“Let’s do this.” He laid the papers aside. “If you can give up your cruise, I can put off buying a new car. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to split the costs.”
Her heart grew two sizes. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel obligated because of me. God doesn’t give all of us the same callings.”
“I’m positive.”
She relaxed and uncrossed her arms. “If you’re free any day next week, we can go shopping and make a day out of it.”
“Tuesday’s my only day off. I’m here all day Monday and Wednesdays, and a half day on Fridays, but I still work at the nursery.”
“Oh wow. That’s a crazy schedule to carry.”
He reverted back to a frown. “Not as much as I’d hoped. Mom and Dad are talking about shutting it down.”
“They can’t do that. It’s a staple of the community.”
“When a family struggles to put food on the table, they’re not thinking about landscaping and planting new trees and flower gardens.” His gaze wandered, and he sighed. “They’re operating at bare minimum now, and the only thing keeping them from going in the red is cutting my salary.”
“They cut your pay?” She couldn’t imagine Mr. and Mrs. Thomas shortchanging their own son, but she didn’t voice her thoughts on the matter.
“It was my idea. Since the town pays me a small salary to be their mayor, I suggested my parents hire a part-timer to fill in my missing hours. I knew Dave Richards needed a job, so he’s helping out. Overall, the nursery’s payroll is less, and Dave has a little income to keep him afloat.”
“You always were a saint.”
He chuckled. “Not by far. If I were, I would have given up my car money months ago.”
“Either way, you’re a good man Derek Thomas. I’m proud to call you friend.”
“It’s been a long time since you’ve called me that.”
She swallowed. He had a point, but she didn’t want to go there. Not now, maybe not ever.
A rumble echoed in the room.
Derek shifted his eyes and laughed. “That’s my stomach, demanding to be fed.”
Saved by the stomach growl.“I’m hungry, too. Let’s eat.”
