Granting Wishes (12 page)

Lilah was at a loss as to what to do. Last weekend had
gone smoothly and with the town’s efforts, Kringle Farms was a sparkling light in the community once again. There were still some minor things that needed finishing up. But for the most part, it was ready for the grand re-opening festivities that would be starting on Saturday morning. A small sort of carnival was being set up in one of the empty fields that would house kiddie rides, game booths, face painting, and food stands that would further help raise funds for the farm. A petting zoo with the most docile animals was going to be a hot spot for a lot of the children, along with pony rides and getting pictures made.

Everything was coming together but she felt such a sense of worry and dread she couldn’t even enjoy it. Her doctor appointment this morning confirmed her home pregnancy test. She was indeed pregnant and had yet to tell Jake. That was what she was dreading. He had told her how he hated that he’d knocked up Alana and paid hell for it ever since. What if he got angry with her or didn’t want to raise a baby with her? He hadn’t even been with another woman since Alana left him after giving birth to sweet little Roxy until the night they spent at the cabin. And they hadn’t been together intimately ever since. He was loving towards her
, but held her at a distance.

Hungry, frustrated
, and worried, she decided to do what seemed to be the best idea at the moment. Stop at Sweet Treats, Margie’s bakery and buy enough sugary confections to share with the girls at work and indulge herself in some comfort food. As soon as she walked in a rush of cool air greeted her with the fragrance of coffee and cinnamon. That was the worst part of being pregnant, giving up her morning and afternoon pot of coffee. She was going to settle for a decaf vanilla caramel Frappuccino if it killed her. Caffeine was no longer an option. There was a fresh tray of cinnamon rolls smothered in cream cheese frosting in the case, begging for her to eat them when she walked up to the counter. Usually Margie came right out from behind the swinging doors that led to the kitchen but when she didn’t, Lilah looked around to see only one other person sitting at a small table. “Good morning,” Lilah said to the young woman. She glanced at Lilah and lowered her head as if she were trying to hide her unkempt appearance.

“Good morning, Lilah. I’ll be with you in just a minute, honey.” Margie greeted Lilah as she came out of the back carrying a paper sack filled with what appeared to be packages of breads and
danish pastries. She placed it on the floor next to the girl’s feet and patted her shoulder. Margie leaned down and spoke softly to the girl and then went behind the counter. She poured a cup of hot cocoa and pulled one of the fresh cinnamon rolls out of the case placing it on a dish and took it to the girl’s table, patting her shoulder again when she whispered her thanks. Lilah felt her heart wrench when she watched from the corner of her eye as the young girl tore into it like she was starving to death. When the girl saw she was watching, she quickly slowed down and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“What can I get for you,
honey?”

“I’d love one of those cinnamon rolls like she’s having. Gosh, they look so good!”

“Yes ma’am, those are fresh from the oven. Want to eat it here or to go?”

“I think I’ll eat it here
. Will you box some up for the girls at work, along with a mixed dozen donuts and danish pastries. I’ll take a decaf vanilla caramel frap along with that.”

“Sure thing, honey. You go ahead and sit down
, and I’ll fix you right up.”

Lilah looked over at the girl again as she finished off the cinnamon roll in record time and licked the frosting off her fingers. “How about another roll for her too, Margie.” Margie smiled and nodded her head as Lilah walked over to the girl
’s table.

“Hi, I’m Lilah. Mind if I join you?”

She nodded her head and reached for her cocoa with a shaky hand. “I don’t mind.”

“What’s your name, sugar?” Lilah smiled as Margie brought over a tray with two cinnamon rolls and a frap. The girl followed Lilah’s lead as she picked up her fork and cut into the sweet, gooey treat and took a bite.

“My name is Sabrina, ma’am. Thank you for the roll. I guess I was pretty hungry this morning.”

“That’s a pretty name, Sabrina. I’m pretty hungry this morning too. Besides, who can eat just one of Margie’s treats? So yummy,” she smiled at Sabrina warmly.

“Ms. Margie is a real sweet lady.”

