Chapter Eight #2
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one who has to worry every single second, wondering if you’re eating the right things or if you stood on your feet too long or lifted something too heavy.”
His hand tensed. A muscle in his jaw clenched. He was disappointed, but she just couldn’t bring herself to take that leap of faith yet.
Mason pulled away and stood up, then settled on the bench opposite hers. Blood roared behind her ears. They were going to argue again. She sensed the tension building.
And she was so tired of conflict.
After a few minutes, Mason’s troubled gaze found hers. “Listen, Isabel, I know this isn’t easy for you, but I want us to have a family. You don’t have to do this alone. I’ll be here right beside you every step of the way.”
His words hung in the air.
Couldn’t he see how vulnerable they made her feel? Sure, he’d be right there every step of the way, but he couldn’t control the outcome. Couldn’t control the fear that plagued her daily. Couldn’t soothe the deep sadness she’d have to wade through if she lost a baby. Again.
She tried to avoid his gaze, but he returned to the seat beside her, gently cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. “Talk to me,” he said softly. “What is it that you’re afraid of?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
If she was super honest, maybe he’d finally understand.
“I’m scared of not being able to control the outcome.
” She bit her lip before continuing. “I know it’s irrational, but I worry that if we try again and things don’t work out, then I’ll be back in that same miserable, hopeless place. It’s too risky for me right now.”
Mason nodded and released her chin before pulling her into an embrace. She sank into his chest, feeling a wave of love and comfort wash over her.
He spoke quietly into her hair. “We’re supposed to trust the Lord’s timing, right? Even when we think our plans and our timelines are ideal, He knows what’s best for us.”
Isabel closed her eyes as the truth of Mason’s words hit home. Yes, trusting God was what she needed to do. But it was so hard! She pulled back, then looked up at him.
His strong, calloused hands cupped her face.
She leaned into his touch. He thumbed away a tear.
“This is exactly why I want to move somewhere new. Somewhere without all these connections and obligations. The hard memories. We could find a new doctor this time around. Then, we’d start fresh without worrying about being under such scrutiny or pressure here in our hometown.
We’d be free, to find our own path forward together without fear or expectations hanging over us. Doesn’t that sound exciting?”
Shocked, she pulled away. Anger pulsed through her veins. She shook her head. “It sounds terrifying. Why would we consider giving up our community and all the safety it brings? Who would help us if something happened? Why are you asking me to do something that sounds so awful?”
Mason sighed and hung his head. “Because I want something more than just driving snowplows and being someone else’s employee.”
“Then why don’t you stay in Evergreen and start your own business or try to get promoted?”
He rolled his lips together and fixed her with his strongest gaze.
“Are you kidding? You know Jonathan will be working until he can’t anymore.
Retirement isn’t really in his vocabulary.
And if I’m honest, I don’t want to wait that long either before making plans, Isabel.
I have dreams and ambitions too, and I won’t put them off forever. ”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know what to do.” Mason flung his hands in the air. The anger simmering between them came out in his words. “We both want different outcomes, and neither of us is willing to yield. I’m going ahead with the interview, regardless of what you say.”
She tried to keep her voice from shaking. “And I won’t give up my role as mayor just because you want me to.”
The air between them felt thick and heavy. How had they gotten here? Fog coated the windows of the gondola from their heated exchange.
As the cables above them began to groan and creak, Isabel let out a sigh of relief. They weren’t anywhere close to resolving their conflict. If anything, the situation had become dismal. But she had to get out of this cable car.
Was this how it was going to end—in separation? Divorce?
Even now, those terms made her insides churn. But with Mason being so unreasonable, what could she do?
* * *
“It has to be here somewhere.” Jovi sighed and sank back on her heels. “That’s the fourth box I’ve sorted through and haven’t found any recipes.”
“Here, I brought you a latte from the coffee shop.” Isabel stood in the doorway of the company’s storage room, holding a to-go cup with a cardboard sleeve. “Why don’t you take a break? There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Jovi eyed the white bankers’ boxes stacked in the corner that she still hadn’t looked through yet.
