savings this summer and her tips she’d get waiting tables at Betty Lou’s, she’d be able to get by for a couple of months. She might have to get a second job to help pay her mother’s expenses, but it would all work out, and hopefully she’d find another line supervisor job before the end of the year.
A lunch meat factory a few towns over was hiring. She frowned. Could she possibly have the same passion for processed turkey that she had for avocados?
Becca removed the calendar from her locker and placed it in her plastic bag with all of her other contents. Though she’d given two weeks’ notice last week, Roselyn had agreed that today would be her last day. She could take the vacation time owed to her to spend looking for her next place of employment.
She took advantage of the unusually empty break room, pulling all the contents out of her locker. She could sort the items when she got home.
Within minutes her locker was clear. She picked up the plastic bag and headed for her office more than a little surprised to see the plant empty. It was nearly 8 a.m., but the morning crew was nowhere to be found. Usually by now people were filing in with their coffee and donuts, sharing what they’d done over the weekend.
Yet Becca hadn’t found a crumb.
She sighed as she stopped by the peeling station and picked up a ripe avocado, rubbing her thumb against its rough skin. She was going to miss this place and everyone in it. Though leaving was the right thing to do, her soul was hollow. She was leaving her home.
Setting the avocado down, she walked to her office, glancing around at some of the knickknacks and the pictures she also needed to
pack.
Her gaze rested on the tiny hourglass Grayson had given her. She picked it up, her eyes watering as she flipped it over to see the avocado sand run through the tiny hole. Her time here was almost up.
She dropped the hourglass inside her smock’s front pocket. She’d give it to Roselyn when she stopped in to sign her exit paperwork later today and ask her to return it to Grayson.
Just as she took her seat to write her last note in the communications log, Tangie rushed in with a small square box wrapped in snowman Christmas paper. “Special delivery,” her friend sang, handing Becca the box.
“What is this?”
It’s a present.”
“I can see that.” Even the bright red bow wasn’t going to cheer her up. “Why are you giving me a Christmas present? It’s not like I’m leaving Sweet Ridge. We’ll see each other all the time, and I’m sure we’ll get together during the holidays.”
Tangie laughed and came around the corner. “That is good to know, but it’s not from me. It’s from Santa. Ho, ho, ho.” She spun on her heels, heading straight for the door.
“Where are you going?” Becca called out.
“My job here is done. I’m needed back at the Guac Pole.”
What was going on? She sat back down and untied the bow. She might as well find out.
Tearing the paper with her finger, she pulled back the metallic wrapping and opened the lid. “Why is he not getting the hint?” she asked out loud. Shaking her head, she pulled out the strawberry charm key chain, her fingers rubbing the sole black key attached to it.
Was this key for her? Whatever it opened, she was all but sure she didn’t want it.
Out of the corner of her eye she caught a small child darting across the production floor. She stood and shoved the key chain into her apron pocket, stepping outside her office to see what was going on.
“Hola, señora.” Franco turned the corner, scooping up the small child in his arms.
“Hey, Franco.” She waved hello to her employee and dear friend. Franco was among the many whom she’d miss seeing every day.
“Say hello to Ms. Rebecca.” He smiled and set the little girl down. “This is my granddaughter, Jessica.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Jessica.” She bent down to the child’s level. “What do you have there?”
The young girl smiled shyly at Becca, holding up her doll. “Santa gave it to me this morning.”
“Santa?” She was pretty certain Christmas was over three months away. “Franco, is there something I should know?”
He placed his hands on his granddaughter’s shoulders. “You might want to check out the cafeteria.” He winked and turned for the production line. “Let’s arrange lids for the morning, Jessica. Just like Coop showed you,” he said to his granddaughter, who squealed in glee.
Becca bit down on her lip. Franco knew the truth about Coop’s identity. All the factory workers now knew. He probably just didn’t want to explain to his young grandchild that Coop’s name was really Grayson.
Becca straightened her smock and reached inside her pocket, pulling out the strawberry charm key chain. Grayson had been so wonderful that day with all of Franco’s grandchildren, teaching them how to lid the dip properly and giving them each one to take home. Her heart started to beat faster at that sweet memory.
“Stop thinking about him. He lied to you,” she reminded herself as she headed outside for the cafeteria. It was time to confront the man who’d given this to her and return it.
“Becca Nash!”
She glanced over toward the parking lot. Her mouth dropped. Chuck McCallister was polishing a shiny silver Ford truck—in her spot. Where the hell was Blue Baby? She’d parked it there not even an hour ago.
She marched over to find out. “Where is my truck?” She scanned the parking lot but came up short. Her truck was definitely not there.
“I’m polishing your new wheels. I think you’re going to like this beauty,” Chuck said, patting the truck’s top.
Un-freakin’-believable. Had Grayson bought her this? Why would her former line worker be polishing it? “Chuck, it’s good to see you, but what are you doing here?”
“Didn’t you get the memo? I got my old job back. I started today.” He set the rag down on the hood. “Boss Man asked if I could do him a special favor this morning. So, here I am.”
