Roy lit the candles on the table that was already set with two plates of steaming food that smelled delicious. Roy had cooked Grandma's recipe: a classic Easter lamb roast with potatoes and other vegetables cooked in the sauce of the meat.
"I don't know if you had lamb on Easter or not," he said.
"We ate ham. You don't have to worry. I love lamb."
She said a prayer before they dug in, thanking God for this wonderful meal and for all He had provided them both with so far. It was like nothing Beverly had ever tasted before.
"I'm hoping to be able to help out more next week," he said, wincing. "I'm so sorry that things have been so hectic at the orchard."
"Don't worry about it," Beverly said. "The business is mine, and so far at least, more jobs are coming in, and honestly, I think I have you to thank for that."
"Me?"
"You've been telling everyone and anyone about Nails R Us," she said, "haven't you?"
"Maybe," he admitted with a laugh. "Yes, but for people to hire you... that's on you, and I'm so thrilled."
"Thanks. Me too... I just don't know if I should accept one job."
"What makes you hesitant about this one?"
"Well... it's Mr. Davis."
"ThatMr. Davis?"
She nodded.
"Well, it's up to you, of course, but I think you should accept the job and prove his initial reservations about you wrong."
"Oh, I know I can."
"Does he want you to step in and finish the job from the other company?"
"They actually botched things," she said. "I'll have to go in and fix things."
"Oh, wow. So he's trusting your judgment."
"He's a bit desperate, from the sounds of it."
"I have to say... I really miss you around the orchard, so I'm more than willing to help out."
She beamed at him. “You really care about me, huh, if you’re willing to work for me.”
“You better believe that’s the truth.” He winked at her. "Do you want me to talk to Mr. Davis on your behalf?"
"No. I've already talked with him and negotiated a price higher than I normally would've charged in case he tries to pull anything. I don't think he will, and I aim to please all of my clients, and that includes him."
"I have no doubt he'll regret not hiring you from the start."
"If he had, I wouldn't have been able to work at the orchard," she said softly. "Everything worked out."
"God meant for us to meet."
"I firmly believe that."
That night, as they sat in the candlelight, they talked and laughed about their days. They were both thankful for how everything had turned out, and being together felt like a blessing.
As Roy looked into Beverly's eyes, he couldn't help but reflect on how the freak storm at the orchard and his hiring her had changed both their lives for the better.