Page 28 of Morning's Light

Aisanna stifled a laugh at her oldest employee, the first one she’d hired. She kept him on because of sentimentality, when his work was not quite up to par and his eyesight was, indeed, going-going-gone. He was also a classic misanthrope who didn’t quite understand the concept of pleasing the customer.

“The other day, I caught him putting salt in his coffee instead of sugar. Do you know, he drank the whole thing instead of admitting he was wrong. I watched him do it. I’ve never seen someone so committed.” Elon shook his head. “He really is a character. I’m sure there are other things he’s done, funnier things, but I can’t think of them right now.” He dug into the confines of the cardboard for a bunch of flowers, delighted when she grinned. “I really am happy you came in today.”

“You want to know something? I’m happy about it, too.”

“Even if it’s just you and me? Alone?”

She exhaled a warm puff of air to move her hair from her brow. “There seems to be a bit more of you and me alone lately than I would like. But you know what? Yes, if it’s you and me, I’m happy.”

He gave her a quick laugh. “I’ve waited three years for you to tell me that.”

“Glad you didn’t hold your breath.”

“I think I would have died waiting. Now I know you’re not feeling well. You’re doling out compliments like Halloween candy.”

She schooled her face into one of annoyance. “I compliment you. Often.”

“I think I can count the times on one hand,” Elon insisted lightly, getting into the spirit of their teasing. “Don’t worry, I understand why. You wouldn’t want my head to swell up larger than yours.”

At her outraged gasp, he tossed a freesia blossom her way. Aisanna snapped it out of the air and used her other hand to smack his shoulder. “Maybe I should start putting salt in your coffee. How would you like that?”

“Probably as much as Johan.”

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you,” she let her hand linger on his arm a split second longer than usual, “but thank you. It helps.”

He placed his fingers over hers. “Anytime. Bet you didn’t realize I had such a rapier wit.”

“I might have had an inkling. If you can get out of your head long enough to show it to me.”

“I think what you meant to say was, ‘If I can stop yelling at Elon long enough for his creative thoughts to materialize.’”

They stayed like that for a moment longer, eyes locked and fingers touching. Then she broke contact. Elon cleared his throat. “How about you tell me how you’re doing. Or do I have to beg you?”

“I’m doing much better,” she said finally. “Thank you for asking. I’m trying to heal.”

“You ready to give me the truth of the nitty-gritty details? I’m working with the word on the street, which is cut brakes, and you said it wasn’t true.”

“Not true, still awful.” Aisanna eased back and contented herself with watching him. “I thought I saw someone in the backseat of my car. I freaked out, ran into an SUV, and then it was lights out.”

“I’m surprised your hard head didn’t damage the SUV,” he quipped.

“Always makes me feel better to hear you say it.”

He made her laugh, put her gently at ease once more. He had that way about him. They chatted about several nonsense topics, from employee idiosyncrasies, to the weather, to plans for the coming months.

She did like the way he moved. Patient and steady. He nursed the bouquet, made a few finishing touches, until he was sure everything was exactly right before moving to the next.

Before Aisanna knew it, she was telling him about various family feuds over the years.

“Russian temperaments never mix well, especially with everyone in one house,” she said. “I can remember one day my mother wanted to bake a cake. She does not cook well in the first place, let me tell you. My father brought her flour for the mix. In her mind, it wasn’t the right kind. She threw the flour, the pot, the spoon, and several knives in his direction. He managed to get to the door in time to avoid the butcher knife before it embedded in the wood. He still refuses to change the door. He keeps the gouge mark as a memento. Or a reminder whenever he wants something and she’s hesitant to agree.”

Because the sky had darkened with the swarm of clouds and snow, Elon took it upon himself to light several candles despite the fluorescents overhead. He retrieved two candles from the emergency kit beneath the counter and soon both wicks were lit. “I wasn’t really welcome in the kitchen. I had no idea about the danger of baking cakes. I should have realized what goes on behind those closed doors.”

“Not to mention having three girls and one boy under the age of fifteen,” she added, placing flowers intermittently amongst the vases. Oh yes, much better. Amazing how things came together with the smallest addition.

Elon sent her a look. “How did I not know you had these siblings?”

The thought of her missing brother had her stomach twisting in a sailor’s knot. She pushed the feeling aside and reached for the next bloom. One thing at a time. “I suppose it never came up before. It’s not a big deal.”

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