Page 21 of Christmas Home

Clyde

Iwas beyond honoredwhen Mrs. Cole asked if I’d help her with the desserts. I’d been helping cook when she asked me, and both the server, a woman who’d been working here for years, and the cook froze.

I nodded and followed Mrs. Cole into the area of the kitchen where she prepared desserts. “I bring more people into my café with my baking than with my food, and I’ve been waiting for someone who appreciates the need to do things right. That’s why you’re the first person I’ve trained to do this since my cousin Gloria retired a few years back. Now, I need you to watch and listen. I have my little secrets I throw in to make it all taste special and last longer. Can you do that?” she asked. I immediately nodded my head. “Good, I figured I could count on you.”

I gave her my full attention as she threw together dessert after dessert. I’d tried most of the ones she put out regularly and a few she kept back for “special occasions.” Although most ofher dessert recipes were as old as time—things like chess pie, chocolate meringue, and banana pudding—Mrs. Cole’s creations were unique.

When she tossed a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar in one of the meringue pies, I gasped. “Vinegar?” I whispered, and she winked and nodded.

“Not only does it give it a little tang, but it also helps keep it fresh longer. But mind you, if you put in too much, it’ll taste like vinegar. This town would not forgive you if you made their favorite desserts taste bad.”

I nodded solemnly. “So, what other secrets do you hold?”

She laughed out loud, making both the server and cook look our way. “Oh, you’ll learn, but not all at once. For now, we need to get these done and out onto the serving line before the dinner rush hits.”

I loved learning from Mrs. Cole. I couldn’t even express how much. I had never enjoyed working anywhere as much as I did working for her. In the short time I’d been here, I’d also come to love the look of the little restaurant, the repeat traffic, hearing how customers enjoyed my cooking, and the coworkers I’d gotten to know.

What I loved most, though, was that even though this café served the best food I’d ever had the luxury of serving, I was treated like my efforts mattered. Mrs. Cole recognized my commitment and as a result, trusted me with things like the desserts. I never would’ve asked for that, knowing how important they were to her and her business.

I was on cloud nine as the dinner rush began to wane and knew Mrs. Cole was about to kick me out just as Ruther walked in the front door. I smiled and waved at him as I wiped down the serving utensils and buffet area.

“I was hoping you were still here,” he said, walking up to me. I noticed he was no longer using his crutches, which must meanhis ankle was better. “When do you get off? Can you join me for dinner?”

I glanced up at the clock and couldn’t help but wonder if my matchmaking boss might’ve been behind his perfect timing. “Sure, let me finish here and ensure Mrs. Cole don’t need me to do anythin’ else.”

He smiled and wandered over to a corner booth. When Mrs. Cole smiled and winked, I knew she had most definitely had a hand in arranging this little meetup. “Shall I carry out the mop water before I’m done?” I asked her. I always did it as part of the cleaning routine, but I was curious what she’d say today.

“No, son, you go on out there and talk to the handsome Mr. Ruther. I’ll have Elsie do that before she closes for the night.”

I grinned. Yep, a full-out setup.

I tossed my apron onto the dirty clothes pile, knowing that’d be another of Elsie’s jobs before she clocked out tonight. Then I went to the restroom, used a paper towel to wipe down my sweaty, greasy face, and shrugged when I had to accept that I wouldn’t be too pretty after working an eight-hour shift in a Southern food restaurant.

When I returned to the dining room, Ruther was waiting. “You could’ve gone ahead and gotten your plate unless you’re wantin’ to order somethin’ off the menu.”

“I wanted to wait for you,” Ruther said, sounding sincere. “I’m not even all that hungry. Mostly, I wanted a chance to thank you for what you’ve done for me the past few days.”

I smiled at the praise, even though I didn’t quite know what to do with it. “Well, I’m famished. Nothin’ like a long day’s work to build up an appetite. Shall we fill our plates before we chat?” I asked.

I used the time at the buffet to get my mind to calm down. I hadn’t planned to spend any time with the man again, fully convincing myself to leave well enough alone, but he’d beenso sweet to wait for me. Regardless of what all he wanted to discuss, and even if it included a romantic proposition I’d have to decline, I could still enjoy being in the presence of such a beautiful, dignified man, right?

Ruther bumped me gently a couple of times by accident while we shuffled along the buffet line. The brief touches caused my insides to skitter, but I packed that down quick.

“So, as I was saying,” he said as we returned to our booth, “I need to thank you. You not only rescued me when I injured myself out in the woods but also this morning after I had a panic attack.” He paused a moment and stared down at his food. “I-I don’t have them often any longer, but when I do, I just need to calm down, and that’s hard to do when people are swarming me or asking a bunch of questions. Corey is great at helping me save face, but you…you just helped me get myself put back together. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”

His face was so pinched, I let my guard down long enough to reach over and place my hand over his. “Listen, I had panic attacks bad when I was in high school. My dad, well, he was a little free with the belt, and anytime I’d mess up at school, I’d freak out thinkin’ bad things would happen at home.”

“Did you get away from him?” he asked, leading me away from the panic attack conversation.

“Eventually, but not until I was grown. Anyway, I recognize panic attacks and know what you meant by needin’ a moment to calm down.”

“Do you still have them?” he asked, and the composed demeanor he always seemed to have slipped a moment, exposing a vulnerable soul that just made him all the more appealing.

I nodded. “I do, but they’re sporadic, and I can never predict them. Luckily, I’ve not had one since coming here. I think it’sbecause Crawford City’s the first place I’ve been in a long time that makes me feel safe.”

Ruther’s eyes grew wide before they clouded over. “Safe in Crawford City,” he said, mostly to himself, then laughed dryly. “Do you like wine?”

His abrupt change of subject made my head spin for a moment. “Um, yeah, a little.”

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