Page 15 of Tacos & Toboggans
My cup sloshed when I lowered it to the table. “The actual lottery lottery?”
“Is that versus just the lottery?” she asked, trying not to smile. Rather than answer, I lowered a brow until she answered around her laughter. “Yes, the actual lottery. He won the Powerball drawing many years ago. He bought the tree farm because he’s actually an arborist. Then, he invested the remaining money and used it to create jobs for people with disabilities. His sister, Heather, who’s married to our police detective, has a physical disability, and he got frustrated watching employers assume she couldn’t do a job because of it.”
“See a need and fill it,” I said, to which she nodded.
“Then he met and married Becca, who’s an amputee, so he knows firsthand what people with disabilities can do when given a fair shot.”
Don’t react, I told myself. Don’t react and blow the fun we’re having here. Is it a secret that I’m an amputee? No, but she didn’t appear to know, so it was okay to keep it that way for the night.
“I can’t disagree. I work with a lot of disabled veterans who want a fair shake at a good life after serving our country.”
“Dawson,” she said with a nod after she swallowed. “It took him many years to get that fair shake, and he has crazy mad skills with languages.”
“Oh?” I asked in surprise. “I thought he was a teacher.”
“He teaches foreign languages part-time at the high school. He’s also an interpreter at the hospital, as well as translating all the documents for the city. He speaks like nine languages or something wild like that.”
“He’s a polyglot?”
She clapped her hands and pointed at me. “That’s the word. He was an interpreter in the army but couldn’t find a job when he returned after being injured. He was without a home for several years before he found a place at New Beginnings and was able to have stable housing while he got his teaching license.”
“Bells Pass has certainly taken me by surprise. It’s easy to admit that after being here for a month.”
Her nod was immediate. “People think it’s a sleeper town, but I call it the biggest small town in Michigan. So much industry goes on here that people don’t even realize.”
“And your hospital is top-notch, considering the size of the town.”
She pointed at me with a nod. “That’s because so many other towns around us utilize it. Sure, Saginaw is the closest high-level trauma center, but our doctors, yourself included, from what I hear, provide top-of-the-line care that’s needed every day.”
Giving her a tip of my fake hat, I smiled. “I disagree on none of this. It’s been a nice experience coming from Denver. I haven’t missed anything about the city.”
“Hard to when you have great dining, plenty of ways to meet your everyday needs for goods, and friendly neighbors. Of course, we have our fair share of problems like any small town, but we try to find innovative ways to tackle and solve them.”
“Like the housing situation,” I said as Eden approached with a plate in each hand. It was hard to miss the look that passed through Jaelyn’s eyes right before Eden set the food in front of us. Another opportunity missed. I was so close to finding out what was bothering her, but I was constantly thwarted by someone else whenever my chance arose. I wanted to delve deeper into who Jaelyn Riba is and what secrets she may harbor.
“Anything else I can get you?” Eden asked. I shook my head as the scent of the fried meat made my stomach growl. “Did you hear the great news?” she asked Jaelyn.
“I don’t think so?”
While I waited to hear the good news, I squeezed the lemon over the meat and cut into it, the pork melting under my knife. I’d eaten plenty of schnitzel in my life, but something told me this would rival any I’d had to date. When I popped the piece in my mouth, I wasn’t disappointed, nor was I wrong. The flavors popped in your mouth, and it was perfectly seasoned and moist.
“I’m going to start working here full-time in the kitchen!” Eden said, jumping once in excitement.
Jaelyn climbed from the booth and hugged her with equal excitement. “That’s so exciting, Eve! I didn’t know we needed someone in the kitchen.” She sat again, waiting for Eden to answer.
“Oh, you haven’t heard. Maybe I shouldn’t say anything.”
“Well, now you have to,” Jaelyn said, facing the woman. “Is someone sick? I’m worried.”
“No, no,” Eden assured her, waving her hand. “It’s just that Lance will be working full-time at Evergreen Acres.”
Jaelyn chewed on her lip for a moment. “I’m supposed to meet with them tomorrow before I pick up the food truck. I bet that’s what they wanted to talk about.”
Eden made the zip her lips motion and tossed away the key. “It should be their story to tell. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No worries. Don’t stress about it. They wanted to chat today, but my schedule didn’t allow it. I’m happy for you, Eden. You deserve it! Are you going to stop delivering pizza then?”
“Yes! I’ll be working the late shift here. I’m thrilled to have a job that pays me enough to support myself. Anyway, you should eat before your food gets cold.”
