Page 79 of Tacos & Toboggans
“You know, Mel, Becca, Hazel, Audrey, the town.”
“The town?” I exclaimed as she bent over laughing, slapping her thigh as though she were a well-paid comedian.
“Mostly, I’m kidding,” she said, standing again. “But also, I’m not. Major fits in so well here. Everyone loves you, so they’re invested in making sure you’re happy.”
“I am happy. For the first time in too many years, I’m happy with my life. I have a great job, my book business has taken off thanks to the support of this wonderful town, and I have a man who loves me. All that’s left is an apartment and finishing paying off Yaya’s bills, which I think I’ll be able to do from book sales by the middle of next year. Hazel said an apartment may be coming open on the first of February, and she’s going to call me the second she knows.”
“Maybe talk to Major before you make a decision,” Ivy suggested.
“I’m not moving in with him yet, Ives. We’ve only known each other for a few months.”
“True, but he has the cottage, and he told you it was yours as long as you want it. Renting an apartment without talking it through could hurt him. Better to be on the same page, right?”
She was right, which was why I hadn’t talked to him about Hazel’s call yet. Partly because I didn’t know how to bring it up and partly because I didn’t want to leave. That was the conundrum. It just felt too soon to assume he wanted me to live there indefinitely. In fairness to myself, all of this was new, and learning to navigate it would have a bit of a curve.
“You’re right,” I said with a nod. “I haven’t brought it up, but I will, and we’ll talk it out. Thanks for the advice.”
“You’re welcome. Also, the rest of Yaya’s debts have been paid. Lance took care of it today. You’ll get the final cleared receipts in the mail. Merry Christmas.”
“Ivy!” I exclaimed. “What are you talking about? I didn’t pay them off. He managed to get the amount owed cut in half, so I have a payment plan set up.”
Her nod was immediate while she smiled. “You did, but I wanted you to go into the new year ready to start fresh. I had saved the profits from The Spanish Rooster for months and finally strong-armed Lance into telling me how much was needed to pay them off. Spoiler alert, it was way less than I’d saved. That’s how much of an impact you made with the taco truck this year.”
“It makes me so happy that everyone loves Yaya’s rice, but Ivy, that money should have gone to the kids!”
“In a way, it did,” she said with a shrug. “Because of your dedication to helping them with the truck, we’ve seen how beneficial expanding the program will be. The little bit of cash it took to pay those off, so you have one less thing to worry about and can focus on the kids, will pay that debt back tenfold.”
“There you go being a nightingale again,” I whispered, tears on my cheeks as I walked around the counter to hug her. “You’re truly the best boss and friend a girl could have.”
She patted my back as the hug ended. “You’re more than welcome. We’ll invest the rest of the money into a permanent snack shack, as this season has made it obvious what a fantastic idea it was.”
“Cameron and Becca are pleased with how much it’s streamlined everything without hurting store traffic. We’re already planning the new hut they’ll build this summer.”
“Good, then we’re on the same page. Now, about that Christmas present for Major. I don’t know what you get a doctor. Does he wear jewelry?”
“Not really,” I said. “Obviously, as a surgeon, less is more when it comes to his hands and arms.”
“Okay, fair. Give me time to think about it.”
“Don’t take long, I’m almost out of time. It feels like I should be the one who comes up with the gift. Honestly, he doesn’t need anything, so I want it to be something that will remind him of our first Christmas together. I tossed aroundbuying him a rooster, but I didn’t think his neighbors would appreciate the wake-up call every morning.”
Ivy’s laughter filled the diner. “It’s not a bad idea! I hear what you’re saying, though.” Brittany put the to-go order up in the window, and Ivy grabbed it. “Give me twenty-four hours. It might be that you’re overthinking it, where I can stand back and see something you’re missing.”
“That’s true,” I agreed. “Thanks, Ives.”
She tucked the food and two pieces of pie into a bag and handed it to me just as the bell rang over the door. We both turned to see Gabe walking toward us, his badge around his neck, indicating that he was on duty. He rarely wore a uniform now that he was a detective.
“Hey, Gabe,” Ivy said. “Want some coffee?”
If you work for Bells Pass Protective Services, coffee and pie are on the house whenever you stop at the diner during your shift. Just another thing to love about Ivy Lund.
“Thanks, but I’m good. Headed home, but I noticed Jaelyn’s car and wanted to stop in and talk to her about the robbery a few weeks ago.”
“Did you catch him?” I asked, swiveling on the stool to give him all my attention.
“Not yet, but we may know who he is. I know you didn’t see his face, but if I show you a picture, can you give me your impression on height and weight?”
“Sure, I’ll try,” I said with a shrug, waiting while he opened a picture on his phone. He held it out, and I took the phone, surprised to see a much older man than I had expected. “Considering how thin and wiry the robber was, I had him pegged as much younger. This guy must be forty if he’s a day, but the rest fits,” I said. “He’s the right height and weight.”
