“Something tells me you’ll be back sooner than later.” She smirks up at him.
“Maybe,” he agrees, a smile tugging at his lips, which causes his dimples to pop.
“Let’s eat, shall we?” Betsy suggests.
“Absolutely,” Nathan’s mom, Tina, answers her mother.
“Anything I can help with?” I offer, not wanting to be rude.
“You go take a seat; we’ve got everything covered,” Rodger, Nathan’s dad, answers me as he grabs the pan his wife carried in earlier.
I follow Nathan to the table and wait as he pulls my seat out for me. I sit and he helps push me closer, then takes the seat next to me. We pass the dishes around, filling our plates with the chicken and rice dish his mom made. Like anything else I’ve had that she’s made, it is melt in your mouth good.
“Did you have a good time in California?” Tina asks once we’ve all finished our dinner.
“I did. I’m so glad I was able to make it work to go out for the week. Lacey did a great job handling the bakery.”
“She sure did. I was in a few times and it was business as usual,” Betsy tells me.
“That’s good to hear. My Aunt Rita came in to help her with the baking each morning, and the two new girls we hired fit right in and picked up working the register their first shifts. Lacey also said they did a great job with helping her keep up while I was gone, so hiring them was the right thing to do. I should have done so sooner. I realize just how thin I’d been running Lacey and me. I’ve realized how nice it is to have some extra help.”
“Have you thought of hiring another baker to really give you some added help?” Tina asks.
“The thought crossed my mind. Aunt Rita can’t help forever, but I also wasn’t sure if I could afford anyone else full-time, especially a baker, but I might have the opportunity to do so sooner than later,” I tell them, but don’t go into the details of Nathan’s offer.
“Oh, that will be nice,” Betsy adds.
“As long as I can find someone good. I’ve got a high expectation level, and not just anyone can pass my baking test. I’m super picky and only the best gets served to my customers.”
“Trust me, whatever you’re doing is working. I’ve never tasted something bad come out of your kitchen,” Rodger states.
“Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. It’s always been my goal to make sure that everyone is happy with our baked goods.”
We visit a little while longer, but Nathan has to get to the airport. “Thanks for dinner, but we’ve got to cut things short,” he says, cutting all conversation off.
“Maybe a little notice the next time you’re coming to town?” his mom suggests, standing to give us both a hug goodbye.
“I’ll see what I can do.” He chuckles, giving her a hug before accepting his dad’s outstretched hand. He pulls his dad in for a hug, slapping him on the back in that manly way guys do. Not to leave anyone out, he rounds the table, pulling Betsy into a bear hug, “Love you, G-Ma. Behave yourself. I don’t want any bad reports, now.”
“Well, where’s the fun in that?” she asks, that ornery streak of hers coming back out.
“Something tells me there’s a story behind that comment,” Tina states.
“Oh, there is,” Nathan answers. “One I’ll have to tell you about later.” He looks back at his grandmother, who flashes him a shit-eating grin if I’ve ever seen one.
“Thank you again for having me.”
“Of course, you are always welcome in my home, whether this one is here or not.”
We finally make it out to my car, and Nathan still takes the wheel, heading for my house so he can grab his bag and laptop before it is time for me to drop him off at the airport.
* * *
It’s beenfour days since Nathan returned to California and I last saw him in person. If I haven’t been home sleeping, I’ve been at the bakery just trying to keep my head above water. I gave Lacey yesterday and today off as a thank you for covering for me while I was gone and she had to be in charge.
“Do you need me to do anything else before I take off for the day?” Tracy asks.
“I don’t think so, thank you for your help today.”