19. Addison
19
Addison
“S o, I have another date tonight,” Addison said to Natalie as they stood at their respective stations behind the ticket counter. Addison’s shift was ending soon, but Natalie hadn’t gotten in until noon, and they’d been running non-stop since. Right now, they had a short reprieve, and although Addison had given her friend a hint about things heading in a positive direction, she’d been holding in her good news all afternoon.
Natalie eyed her suspiciously. “With your Lake Man? Or someone else?”
“He isn’t my Lake Man,” Addison countered. “But I’m kinda hoping I won’t be able to say that much longer,” she said with a cheeky grin.
Natalie clapped her hands and turned from her monitor to give Addison her full attention. “I take it that means your dating your Lake Man tonight.”
“I’m going on a date with Noel Stewart tonight, yes.” She paused and reworded things. “Or rather, he’s coming on a date with me. I’m cooking for him.”
Natalie gasped and covered her mouth, her eyes wide. “Cooking for him? That is next level, you know. What exactly are you cooking?” She shook a finger at her. “You know this could either make or break the deal with a man, right?”
Addison giggled. “My thoughts exactly. I’m going tried and true home-cooking all the way around. My scrumptious hamburger soup—it’s already in the crock pot.”
“Yum,” sighed Natalie, who’d reaped the benefits of being Addison’s friend over the years as she’d learned to cook. Addison frequently made far more food than she could possibly eat on her own, and Natalie was the recipient of many of those leftovers. “I love your hamburger soup. Please tell me you made way too much.”
“You know I did,” Addison said, scribbling a heart on the corner of a used ticket stub and handing it to Natalie. “I also made bread last night, so even though it won’t be hot out of the oven, it’s fresh. Crusty, rustic, perfect for dipping in soup bread. Or maybe I’ll make grilled cheese with it. That would go really well with the soup, don’t you think?”
“Either way, you made two loaves, right?” Natalie held up two fingers.
“Of course.” Addison shifted to lean her hip against the counter. “And he told me the restaurant at the resort makes a really good apple cobbler, so I promised him one of mine.”
“Oh, my,” Natalie sighed dramatically. “You know he’s going to propose the moment he takes a bite of that. You’re going to come to work tomorrow with a great big ring on your finger. I’d marry you for that pie if I were single.” She grew serious. “So, what happened with him and Claire?”
Addison had shared her fears about Noel being Claire’s mystery man. Natalie had encouraged her not to jump to conclusions, but she’d also agreed that it all looked and sounded a little suspicious to her. “It was a mistake,” Addison said with a grimace before explaining what had happened. “You were right. I made assumptions that weren’t accurate. Claire lectured me on communication. Essentially told me not to be such a trope.”
Natalie chuckled. “I really like that girl. So, this is a kiss-and-make-up date, then?”
Addison rolled her eyes. “Hardly. He doesn’t know I made an idiot of myself, so no. There will be no making up tonight.”
“But there will be kissing?” Natalie teased.
Addison shrugged. “I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?” Her cheeks warmed at the thought, and she reached up to press her palms to them. Natalie leaned forward and hugged her tightly.
“I love seeing you like this, Addison Wedgewood. You’re just all lit up inside. And you were so sad yesterday. I’m glad you sorted things out.” She stepped back and glanced at the time on the monitor. “Fifteen more minutes to go, girl. I’m so excited for you!”
“Excuse me?” A woman with a cloud of silver and white hair approached the counter at a speed walk, her peach leather purse slipping off her shoulder in her haste. In her arms she held a cobalt glazed pot over the top of which spilled a plant with thick, paddle-shaped leaves, some of them tipped with burgundy.
“What a gorgeous plant,” Addison exclaimed, switching into her professional mode and flashing the woman a bright smile. Taking live plants on planes wasn’t prohibited, but the airline did have pretty clear guidelines on how they were to be handled in transit. Like any other carry-on item, it would have to fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of the woman, and the whole thing needed to be wrapped in a plastic bag or in a closed container to prevent soil or moisture from spilling out of it.
