“I’ve rented the space from the church; it’s going to make it more convenient for me to manage my business while performing my duties as the pastor’s wife.” Sitting the two paper bags down on a counter, Willa gave her a happy smile.
Trying not focus on the bottles of liquor Willa was removing from the bags, Ginny walked farther into the kitchen seeing that Willa had already organized her baking equipment. Her fingers itched to run over the smooth shine of the expensive mixer that she could only dream of having one day, much less the three that were resting on the counter.
“With its own entrance, and the parking lot outside, I think working here is a great idea,” Ginny enthused.
“So, when can you start?”
Ginny wanted to jump at Willa’s question, but held herself back.
“Are you sure? A lot of people in town don’t like me, and they won’t be happy that you’re hiring a Coleman.”
Willa, frowned with her hands going to her hips. “Why not?”
“My father made several families angry when he refused to marry the mothers of his children.”
“What your father did or did not do is no business of mine and has no bearing on you doing a good job for me.”
Ginny felt it necessary to give Willa one more chance to back out. “You have no idea how ugly they can be.”
“You think so? I’ve had my own fair share of ugly comments. Have you ever been compared to a fat piggy bank?”
Ginny paled at the comparison; her heart hurt that someone actually insulted a woman that would go out of her way to help others.
“Who said that to you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Ginny had been on the receiving end of too many insults to know that wasn’t true.
“It matters to me.” Ginny reached out and gave Willa a hug. “Tell me who it was, and I’ll refuse to serve them when they come into the diner. I’ll make Carly wait on them,” she joked.
Willa laughed hugging her back. “Thank you. That would definitely pay her back.”
Breaking the hug, Ginny gave Willa a glee-filled smile. “You really, want me to come work for you?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll give my one-week notice tomorrow night at the theater, and I can start next Monday? Give me a schedule of the hours you want me to work and I’ll give it to Toby to arrange my shifts at the diner.”
“Thank goodness. I’m looking forward to having someone to help keep orders on track with me busy trying to get everything I need to get done before the wedding. I hope you’re going to be able to attend?”
“I mailed the invitation back yesterday. I’m sorry, but I have to work at the diner; the owner is expecting a busy day with all the busybodies coming in to watch who’s coming to the wedding. The diner gives a bird’s-eye view to the church.”
“That explains why Toby doubled his order. I thought it was because I told him I was making a new flavor of cupcakes.”
“Nope. He’s expecting a big turnout. What’s the new flavor?”
“Drunken chocolate. I need a second opinion; you want to try one? I don’t like the taste of bourbon, so I can’t tell if I’m using too much or not enough.”
“I never turn down a cupcake, especially if it’s chocolate.”
Going to the metal table, Willa picked up one of the cupcakes and handed it to her. Taking a bite Ginny nearly choked at the strong liquor flavor. Forcing herself to swallow, she frantically thought of a way out of eating another bite.
“What do you think?”
“Uh … it’s a tiny bit too strong.” Not taking another bite, she saw Willa’s disappointment. “Just a little.”
“Oh, well. I bought some more bourbon, so I’ll make another batch this afternoon.”
Feeling bad, Ginny opened her purse to take out the wedding present she bought. “I wanted to give you a wedding present. I was going to wrap it and give it to you tomorrow after church so you would have it for the big day.” Watching as Willa opened the small bag from the pawn shop, Ginny spied a trash can and dropped the cupcake inside.
When Willa raised confused eyes to her, Ginny explained, “The coin is a silver sixpence. It’s a good luck charm. You’re supposed to put one in your shoe on your wedding day to bring love, happiness, and prosperity to your marriage.”
“I never heard of that before.”
“It’s an old superstition, like something old, something blue.”
“Thank you, I’ll make sure to place it in my shoe. It’s very sweet of you.”
“You’re welcome.” Ginny glanced at the large batch of drunken cupcakes. “What are you going to do with the cupcakes?”
Willa put her coin into her pocket, before frowning at cupcakes. “I’ll throw them away.”
“I hate for them to go in the trash. I’ll take them if you don’t want them. I know someone who would appreciate these … delicacies.”