Lucy was decked out like a rhinestone cowgirl, sparkles on her shirt and on her jeans. She pointed to the phone Isabel held in her hand. “Naomi?”
“Yeah.” Isabel stood back and beckoned her in. “Our maintenance guy is hooking up the new roaster. Could you please text Henri and tell her we’ll be there as soon as the roaster is working? Shouldn’t be long.”
“Glad to.” She stepped inside and pulled out her phone.
“Tell Lucy hi for me,” Naomi said.
“You can tell her hi, yourself.” Isabel waiting until Lucy finished with her text before handing over her phone. “Naomi wants to say hello.”
“Sure thing. Hey, Naomi! I hear you’re working miracles in that coffee shop.”
While Lucy chatted with Naomi, Isabel took several deep breaths and rolled her tight shoulders. If the next few minutes went well, the crisis would be over.
Lucy chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll bet. But you pulled it out of the fire, girlfriend.”
Lucy clearly admired Naomi’s response in a difficult situation. Rightly so. She’d tackled the issue head-on, listened to valuable advice from Fred, a trusted colleague, and taken decisive action. Maybe it was time to ask her if she wanted in as a full partner.
“l’ll turn you back over to Izzy,” Lucy said. “Take care, Naomi, and congratulations.” Lucy held out the phone. “You might want to charge this soon.”
Isabel glanced at the battery indicator. “God, you’re right. This is twice now I’ve let it run way down. I never do that.” She focused on Naomi. “How’s Fred doing?”
“He’s almost got it.”
“Has the shop been busy this afternoon?”
“It was until recently, but it’s slow now, thank goodness. The tech conference folks have some big-deal dinner tonight. They’ll be back around nine, but this drama will be over by then, so we…wait…woo-hoo! Iz, the roaster works like a charm!”
“Thank the Lord.” Isabel let out a breath. “Give Fred another hug for me.”
“I will!” Naomi turned off the video. “We’re having a hug fest with everybody, Izzy—Fred, Bob, George, me. In a few minutes, I’ll invite the rest of the staff back here. They’ve been on pins and needles.”
“Haven’t we all. Maybe we should throw a staff party when I get back. And Fred’s invited.”
“How about me?” Bob called out.
“You, too, Bob.”
“We’re all up for a party,” Naomi said. “Can’t wait to see you again, sis.”
“Same here, Naomi. I’m so grateful for you.”
“I wasn’t about to let the shop go to hell while you were gone.”
“Obviously! Have yourself a nice, relaxing evening.”
“You, two, Iz. Are you seeing CJ tonight?”
“Yes. After the shower.”
“I’m glad. ’Bye, sis. Love you.”
“Love you, too. See you soon.” She disconnected the call and went in search of her charger. Where was it? Ah. Kitchen counter.
Should she take her phone and the charger to Henri’s? No. Naomi had the situation in hand. Even if some issue cropped up, she’d handle it. What a relief.
She glanced at Lucy and smiled. “Let’s party!”
* * *
Picking the roses and gathering petals had taken CJ longer than he’d anticipated, but he finished before anyone arrived for the baby shower. Henri had loaned him a water-filled vase for the roses and a bowl for the petals. He drove back to the bunkhouse with the vase wedged between his thighs so it wouldn’t dump.
Leo and Garrett were fixing what smelled like fried chicken. CJ’s stomach rumbled. “Smells great.” He walked into the kitchen carrying the vase and bowl.
Garrett had two skillets going. He glanced over his shoulder. “Aw, you shouldn’t have.”
“He really shouldn’t have,” Leo said. “Those are Henri’s roses. I hope you asked her first, bro.”
“I asked and she even loaned me a vase, but they’re not for you guys. I want to leave them in the fridge while I pick up some other things in town.”
“Dinner’s in fifteen minutes,” Garrett said. “Might as well stay for some chicken and potato salad.”
“Can’t. Need to get to the market before it closes.” He set the vase and bowl on the counter while he made room for them in the fridge.
“Maybe we have whatever it is you’re going after,” Leo said. “You could replace it later.”
“I’d bet my next paycheck we don’t have any fake champagne.”
“Ah.” Garrett smiled. “Now the rose petals make more sense. You’re planning a welcome home for Isabel.”
“That’s the plan.” Tucking the vase next to the hard cider and the bowl behind a large one filled with potato salad, he started to close the door and paused. “Can I have some potato salad?”
“By all means,” Leo said. “You need to keep up your strength.”
CJ shot him a look before grabbing a bowl from the cupboard and spoon from the silverware drawer. He scooped out a generous portion, replaced the serving bowl and shut the fridge door. “The thing is, I’ve never set up a romantic scene before.” He dug into his potato salad.
“You’ve got a good start,” Garrett said. “Pretty roses and extra petals to scatter around.”
“But where do I scatter them? Jake suggested getting some but he was clueless about the deployment.” He shoved another spoonful into his mouth.
Leo shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I’ve never set up a romantic scene, either. That’s what happens, or rather what doesn’t happen, when you live in a bunkhouse.”
“Depends on how many rose petals you have.” Garrett picked up tongs and started turning the chicken. “I didn’t get a good look at that bowl.”
CJ chewed and swallowed. “I didn’t count, but I’d estimate I have about twenty-five or thirty petals.”
“Then you don’t want to waste them making a trail from the door to the bed. That’s an option, but only if you have two or three times that many.”
“Had to cut the gathering detail short so early arrivals wouldn’t see my ass sticking out of the bushes.”
Leo ducked his head.
“Go ahead and laugh, bro. I was laughing at myself, down on all fours pawing through dead leaves to find viable petals. Especially when I don’t know what the