“Oh, thank you.” The woman hugged the pot, then ran a fingertip along the curve of a leaf. “This is a crassula ovata. A jade plant. She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”
“Where are you heading with her?” Addison asked, playing along. The plant did kind of look feminine with all its curves and blushing leaves. She smiled at the woman; this was how she pictured herself someday in her daydreams. A plant-hugging, cat-collecting cheery old lady.
“Right here, I believe,” the woman said, a slight drawl pulling on her words. “I’m Hannah from The Daisy Chain. I’m looking for—” she broke off to flip over a tag hanging from the side of the pot. “Addison Wedgewood.” Hannah looked up at them, her gaze moving back and forth between Addison and Natalie. “Would that be either one of you?”
Natalie was already pointing with both hands at Addison.
“I—I’m Addison,” she said, her voice trembling a little. She was having trouble processing what the woman was saying. Who would be sending her a plant? Maybe one of her Garden Variety Lovers Club friends back in Autumn Lake? But why at work? It wasn’t her birthday.
Hannah pressed her free hand to her sternum and let out a hefty sigh of relief. “Oh, thank goodness,” she said, stepping forward to put the pot on the counter. “I was supposed to deliver this to you first thing this morning, but it somehow got put into a display case at the shop. We found it this afternoon while restocking, and I am just mortified. As soon as I realized our mistake, I hopped in my van and brought it directly to you. She’s too precious, isn’t she? Just look at her. Cute as a button.” Hannah leaned in a little and said with a wink, “I won’t lie, dear. I considered taking this beauty home with me.”
“It’s for—for me?” Addison stammered.
“Yes, silly,” Natalie said, squeezing Addison’s arm. “It’s for you. And I bet I know who it’s from, too. Read the card.”
Hannah’s eyes brightened with anticipation. “I love deliveries like this. Not the late part, mind you; the happy part.” She pressed her hands together in a prayer-like fashion. Evidently, she wanted to know who the plant was from, too. “So often, I take bouquets and plants to sad events. I just get such a kick when a delivery is a happy surprise.”
Addison’s hands trembled slightly as she plucked the pretty envelope from the plastic holder stuck into the edge of the pot. She peeled open the flap and slipped the little card out, then read it silently.
“Out loud,” Natalie demanded, looking like she might reach over and snatch it from her hands if she didn’t comply.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. I’m looking forward to this evening.” Addison looked up at her friend. “That’s it.”
Natalie let out a huff. “Aaaaand?” She drew the word out. “I’m going to assume this, but is it from the lovely Mr. Stewart?”
Addison could feel warmth creeping up her neck. She shrugged and nodded, then held out the card for Natalie to see. “’From Noel,’ it says."
“Is that a heart?” Natalie jabbed a finger at the card.
“No,” Addison declared, pressing the card to her chest. “It’s a leaf in the design on the card.”
“That is such a sweet message,” Hannah interjected. “Is Noel your young man?”
“She’s working on that,” Natalie said with a capricious smile.
“Nat!”
“Well, whatever you’re doing, honey, it looks like it’s working.” Hannah reached over and tapped the shop tag still hanging from the pot. “When you’re ordering your wedding flowers, you remember The Daisy Chain. We do fabulous bridal bouquets. And I guarantee you, we won’t come at the wrong time,” she said with a self-deprecating chortle.
Addison opened and closed her mouth twice before she managed to squawk, “It’s a little early for that.”
Hannah shook her head, then reached over and patted Addison’s hand. “There is no time frame on love, Addison Wedgewood. When Cupid lets that arrow fly, you might as well surrender. He’s a perfect shot every time.”
“Who said anything about love?” Addison shot back. “And I wouldn’t say Cupid’s such a great shot. I’ve seen a lot of hits and misses in the game of love, Miss Hannah.”
“Oh, honey. He may not always choose his targets with their best interest at heart, but he never misses. Take it from me. The Daisy Chain is part of the business of love, and I know when Cupid’s been up to his tricks.” She leaned closer and patted Addison’s hand again.