She stared dumbfounded at her friend. “Grayson hired you back? When?”
“Yeah, I was surprised, too. He called me yesterday and told me the job was mine if I wanted it, and that Guac Olé would help me with any future coursework or training I wanted. He also said he was starting a committee to orient corporate employees to the work we do on the production line.” He puffed his chest out proudly. “Grayson asked me to head the committee with Franco.”
Becca smiled over to her friend, still not believing what she’d just heard, but if it was true, it was wonderful news. “I’m glad Grayson realized what an asset you are to this company. You deserve this.”
“And you, princess, deserve this.” He pointed to the truck. “Did Tangie deliver the key?”
She pulled out the strawberry charm key chain. “I believe she did,” she said flatly.
His eyebrows waggled in amusement. “Want to play hooky and take it for a spin?”
“No, and I’m not keeping it.” She shook her head. “If you could help me locate my truck, I would appreciate it.”
“I think you’ll find all of your answers in there.” He pointed to the corporate building and then opened the driver’s side door, reaching into the cab and pulling out a Dallas Cowboys hoodie. “But you’ll need this.” He handed it to her.
“I’m not wearing that.” Her body was overheating just thinking about putting it on. “Never mind it isn’t my team, it’s already eighty degrees out.”
“Not in the cafeteria.” Chuck chuckled and grabbed the rag, polishing the door handle. “It’s a bit frosty. As for the team, you’ll have to talk to Boss Man.”
“Fine.” She draped the hoodie over her arm. “It’s really good to have you back.”
He grinned. “I’ll see you in the factory, Boss Lady.”
“See you.” She walked away. She’d only be his boss for a few more hours, but she was sure Tangie had already told him that. She could catch up more with him later. Right now she had to find Grayson and demand that he return her truck.
Reaching the corporate building, she pulled open the glass door. Festive Christmas music filled the air. “What the …?”
As she walked down the hallway, a small boy pushing off on a red skateboard nearly crashed into her. She maneuvered to the right just as two small girls followed him on roller skates. Where had all these children come from? She didn’t think it was bring-your-son-or-daughter-to-work day—or was it?
The yummy smell of syrup and sausage swirled around her as she neared the entrance to the cafeteria. Her factory employees couldn’t possibly be having breakfast in here. The last time they’d been here was for the disastrous Christmas party.
Christmas party.
She turned into the cafeteria, and her mouth dropped at the sight in front of her, which only could be described as a winter wonderland. All the tables and chairs had been decorated with holiday tablecloths and silver and gold tinsel—lots of it. Guac Olé employees, corporate and factory, were sitting together, eating a hearty breakfast and playing board games, the sound of laughter all around. A huge Christmas tree decorated in bright bulb ornaments, multicolored lights, and red garland had been set up in the middle of the room.
At the far right side of the cafeteria, which had been cleared out, kids were now making snowmen with snow. She walked over to the drift and touched the fluffy pile with her hand, a cold sensation rushing through her. It was actual snow. “How is this possible?”
Tangie came up alongside her, handing Becca a paper cup. “One peppermint hot chocolate for my favorite boss. I was wondering when you’d arrive.”
Becca took the c
up, eyeing the activity and enjoyment all around her. “What’s happening here?”
“It’s Christmas!” Tangie smiled and slapped a candy cane into her free palm. “And don’t you fret, you can have as many of these as you want, and all the breakfast you can eat, because soon there’s going to be a new yoga studio onsite to reverse any damage done.”
“What? Where?” Becca put the candy cane in her apron and pulled on the navy and silver sweatshirt, because it was a little nippy near the snow. Sorry, Broncos.
“On the other side of the first floor.” She grinned and bounced on her toes. “I’m going to show all those swanky and sassy suits my signature move.” Tangie snickered.
“Grayson’s building a yoga studio? You’ve got to be kidding.”
“No, he really is, and that’s not all. He told me this morning they are going to knock down the walls and do some moving around so that the first floor is a place for all of the staff. He’s going to add a full-service gym for employees to use free of charge. He wants the first floor to be a place everyone can come and go throughout the workday. For all of us to feel welcome.”
“Feel welcome,” Becca repeated, remembering her lunch with Grayson when he’d pretended to be Coop. She’d told him about the one horrible Christmas party when her staff had felt far from welcomed. Was this why he’d done all of this?
She didn’t think it was possible, given how mad she still was with him, but his kindness touched her. She looked at all the happy faces enjoying breakfast, and the kids playing in the snow. He’d done all this.
She needed to see him now. “Tangie, where is Grayson?”
“I don’t know where he is, but Santa’s right over there.” She nudged Becca with her hip.
Becca sipped her hot chocolate as she watched the handsome Guac Olé CEO in the jolly red suit giving out presents to the squeals of all the tots near the huge Christmas tree.
And it was quite a sight watching each child jump in excitement as they received a wrapped gift. She sipped her hot chocolate, enjoying all the merriment around her.
An hour later, Becca waited behind the final boy to get his present, her knees feeling a little shaky that it was finally her turn in line.