“Having flashbacks?” Becky Sue volunteered, relaxing her stance and walking up to shake her hand. “PTSD? I get it – that’s usually a monthly thing like my period, unfortunately.”
“You’ve been starting a new jobmonthly?” Heidi whispered nervously, glancing at Jack once again, who shoved both of his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels, and looking away. Oh, they were gonna talk about this the moment Becky Sue was out of range.
“Kids get sick, babysitters quit, people believe juicy gossip, and I can’t help it if their butt-ugly husbands gawk at me.” Becky Sue began tersely, grabbing a nearby apron off the hook. “Can I start immediately? I’m a hard workerand…”
“Now?”
Heidi didn’t mean to yelp it – and the look on Becky Sue’s face was stricken as she nodded. “Look, some people have family or friends they can rely on for help, but I’m not quite so fortunate. I need a job. I need the money. I need a freakin’ break… so if you want someone to clean toilets, mop floors, shine shoes, or suck-up to paying customers – I’m your girl – just please, please don’t fire me for at least two weeks so I can afford diapers.”
Oh man…
“You can’t quit on me,” Heidi said nervously, glancing at Jack, who was now watching her proudly. “We might disagree or argue, but I need someone who can be dependable or…oomph!”
Heidi grunted as Becky Sue grabbed her in the tightest of hugs, whispering repeatedly ‘Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!’ She looked at Jack helplessly and saw him give her a slow wink before gesturing with his finger and thumb to call him later. She lifted a hand to wave at him, still encapsulated by Becky Sue’s hug that was like hugging an anaconda – or an octopus.
“You don’t know what this means to me…”
Oh gosh, was she crying?Heidi thought brokenly as her own eyes began to sting. “Hey, hey… no bawling, okay? You’ll make me cry, and then we won’t get anything done. Tell me about your child. Let’s get to know each other while we make up a few more batches of dough to have ready for the grand opening.”
Becky Sue yanked away, smiling tearfully and nodding. “For the Jamboree you’re sponsoring – sure thing!”
“Huh? Wait – I’msponsoringsomething…?” Heidi turned in disbelief toward the café door – only to see Jack shut it firmly behind him.Coward, she thought in disbelief, and then hesitated, realizing Jack had secretly arranged all ofthis - just like the cell phone tower and counter help from Becky Sue.
How could you be upset with someone when they are going out of their way to help you, by any means possible?
You can’t…
“Jack told me that the new café in Fate was the main food vendor at the Jamboree tomorrow night and…” Becky Sue was a chatty little thing when she was happy, but Heidi wasn’t alone – at all. Not here at the café, not in her personal life, and never again.
Jack had her back without Heidi ever having to ask for help. Suddenly, a smile touched her face as she saw him peer through the glass, checking on her as if he was worried she might be upset –because he cared,she realized. Turning back toward Becky Sue, who was still talking and peering in some of the containers, already learning her way around the counter and kitchen area of the café, Heidi cleared her throat.
“Becky Sue, tell me everything you can about yourself, your baby, this town, the Jamboree. I think I need to know a little more about my new home,” Heidi asked, chuckled in amazement and warmth. No, what she was feeling was so far from ‘alone’or ‘upset’that it was staggering.
She might be falling in love.
Hours later,Heidi couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. Becky Sue was a gem of a person, and they had so much in common. The two women hit it right off, spent hours talking, and cutting up together while working. Becky Sue was going to take the morning shifts because she had someone whocould watch her daughter and was stunned to learn that the plumber who had worked on the café was the father of Becky Sue’s child – but had refused to marry her. Oh yes, gossip ran rampant in town, except Becky Sue refused to repeat any of it unless it was indeed a fact she could back up. The woman didn’t gossip, didn’t take any flak, and certainly didn’t take any breaks… she was a machine that looked like a cover girl who should be posing on the front of a magazine instead of grasping at straws to make ends meet in this small town.
She locked up the café, dropped Becky Sue off at the end of a gravel driveway on her way back to Mimi’s, and it was several minutes before she could call Jack. There was something so wonderful about hearing him answer the phone – and on the first ring, like he was waiting for her to call him.
“How did it go?” he asked pointedly in greeting, his voice warm and gentle. There was no beating around the bush, but it wasn’t confrontational either. She laughed and didn’t hold back.
“Well, I’ll be honest – at first I was super upset that you dumped someone in my lap but…”
“But?”
“She’s a sweetheart,” Heidi admitted, smiling. “And I really appreciate the help with things because while I’m stubborn…”
“But gorgeous,” he volunteered, making her nearly melt in the driver’s seat as she pulled up in front of Mimi’s little house… and saw Jack on the front porch nearby – waiting.
“I can admit that things are better, easier, when I’m not alone,” she murmured softly, looking at him from the driver’s seat of her Volkswagen.
“That sounds like an invitation,” he said softly, “And I might have dinner ready for my hard-working girlfriend.”
“What about Mimi?” she hesitated, feeling guiltybecause she had been gone all day long. “Shouldn’t I go check on her?”
“I already did,” he replied. “She knows you’re coming over and would probably shoo you out the door.”
“I see.”
