Page 12 of Conquered

Chapter 5

Noelle could only describe her current situation as happy. No, she thought. Happy felt too ordinary a word. Blissful popped into her mind. It still wasn’t enough, so she settled for euphoric instead.

Within days of hiring Miranda, she instantly felt her load lessen. Miranda was so efficient that she didn’t have to worry about running out of supplies in the café. Noelle could accommodate more clients and she didn’t need to close early. She even took over the grocery shopping, leaving Noelle more time to spend with her son.

After both girls had the routine down pat, Miranda transformed from the shy, scared girl to someone who exchanged easy banter with the customers. Noelle thanked her lucky stars. Miranda was like manna from heaven.

They exchanged ideas about spices, herbs, and condiments. Miranda taught her about exotic spices like Achii, Ogbona, and lyere. Noelle discovered, to her delight, that Miranda too had secret recipes just like her. But Miranda had no qualms about sharing them. Noelle, to her chagrin, didn’t feel the same. She held on to her secret ingredients.

An easy friendship developed as they shared stories about their lives. Noelle realized that even if they came from different parts of the world, there was something more in common between them than she previously realized.

Admittedly, her euphoric allocation was not mainly due to Miranda alone. Hunter Blackwell’s presence filled it to overflowing.

The day after she met him, Noelle struggled to be on the side of prudence and chose to think she would never see him again. It was the familiar battle between Mr. Brain and Mrs. Heart.

Or perhaps, it was her lack of self-confidence. Men like Hunter Blackwell never strayed into her trajectory. They were like shooting stars that blazed in the horizon and then disappeared.

Her brain insisted…don’t be silly. You’ll never see him again. Hunter’s declaration that he wanted to see you again was just a sophisticated way of making a graceful exit. Men did that all the time. He didn’t even ask for your number,the cynical appendage dictated.

Her heart was optimistic and more positive and kept the hope alive. He’ll be back. You’ll see.

So, when Noelle recognized the familiar figure of Hunter Blackwell approaching the café entrance, she almost dropped a tray of salad. She gave an audible gasp that immediately attracted Miranda’s attention.

Noelle handed the tray to Miranda and went rushing towards the back like her butt was on fire. Mrs. Heart was doing a lively version of the merengue inside her chest.

Noelle ran a comb through her hair and quickly dabbed powder on her nose. Then she nonchalantly strolled out once again. An onlooker would think all was well in her world except for the heightened flush on her face. Surreptitiously, she scanned the café. Hunter was seated exactly where he was yesterday, facing the street and with his back towards her.

Noelle sat behind the cash register and pretended to be occupied as she studied the order slips from the morning sales. Miranda sauntered over, holding the menu in her hand.

“Did you take his order?” Noelle asked coolly.

"Sez he'd rather let you do the ordering for him," Miranda replied with a smirk. Then she mouthed, "OH MY GAWD! I almost peed my pants. That’s one heck of a boy.”

Noelle controlled the impulse to giggle like a schoolgirl, but couldn’t help the silly grin that spread across her face. She took the menu card and mumbled incoherently under her breath, “Tell you about it later.”

She approached him with quaking legs. He acknowledged her presence by immediately scrambling off his seat and giving her a peck on the cheek.

“Hi,” she stammered as unwarranted awkwardness assailed her.

“Hello Noelle,” he replied with sobriety then grinned.

Noelle realized that all her worries about not seeing him again were for naught. He looked just as eager and excited to see her.

“Hey Hunter. It’s good to see you again. What can I get you for lunch?”

“It’s such a beautiful day that I think I want to eat alfresco.”

Noelle was disappointed. They didn’t serve outside. That meant he wasn’t staying.

“I noticed there’s a park a few blocks away and I’m pretty sure I saw a Sabrett food truck there somewhere. Would you like to have a hotdog with me?”

Noelle’s heart soared.

“You and hotdogs? I never saw that coming. Seems like an unlikely pairing.”

“You’d be surprised. My taste can be quite uncomplicated.”

Noelle’s heart soared PLUS did a somersault.I am uncomplicated.