“I’ll take a short break, but then I’m going to keep searching.
So far I’ve found receipts, user’s manuals and old Christmas cards from loyal customers.
I feel like they saved everything around here except for the one recipe we need to keep the place going. ”
She stood and took the cup from Isabel. “Thanks for the coffee, by the way.”
“You’re welcome.” Isabel stifled a yawn. “Grammie did like to save stuff, especially recipes. But I’m starting to wonder whether the salted caramel chews were something she just experimented with and we happened to be around to taste them.”
Isabel led the way out of the storage room and continued. “Or she kept a lot of the recipes in her head. Come on into the workroom. Irene’s bringing fresh samples of candy and cookies we want you to try.”
“When do you want to go see Grammie again?” Jovi paused in the doorway, lifted a lid on a box and peeked inside. Ugh. More files overstuffed with papers. “Maybe she’ll know us this time.”
“I forgot to tell you,” Isabel said over her shoulder. “Gretchen from Oasis left me a voice mail message. There’s been a flu outbreak. No visitors allowed until further notice.”
Jovi groaned. Poor Grammie. “That sounds awful.”
As they walked down the hall, Jovi scanned the production floor below through the windows.
Jerry stood on the concrete floor, gesturing to a young man beside him as the conveyor belt cruised by, transporting sweet concoctions.
“You just mentioned Irene bringing in samples to try. I’ve been thinking about our conversation with Mom and Dad, and that looming deadline.
If I can’t find the recipe, is there anyone who works here who can help me come up with the key ingredients? ”
“We have a small team that develops new products. Usually it’s Jerry, Irene, me and one other person.
But I’m afraid we’re spread too thin already, prepping for Valentine’s Day and Easter.
If you want to try developing the salted caramel chews, you’re going to have to do that on your own.
” Isabel’s phone hummed. She glanced at the screen, frowned, then kept walking.
“I’m not super confident that I’ll be able to recreate Grammie’s version, but I’m willing to try.
The salted caramel chew I remember was so tasty.
I just can’t imagine why she kept something that good to herself.
” Jovi slowed down long enough to take a sip of her latte.
Whoa. So delicious. The perfect combination of bold yet sweet.
“What if it wasn’t hers to begin with?” Isabel walked faster. “What if she used a recipe that she’d found in a book or a magazine? Then she wouldn’t have been able to claim the candy as her own and sell it here.”
Jovi took another sip of her coffee to keep from blowing out an exasperated sigh. Every time she thought they might be onto something, Isabel introduced another possibility Jovi hadn’t considered yet. “Wait. What did you want to talk about?”
Isabel slowed, then turned and faced her. “I hate to bring this up, because I know how gossip flows in this town, but a few people have mentioned to me that they’ve seen you and Burke Solomon together. A lot.”
Really? Jovi stared at her sister. “You’re joking.”
Isabel frowned. “I don’t make jokes about people gossiping. Especially when my family’s involved. Are you spending a lot of time with him?”
She picked at the cardboard sleeve on her coffee cup. “Not…like that. I’ve helped him out a few times because he’s had to deal with one catastrophe after another, and he gave me a ride to Evergreen so I didn’t have to spend the night in Anchorage. We’re just being neighborly.”
Doubt swam in Isabel’s eyes. “I know you don’t need me to remind you that our family and his had a falling-out. It must’ve been a big deal to sever a friendship, so please, proceed with caution. Especially after what you found on the internet about him.”
Oh, brother. Why was Isabel getting worked up about this?
Wasn’t a weekend away supposed to rejuvenate?
Isabel looked more exhausted—and irritable—than when she’d left.
“I appreciate your concern, but there’s nothing to worry about.
I wouldn’t give a clickbait story on the internet much credit.
Besides, Burke isn’t interested in a relationship with me. ”
Was he? A reminder of the way his eyes had held hers a beat too long filled her head. Then when she’d fallen asleep on his couch with Darby Jane and he’d walked her to her car, she’d been almost positive he’d wanted to kiss her. Warmth heated her skin.