Margie came over and refilled Sabrina’s cocoa and grinned. “Now you girls are flattering me. Gonna give me a big head! My momma always taught me that food is love. So I put a lot of love in the food I make. That’s my secret ingredient.”

“Well it’s delicious, Margie. Bad for my backside but so good for my tummy.”

Sabrina giggled a little, covering her mouth with her hand. The girl was quite pretty though it was clear she was destitute. She looked to be around eighteen or so with long brown hair and amber eyes. All she had with her was a backpack that had seen better days. One strap was broken and it was as dirty as Sabrina’s baggy clothes were.

“Do you live around here, Sabrina? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.” Lilah asked, taking a sip of her icy decaf frap that she had decided wasn’t too bad of a replacement for her usual coffee addiction.

“Here and there.” Sabrina shifted in her seat, looking uncomfortable with Lilah’s questioning.

“I work a few miles from here. You know where the Reconstructing Warriors Rehab Center is?” She watched as Sabrina’s eyes widened and she shook her head yes. “My office is on the third floor there. I started a foundation with my mother about six years ago called, A Million Wishes. Have you heard of it?”

“Yes, ma’am. Everybody in Sugar Creek has heard of it. Y’all do a lot of nice things for people.” Sabrina nervously tugged at her shirt and fidgeted.

“Do you have a job and a place to say, Sabrina?” Lilah reached out and put her hand over the young girls and smiled. “You don’t have to be nervous or shy, sugar.”

“No, ma’am. I did, but not now. I sleep under the bridge usually. Ms. Margie gives me her day olds and I help her clean up sometimes. Some days I go down to Ms. Lola’s and she lets me do odd jobs and pays me for it.” Sabrina looked on the verge of tears.

“Well, if you are looking for work, I might have a place for you if you’d be interested. We have been behind in the office since we’ve spent so much time out at Kringle Farms getting it ready for re-opening. I could really use an extra hand at catching up.”

Sabrina’s eyes widened. “You don’t even know me, why would you help me?”

“Because everyone needs a little help sometimes, sugar. You need a job and a place to stay. I need help in my office. We could help each other.”

“I’ve never worked in an office before. I’m not sure I’d be good at it.”

“It’s not difficult, and we’d train you how to do everything. The key is to have a willing heart and to want to help other people. Do you think you could do that?”

Sabrina nodded, “Yes, ma’am.”

“And call me, Lilah. Ma’am sounds old!” Lilah laughed and patted her hand. “How old are you?”

“I’m nineteen.”

“Do you have any family around here?”

“No,” Sabrina hung her head again. “I was in foster care
almost my whole life, and got bounced around a lot. When I turned eighteen and graduated, I aged out of the system. I ended up moving in with my boyfriend. He’s a few years older than me and had his own place.”

“Did you two break up? Is that why you’re on the streets?”

“I caught him cheating on me. I was working as a waitress at the Pancake House in Macon but I wasn’t feeling good so my boss gave me a ride home because I couldn’t get ahold of Caleb, my boyfriend. My ex-boyfriend. When I got home, I found out why he didn’t answer his phone. He was too busy screwing my best friend on our kitchen table.” Tears slid down her cheeks and she angrily rubbed them away.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Sabrina.”

She sniffled and blew her nose on a napkin. “So I told him I was leaving and he smacked me a round a few times, then threw me out. I didn’t get any of my stuff. He had the locks changed. I ended up losing my job because I didn’t have a way to get there. I don’t have anybody.”

Margie came up to her and rubbed her shoulder, “Go on. Tell her, Sabrina. You can trust Lilah.”

Sabrina looked up at Margie then over at Lilah. “I’m four months pregnant too. Caleb says it ain’t his and he won’t claim it even though he’s the only man I ever been with. I don’t know what to do anymore.” Fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.

“I know exactly what you can do. You can come with
me. We’ll get you set up with a place to stay and clean clothes to wear. Then, you can start your new job once we get you settled in. Everything will be okay, Sabrina. I promise you that.” Lilah smiled at Margie, “Now, how much do I owe you, Margie? I better get these treats to the girls so Sabrina and I can get her ready to start her new venture in life.”

