“I’ll box them for you.”
Ginny gently lifted the two pretty pink boxes into her arms.
“Thank you for taking them; I hate to let food go to waste.”
“Me too, especially when it involves chocolate.” In good conscious, Ginny felt the need to take in consideration the community’s safety versus hurting Willa’s feelings. “I would only use a half a teaspoon of bourbon. After your next batch, call me, and I’ll run over and taste them for you.”
“They were that strong?”
“Put it this way. I’m walking home, and coming back later to get my car.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ginny happily notched the pink cardboard before folding it into a box. It was such a mundane chore, but it didn’t compare to the long hours she spent on her feet at the diner. She had to pinch herself numerous times that she was actually working with Willa and how much easier her life had become in three months. The only drawback was being surrounded by the aroma of freshly baked goods that she swore was adding inches to her waist with every sniff.
Once the boxes were formed, she started putting the cupcakes Willa had frosted into them. Neatly closing the box, she started scrupulously working on filling another one, beginning to worry she was doing it wrong when her new boss didn’t chat with her as they worked.
“Did I do something wrong?” she tentatively asked, not wanting Willa to be disappointed in the job she was doing.
“No, I’m sorry. I’m not in the best of moods today.”
Ginny smiled at the apology and relaxed. “That’s okay. I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t screwed something up.” Stacking the filled boxes, she smiled at her. “I’m excited about being able to cook full-time. When do you want me to start at the clubhouse?”
Ginny wanted to tie her down to an official date, afraid that Willa would still change her mind. She hated working at the diner, and Willa had offered her an actual salary with insurance. She was finally beginning to feel as if her life was on track. She didn’t miss working at the theater and was just as anxious to put the diner in her rearview mirror. Working with Willa highlighted just how much she hated working with Carly.
“Give notice at the diner, then let me know when would be good for you.”
“I’ll tell them this afternoon when I go in.” Filling another box with the pretty cupcakes, she had to restrain herself from eating one of them. “I’m renting an efficiency apartment because I can’t afford anything bigger right now. I don’t make much waitressing, so once I start working full-time for you, I’m hoping to rent a one-bedroom.”
She had moved out of Toby’s back bedroom with her first paycheck from Willa and into the efficiency. After Willa told her about The Last Riders needing a part-time cook and housecleaner, she had her heart set on a one-bedroom on the third floor in her complex.
She had immediately felt comfortable with Willa, who shared similar personality traits to Leah. When she was with her, it filled a small part of her that she had lost with Leah’s death.
“Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Shoot,” Ginny answered off-handedly, thinking about how she would decorate the imaginary one-bedroom apartment. All she had been able to afford after moving into the efficiency was a secondhand couch and a coffee table. It didn’t have much of a kitchen, with only a small stove and fridge. On the other hand, it was better than the small bedroom in Toby’s house.
“Why don’t you like the Wests? I mean, you lived there for several years, but you avoid them when you see them at church.”
Ginny reached for another box to buy herself time before answering.
“I was just wondering, since they have custody of Darcy. Her older brother Cal is living with a friend of mine, Drake Hall.”
“They never laid a hand on me or did anything inappropriate, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Is she safe?”
Ginny thought about the best way to explain the difficulties she had with the Wests, as she transferred the cupcakes from the counter to the box. “Is your husband leaving Treepoint, or is he here for good?”
“We’re not going anywhere.”
“Then she’s safe,” she said, nodding her head.
“Did Lucky …?”
“Lucky saved my life. I’ll never be able to repay him for what he did. They aren’t bad people; they just have very high standards that I couldn’t measure up to.” If Pastor Dean hadn’t helped with her schoolwork, she would have fallen further behind. He had gone the extra mile to show Lisa his concerns. Seeing that Ginny had someone looking over her and Dalt’s shoulders had kept their detachment in check.
Had they grown close the years she had lived with them? No, but Ginny didn’t think they were capable of caring about anyone but themselves.