Ridiculous. She brushed off the notion, then offered a bright smile. “He’s not my type. Honest.”
Isabel studied her. Awkward silence hung between them. “Happy to hear I don’t need to worry. Let’s go. Irene’s waiting for us.”
When they entered the brightly lit tasting room Irene greeted them with a warm smile. “You’re just in time for our latest samples.”
The smell of sugar and chocolate made Jovi’s mouth water, and she took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet aroma.
Irene stood at the counter. She nudged two white square plastic trays closer to Isabel and Jovi. Jovi clutched her sister’s sleeve. “Is that what I think it is?”
Isabel smiled. “Look familiar?”
“I used to beg Mom and Dad to buy a whole batch when we went to the fair in Washington.” Jovi plated the layered chocolate bar. “Nanaimo bars are scrumptious.”
“It’s a prototype,” Irene explained. “Not a salted caramel chew, of course, but it has the potential to be a crowd-pleasing favorite.”
“And don’t get too attached to the idea,” Isabel cautioned. “We’re in the early stages of development.”
Jovi took a small bite of the dense bar. The crunchy base layer carried hints of almond and coconut, but it was the chocolate and vanilla combo as well as the salty garnish on top that made her want more.
“Would you like some?” Irene offered water as a palate cleanser from a portable pitcher and a plastic cup.
Jovi swallowed, then nodded. She set her coffee aside and took the cup from Irene.
“What do you think?” Isabel propped one hip against the counter.
Jovi hesitated. She really hated to be critical, but they weren’t as tasty as she’d hoped.
“It’s fine, I guess.”
Irene frowned. “Just fine ?”
Jovi cleared her throat. “I mean, it’s good, but it’s not exactly what I was expecting. I remember it being sweeter and creamier.”
Isabel nodded. “We’re still tweaking the recipe, so we’ll keep that in mind. Vanilla pudding mix is the most economical for the middle layer. However, the traditional recipe calls for a specific custard powder that we’re struggling to source.”
Irene jotted down notes on a yellow notepad, then looked at Jovi. “We’re always looking for honest feedback, so thank you for that. Do you want to sample anything else?”
Jovi scanned the counter. On an oval plate, there were sugar cookies shaped like flowers, decorated with elaborate glazed frosting. “Now, what are these?”
“We’re rolling out our first batch of sugar cookies for Easter.” Irene set her pen and notepad aside. “This is a trial run. Would you like one?”
“We’ve worked very hard to come up with locally sourced ingredients.
As you can imagine, that’s tough to do in the winter in Alaska.
But, as I’ve already mentioned, our customers have become a bit more discriminating, and it’s important to them that we incorporate things like berries and all-natural sweeteners in our products whenever possible.
” Isabel plated a sugar cookie for herself.
Jovi picked up the cookie and took a bite. It was soft, yet held its shape and tasted like a mix of honey and vanilla. The frosting was smooth yet delicate and had the perfect amount of sweetness.
“This is amazing.”
Isabel smiled. “Glad you like it. We use honey from a beekeeper who lives here in Evergreen. Last year they were a hit with customers.”
Jovi took a few more bites of the cookie before putting it down. “I’m impressed.”
Isabel’s smile faltered. “But…”
“I love that you’re honoring Grammie’s legacy. She’d be so proud. But I’m not giving up on finding that salted caramel chew recipe. To me, they’d sell better than the bars and the sugar cookies.”
“Thanks for sharing your thoughts,” Isabel said. She pressed her lips into a thin line and looked away.
That didn’t sound like a consensus. Jovi finished her coffee and stood up from the stool. “Well, I’d better get back to it. Thank you for the treats.”
As she headed back to the storage room, Jovi couldn’t shake her disappointment. The Nanaimo bars and sugar cookies were delicious, but they weren’t going to turn things around enough to keep her parents from selling. She was determined to find that missing recipe.