Chapter 9
Helen grabbed a cart as soon as she entered the grocery store. The store was crowded with people gathering groceries for their Thanksgiving feast. Glancing down at her list, she headed down the first aisle. She efficiently added items to her cart and checked them off her list.
She stopped at the wall of stacked canned pumpkin. She didn’t remember if she’d seen any in the pantry. She promptly grabbed three to be on the safe side.
She added it in her cart next to the large sack of potatoes and carton of fresh cranberries. If she didn’t use them all for pumpkin pie, she could use them to make pumpkin bread for breakfast.
Helen looked at her list. She needed spices!
The bed and breakfast had next to none. It wasn’t exactly surprising the last caretaker of the bed and breakfast never cooked.
She glanced at the time on her phone and turned onto the next aisle.
She nearly ran into a man reaching for a bag of coffee beans.
“I’m so sorry.” She pressed her hand to her mouth.
The man looked up and smiled. “Helen, right? Hello again.” It was Oliver from the restaurant. He was slightly windblown and holding a basket with coffee beans and apples.
She nodded and relaxed. “Yes. Great memory. Oliver, right?”
He nodded and glanced into her cart. “Are you sure that turkey will be thawed in time to cook?”
She grinned. “I plan on putting it in a cold bath to quickly thaw.”
His eyebrows shot up. “I’ve heard of that but never actually tried it. I’ll have to remember that.”
Her phone dinged and she dug it out of her purse. “Excuse me.” She quickly read the text from Kacey, and gasped.
“Is everything okay?” Oliver asked.
“It looks like Kacey’s mother-in-law had a heart attack. She and her husband are traveling to Florida to be with her and wanted to let me know. She said she won’t be able to help with Thanksgiving dinner.”
He brightened. “The bed and breakfast is offering a Thanksgiving dinner?”
She held out her hand. “Don’t let anyone know. It’s kind of a trial run for Christmas. Besides, the B&B won’t be full. Just three guests. Looks like I’ll be busier than I thought.”
He held up his hand and pulled out his phone. “Hang on. I’ll give you my number if you need help.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to impose …”
He chortled. “You won’t be imposing at all. It’s Hopeton. You can always ask for help in a small town.
She hesitated.
He cocked his head. “So how is everything going? I ran into Rebecca, and she said you are doing an amazing job.”
Helen bit her lip. “Really? That’s good to hear. I must admit it is a bit overwhelming. I’m scared I’m going to mess something up. And I want this holiday to be special.”
Oliver gave her an understanding smile. “From what I’ve heard, you already made the B&B feel special. That’s more important than a perfect holiday meal.”
She smiled. “Thank you.” He didn’t know how much that meant.
“How about you just take my number. I promise I won’t text or call. That way if you need me, you can let me know. Otherwise, I’ll see you around.” He held out his phone with his number. She quickly put his name in her contact list.
Besides, it wasn’t like she was going to call him. She was an independent woman, after all.