Page 37 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

After half an hour, Mr. Mason turned to her. “I’m leaving for the night. It’s getting close to my bedtime.” He chuckled.

“All right,” Viola responded.

“You staying long?”

“I signed up until eight.”

He settled a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t stay out too late. See you at the shop.”

“Yeah. See you. Have a good night.”

A couple more volunteers came out from the kitchen to the serving line. There was a bit of commotion as people switched places, and Viola wasn’t sure if she should stay where she was or move. One person came out and refilled her tray of rolls, and she took a step back to give them room. As she did, she bumped into someone.

“Sorry.” Viola’s face fell, and she felt the need to swallow the lump in her throat. “Um, Mr. Brickman. Hi.”

“Hello, Ms. Carver.” He situated himself at the station next to hers, ladle at the ready.

“What, uh, brings you here?” As soon as she’d asked, Viola’s cheeks burned.What a dumb question.

Jonas Brickman smirked as he set down his ladle and retied the strings of his apron. “Same as you, I’m guessing.”

“I would have never guessed you spend your free time helping the less fortunate. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Are you kidding? I do this every year.” Jonas grabbed his ladle and gave it a twirl. “You know, you really shouldn’t judge someone until you get to know them better.”

She opened her mouth to retort but quickly shut it again. He had a point. But it had beenherpoint, and she was merely feeling sour that he had said it first.

After serving a few more patrons, she said, “It’s just that you always seem preoccupied with work.”

He gave her a sideways look. Is he smirking at me?

“Yes. I am. In fact, I’m going over the numbers of my year-end report as we speak.” Jonas gestured at the dining hall. “But this is important, too.”

He turned to smile at the people at his station as he scooped food onto their plates. Viola couldn’t figure him out. Until now, she’d regarded him as a cold-blooded, money-driven robot with no soul.Could Jonas actually have a heart?

“How’ve you been, Sherry?” Jonas said to the woman in line.

“I’m surviving.” Sherry’s eyes were droopy, and her coat sleeves were torn.

“How’s Carl?” Jonas went on. “Did he take care of that back of his?”

“You know Carl. Refuses to listen to anyone.”

“You tell him to come see me.” Jonas flashed her a smile. “I’ll have a talk with him.”

“You’re kind, Mr. Brickman. I’ll tell him. Don’t you worry.”

Viola placed a roll upon Sherry’s tray and watched her move down the line. “Wow, who knew you were such a big hit among the masses?”

Jonas chewed the side of his mouth. “I’m willing to bet there’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

“I suppose.” Viola adjusted her grip on the tongs. “I mean, I guess the only thing I know about you is that you seem really stressed lately. Maybe even … grumpy?”

His eyes widened. “Oh. Okay. Grumpy.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’ve got a lot going on.”

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