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“Maybe you can be my test case, and go over to the warehouse and work on their inventory database for a day there, and send me a report,” Mrs. Kim said to Maggie, who had spent time at the warehouse as a part of her job as a ministry assistant, but not in any other capacity.
Suddenly, all the things Maggie had to do in December tumbled through her mind like clothes in a dryer on high heat. One more thing wouldn’t hurt, but why did it have to be in the warehouse where Levi worked?
Maggie felt annoyed. Christmas was all around her and she should be enjoying the pretty lights lining the tiny homes and community center. But no, Levi had made her upset and she felt like crying.
“However, I can’t spare her all next week as we’re wrapping up training for Erika,” Mrs. Kim said to Levi.
“No problem. I’ll wait.”
“The only time Maggie can go help you is a Saturday—either tomorrow or next Saturday.” Mrs. Kim turned to Maggie. “Don’t forget to take the day off during the week when you work on Saturdays.”
Maggie nodded. “Tomorrow won’t work out though. I have to be here all day so I can’t go to the warehouse.”
Maggie knew why Levi hadn’t gotten this overabundance of inventory rehoused sooner. Like way before this busy Christmas time.
It had been a year and nine months since he’d broken up with Soline. The first year had been bad for Levi as he reeled from his loss. There was no way he could’ve competed with his ex-girlfriend’s first love.
His feeling of despair had driven Levi to Maggie and her older brother, Malachi, an ordained pastor. They had comforted Levi and ministered to him. Eventually, Malachi had to leave Atlanta to become the assistant pastor of Lakeside Chapel in Florida.
Levi had continued to hang out with Maggie. He seemed to be on the mend until he spotted Forsythia. He snapped out of his doldrums and fixed his attention on the Midtown Chapel kitchen chef de cuisine. She was all he could think of now.
Little did he know thathehad been all Maggie could think of in the last several months—well, besides God and her ministry at church.
“I thought we distributed all the Christmas decorations for the homes,” Levi said.
Maggie nodded. “I’ll be helping to decorate the community center.”
“You do too much.”
Maggie ignored Levi’s words. “I want to do it.”
She didn’t say that being among people in the Village dispelled her loneliness. Her house felt empty now that herbrother had moved to Lakeside. She liked hanging out with Levi, but he would move on as soon as he found himself a girlfriend.
“Then I’ll help too.” Levi made a commitment.
“You’re the best.” Mrs. Kim gave him two thumbs up.
“How about helping me organize the warehouse next Saturday?” Levi looked at Maggie.
“Hold this.” She handed her mug of cocoa to Levi. Then she retrieved her phone from her crossbody purse and checked her calendar for next week. It was packed.
“The singles Christmas party is that evening, and I have to bake all day.” She put away her phone and took the mug back from Levi.
Levi looked at her kinda funny. “You don’t bake.”
“I’ve learned a few things.”
“You googled.”
“So?”
“What are you baking?”
“I thought I’d make some gingerbread cookies.” Why not? She could try new things, right? She got tired of having to always buy store-bought products whenever the singles at church had a gathering. A number of the other single women cooked. Forsythia, for example. And Levi loved home cooking.
Oh, what am I thinking?
Maggie reminded herself not to compete with Chef Forsythia McDevitt, who had worked for years at Piper’s Place in Savannah, Georgia, and who had appeared in numerous chef magazines.
