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She smiled.
“I think we all want that for our children. To not have them feel pain. But as they get older and go through things, they need to be the ones to take control and make decisions. You’re heading down the right road now, and not all men are like Kenny’s father. You remember that,” she said and winked.
“I’ll try to,” Lois said and then immediately thought about Dora’s sons. It surprised her.
“You know, maybe you can whip up some batches of cookies and package and label them to try selling some at the storefront. We can place them near the jellies.”
“What?” Lois asked, shocked at Dora’s suggestion and still trying to recover from instantly thinking about her sons.
“You know, sell your homemade baked goods. Maybe it will take off and you’ll get special orders.”
“You think they’re good enough?”
“Are you kidding me? They don’t last long at all when you make them. Do you think you could bake a bunch and I could help you package them?”
“Seriously?” Lois asked, feeling the excitement as the tears filled her eyes. She was suddenly thinking she could do this. She could maybe
make some money and establish something of her own she personally accomplished.”
“Of course. I can have Evan make up the labels. Maybe they can say Lois’s Sweets.”
“Wow, this is crazy. You really think they’re that good?”
“Oh, yeah. Why don’t I text Evan, and you two can get together to come up with a label? He’s a whiz at computers. He can print them off right in the office.”
“I could probably figure it out on my own,” she said and felt nervous about Evan helping her.
“Lois, Evan would want to help you, and he knows what he’s doing. You don’t need to waste time messing with a computer program when you could be making cookies. I’ll text him right now.” Dora pulled out her phone and began to text.
Lois felt her heart racing and an excitement, a desire to succeed, fill her heart. Maybe she could be successful doing this and maybe make some money, too. She wouldn’t have to work out of the home and worry about not being here for Kenny after school every day. It would work out great. Maybe things were finally going to start working out for her just fine. Maybe she had a chance after all?
* * * *
Ford Brazos was walking by the main office on the farm when he caught sight of Lois heading his way. He’d stopped by while on duty to see Laverty and ask him about one of the guys who used to work on the farm, who had gotten into some trouble in Tranquility and had the police looking for him.
The wind blew gently, a breeze caressing Lois’s blonde hair, sending the strands dancing behind her shoulders. She shyly pushed them away from her cheeks and then looked around, not even noticing him. Then he saw the door to the main office open and Evan appear. He smiled widely and gave her a wave. Ford wondered what was going on as he adjusted his Stetson and headed that way, too.
“Afternoon, Lois,” he said to her as she looked at him and paused a moment. She nibbled her bottom lip and looked toward Evan and then back to Ford.
“Afternoon. Did you need Evan for something? I could come back,” she said, stopping a few feet away from him and Evan and pointing over her shoulder like she would leave.
“No, don’t be silly. I’m free now. I told my mom that when she called. I’m excited to help you,” Evan said and smiled.
“Help her with what?” Ford asked, keeping his eyes on Lois. She looked really pretty today. Her blue eyes looked even prettier and bolder because she wore a matching blue shirt and a beige skirt that landed past her knees. She sure did dress conservatively. He didn’t think women her age wore skirts longer than above the knee.
“I’m going to be helping Lois make some labels for her new business venture,” Evan said and opened the door to motion her inside.
“New business venture?” Ford asked, following them into the office.
“Hello, Lois. Ford, what are you doing here? I thought you were looking for Laverty, Ford,” their father, Bane, asked.
“Got him on the radio. I told him to meet me here at the office in a few minutes,” Ford said and then looked at Lois, who seemed tense.
“Heard you’re going to be selling those delicious cookies you make. What a wonderful idea. I’m certain you’ll be getting private orders in no time,” Bane said.
“I’m going to give it a try, sir. We’ll see what happens. I’m not getting my hopes up,” Lois said. Bane squinted at her.
“You should be excited. Those are the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever tasted. That batch you sent over last night mysteriously disappeared in an hour,” he said and looked at Evan and Ford.