After they left the bakery they went to the consignment shop next door. “Let’s get you a change of clothes here right quick
, before we head to the office.” Sabrina didn’t object but shyly followed her. Lilah had learned well from her mother. When you see someone in need, you do what you can, as soon as you can, without judgment. It hadn’t been that long since Mikayla and Noah Cane had become foster parents to Lilah and her brothers. She remembered well how difficult it was to be scared, poor, dirty, and hungry. All things aside, her mission in life was to help others not suffer, but become productive members of the community. And by God, everyone needed a friend. Especially this sweet girl who had been given an awful lot to deal with in her young life.

***

By the time they were carrying in the treats from Margie’s and Sabrina’s news things, Lilah was no longer feeling down and sorry for herself. In fact, meeting Sabrina had reminded her how good she had it and how grateful she should be for her family, friends, and job. It was too easy to let day to day life wear on you to the point you are so wrapped up in yourself, you forget others and to appreciate who you do have.

“Morning ladies,” Lilah called out. “I’ve brought treats from Margie’s and my new friend and employee, Sabrina. She’ll be helping us around here starting in the next day or so after we get her settled in. Sabrina, this is my best friend Chelsea, my sister-in-law Angel
, and our newest employee Josie.”

Sabrina was hiding behind Lilah, her head lowered as she clutched her backpack and bag from the consignment shop. She quietly whispered a faint
“hello”, never making eye contact with any of them.

The girls all greeted her warmly
, but it was Josie that came right up to her and hugged her. “Hi, honey, I’m Josie. I’m the talker of the group. I hope you don’t mind. Sometimes I think I drive these girls crazy, but I do love gettin’ to know people and makin’ new friends. Aren’t you a pretty little thing? Do you want some coffee or somethin’ to drink?”

“Josie, you’re gonna scare the girl off. Let her breathe for crying out loud.” Chelsea rolled her eyes and laughed. “Welcome into the fold, Sabrina. Don’t mind Josie. She gets excited real easy and then she can’t shut up for the life of her.”

That broke the ice and made everyone laugh, including Josie. She ushered Sabrina over to a chair.

“I wouldn’t mind some water if it’s not too much trouble.”

“Sure thang, sugar snap.” Josie went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to Sabrina.

“Angel, is your old room still empty upstairs?” Lilah asked.

“No, a new patient moved in there yesterday actually. We’re all filled up now.”

“That settles
it. You’ll come home with me, Sabrina. We have plenty of room for you until you decide where you want to live. You can stay as long as you need to. My momma and daddy are wonderful people. They are my foster family that adopted me and my brothers about six years ago. Gosh, it’s hard to believe it’s been that long. Sometimes it seems like yesterday.”

After a call was placed to Lilah’s parents, she left work and headed home with Sabrina to make the introductions. Sabrina was welcomed in with the open arms the Canes’ were known for. She inherited Dakota’s old bedroom and adjoining bath, for the time being. The wonder in Sabrina’s eyes as she looked around squeezed Lilah’s heart. It hadn’t been that long since she felt the same emotional, overwhelming feeling. There was already a special friendship blooming between the two of them. Similar backgrounds laid the foundation. After already going through so much, the tender loving care that her parents showered on Sabrina reminded her of days gone by.

“Sabrina,” Mikayla said softly, “Why don’t you take a bubble bath and relax for a bit. I imagine you’re tuckered out. You’re welcome to take a nap. When you’re ready, go on and come downstairs and I’ll whip up some lunch for us.
Afterwards we can go do some shopping and get you some more clothes and necessities. That way you’ll be ready to start your new job.”

Sabrina nodded her head and wiped her eyes, “I can’t say thank you enough, ma’am. I don’t know how I’ll repay y’all for your generosity.”

“Oh, sugar,” Mikayla hugged her and wiped a tear from her cheek. “You never repay us, we don’t want that. You’ll pay it forward one day and help someone else when they need it. Go on now, get cleaned up and get some rest.” She kissed her cheek and gave her a gentle hug before she went back downstairs.

