The back room of the cafe had been transformed into a makeshift assembly line. Tables were covered with food items, empty baskets waited to be filled, and volunteers moved between stations helping where they could.
“Nora’s at the lodge gathering whatever they can spare from their pantry. And I’ve called everyone I can think of for donations, but we’re still going to be short.”
“What do you need us to do?” Tessa surprised herself with her eagerness to help.
Annie looked relieved. “Beckett, can you take over the assembly station? And Tessa, I could use help sorting what we do have and figuring out how to stretch it.”
They separated to their assigned tasks, and Tessa found herself at a table covered with canned vegetables, pasta, and various dry goods. A woman with silver-streaked hair was already there, making notes on a clipboard.
“You must be Stan’s daughter,” the woman said, extending her hand. “I’m Lucy. My husband and I run Pine View B&B.”
“Nice to meet you.” She shook Lucy’s hand.
“We’ve heard a lot about you from your father. He’s very proud of your nursing career.”
She blinked in surprise. Her father, proud? That didn’t align with anything she knew about Stan Grant.
“We need to count everything and divide it evenly among forty baskets,” Lucy explained, seemingly unaware of Tessa’s confusion. “Each basket should have enough for several meals.”
She nodded, grateful for the task. Numbers and inventory were straightforward, uncomplicated by emotional undercurrents. She began counting and sorting, quickly falling into a rhythm.
From her position, she could see Beckett directing volunteers at the assembly station. He worked with quiet efficiency, his instructions clear and his movements purposeful. People responded to him without hesitation, following his lead as if he’d been organizing this event for years.
“He’s been such a blessing to this town,” Lucy commented, following Tessa’s gaze. “Fixed the library roof, built new shelves for the school, and teaches those woodworking classes at the community center.”
“I heard.” She turned back to her counting.
Lucy smiled. “Your father speaks very highly of him. Says he’s never met anyone who works harder or complains less.”
The comment stung more than it should have. When had her father ever spoken highly of her to others? Even her decision to become a nurse had been met with practical approval rather than pride.
“We’re short on protein,” she noted, changing the subject. “Not enough canned meat or beans.”
Lucy sighed. “That’s what I was afraid of. The protein items were on the missing delivery.”
“What about peanut butter? It’s shelf-stable and high in protein,” she suggested.
“Good thinking. I’ll check with Annie.”
As Lucy walked away, Tessa continued organizing the available food. The work was methodical and soothing, allowing her mind to focus on something besides her father’s condition and her own uncertain future.
Eventually, her sorting system brought her to the assembly station where Beckett was working. They found themselves side by side, packing boxes with carefully measured portions of food.
“You’re good at this,” he observed after watching her efficient movements.
She shrugged. “I’m used to organizing medical supplies. This isn’t so different.”
He placed a bag of rice in a basket. “Your father mentioned you work in an emergency room. That must be challenging.”
“It has its moments.” She was unwilling to discuss how challenging it had recently become and how the job she’d once found purpose in now filled her with dread.
They worked in silence for a while, finding an unexpected rhythm together. He would open a new box, she would arrange the base items, and he would add the heavier cans. It was oddly comfortable, this wordless cooperation.
“How long have you been away from Sweet River Falls?” he eventually asked.
“Ten, maybe fifteen years. I left for nursing school and never really came back except for brief visits.”
“It’s a good town. People here look out for each other.”
