Chapter Six #3
“I know, but there’s no way for you to get into the truck, and it’s not safe to have the crutches in there when it’s already tight quarters. Someone could trip on one, and then you’d both go down. We can’t risk it.”
“This seriously bites,” she cried, wiping away a tear. “Grady is going to be so upset. You could have told me sooner.”
“I apologize for the late notice. That’s on me. I meant to call you earlier, and the day got away from me. Maybe you can talk to Grady at school tomorrow? If you’d rather, I can call him.”
“I’d rather we worked on the truck for the final time of the season. I get being punished, but he shouldn’t be.”
“You’re not being punished,” Jaelyn said with a sigh.
“If there was a way, we’d do it. Everyone’s safety is important, but yours is the most important.
We can’t risk something happening to the foot now that it’s been repaired.
You’re only seventeen, and you don’t want problems with it for the rest of your life. ”
AJ stared at the wall over Jaelyn’s shoulder as a tear streaked down her cheek. “Can’t say I’m not tired of this life lesson.”
Jaelyn put her arms around the girl and hugged her. I noticed Honor looking on, but she didn’t intervene. Good on her. She saw this for what it was and understood that this was not the time for her to step in.
“You know what,” Jaelyn said, stepping back. “What if I had something else you could do?”
“At the food truck?” AJ asked. I could hear the hope in her voice, though she kept her expression measured, probably afraid to be disappointed again.
“Yes!” Jaelyn exclaimed. “Since it’s the last day of the season, we’re doing free cupcakes and cookies as customer appreciation.
We were going to ask people if they wanted a cookie or cupcake when they ordered and include it with their food, but what if we had a table to the side where people could stop once they got their order?
That way, you could sit, and Grady could grab refills from the cooler when needed.
I think it would be more personable as well.
We could have literature about Evergreen Acres and how to support the school-to-work program at the bakery. Would you be down with that?”
“Yes!” AJ exclaimed, her tears drying instantly. “At least Grady wouldn’t get left out due to my circumstances. He’s come so far, and I hate to take that away from him.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Jaelyn said with a smile. “Plan on that. We’re going to park somewhere without grass, so it’s easier for you to move around. I don’t want you to use crutches on the grass. Dr. Warren would have words for me if you got hurt due to my bright ideas.”
I bit back the snort, so she didn’t hear me, but she was too dang cute.
She was also brilliant in how she dealt with people, always trying to meet them where they were rather than holding a hard and fast line with no room for give.
She understood people and their emotions in a way that even I, as a physician, didn't. That thought made me wonder how she’d feel about my situation, should I share it with her. I immediately shut that idea down.
“That will leave you short on the food truck, though,” AJ said. “Maybe Becca, Cameron, or Lance can help?”
“Don’t worry about that,” Jaelyn assured her. “I was going to be shorthanded already since you and Grady weren't going to be there. I’ll have to prep ahead and figure it out. I’m so glad we found a solution!”
“Me too,” AJ said, drying the last of her tears. “Thanks for understanding. I couldn’t stand the thought of how upset Grady would be to learn he couldn’t be there because of my situation. I take my job as a mentor very seriously and don’t like to disappoint him.”
Jaelyn patted her shoulder as Honor walked up to them. “I know you do, and that’s why you have everyone’s respect on the truck.”
“Everything okay?” Honor asked, and Jaelyn smiled.
“It is now. I’ll let AJ fill you in. I’d better get back to my guest before he thinks I’m a bad host. See you tomorrow, AJ.”
With a wave, she left them to discuss the changes in the schedule and slid back into the booth, a smile on her face.
“You’re something else,” I said, to which she just shrugged.
“I’ve been dreading that conversation, but I should have thought about the customer appreciation angle sooner. Sometimes you need to be on the spot, I guess.”
“What are you going to do about being shorthanded? You know the truck will likely be extra busy since it’s the last day for the season.”
“I work at The Nightingale Diner, so it’s nothing I’m not used to. I’m confident I’ll figure it out. The kids already have clearance to be out the entire afternoon, so if we need to stay longer to serve everyone, we will.”
Dramatically, I pulled out my phone and held up my finger as I poked around on the screen before I slid it back into my pocket. “My schedule is open, so I’ll be your extra man.”
“What? Major, no,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re a doctor, not a food truck worker. You must have patients to see.”
“Nope, tomorrow is my day off since I’m on call later this week. I’d love the chance to work on a food truck for the day. I know it’s a lot of work, but you always seem to be having a great time. Sometimes, work should be fun.”
Sitting quietly, I let her roll the idea around in her head, but getting a read on Jaelyn Riba was hard.
It was as though she always had something to hide and had to run every situation through multiple lenses before she could agree or disagree.
I’d kept enough secrets to know when someone else was keeping a few of their own, and Jaelyn definitely had secrets.
“You’re sure?” she asked, her brows in the air.
“As positive as AJ was about handing out cupcakes. You know I can’t cook, but I can take direction and run a cash register.”
She stuck her hand out across the booth. “Congratulations, you’re hired. We pay in Spanish rice and smiles.”
“Sounds like heaven,” I promised, the feel of her soft, warm palm against mine comforting and invigorating at the same time.
Secrets or no secrets, I wanted to get to know this woman better, and if that meant working a taco truck on a Tuesday afternoon, then that’s what I’d do.
It was only after a moment that I realized she hadn’t released my hand, so I cupped hers with my other hand and lowered it to the table, our gazes locked together and a smile on both of our faces.