Page 47 of Merry Little Sugar Rush
“You too,” she replies, her voice soft, her grin evident. “Night.”
“Good night,” I reply, almost letting a sweetheart slip past my lips. The term of endearment feels natural to want to say, but I stop it before the word is out there. Instead, I listen as she disconnects our call and whisper gently into the night air. “Sweetheart.”
As I watch the flames dance, my mind starts to spin with ideas. There are dozens of things I could make for Joy, but only one keeps coming back to the forefront of my mind. I pull out my phone and do a quick search for styles and know I’ll jot some design ideas down later on when I get inside.
For now, I’m content to just sit here, watch the fire, and think about the woman who seems to be consuming my every thought, day and night.
She’s quickly becoming an obsession.
A beautiful reminder of the life I once had and the one I want moving forward.
Problem is, those two worlds don’t meet in the middle.
THIRTEEN
Joy
“Are you hungry?”Burk asks as we approach the line of food trucks.
“Starving,” I confess. “I didn’t get a chance to eat much today. We were really busy. Lots of holiday shoppers out and about.”
He nods, placing his hand on my lower back and guiding toward the row of food. Truth is, not only am I ravenous for food, but I’m exhausted to boot. Saturdays are always one of my biggest days, but during the holiday season, it’s worse. The sidewalks are filled with shoppers, all doing their part in staying local through the gift-giving season as much as possible.
However, even though I’m dead on my feet, there was no way I was canceling this evening. In fact, from the moment I opened my door and found Burk standing there, I’ve felt an overwhelming renewed energy. Like a second wind, especially when he handed me a single red rose with a Christmas tree bow. It was so simple, yet so breathtakingly beautiful.
“What are you in the mood for?” he asks, glancing at the different options.
I already know my first choice, so I blurt out, “Pulled pork nachos.”
Burk smiles widely. “I should have known. And a corn dog for dessert?”
A chuckle slides from my lips. “No corn dog this time, but that’ll be on the menu for my next visit.”
Nodding, he leads me toward the truck serving a variety of pulled pork and brisket options. The line is the longest here, so we settle in and prepare for the wait. But I don’t mind. The food here is delicious, and the family who cooks and serves it a staple in our small community.
“Talked to Gramps earlier today,” Burk says.
“Yeah?”
He nods and smiles. “He’s really progressing through PT. Gram and he are having a movie night at the nursing home, and Uncle Karl and Aunt Sheila are going to visit him for a bit in the morning.”
I open my mouth to ask a question but close it just as quickly. I’m not sure I should inquire, especially since it might be a rocky conversation, one I’m not part of.
“What?”
“Never mind, it’s nothing,” I backpedal.
“It’s okay, Joy. You can ask.”
I glance up and meet gentle brown eyes. Clearing my throat, I ask, “Have you talked to your parents? You know…about…everything?”
He nods. “I have. Dad was a little pissed they called me for help, but when I explained I had been communicating with Klint a bit, he backed off. Before I left, I sat down with him and said this was something I had to do. The fight was between them, and I wasn’t taking sides. The family business needed help, and I was in a place to do it. He actually texted me a couple days ago and asked how Gramps was doing.”
“That’s good,” I reply as we take a couple steps forward.
“It is. I don’t know if they’ll ever repair the damage to their relationship, but honestly, that’s not my worry. I’m going to focus on mine and make sure things are square between me, my grandparents, and the rest of my extended family. I’ve lost so much time with them, and being back here now is a reminder of that. I told Gramps earlier I’d be willing to come back and help during the Christmas season. I might not be able to stay a month, but I can give the family business a solid two weeks, maybe more.”
A wide grin takes over my face. “I’m sure he loved hearing that.”
