Page 28 of Traces Of You
Her eyes lifted to Clay after he snorted, but he was plopping mashed potatoes onto his plate next and handing it to Gale.
Ford gave her the beef and she added a slice to her plate.
Soon everyone was eating. The silence felt tense in a kitchen that was always so noisy.
She hated she caused it and reached into her pocket and pulled out a twenty. “Gale. This is to start. To make it legally binding or whatever words you need.”
She reached her hand forward to hand it to Gale. Before Ford could pull it out of her hand, Clay snatched it and shot his brother a smirk, then gave it to their sister.
“We’ll talk after dinner,” Gale said. “I have orders to not say anything just yet.”
Ford had told her they wouldn’t discuss it and she’d honor that.
“You seemed comfortable in the bakery,” Brooke said. “Would you like to work in there with me? I could always use a hand baking and filling orders. I’m getting orders from businesses now and delivery might be a nice option if I could spare someone.”
“I’d love to,” she said. “But anywhere you want me to work, you just tell me.”
“First off,” Ford said. “Where is your car? I didn’t see it when I pulled in.”
“Is that why you were pounding on the door so hard? I thought you were going to break it down when you yelled my name.”
All eyes shifted to Ford again, but she’d pretend she didn’t notice it.
“I told her to park behind the house,” Clay said. “Under the patio for now. She can come in the back door from there and stay out of the rain if she’s got anything. It keeps her car hidden too.”
“I didn’t think of that,” he said.
“Because you haven’t stayed there in a long time,” Clay said. “Nor do you think like me.”
Brooke cleared her throat. “Back to the bakery. I start work at four in the morning. The bakery opens at seven, but we don’t get a lot of traffic. Just some people who might order the night before and pick up before work or stopping on their way to work. Not like those that are sitting inside for coffee and waiting to be served.”
“I can do that,” Reenie said. “I like to cook and bake and am willing to learn. Or wait on people or deliver. Take orders. You tell me and I’ll do it.”
She’d learned to cook and bake years ago when she was on her own. Not just to save money but because of this woman in front of her.
As a child she didn’t know what love languages were. Would have laughed if anyone even brought it up to her.
But slowly she realized that acts of service were what Brooke did without even thinking. Ford’s mother cared for those she loved. She provided for them and was appreciated and loved in return.
In her heart, Reenie thought if she could learn to do those things, maybe a man would love her back.
She came to enjoy the cooking and baking, but had never found someone who treated her the way Brooke did. She’d never told a soul, but during that wonderful year she’d spent here in her youth, Brooke had inspired her more than anyone. It seemed fitting to her to be learning more from this woman now.
“We are only open until three,” Brooke said. “A breakfast and lunch crowd. And this time of year, lunch is served Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. I’ve got someone who works the tables for that. Once Memorial Day hits, we’ll be serving lunch seven days a week.”
“Do you get a day off?” she asked.
This time Callum snorted. “Nope. She doesn’t. Maybe now she can.”
“Yeah, Mom,” Gale said. “Teach Reenie to bake too.”
“We’ll see,” Brooke said. “I’ve got help. I have another baker who comes in a few days a week when we are busier or fills in for me when I need some time off. There is no reason for you to work seven days a week.”
“I can,” she said. “I want to. I’m not doing anything else.”
“You two can work that out,” Callum said. “I understand it’s hard to sit around waiting for things to happen that might not for some time. Idle hands can lead to idle minds.”
Reenie nodded and continued to eat.
