Page 131 of Banter & Blushes #1
“ H E SANG TO YOU ON THE BEACH?” Joe couldn’t hold back her excitement for her friend the next morning. “HOW ROMANTIC IS THAT? ”
“Okay, okay,” she laughed, using her hands to push the air down in front of them. “Calm down.”
“HOW CAN I BE CALM? THAT IS SO SWEET!” She gushed again. Lowering her voice, she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Elva set out their normal coffee mugs on the restaurant counter. “I know but, shhh. Everyone doesn’t have to know about it. Or maybe you’d like to have Steve broadcast it over the PA system at the grocery store this afternoon?”
Taking a sip of hot coffee, she smiled, “you know what? I just might.”
“You would,” she teased her friend back. “It really was romantic, though. And he was such a gentleman. I didn’t think there were too many of those around anymore, at least not outside of our Landings.”
“Well, you do realize that he was alive when that song came out, right?”
“So was I.” She nodded her head up and down. “AND so were you!”
“Maybe that’s just how they grow ‘em in Red Bird?” Joe offered taking another drink of her coffee.
Pouring sweet tea into jugs, she shrugged, “maybe.” Before her friend could ask, she offered, “I’m taking lunch to the job crew today. They are almost done with the building and I thought this would be a nice treat.”
“That’s nice of you. You made an apple pie too, huh?”
Lifting the pie into a box she nodded, “they need dessert, don’t you think?”
A large smile covered her face, “of course they do. It’s a great excuse to see your beau too in the middle of the day. ”
She crossed her arms in front of her chest, “I’ll have you know that I had this planned well before anything happened last night.”
“OH?” Jill walked by tying on her apron, “what happened last night?” She leaned her elbows onto the counter and waited to hear all the juicy gossip.
“Nothing at all.” Elva shook her head knowing better than to retell the story.
“Not nothing. Something.” Josephine rubbed her hands together, proud of their handiwork. “Definitely something,”
Pulling into the job site she was impressed with the expanse of the building from the outside. Even though she visited several times, it surprised her each time to see how much was done from one trip to the next. Everything felt like it was falling right into place.
Looking up from deep conversation with his foreman, Mitch watched Elva walk through the construction entrance with a large box in her arms. “Hang on a second, Ted.” He stopped his employee and went running through the site to Elva’s side.
“What do you have here?” He took the heavy-looking box from her hands.
“Thank you. I was struggling. I made lunch for everyone today as a way to say thank you.” Then turning back toward the parking area she said, “Hang on, I have a few pitchers of sweet tea, too- “Before she could finish talking, Ted and Bobby were jogging to her truck to help her. “Thank you, guys.”
Smiling as they lifted the heavy boxes from the back seat, “thank you ma’am.”
She closed the door and then followed behind them to the small worktable in the middle of the engine bay.
“I just want to personally let you all know how grateful we are for your hard work. This project is coming together so quickly and that wouldn’t be possible without each of you.
” She started handing out wrapped sandwiches, “please help yourselves.” Taking out a large covered bowl she set it next to the box.
“This is potato salad and there are forks and plates too.”
Mitch watched her with awe. “Is there anything you can’t do?” She smiled in response before he asked, “did you make all of this yourself?”
“Of course I did,” she winked at the crew who knew better. “OH!” Her hands rose to cover her mouth. “I forgot dessert in the truck. I hope it’s not melting!”
“Let me get that for you ma’am,” Bobby offered right away. “I can’t wait to see what it is!”
“Thank you, yes it’s on the passenger seat.” She handed him her keys in case she locked it.
“Here you are,” Mitch handed sandwiches to all his workers. “Enjoy your lunch now and then it’s double time this afternoon.” He barked out, followed by a chuckle.
“Really?” Elva couldn’t help but ask. He was so helpful and kind. Under his gruff exterior and workaholic attitude, he was s oft and gentle.
“Well we have a taskmaster of a manager,” he grinned. “But at least she provides lunch.”
The crew all laughed before Bobby lifted the box to show off an apple pie. “Is this homemade?” He asked hoping the answer was yes.
Opening the lid of the vanilla ice cream, she dipped the scoop into the top, “yes, of course it is.” If there was one thing she loved making most of all, it was cakes and pies. She could bake the entire day away.
Mitch stood up to get a slice of pie. “Apple is my favorite.” His eager gaze watched the slices of fruit nearly fall out under the crust as it settled on his plate.
Scooping the ice cream, she put a spoonful next to his pie. “I didn’t know that,” she watched his eyes light up even more. “I’ll have to remember that for next time.” His eyes raised to meet hers.
She watched the men happily eat and joke with one another before wandering around to check the progress. The walls were all in and drywall going up. It wouldn’t be much longer, now. “Amazing! Things are coming together so quickly.”
Walking into the other room, she marveled at the progress knowing Mitch was close by. “El,” he stepped behind her, “about last night…”
“It was lovely, but there’s no need to talk about it,” she brushed off the topic almost immediately. Was she ready to hear what he wanted to say? She knew how she felt, or she thought so, but maybe not enough to talk about it.
Looking around at the guys finishing their apple pie and ice cream he thought out loud, “This probably isn’t the right time, anyway. Maybe later?”
She brushed by him playfully, picking up after the lunch. “Maybe.”