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"Hey, I didn't expect to see you here either. But I'm glad to see you. I need your belief in me that I can do hard things." She puts her head on my shoulder.
"Uh oh, what's going on?"
"My mom and sister are coming for the Christmas parade. They didn't tell me, and I've already signed up to sell there. So, I'm not going to be able to give them the attention they'll want. They won't see that I'm working my ass off. Instead, Mom will see it as me not spending time with them, and I’ll never hear the end of it. Keely will give me the look of understanding, but not be able to say anything in mom’s presence."
Her eyes tell me more than her voice does. She's stressed and it's my job to make sure she can handle this. "Look, I'll be here to help you. We all will. If you get backed up, we'll help you get the line taken care of, and we'll make sure you can enjoy the parade. They will have no choice but to admit how good you are. I promise you that."
"You know Abel Wilson, for some reason I believe you."
"Good, I only speak the truth. Now tell me, which sandwich should I get?"
"Oh my, definitely the heated roast beef with au jus."
"Wanna stay and eat with us?" I ask. "I'd love to have lunch with you."
She glances at her watch. "Ya know what? Yeah. I have three employees over there right now. They can take care of it while I take a lunch break."
We walk up to the counter. "Go ahead and order for me. You know more about this place than I do," I invite her.
Her hand in mine, she points to the menu board. "Two of the heated roast beef on french with the au jus please..."
As I look at her, I know this is exactly how I want the rest of my life to be. Me and her meeting up for lunch on random weekdays, and not worrying about anything else in the world.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Kara
My gaze goes over to my mom who stands over to the side, looking irritated that she's here. "Let me go talk to my mom for a few minutes," I tell Rachelle. "She and my sister drove down, but there's no way I'm going to be able to leave with this line, and there's not even enough seats for people to sit." This is turning into a clusterfuck.
"We've got this, do what you need to do. You know that everyone will wait for you. They don't care how long it takes for the food."
I know all of this, but the stress it gives me is almost palpable. "Be right back." I head out the back of the truck, and make a beeline straight for where Mom and Keely stand. "Hey you two, I'm so sorry about this. We're much busier than I thought we'd be, but we're closing down as soon as the parade starts."
Keely grins. "I can't believe how many people are in this line, sis."
"Yeah, it's a bit crazy."
Mom is looking at me, but she isn't saying anything. Behind me, I feel a warmth, and I know it's Abel because his cologne is my favorite smell.
He leans down, kissing my temple. "Hey, Jasper and Barrett are bringing some more picnic tables with Dad. Nolan and Vaughn are going over to Hank's office and gettin' the ones in storage. You want me to start taking orders in line? Rachelle taught me how to use your mobile order app the other day when I was waitin' on you. I don't mind helping."
"Me neither," Alexis jumps in. "I know how to use the mobile order app too. We can at least get this line cut down some."
I want to cry at the way they're stepping up to help me. They aren't related to me, but they love me. "I love y'all, thank you so much." I turn to my mom and Keely. "I hate to cut this short, but if we can get the line taken care of, we can shut down, and then go enjoy the parade. Be back as soon as I can."
I run back to the truck and hop inside, starting to make the food that's coming through on our system. Rachelle stands beside me. "He's out there taking orders for you Kara. If that doesn't prove to you he loves you, I don't know what does."
"I know." The smile won't wipe off my face. I'm watching our live feed, and everyone is commenting about the hottie in the backwards hat taking orders. I can't believe how lucky I am to have him and his friends here helping. As I'm wrapping up a taco, I see Boone's truck back in, with a trailer that's loaded with a couple of picnic tables. They immediately get out and start setting them up. Tears pop into my eyes. I've never had this kind of help before; hell I didn't even have to ask for it. They just saw a need, and jumped in.
"C'mon," Rachelle elbows me. "We get all these done, and we'll be able to go enjoy the parade."
Stiffening my lip, I start flying through the orders, not letting my emotions get the better of me. Forty-five minutes later, we're done, and closing the window on the truck. Abel and Alexis bring back the mobile order machines we use with the app. He's got a cute little grin on his face. "Y'all, I got thirty bucks worth of tips. If you ever need help again, just let me know." He flashes the money in front of us.
"It's cause you're so hot." I bite my bottom lip, throwing myself into his arms.
He catches me easily, bringing me outside the truck, and twirling me around in a circle. "I was happy to help you. Please tell me you know that. I'll even split my tips with you."
My nose wrinkles. "You worked hard for those, keep 'em."