“I know this can be overwhelming, I completely understand that. But don’t worry about anything. You’ll get the swing of things and be back on your feet before you know it. Tomorrow we’ll fill out your forms for work so you’re on the insurance plan and payroll. Have you been to a doctor yet for your pregnancy?” Lilah questioned.

“No, I went to the free clinic for the test and they gave me a bottle of prenatal vitamins, but I haven’t been back since.”

“Then that’s something we’ll add to our to-do list,” Lilah smiled. “I’m heading back to work but if you need anything, don’t hesitate to find my mom or dad. They’re awesome people and will be glad to help. I’ll see you around dinner time.”

“Thank you, Lilah. From the bottom of my heart.”

***

Chelsea had been on the phone most of the morning finalizing the last details for the events of the weekend. Her nerves were strained from Josie’s constant babbling, and it didn’t help that her shoulders were tensed up like she had the weight of the world resting on her. It was almost time for her to leave for her doctor appointment and truth be known she didn’t know whether to feel excited or sick, so she settled with being sick about it. No morning sickness thus far, unlike Lilah. In fact, she didn’t feel any different at all. Maybe she’d gotten a false positive. That would explain it. Things like that happened sometimes and wouldn’t it be just be her luck to be sort of excited about I,t and it not actually be happening.

“Chelsea,
Chelsea
! Snap outta it, girl,” Josie waved her hand in front of Chelsea’s face to get her attention.

“What,” she snapped. Secretly
, she was wondering if it would be unethical to swat her like a fly.

“Well good Lord a’mighty, you don’t gotta get all feisty on me. I was just tryin’ to tell ya that Dom is on the phone. You’re lookin’ like you’re starin’ a hole in the wall. What is wrong with you?”

Chelsea turned her cold stare over to Josie and imagined how satisfying it would be to glue her lips shut so she wouldn’t have to hear her any longer. But then again, she would probably just hum really loud and be just as annoying. Instead of answering her, she picked up the phone and tried to not sound irritated. “Hi, Dom. What’s up?”

“Hey,
Princess. I’m out of class for the day and wanted to see if you would like to go to lunch with me?”

Figures
, the day she had an appointment she couldn’t miss he would have time for a lunch date. She sighed, picking at her fingernail while she thought of an excuse. “I’m sorry, I don’t have time today. Lilah’s been out of the office most of the day and it’s been busy.”

“Oh, okay.” Disappointment rang in his voice. “Too b
ad. It’s Wednesday, which means meatloaf dinner at Ms. Lola’s.”

Chelsea smiled, “I promise that next Wednesday I’ll make myself available for a lunch date with you there. How’s that?”

“It’s a date,” he laughed. “How about you come over for dinner tonight? My mom texted me and said we’re having a family dinner. Then we can chill and spend some time together.”

She didn’t even have to think about it. It would be as good a time as any that she could tell him about her test if the doctor confirmed it. “That sounds perfect. I never turn down an offer to eat your mom’s cooking.” She looked at the clock and saw it was already almost noon. “I gotta go, hon. I’ll see you tonight.”

At least work wasn’t far from the doctor’s office and it only took her ten minutes to get there. She walked into the cool lobby right at noon and signed in. Unfortunately, the doctor was running behind and she ended up waiting an hour before she was taken back to a room. By then, she was so irritated that when the nurse told her that her blood pressure was high, Chelsea rolled her eyes and snapped. “Ya think? I’ve been waiting for an hour in a waiting room with so many sniffling, sneezing, and coughing people it’ll be a wonder if I don’t end up sick. What’s the point of making an appointment if I have to wait for forever?”

The nurse frowned at her and asked her to step on the scale. Seeing that she had gained eleven pounds since her last doctor visit six months ago, the nurse smirked, “Maybe your weight gain has something to do with it too.”

It was the last straw. Chelsea burst out in tears. Not the delicate, tears running down your face and you still look pretty kind of crying either. Great, heaping sobs that smeared her mascara down her cheeks which were beet red from embarrassment, making her look even more pitiful. The nurse looked shocked and maybe even a little remorseful for her snide comment. Once she ushered Chelsea into a room, she gave her a handful of tissues while patting her on the back, trying to console her. As her tears subsided to hiccups, the nurse asked what she was being seen for.