“Oh, Miss Hannah,” Natalie said, stepping around the counter to give the woman a quick side hug. “I think I like you. A whole lot. And let me tell you; I’m going to be looking up The Daisy Chain myself one day soon.”
“Well, isn’t it my lucky day.” Hannah pulled a silver business card holder from her purse and handed each of them a card with her name on it. “Ask for me personally—otherwise, you might get my daughter. She’s a good florist, but even she’ll admit that weddings are my forte.”
To Addison, she said, “And you, my dear. Jades are one of the easiest house plants to care for. It’s all on the tag there, but here are a few tips.” She counted things off on her raised fingers. “If you’re comfortable, she’ll be comfortable. If you don’t want her to get too big, just keep her in that pot. As far as watering, just stick your finger into the soil about an inch. If it comes out dry, she needs a drink. But generally, you can water her deeply about once a week.” She brushed her hands together, and added, “And that’s about it.”
“Wow. That’s it?” Addison asked. Could it really be that simple? “What about plant food? Or fertilizer or stuff like that?”
“Well, you can always give it a little scoop of used coffee grounds a couple of times a month. Succulents like coffee almost as much as we humans do.” Hannah winked at her. “Used green or black tea leaves will also work if you’re one of those weirdos who don’t drink coffee.”
Natalie clapped her hands. “You tell it like it is, Miss Hannah.” To Addison, she said, “Girl, are you going to call that man right now to thank him?”
“I’m still on the clock,” Addison hedged.
“At least text him to let him know you got this. He’s probably sitting in his room, chewing his nails, wondering why you haven’t called to thank him. He sent it this morning.”
“And I’m so sorry about that again, honey,” Hannah interjected. “I called him to let him know, and of course, I refunded his money. I just got his voicemail, though.”
“Hey, Miss Hannah.” Natalie nudged the older woman and gave her conspiratorial wink. “I find it intriguing that he sent our Addison here a living plant, don’t you?" To Addison, she said, "Not cut flowers or something that will shrivel up and die. Oh no. He sent you a living, breathing plant for you to put in your home so that you will think of him every time you pass by it.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Hannah agreed coyly. “Very intriguing.”
“You two are too much.” Addison came around the counter and hugged Hannah, too, though. “Thank you. Especially thank you for making a special trip out here to bring this to me.”
“I’m just so glad I caught you before you left for the day. He said you got off work at four.” Hannah tapped her watch and blew out a relieved breath. “I just made it, didn’t I?”
Natalie picked up Addison’s phone from the counter and handed it to her. “At least text him right now and tell him you’ll call him when you get home.”
“I’ll text him,” Addison said, nodding.
Natalie and Hannah both stared at her, their expressions a perfect match.
“What?”
Natalie mimed pulling out her own phone and thumbing out a text, dramatically hitting the imaginary send button on her imaginary phone.
“Right now? With you two watching? No way,” Addison declared. “I have to think about what to say. I don’t want him to think I’m being too assertive.”
“Oh. Because inviting him over for a home-cooked meal at your place isn’t assertive at all.”
“You did what?” Hannah asked, pressing a hand to her chest and ogling Addison. Then to Natalie she said, “She’s already cooking for him?”
“She is, indeed. Meat and potatoes and apple cobbler, the little hussy.”
Hannah let out a shocked gasp, and Addison wasn’t quite sure if it was feigned or not.
“Wow, you two. Seriously? It’s just food.”
“There is no such thing as ‘just food’ when it comes to dating, my dear,” Hannah countered, patting Addison's cheek. “Cooking for each other is a major step in the time-honored tradition of the mating dance.”
“The mate—” Addison gasped, her words breaking off in a squeak. “I’m not—we’re not—this isn’t a m—mating dance.”
“Tell her why you’re cooking apple cobbler for him,” Natalie demanded.
“What do you mean?” Addison said, frowning at her friend. “He said he liked it, so I’m making it.”
