Page 30 of Two Hearts Reunited

“I did but I just heard from Brian’s brother, who’s babysitting for them, and I was wondering if I could grab a few more items to bring over to the house?”

“Of course, you can,” Danielle motioned at the buffet. “Take as much as you’d like. We’ve already got food doled out to go to the wounded warrior and disabilities homes. We’d prefer to start with a clean slate after Christmas when we reopen, so that’s why the buffet has so much variety.”

After helping herself to a few more containers of food and then returning to the salon to grab her gown, one of the kids who’d been assisting in the kitchen helped load her truck with the filled boxes.

Heading to the flower shop first, she parked in front. Surprisingly, it was the only spot available along the street. Despite the COVID concerns, it appeared that a few of the bars along Main Street were open tonight.

She’d already sorted the food before leaving the parking lot of the Inn, so she grabbed one of the boxes and carried it in through the front doors of the mall.

“There she is. Our star,” Jaynie called out as Anya walked through the open doors into the shop. “We just turned off the television.”

Wren called out from the storeroom.“Woot. Woot.”

Anya laughed. “Have you guys been getting along alright?”

“Penny came in and blew through a bunch of arrangement orders. She’s an artist,” Wren admitted, appearing from the storeroom in back.

“Definitely,” Jaynie agreed.

“I felt bad deserting you today.” Walking behind the checkout counter and resting the box on her desk, Anya motioned at everyone who was still working. “I brought food for everyone who wants it. Everything’s labeled. I called Penny and she said for everyone to be sure to take a thirty-minute break and eat hearty. And everyone should take home any leftovers. There are some disposable plates along with some silverware in the box.”

“Oh, wow. From theInn?” Wren asked. “I love their chicken wings. They’re the best.”

“Is thatprime ribI smell?” Joey, one of their delivery drivers asked as he came through the back door.

“It sure is. I loaded up on the main courses, and grabbed a few containers with vegetables and potatoes,” Anya said. “I guess I’ll see everyone first thing in the morning. Penny mentioned she’d be returning to close up and ordered me to stay away.”

“Are you headed home?” Jaynie asked distractedly, shuffling through containers.

“Not exactly,” Anya replied.

Jaynie’s eyes met Wren’s before they grinned at Anya. “Eric?”

Anya smiled widely.

She was ready to leave when she remembered something. “Hey you guys. I’m going to grab some stuff off the shelves that I want to bring with me for Christmas gifts. Will you take care of totaling it up for me to pay tomorrow when I come in? I’llremove the code bars so I don’t set off the alarm and you can put the tally in the register. I’m assuming Penny went to the bank earlier today?”

“She did. Sounds good,” Jaynie answered, starting to scoop food onto plates for everyone.

Anya breezed through the shop, grabbing a bunch of items, including something for the baby. Returning to the register, she pulled off the codes from each item and stuck them in an envelope with her name on it, resting it near the register for when Jaynie was finished eating.

After bagging everything up, she smiled.

“Have fun,” Wren said. “You’ve had a crazy day today, haven’t you?”

She nodded. “It’s been a really nice day though. I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself as much.”

Jaynie grinned. “Good for you. We’ll see you first thing.”

“Goodnight.”

As she walked through the mall, she stepped inside the small gift store that was near the exit to purchase some gift bags and wrapping paper, which she was lucky to find. It appeared that they were nearly sold out.

Now she’d have a few gifts to bring along on Christmas Eve, she thought as she stepped into the truck. She’d better get moving before the food got cold.

Chapter Sixteen

About thirty minutes after he’d spoken with Anya, Eric decided to leave the kitchen door unlocked for her since Arielle was getting a little fussy.

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