“I think I might be pregnant. At least the stick said I was. But I don’t feel any different and I don’t have morning sickness but I missed a period and,” she started crying again, hiding her face in the wad of tissues. “Oh God, I sound like that blabbering Josie. Sweet Jesus she never sh
uts up and she’s driving me bat shit crazy.”

The nurse gave her a fresh handful of tissues and backed away to the door, “I’m going to get the doctor. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

The few minutes turned into another half hour and by the time she finally left the doctor’s office she was wiped out from crying and wishing she hadn’t promised Dom she would come over for dinner. After she called Lilah letting her know she wouldn’t be returning to the office, she drove home and took a long, hot soak in the tub. Most of the time she was in there, she was staring at her stomach in awe. It was crazy how things had ended up. Here it was, six and a half weeks since Dakota and Angel’s wedding and both Lilah and Chelsea were pregnant. They had grown up together, and now their kids were going to grow up together.

***

By the time Chelsea pulled down the driveway at the Cane’s house, it appeared she was the last one to arrive. The parking area was full so Chelsea pulled along the side of the house to park her car. As she rounded the front of the house in her royal blue knee length summer dress, Dom greeted her by swooping her up in his arms and kissing her until she was putty in his arms. When he set her back on her feet, she felt like she had stars in her eyes as she looked up at him. “What was that for?”

He grinned at her and kissed her nose, “I’ve missed you, and you look gorgeous. Plus, my grandparents are here, along with everyone else, to meet the new girl that Lilah brought home today. So I figured I’d sneak out here and kiss you good and hard instead of giving all the folks a show.” Dom kissed her again, slower this time, softer even. She slid her arms around his waist and gripped him tight. His fingers dug into her hair, massaging her scalp while he sucked her lower lip between his teeth and tenderly bit it. Her body felt like one big nerve-ending, tingling everywhere he touched and some places he hadn’t come near yet. In fact, when he stroked his big palm over the curve of her bottom and yanked her hips snug against his, she pretty much melted like butter. She was hot. Starving to climb him like a tree and mount the hard ridge of him that was straining against his zipper. No telling what may have happened if they hadn’t heard the loud rumbling sound of a truck coming up the driveway. Jake pulled up behind Chelsea and
Dom and grinned at them. Yup, they had been busted making out in the driveway like horny teenagers. If he had waited another five minutes to come down the driveway, he might have seen way more than what he already had.

“Well, I would ask how y’all are doin’ but from what I can see, you’re right fine,” Jake teased as he hopped out of his truck after unbuckling Roxy from her car seat.

“We were doing great until you interrupted, bruh,” Dom said in a joking tone.

Chelsea felt a blush creep down her neck, “Be nice, Dom. Hi, Jake. C’mere and give me a hug, Roxy. I’ve missed you!”

“Let’s go inside,” Dom said, leading the way.

The scents of fresh baked bread, fried chicken, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler greeted them soon as the front door was opened. Chelsea’s tummy rumbled, making her laugh as she rubbed her stomach. “I forgot to eat lunch. I’m starving.”

Mikayla was puttering around the kitchen when they walked in, “Hi y’all! Come on in, grab yourselves some sweet tea and find a spot to sit. I’ve about got everything on the buffet.” She kissed Chelsea and Roxy, and hugged Jake before she carried a platter piled high with crispy fried chicken to the buffet.

“Y’all, this is Sabrina. She’s going to stay with us awhile,” Mikayla said. When she headed back towards the kitchen she stopped and stared at Chelsea. “My goodness you look beautiful, sugar. I love that shade of blue on you. Makes your green eyes just pop!”

“Thank you, Miki,” Chelsea blushed, smiling as she followed her back into the kitchen. “Need some help?”

“Grab the bowl of salad out of the fridge for me, will ya, sugar? I think that’ll be everything.”

Chelsea saw Lilah enter the room with her hand on her stomach looking a bit on the nauseous side.