“Ha,” chortled Natalie. “It’s a whole lot more than that, girl. He said he liked the one the fancy restaurant makes so you’re showing him what a real cobbler tastes like.”
“Very clever,” Hannah said, wiggling her penciled-on eyebrows.
“It wasn’t clever,” Addison insisted. “I just make a good cobbler and thought he’d like it. I was trying to be thoughtful and cook things he likes. I was being nice,” she added, wishing she didn’t feel so compelled to defend herself. Although it was probably because what they were saying was pretty much spot on. She did want Noel to taste her cobbler, and she wanted him to never want another bite of the Lux Solaris cobbler again after tasting hers.
“ Very nice, it sounds like,” Hannah declared, her brows still dancing.
Natalie cackled gleefully at the older woman’s sass.
“You know what?” Addison asked, shaking her head in surrender. She pulled out her phone, but instead of texting, she said, “It’s close enough to four. I’m taking my plant and going home.” Beyond Hannah, she could see Jennifer Tulley heading their way, straightening her name badge on her uniform in preparation for taking over for her behind the counter. “I’ll text Noel when I get to my car.”
“What? No!” Natalie exclaimed. “You can’t deprive us like—”
Addison’s phone beeped with a text message notification. All three of them froze. She slowly peered down at the screen. “It’s him,” she whispered.
“What did he say?” Natalie started bouncing up and down with anticipation.
“I can only read the first part, but I don’t want to open it yet because I don’t want him to see that I’ve read it so quickly.” Her heart began to race.
“Why not?” Hannah asked, her brows furrowed. “That makes no sense to me. The man sent you a gift. Do him the honor of acknowledging it. Just because I messed up and left you hanging doesn’t mean you should leave him hanging.”
Addison felt almost reprimanded by the woman. “You don’t think it’ll make me seem… desperate?”
“No,” scoffed Hannah. “It’ll make you seem polite.” Natalie nodded in agreement.
Addison slid open the message.
Hi Addison. Hope you’re having a great day.
“He—he didn’t mention the plant.” Addison held the phone out so the other two women could read the text.
“He’s waiting for you to mention it,” Natalie told her.
“Well, what should I say?” she asked, but before they could respond, her phone pinged again.
I’m looking forward to spending this evening with you. I haven’t stopped thinking about it—and you—all day.
“Thank him for the plant, you dork!” Natalie grabbed her arm and shook her. “As Miss Hannah said, don’t leave the poor man hanging.”
So, under the exuberant guidance of her unlikely coaching team, Addison thumbed out a response. Hi Noel. My already great day got even better when Miss Hannah from The Daisy Chain got here. Thank you for the gorgeous jade! I’m looking forward to dinner, too. The last line had been on Hannah and Natalie’s insistence, and Addison hit ‘Send’ before she convinced them to let her delete it.
Noel’s response came back in no more time than it must have taken him to tap out his message. I’m glad you like it. I remember you said you were afraid you’d kill a plant, but jades are supposed to be super easy to take care of, so I thought it would be the perfect first plant for you. Besides, it reminded me of that necklace you always wear. The tree with the jade leaves.
“Girrrrl,” Natalie cooed.
“He sounds like a keeper to me,” Hannah chirped.
Addison just smiled, at a loss for words to describe how she felt. She reached up to toy with the pendant hanging around her neck. Not only was he a good listener, but he noticed things like her necklace. She felt both seen and heard in a way she hadn’t by a man in as long as she could remember.
Another text appeared. I ’m bringing a book to share with you; is that okay?
“Oh, my heart,” Natalie said, sighing on each word. “You’d better snap that up. The man wants to talk about books with you?”
Addison giggled. “Right? I mean, a week ago, the guy didn’t even know I existed.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that,” Natalie countered, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. “Our self-serve kiosks aren’t that unreliable, and he always goes to your counter, not mine. He knew you existed, girlie. No doubt about it.”
Hannah tapped Addison’s phone. “You need to answer that boy. Right now. Don’t leave him hanging.”