Page 60 of Tumbleweed Temptation
Chapter Fourteen
“Hey, Janine, can wetake a little break?” Ginny waited until mid-morning when the diner was empty. She didn't want to hold this conversation here, but getting Janine out of the diner was another challenge. Maybe she should invite her to dinner at the house, but she didn't want to have this conversation in front of her grandfather, either.
Janine, as a rule, didn't take breaks, at least not out front. Sometimes she disappeared into her tiny cramped little office, but never for long. The office would offer more privacy, but didn't have space for both of them, anyway. So Ginny gestured to a booth against the windows, far from the counter where Darla or Nancy could listen in.
Janine was leery as she carried her coffee cup to the table, and Ginny grabbed a pot from the brewer on the way, her own heart pounding too hard to add caffeine to the mix. She had thought of a thousand ways to say this, and yet she knew however she worded her resignation, Janine would be hurt.
But since Janine didn't deal with nonsense, Ginny sat across from her and jumped right in.
“It’s time for me to....”
Janine’s face closed up as Ginny fought to find the next word.
“You want to go work for him.”
“I do.” Ginny let the words out in a rush, grateful Janine knew her well enough to see where this was going.
“After all I’ve done for you, you want to leave me high and dry.”
“You’re not really high and dry,” Ginny said. Though she had expected the pushback, she hadn't expected to be hurt by it. She thought she was better prepared. “I’m sure you could find another daytime girl in no time. It’s just...I really feel like I can help run Austin’s practice smoothly, and it won’t run smoothly if he has to keep switching out receptionists.”
“You don't have any experience with anything like that.”
“I’m very organized. And I can really see myself making it more efficient. Even on the few days I’ve worked for him, I’ve been helpful. And to be honest, the salary the town is offering is appealing.”
Janine’s face reddened. “Are you kidding me? You know I’ve been running this place to the best of my ability, and I’ve been working my ass off to pass it to you. How ungrateful can you be?”
“I’m not ungrateful,” Ginny said, struggling to keep her voice calm despite the tightness in her chest. “I’m not. Janine, you know how important you are to me. This isn’t about our relationship. This is about me. My life, and what I want to do with it.”
“You mean I’ve done all this for nothing?” Janine swept her hand across the diner. “This was all for you.”
“Janine.” Ginny folded her hands on the table in front of her and leaned forward. She wanted to take the older woman’s hands in hers, but they just didn't have that kind of relationship. “I never asked for this. I stayed because you needed me—we needed each other. And you’re still one of the most important people in my life. Me leaving the diner doesn't mean any of that has changed.” She was happy to get those words out as planned. And as she said them, a weight lifted from her shoulders. What would her life have been like if she’d been able to say these words ten years ago? If she had been able to break away from Janine and go to college? Get another job?
Janine was shaking her head. “It may not mean it to you, but what am I working for if not to pass this business on to you? You’re ungrateful, Ginny. I never expected that from you. You’re an ungrateful, selfish girl.” She slammed both hands on the table and slid from the booth.
Ginny sat for a minute, the breath knocked out of her as the weight slammed back down onto her shoulders.
But before she could say anything else, Millie Drexler and her friends walked in the door, laughing and chatting. Ginny exchanged a pleading look with Darla, who, despite Ginny’s efforts, had heard everything. Darla nodded and approached the group of ladies, and Ginny followed Janine into the kitchen. She should let it go, but she’d waited twelve years to work up the nerve for this conversation. She didn't know if she’d be able to do it again.
“I don't have time for this right now,” Janine snapped, not looking up as she built the salads for the ladies.
“It is my fault,” Ginny said. “I wasn't honest with you, or with myself, about what I wanted. I stayed because you needed me, and I let you think that this was what I wanted to do. And it’s not that it isn’t what I wanted to do,” she added quickly when both Nancy and Janine turned to look at her. “There just aren’t a lot of options, and I admit, part of wanting to go work for Austin is the ability to do something different, something new. I’m sorry if you hoped I’d take over the business and now that plan has changed. I’m sure someone else can come along and buy it from you, carry on your legacy.”
“You just want to work with Austin because he’s a handsome, available man.”
Now Ginny felt her face redden. “Austin is my friend. And it’s something that...” She didn't know how to say that it would be more challenging for her, that she needed the challenge. “It’s something I need. I need a change.”
Janine’s mouth was so tight, her lips were invisible. “I want you out.”
“What?” Ginny took a step back. She had considered this might be an outcome, but she thought the risk was marginal. She hadn’t expected to hear those words. “It’s a job. I’m not turning my back on you. On our relationship.”
