Page 40 of One Little Chance
“I got you covered.” He reached into one of the paper bags sitting on the counter and pulled out a bag of apples. “I saw these in the baking section and thought, ‘Why not have a backup?’”
“YouknewI would mess up the pie.” I gasped.
“No, no.” He started to laugh. “But I have seen you in the kitchen, and I know it takes a few?—”
I gave him a playful shove. “You had no faith in my pie-making skills.”
“You know, I can honestly say, I didn’t expect you to catch the pie on fire.” He pointed toward the oven and the charred pie inside.
Chapter 18
THANKSGIVING 2023
Orlando
happy turkey day, sorry you’ve fallen in love with a guy in a Turkey Trot family
you got me feeling thankful
that is thankful I’m in bed right now while you’re out running a 5k
Me
my greatest wish is you fall in love with someone who wakes you up every morning for a 5k
The air was cold, our breath coming out in misty clouds as Jordan and I jogged up the sidewalks to the Turkey Trot gathering point in Downtown Sweet River. Decorative turkeys and colorful autumn leaves hung from street lamps and shop windows.
“You guys made it!” Pat said as we joined the family’s circle. She wrapped an arm around me. Trees with leaves in golds and reds dotted downtown.
“Five minutes to spare!” Carson tapped his watch.
“Ready to build up an appetite?” Cody asked, slapping Jordan on the back in greeting. “Last year, I did it in twenty minutes while Jordan lagged behind at twenty-two minutes. I think this year, the winner should get a whole pie to themselves.”
“Well, we were almost down a pie last night!” Jordan let out a low whistle. Everyone’s eyes were on us, full of questions.
“How’s that?” Pat asked.
“I caught my apple pie on fire last night. I was distracted.” I sighed. Looking at Jordan’s family, I desperately wanted the walls between us to drop, and I knew, as with any relationship, you had to give what you wanted to receive. So the first step would be to drop my own walls. “Actually, I was overwhelmed. It was a rough work week that had me working late every evening, including yesterday. I was distracted trying to throw the pies together, and I way overfilled my apple pie. So it spilled over while baking…and I had a small oven fire.”
Jordan gave me a supportive shoulder squeeze but couldn’t hold back his laughter. Cody grimaced. One of Sarah’s hands flew over her mouth.
I place my hands over my face. “We were able to clean the oven!” I said muffled through my mittened hands.
“Just took a couple hours.” Jordan winced.
“Sophie! You were up last night withan oven fire?” Pat’s eyes were wide. Fellow Turkey Trotters were swarming around us, ready for the race to begin. Stretching and shouting to other members of their group.
“You know my girl. She cleaned it up and still made two delicious-looking pies last night. And now, she’s here today ready to win the race.” Jordan was my eternal pep squad of one.
“It was not that smooth.” I chuckled. The countdown began from the loudspeakers set up outside of Coffees and Commas.
I glanced up at the stage before noticing Sarah step over to me. “You should’ve let us know. We could’ve helped!” she said, touching the back of my arm.
“And after a full day at the school,” Pat said, pursing her lower lip. “You could’ve told us you were too busy to bring any pies. The menu is too stacked as it is.”
“I wanted to help,” I said. “I really did.”
“Did you still make both pies?” Jenna said, eyes downcast. She’d been the one to push for the pumpkin pie. Her husband was running ahead with their little ones in a double stroller they questionably fit in.
