“It depends on how many more hours. I can use an extra five hours a week or so, but anything more than that, I won’t be able to. I’m sorry, Candy,” she replies.
“Don’t be sorry at all. I’ll add five more hours to your schedule a week, but I think we should bring on another employee. I want us all to be able to breathe easier and with the amount of orders we seem to have trickling in weekly, it’s better to be safe than sorry,” I say, as I blow a piece of hair out of my face.
“I can write up an ad this week and see if a friend is looking for some part-time work, too,” Kelly offers.
“That would be great, thank you. Go ahead and get out of here. Dylan and Johnny will be back in a few minutes and all that’s left is to lock up. Thank you for all your hard work.”
“No worries, it was a blast.” She’s already got her bag and is walking out the door.
I grab the broom and sweep up the floors, thinking to myself that I really would like a second employee. If things go the way Dylan and I have been talking, we’re going to need some much needed us time, along with family time.
It doesn’t take me long to finish, so I take a seat behind the cash register and rest my head with my hands under my chin. My eyes are getting droopier by the minute and I can’t wait to take a shower and climb into Dylan’s bed.
My thoughts of a bath are interrupted by Johnny pushing the door open. My eyes pop open when I see him in the most adorable transformer costume I’ve ever seen. He’s the cutest bumble bee ever.
“Ms. Candy! Look at all the candy I got,” he says, showing me his bucket full of candy.
“You made out great, look at all the candy you scored. Did you have a good time?”
“The best! I’m ready to go home now. Daddy says he has to go through my candy before I can have it though. That kinda stinks.” He’s talking a mile a minute.
“Hey.” I make dreamy eyes at Dylan.
“Hey, honey. How are you holding up?” Dylan asks.
“I need a bath and bed. I’m not sure I’ve worked this hard in my life. Before you know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here. That means I’m looking for extra help,” I grumble.
“There’s always next week, come on. We’ll leave your car here and drive home together,” he suggests.
“I love that,” I murmur, as he guides me out the door.
“What’s that, babe?”
“Home. I like that you include me when you talk about home.” I know I’m delirious, but I do love that he includes me in everything.
“It’s your home too, just gotta talk you into moving in next. I can be pretty persuasive,” he wiggles his eyebrows and I laugh.
“Hey, what’s so funny?” Johnny questions.
“Daddy’s just being silly,” I tell Johnny and we all get in Dylan’s truck. Dylan makes sure Johnny is buckled in before he makes it to the driver’s side and we head home.
23
Dylan
Candy didn’t even last the drive home. I parked in the garage, helped Johnny out, and disarmed the alarm, “Go get ready for bed, buddy. I need to help Candy to bed, she’s fast asleep.”
“That’s so silly, Daddy. Tonight’s the night you stay up super late!” He’s still hyped up on the candy I allowed him to have while we walked down Main Street.
I smile and say, “Ten dollars says you’ll be asleep in no time.”
“That’s a bet!” he exclaims, then heads to his bedroom.
Going back out to the garage, I open Candy’s door, unbuckle her seatbelt, and pick her up and carry her to bed.
“Dylan,” she sighs.
“Yeah, Candy?”
“I really like being in your arms,” she says, in her tired state.
“It’s where I always want you,” I tell her. It doesn’t take long and then she’s in our bedroom.
“I need a bath, please,” she asks.
“Let me get Johnny to bed, then I’ll come back and we’ll get in the bath. How does that sound?”
“I’ll lay down while you do that. Have Johnny come give me a hug, please?” she asks.
“You got it,” I walk out the door and head for Johnny’s room. I see he’s struggling getting into his pajama bottoms and is jumping around while trying to get his feet out of the pants. I stand and watch him, trying not to laugh.
He turns around, “Ugh, can you help, Daddy?”
“Yep, I sure can. I have a question for you, too, but it has to be a secret just between you and I until we talk to Candy. Can you do that for me?”
“I can keep all the secrets!”
“We have to be quiet, though. I want to hear your thoughts about Candy moving in with us and see how you’d feel if I asked her to marry me. What are your thoughts?” I ask him.