CHAPTER TWO
Eight-thirty, the bell on the café door rang like clockwork each weekday morning as Debra O’Neill pushed open the door and raced in for her morning coffee and breakfast fix.
“Hi, Mrs. O’Neill. The usual?” Charley pushed her green-rimmed glassed up on her nose. She knew the woman’s answer would be yes, but she had to ask. Her boss would kill her if one customer walked away unhappy. Angela Kyncade would kill her, only to revive her and kill her again, if she upset Mrs. O’Neill. Recently, the local realtor had married Johnson O’Neill, the foreman on The Heartsong Ranch and Angela’s husband’s best friend.
The stunning full-figured blonde withdrew a stainless steel thermos from her bag and held it out. “You know what I like, honey. And until Angela figures out a way to make her white-chocolate scones fat free, I’ll have to stick to the bran muffin.”
“I’ll be right back.” Charley strolled into the kitchen and spoke to the petite dark-blonde woman bent over the sink. “Mrs. O’Neill is here for her regular.”
Angela looked over her shoulder. “I just pulled a batch from the oven.” She pointed to the bran muffins sitting on the counter. “Be sure to sprinkle them with a little sugar before you take them out front. And don’t ever tell Debra my secret….I throw in a little brown sugar when I make them. After all, plain bran is…frankly, plain.”
“My lips are sealed.” She picked up the sugar and sprinkled a tablespoon over the muffins.
“When you finish with Debra, can you come in the kitchen here? I want to talk to you about the job.”
“Sure.” She lifted the tray and walked out front again. “Just let me put these in a bag for you, Debra. Then I’ll have you on your way.” She smiled.
“How has the real estate market been? Has it picked up since the recession hit?” Charley used paper to pick up two muffins and set them into a bag then poured coffee into Debra’s travel mug. She was in college studying accounting but the world of buying and selling homes had always been of interest to her. The money changing hands had fascinated her since she helped her parents flip their first fixer-upper as a young girl. Now she dreamed of renovating her own place. Charley handed the cup to Debra.
“Home sales have picked up quite a bit. At the lower price range, offers are coming in within a week, at list price. In some cases, we’ve had bidding wars.” Debra opened a packet of sugar, poured it into the coffee then twisted on the lid. She ran her credit card through the card reader as Charley handed over the muffins.
“It’s good to see the market has turned around. Our town doesn’t need any more foreclosures or short sales. It was tough enough seeing families cutting corners and doing without.” She printed out the receipt and passed it over.
“What are you going to school for? You seem to know a lot about the realty business.” Debra threw the receipt into her bag, then settled her purse on her shoulder, and picked up her coffee and muffins.
“Accounting. A girl’s gotta be smart with money, right?” Charley smiled.
Debra nodded and returned the grin. “You know it! Anytime you want to talk more about financials of real estate, just give me a call. When you get your degree, there’s so many ways you can make a living in realty.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mrs. O’Neill.” Charley waved as Debra left the café. Remembering that her boss needed her, she locked the register and strolled into the kitchen.
No longer at the sink, Angela mixed a batter at the counter. From the chocolate pieces and other ingredients next to the bowl, they’d have brownies as a dessert today. Everything her boss made tasted delicious. Charley’s butt and thighs could attest to it. The café’s business had grown over the last year with more foot traffic arriving each day. And while they had their regulars, like Debra, more and more new faces stopped in and often came back with their families.
Charley had a soft spot for Angela, the woman had given her a job and made her feel like a part of her family. Not to mention, fiercely protective of those she loved. It probably had to do with her daughter’s previous problems or the trauma Mr. Kyncade’s brother put them through. Either way, Angela could ask for the moon, and she would do everything in her power to give it to her.
“Debra left with her morning regular. You said you needed something?” Her heart beat fast. Angela had needed things from her before. But this time seemed different. Angela’s businesslike tone and mention about the job sounded formal, reminding her of the time she applied at the café, before they’d become as close as family.
“Pull up a stool and sit down. I’d like to talk to you.” Angela waved her arm at the counter. “You’ve been working here for the last two years. I know…it’s hard to believe you started here as a college freshman. I was wondering if you’d like to take on more responsibility.”
Charley held her breath. What would she ask of her? “You’ve been such a fabulous person to work with. You’ve taught me so much about cooking and been there as a sounding board about classes and boyfriends. What did you have in mind?”
“With your degree in accounting, I’d like you to handle the books for the café. I’ll have you write up the deposits and give you all the bills, receipts, expenses. The only thing you won’t handle is payroll. I’ll continue to manage that. The new responsibilities will give you a feel for what it takes to financially manage a business. It’ll also help me out.” Angela looked down at her hand covering her stomach. “I’m expecting.”
Charley jumped up and hugged her friend. “A baby. How exciting.” She stepped back and studied her friend’s face. “Is everything okay? Are you not telling me something?” She squinted at her, trying to read her mind.
“I’m fine…we’re fine. It’s my age that has the doctors cautious. They are worried there’ll be complications and want me to take it easy.” Angela sat down. “So I can use your help…if you’ll say yes.”
“Of course, I’ll help. No question. You’ve done so much for me. I’m happy to repay the favor. Let me know if you need more help than the books. I can juggle my classes, put in more hours here…whatever you need.” If only she had a magic mirror so she could see how things would turn out for the little one inside Angela. If anyone deserved a stress-free remainder of her life, it was her.
Charley couldn’t help but fret after losing her mom who’d become pregnant at forty. Complications set in, and even three months of bedrest and round-the-clock care couldn’t save her mom or her newborn little brother.
“No need to change your class schedule. You have just the one online class this summer. If things change in the fall, we can address it then, but I’m confident nothing will need adjusting, other than your hourly rate. For taking on these added jobs, I’m giving you a raise.” Angela picked up the chocolate chips and poured them into the bowl.
“Does Taylor know about the baby?” She worried how Angela’s daughter would handle being a big sister after having her mom to herself for so long.
“Yes, I told her last weekend during our girls-only shopping trip. But you know how she is. Tay keeps everything inside bottled up. I have her doing more work with Cheyenne this summer in the hope it will keep her talking.” Angela’s hand shook while she mixed the batter. Stress already settled about her shoulders.
Leaning in, Charley patted her back. “The horse will help. Cheyenne was a miracle worker before. I believe the new intern will give Jake some time to watch over you, too.”
Angela laughed then placed her face in her hands. “Overprotective…Jake already is. I don’t know if I can handle any more ‘help’ from him. Yesterday, I wasn’t allowed to pick up the spaghetti pot to drain it. He told me it was too heavy.” She grabbed Charley’s hand. “Pray I get through this.”
Charley giggled. She could imagine Angela’s husband, Jake, being overprotective. As the owner and main therapist for The Heartsong Ranch, he did everything possible to make each child better. His innovative equine therapy had been recognized across the United States. More and more families arrived to take advantage of the ranch’s programs. “Jake’s going to be a great father. Just warn me if I ever think about dating someone like him, deal?”
“Deal.”