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AVAILABLE: Wednesday, July 22nd
When Cody White’s anxiety reaches a breaking point, he’s sent to the small town of McAdenville for a quiet escape. Instead, he gets tricked into running a local five-and-dime -- and handed over to the care of Joshua Lee, a gorgeous ex-Marine with a heart as big as his shoulders.
Cody doesn't want a babysitter, even if Joshua is the most attractive man he's ever seen.
Joshua understands Cody's silent struggles better than anyone. He runs to McAdenville every winter to escape his own corporate anxiety and find peace under the holiday lights. Helping a friend’s shy son find his footing seems easy enough -- until he actually meets Cody. Suddenly, Joshua's protective instincts kick into overdrive, especially when a predatory local butcher tries to slide his way into Cody's life.
This Christmas, under the glow of a million twinkling lights, two anxious souls might just find the one thing they’ve been searching for: each other.
A different waitress appeared. This one was older. She wore a wedding band and probably have a couple of kids. “Good afternoon. I’m Katie your waitress,” she said as she placed two menus on the table. She set it with silverware and straws. There was a metal napkin holder near the condiments. She left to seat two older ladies before returning back to take their orders.
“We’ll have the chicken-fried steak dinners,” John told her.
She jotted it down. “Would you care for something to drink.”
“I’d like a sweetened tea,” John said.
“Lemonade,” Cody answered.
Katie left to put in their order.
Cody gazed toward the kitchen window secretly hoping to get a glimpse at the chef.
“Who are you looking for?” John asked.
Cody looked across the table at his father and lied, “nobody.”
John chuckled like the knew the true answer.
“Tell me more about this store and what you expect to accomplish with it?” Cody said.
“The store basically runs itself,” John began. The employees all live here in town and are mostly older people who are just trying to supplement their income. There are a few younger people, mostly moms who have kids in school. There are a few guys who work the stock rooms. This store needs a little tender loving care. I’m thinking about opening another one and closing this one.”
“A bigger store?” Cody asked.
“A more updated one. I’ve had my eye on a piece of property for a while.”
“Do they have enough people here to sustain a larger store?”
“The town’s growing, but I’m not sure. That’s another reason why I’d like you to manage the store. You can tell me if you think it’s a good idea by the assessment of someone with first-hand knowledge.”
It’s a lot of responsibility for someone who was just a few weeks ago put under a care of a psychiatrist and given mood-altering drugs because he couldn’t cope with people. “What happens if I discover that the store is bleeding money?”
“Then I might have to close it,” his father answered.
“But what about the employees?”
John sighed. “I’m sure they will be okay. It’s something you have to deal with when you run a business. We can’t lose money because of sentimentality. The funds can be put into other stores that are more profitable.”
Cody knew this. He’d sat in board meetings while the money people talked about finance, stock options and payroll.
“You just need to access the information while doing your managerial duties.”
Katie brought their plates. Or Cody thought it was Katie, until he saw a big hand out of the corner of his eye. Cody looked up and saw Joshua. He had personally delivered their food.
“You’re a waiter now?” John asked playfully.
“Busted. I saw you guys and came out to say hello. Hello,” he said more to Cody than the both of them.
John noted the man’s path of trajectory, but merely smiled.
“Hello,” Cody said. “I’ve come to taste the chicken-fried steak my father has been raving about.”
Joshua finished serving the food. “You don’t need an excuse. Come and visit anytime. I make deliveries too.” He walked away.
Cody watched him. The man looked just as good coming and going.
John chuckled. “Your ears are so red.”
Cody absently touched one of them like he expected to be able to feel the color change. It did feel warm. He lowered his hand and picked up his silverware.
“I think he likes you.”
“He’s seen me twice. He’s just being neighborly.”
His father cut into his meat. “Okay, if you say so.”
Cody began to eat. “This is good.”
“I told you,” John said.
The chicken was well-seasoned. The potatoes and gravy tasted so good he wanted more. The peas added sweetness to the savory meal.
Cody was upset when the meal ended.
He’d cleaned his plate. His father had too.
The waitress returned. “How did you like our meal?”
“It was delicious,” Cody said.
John agreed. “I enjoyed mine too.”
“Good. Would you care for dessert?”
“I really shouldn’t,” John said.
“There’s strawberry cheesecake. The chef made it.”
“I’ll have some with coffee,” Cody said.
She looked at John.
“Okay. I’ll have the same thing.”
She went away smiling, returning shortly with the cheesecake and the coffee.
“I think he’s trying to fatten us up for Thanksgiving,” Cody said as he enjoyed the dessert.
“At least you won’t starve,” John said.
“Why do I have a feeling that you’re trying to find me a date?”
John chuckled. “It’s my job to make sure my kids are happy.”
“And you think my dating a tall, muscular chef will make me happy?”
“No, but having a friend in a new town might.”
True.
Joshua didn’t come out to see them again. It just got too busy.
John paid for their meals and they left. The rest of the afternoon was spent on the phone checking in with family and the other stores.
