“Thanks, and we also appreciate you sending people over for the cinnamon rolls.I think about ten people said you sent them.The Hanson family walked in within minutes of you leaving, and some girls came with their boyfriends.I think they could have eaten two or three each,” Mrs.Madelyn laughed.
“Kevin,” Levi called out when he spotted him.“Come get your cinnamon roll.”
Cavin’s eyes twinkled.The way Levi called him Kevin sounded so cute.Maybe the little guy couldn’t quite pronounce Cavin, or maybe he initially heard the name Kevin in his mind.It didn’t matter either way, and this didn’t mark the first time someone renamed him.Adults often made the same mistake although he usually chose to correct anyone over twelve gently.
“It’s free,” Laney reminded him.
Cavin rubbed his hands together as if about to start a fire with his excitement then looked at Noel as he reached into the beverage carrier.“Levi and Laney, if it’s okay with your mom, I will trade each of you a hot chocolate for one of those delicious-smelling treats.”
Their eyes bulged nearly causing their brows to rise into their Santa hats.“I love hot chocolate,” Levi shouted.
“Hot chocolate is the best,” Laney added.
Noel glanced at the kids and then at Cavin.“Yes, it’s fine,” she agreed as she stretched the tray in his direction.Laney traded him a plate for the hot chocolate while Levi handed Cavin a napkin and grabbed his beverage quickly as if someone else might claim it if he didn’t.“I believe you deserve one of these,” Noel offered with a calm voice.
“They smell delicious, Noel,” Cavin replied.“In fact the whole store smells amazing,” he added while looking around at the decorations and tree that seemed to accent all the festive candy colors perfectly.
“Christmas,” Noel said as her eyelids closed ever so briefly while taking in the aroma.“It smells like Christmas.”
“I love the scent of Christmas,” Cavin declared.“Oh and here is your coffee, Noel,” he added, reaching for her cup.
“Thank you,” she acknowledged, steadying the empty tray in one hand while receiving the coffee with the other.“You really didn’t have to do that.”
Levi and Laney made their way to a cutout area underneath the front counter, accessible from the back.They named it their fort, and the hideout offered a place for them to relax and unwind when needing a break.The oversized cubby, complete with soft blankets, a pillow, and a few stuffed animals, allowed Noel and Mrs.Madelyn to keep an eye on the kids.It also gave Levi and Laney a place to eat during business hours rather than having to go upstairs for snacks or even meals.
“It was my privilege,” Cavin responded.“The new guy in town has to accept and endure initiation,” he added with a laugh.
“Welcome to Beaufort,” Noel finally offered.“I should have said that earlier, but I was a bit frazzled.”
“Life happens, and in the retail world Black Friday is always unpredictable,” he acknowledged.“Is this a family business?”he asked using his pointer finger on the hand holding his coffee cup to reference the candy shop.
He took a quick bite of the cinnamon roll, and as soon as he began chewing, the warmth, softness, and sweetness simultaneously laser-beamed a message from his taste buds to his brain, and Cavin imagined his subsequent facial expression highlighted his genuine approval.He thought Noel would answer the question while he chewed delicately, but she didn’t say anything right away, and eventually, he swallowed the remnants of the first bite.
Noel’s head dropped when she heard the wordsfamily business.Although unsure why, she instantly thought of the accident that took half of her family.She missed Fletcher, her parents, and her sister-in-law Lexi tremendously during the holidays.They used to have so much fun living life together and running this family candy business.Even though her husband made a living captaining a fishing boat, he still pitched in here especially on days like yesterday and today when an extra set of hands made a huge impact.
If Fletcher were here, I wouldn’t have forgotten the cinnamon rolls or the social media posts.That thought flashed through Noel’s mind, and she nearly said it aloud which for some reason made her blush.Suddenly, she wanted to slip away from this man with perfect teeth standing in front of her waiting for an answer.
“Yes, this is a family business,” she eventually uttered.
Cavin noticed the sudden change in Noel’s demeanor and knew better than to ask the follow-up question that came to mind.“That’s wonderful, and this is the best cinnamon roll I have ever tasted,” he divulged.“It was definitely worth the wait.In fact I think making customers wait for this piece of perfection might be the best tactic to lure them in to buy candy.”
“Thank you,” Noel said simply.“I am sorry Mrs.Madelyn twisted your arm to get us coffee.”
“You must have trained her well,” Cavin remarked before taking another bite of the sticky treat.
Noel snickered.“That woman trained me.”
Cavin glanced toward the counter as he finished chewing.“I like her.”
“She’s one of a kind,” Noel reported as she momentarily locked eyes with Mrs.Madelyn who had been sneaking peeks in her direction this entire conversation.
“Noel, I imagine you have a lot to do with it being Black Friday including baking more of these delicious cinnamon rolls for your customers, so I will let you get back to it while I pick out some candy.”
Noel smirked.“Thanks again for the coffee and even more for getting hot chocolate for the kids.”
“Anytime.”
Remembering she had given Cavin the last cinnamon roll on the tray, Noel turned and headed for the kitchen realizing the next batch should be ready soon.
