Page 14 of Finding Ash
“I make every flavor from scratch right in the back room. You’ll find no mass production line products in my creamery, sir.”
“I knew I liked you for a reason, son,” he slid a five into the tip jar. “I’ll be back for sure.”
“Thanks, Merle.”
The tables were full, and folks were standing outside eating their frozen treats and chatting away with one another. I should check with Merle about putting tables outside for patrons to utilize. The boys seemed to be enjoying themselves even though they were working. Goddess above, this was a friendly town. Whatever magic led me here, I’d forever be thankful for.
By the time it’d slowed down, I had to refill more than half the empty buckets and the lollipop carousel beside the register.
“You boys looking for a job?”
“Yes,” Ash said at the same time Remy replied, “not really.”
“Ash, you want a job, and it’s yours. Remy, what do you do work-wise?”
“I write code for video games. I’ll help you guys out whenever you need me to, so if you want to just add me to your on-call list, I’m good with that.”
“I don’t know who sent you two to me today, but you’re angels.”
“We’re both somewhat new to Foggy too. Everyone’s been really nice to us, and we wanted to pay it forward,” Remy said. “Ash works part-time for his brother Kit andhis husband Nate over at Pints ‘n Pool and part-time at the hardware store.”
“Nuts and Bolts just hired another person, so I’m only working at Pints now. I’ll help out when Nate and Kit need me too, but they have summer help already. I’m yours if you want me.” Ash blushed, I’m sure not meaning the words to sound as inviting as they did.
“That works perfectly for me. Before you boys leave I’ll have you fill out an application so I have your contact information. Ash, when can you start?” I wasn’t sure how long the phenomenon of the new creamery would last, but I had a good idea the rest of the week would be much like it was today.
“Today.” The three of us laughed. “But we can make tomorrow the official start date if you want.”
“There you are,” a blonde with similar features as Ash’s walked up. “You must be McClain. I’m Kit, and this is my husband, Nate, we own Pints ‘n Pool.”
I took off my gloves and shook their hands. “Ash was just telling me about you and your place. Merle mentioned meeting him there for a beer some night.”
“Which you still haven’t taken me up on,” the man himself replied. “Hell, I may start skipping Pints and just have ice cream for dinner from now on.”
“Promises, promises, old man,” Nate teased him, though his words held no heat, merely a fondness for Merle.
“You’d miss me, boy, and you know it.”
Nate rolled his eyes. “Like you’d ever give me the chance to.”
Oh, my goodness, I couldn’t wait to learn these personalities and what made them tick. What a fun group. Their playful banter had me longing for a friend to do the same with.
Merle ordered a pint of maple praline crunch to go, purposely cutting in front of Nate and Kit, which made the exchange between them that much more fun to witness. When they finally got their turn, Nate ordered a scoop of coffee almond fudge and mint chocolate chunk, while Kit opted for two scoops of bubble gum.
“Oh. My. God.” Kit nearly purred. “This ice cream is amazing.”
“Thank you very much. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Kit’s reaction was exactly what drove me to put my best recipe foot forward with every creation I made. The euphoric sounds, eyes rolling back. Whether people believed it or not, ice cream had its own version of ecstasy and orgasmic highs. “Boys, why don’t you fix yourselves a treat while we have a lull in business. Anything you want. It’son the house. I really appreciate all your help today and tonight, dinner is on me too.” Will be nice to not dine alone.
“Thank you, sir,” Ash replied.
“There will be none of thatsirbusiness. Please, call me McClain.”
I hoped Nate and Kit didn’t mind me poaching their employee. But given they’d overheard the conversation with me hiring Ash, I didn’t get the feeling they would. I’d be flexible, if they needed Ash over at Pints, it would be a non-issue. Neighborly was the name of the game here, and I’d do my best to fit in with these fine folks and help where I could.
The second wave of customers hit just as the boys finished up their treats and we dove right back in. Come seven o’clock, I locked up the door as the last guest left, and between the three of us, we had the place cleaned up in no time.
“Boys, you take these tips and split them. I’ll hear no argument about it. You went above and beyond for me today and that’ll never be forgotten. I can’t thank you enough for all your help. Now, how about we pay it forward to your family, Ash, and I buy you two dinner at Pints tonight?” After this busy day a drink or two was definitely warranted.
Ash and Remy smiled wide. “That would be nice, McClain. Thank you,” Remy replied for them. I wondered what their dynamic was. I got that Ash was shy, but I was dying to hear their backstories and how they ended up in Foggy and together, for that matter.
