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“Is that for me?” Mulaney pointed toward the popcorn.
Sonya clutched them tightly to her chest. “No. One’s for your niece and nephew.” She threw a piece of popcorn at Mulaney, who caught it and popped it into her mouth.
I reached over and snagged a piece from the bucket. Sonya slapped at my hand before passing the popcorn over.
“Need me to work again anytime soon?” Sonya asked, sipping from a bottle of water she pulled from a cooler. “I need more cake.”
“You’ve already finished the one I made you two days ago?” I asked incredulously.
She glared at me. “Yeah. That afternoon. Is there something any of you want to say about me polishing off an entire cake in less than twenty-four hours?”
“Nope,” Vivian said, stroking Ella’s hair. “Trish, if you ever need us to babysit this one, we’d be more than happy to.”
“She meansI’lldo it,” Muriella teased. “Ella is an angel.” She gave me a soft smile.
“She is.” I admired my little girl.
“Do you ever take her to the food truck with you?” Vivian asked.
“I’ve tried a few times, and she did fine in her carrier. But sometimes it gets so hectic, and unless Sonya is there to help, it’s too much to handle.”
“Can’t some of the other ladies from Paths help you out?” Mulaney asked.
“I’m sure they’d be more than willing; I just haven’t gotten around to asking. I need someone permanent, but I barely have time to sleep, much less find an employee,” I said, unloading my worries on these women.
“I can come help a few days this week. We’ll send Daniel around to drum up some business,” Vivian volunteered.
“No. You guys are busy. I’ll get it figured out,” I brushed off.
Vivian reached over and placed her hand on my knee. “What time should we be there tomorrow?”
Sonya shook her finger at me. “You’d better not give themmycake.”
“Cake as payment? Best currency I’ve ever heard of,” Vivian said.
“There’s a hottie who comes by every day. It’s like a soap opera. I want to see what happens next.” Sonya tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth.
“Do tell,” Baker said, her eyes lighting up.
“There’s nothing to tell.” I avoided her gaze, focusing on the baseball game, though I had no clue what was going on.
“That means there’s definitely something,” Holly chimed in.
“Thanks a lot,” I said.
She shrugged and jumped to her feet, clapping her hands. “Way to go, Gabriel!” she shouted as he rounded first base. Wasn’t he pitching only a second ago?
“Good job, slugger,” Mulaney yelled when he made it to second.
Everyone stood, cheering when Gabriel made it to third. Drew directed the boy to home plate, and the whole team ran from the dugout when Gabriel scored.
We went wild like we were at the World Series, all of us screaming our congratulations. Ella woke up and joined in on the screaming, her cries lasting longer than ours. Vivian cuddled her to her chest at the same moment I reached for her.
“I’ve got her,” she said, and I dropped my arms. My eyes didn’t leave my daughter.
After a few minutes, Ella’s wails were distracting the small crowd. “I’ll take her for a walk.” This time when I held out my hands, Vivian released her.
Sympathetic and annoyed eyes followed me as I made my way down the bleachers. Ella most definitely had a loud voice, one she demanded be heard. I rocked her as I walked, whispering soothing words.
