“Then it’s settled,” Kassie said, winking at him.
Ty rose from the booth and placed their orders. He glanced at his dessert trays and debated whether Scarlett enjoyed warm brownies with fudge or his salted caramel and chocolate chip cookies. His heart pitter-pattered at the thought of seeing her again. With her red hair and bright green eyes, she captured his attention. But her quiet continence and funny banter drew her to him. Determined to make an impression before the Irish and Russians, Ty made his plan.
CHAPTER 13
Debbie showedScarlett around the community center, introducing her to the senior groups and the young teens who worked there. By the way they greeted her, Scarlett knew the woman was well-liked among the townsfolk.
“I’ll set you up right next to me. We’ll make the crusts for the pot pies, and since it’ll be chilly this evening, we’ll make some cider and hot chocolate,” Debbie said, handing her an apron and a hair net. “The sink will be on your right to wash your hands before we get started.”
Scarlett moved to her right and turned the faucet on. She discovered the soap and scrubbed her hands. “What do you want me to do first?”
“I placed the flour by the mixer on your left. We need eight cups to start and I’ll cut the butter. Where did Barb put the salt?” Debbie asked while she fluttered back and forth, grabbing ingredients.
“Debbie. While you and Scarlett were eating lunch, Barb got one of her headaches again. She’s already scolded me for leaving and checking on her. Samantha gave me one of those lavender packets in my freezer. When you and Scarlett finish,can you get it out of my fridge and take it to Barb?” Edie asked.
“Oh, dear. We might need to mention her headaches to Chase or Kassie. They seem like they’re coming on quicker. I’ll take Scarlett with me. She might have to run Barb’s dinner up to her later while I tend to the supper crowd,” Debbie explained.
“How many people will show up?” Scarlett asked out of curiosity.
“We feed about a hundred and fifty people daily. Serenity has a large senior population. One of the veterans will drive a couple of the teens around to those who can’t get out of their homes and drop off a meal, and Bryanna packages up her leftover baked goods to distribute among them. Lately, we’ve seen a couple of seniors coming from the next town over. We never turn anyone down,” Debbie said, turning on the mixer.
“Wow. That’s a lot of people. Do you charge for the meals?” she asked, trying to figure out how it all worked.
“Oh, no. Some folks come for the company. You never know when a simple hello can make someone’s day, especially for some of the senior citizens. They don’t have much family around. We never know their circumstances, but a hot meal can restore a soul.”
“I love how you think,” Scarlett said, closing the flour lid.
“This place, my grandchildren, along with Michael and Lizzy keep me going. Since you’re new, I’ll tell you a little bit about myself. My daughter, Diana, suffered from breast cancer about the same time as Lizzy. Diana’s good-for-nothing husband left her with those two darling children, Caleb and Faith.”
“Lizzy’s appointments coincided with Diana’s. They became fast friends. Diana lost her job before winter because she missed work due to the chemotherapy treatments. Imoved in with her to help out. When Faith got sick, Michael and his team moved us here. This community took Diana, my grandchildren, and me in and never asked for a single thing. Eventually, we talked Barb into joining us. My Diana didn’t make it, but before she passed, Lizzy and Michael took my grandbabies in and gave them a loving home. She knew I was unable to care for two small children every day, and she placed them into the hands of people who love them beyond measure.”
“I’m sorry, Debbie,” Scarlett sniffed and wiped her eyes.
“Oh, here I go prattling on,” Debbie said, her voice wavering. “It doesn’t matter how many people will walk through those doors. We don’t know why they came, but they’ll leave with a full stomach and a bit of faith knowing someone cared about them. Serenity gave it to us, and it meant the world.”
“I didn’t want to come here. My friend talked me into it. It’s nice to know people like you and places like this still exist. I’m glad to be a part of this even if it’s for a short time,” Scarlett admitted.
“We’re glad to have you, too. Now let’s beat our frustrations out on some dough,” Debbie said, dumping it on the steel counter she floured. Dividing it in half, she handed a ball to Scarlett and they went to work rolling it out.
When they finished, three teens put the crusts in the tins and two more filled them.
“Come on, Scarlett. If you don’t mind, I forgot my wallet upstairs, and I want to pick up a couple of things at the grocery store. We’ll go to Edie’s first, she’s on the lowest floor, then Barb’s apartment is above hers, and I have the penthouse suite,” she said, placing a meal into a box for her friend.
They left out the back of the building and turned right. Scarlett counted the steps and memorized the turns. Debbie turned the key to unlock Miss Edie’s apartmentand she went into the kitchen to fetch the soothing wrap. She locked the door behind her and sighed.
“Thank goodness Saint put an elevator in for us. Barb’s legs hurt and swell by the end of the day,” she said as they entered it.
“I’m not a fan of elevators. I like good old-fashioned stairs,” Scarlett confessed.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. I should’ve asked you. Saint and Bryanna converted the house into three separate apartments. They removed the stairs from the inside, making the rooms a bit bigger since we won’t be using them. We do have fire escape steps on the right if you prefer to use them,” Debbie informed her.
“I’m all right. I can handle it for short trips. There’s something about a metal box. It makes me feel like I’m a turkey going in the oven on Thanksgiving,” she said, as the doors opened for Barb’s floor.
“What on earth,” Barb exclaimed as Debbie and Scarlett stepped out.
“We brought you a lavender pack for your headache and food for your dinner. I’ll place it in the oven and set a timer. Check it in forty-five minutes,” Debbie mothered her. “In the meantime, you can lie on the couch, listen to your TV, and put this on your head.”
“I told Miss Edie it didn’t hurt too badly. Maybe I need a new pair of glasses. I swear, even the recipes seem blurry,” Barb admitted.
