“Where are you headed?” He wiped some smudges off the window, polishing until it shone.
“Here.” She gestured to Paper Works’ front door. “I need some printer paper. I’m doing some sales research to help decide what direction to take the store in.” She hadn’t meant to discuss their plight with him, but it felt good to share the burden.
“Your business degree will help. Once upon a time, I thought about business school but settled on chemical engineering before…”
“That’s too bad. You had the high marks for engineering, didn’t you?” It was weird they recalled each other’s plans. Crazy weird.
“Full ride scholarship to University of Calgary, but the universe had other plans and I stayed here.”
He could have been so much more than an odd-job-Bob. The waste of his mind was tragic. She hid her sympathy; he never had liked pity.
“There are a couple of odd jobs at the shop. Stop by when you have a minute. We’ll hire you to do them.” A couple of blown light fixtures and a loose door weren’t anything she couldn’t handle, but he looked like he needed the work.
“Thanks. It might be a day or two. I have to finish the windows and I have a couple other things lined up.”
“Whenever you get a chance. There’s no rush.” If he took a few days, she might find extra jobs. “I’ll see you then. Bye.”
Minutes later, bundle of paper in hand, she stepped into Beth’s Beans and inhaled deeply. Silver Creek had three bakeries, plus the grocery store’s, but not one of them smelled as heavenly as Beth’s. Every day it was a little different, depending on the confection of the day. Judging by the enticing aroma, today was chocolate cake.
She unbuttoned her jacket and stepped toward the counter. Her timing was perfect. Almost all of the tables were full, but there was no lineup. Beth greeted her with a smile.
“Hails, what can I get you? Something hot? It’s freezing out there.”
She scanned the menu. Maybe she’d splurge on supper. Dad was at the golf club for dinner. “Chicken noodle soup, a roast beef sandwich and that gooey chocolate caramel cream cake. Two of each, to go, please.” Motion near the washrooms caught her eye. Jesse was headed down the hallway. “Make it three.”
Beth followed her gaze. “You don’t need to feed him,” she whispered.
Hailey squinted at her friend. Since when did Beth discourage charity? “Three of each. Two in a box to go. Put his on a tray to eat here. He has to be frozen working outside today.”
“Are you sure?” Beth persisted.
“One hundred percent.” She paid with some of the precious cash in her wallet. With luck, her condo would sell quickly and she’d have more funds. She could get a place of her own and invest in the store. She didn’t care for this living day to day and having to watch every cent. This early supper was an extravagance she wouldn’t soon repeat. She didn’t regret her act of charity, not for one second.
“Hailey Masters, are you following me?” Jesse’s laughter-filled voice came from behind her.
“I believe I was here first.” She grinned at him.
“Au contraire. My arrival preceded yours. I was just…busy.”
She raised one eyebrow and tapped her chin with her forefinger. “True. Perhaps I was following you. My apologies. Let me make it up to you by buying you dinner.”
“I’m fine, but thanks. I just need a hot drink.”
“I insist. I’ve already paid for it.”
He looked thoughtful. “I guess I’ll be forced to accept then. But only if you eat with me. I assume those bags are food?”
What the heck? She could spend a few minutes with a lonely man. “I accept your conditions.” She turned back toward the counter. I’ll have mine on a tray, please. I’ll pick up the rest when I’m finished.” She slid the bag back toward Beth.
“Coming right up.”
They carried their trays to a vacant table and slipped out of their jackets.
“Thank you for dinner.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you like roast beef.” She hadn’t given him a choice in food. She just assumed he’d be so hungry he’d eat anything. She was a dolt sometimes.
“Luckily, I adore roast beef. Mom used to make the best roast beef with mashed potatoes.” He frowned.
