Gifted a Second Chance at Life

Chapter 7

Mark was smiling as he watched Callie and Maya enjoying their dessert. He remembered how much Callie loved chocolate when she was in high school. He had always delighted in bringing her sweets from the lodge and watching her dive into them, relishing every bite.

“Why do you keep smiling at me with that goofy grin?” Callie asked Mark.

“It makes me happy to see you enjoy dessert,” Mark replied. “It’s good to see that you did not lose your love of chocolate.”

“Never!” Callie laughed as she took her last bite. “I also still have a love of ice cream, which makes this the perfect dessert.”

Kenny approached their table with the trolley cart laden with the food they would take home. Mark could see his usual, happy demeanor was gone since he had gone to the kitchen the last time. He had the sinking feeling that Claire had something to do with it. When Mark hired her, he had spoken to her previous employers, and their words about her were less than kind regarding her attitude and ability to work with others. Mark still gave her a chance because she was one of the best chefs he had ever met, and she was looking to move back home to help her ailing parents.

“Kenny? Is something wrong in the kitchen?” Mark asked.

“Not really,” Kenny sighed. “A plate was dropped. Claire yelled. Nothing that doesn’t happen a couple of times a week.”

“There are times when I question if her ability to cook outweighs her attitude and personality,” Mark frowned.

“That is a decision only you can make,” Kenny said as he cleared the empty plates and placed the paper bags on the table. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, thank you, Kenny. This is fine,” Mark said, glancing at the to-go bags. “On second thought, do you happen to know what Claire packed for me?”

“Unfortunately, I do not, and from what I saw, she did not label the boxes,” Kenny replied. “Would you like me to take it back and have her label things?”

“There’s no need for that,” Mark said with a smile. “We are going back to Rosemary’s to help decorate for Christmas. I have the distinct feeling that nothing will last long enough to worry about it.”

“I understand,” Kenny said with a nod. “I hope all of you have a wonderful day. Rosemary, it is nice to see you again. Callie, Maya, it was a pleasure to meet both of you,” Kenny said, waving at Maya as he turned and pushed the cart to the kitchen.

“I like him,” Maya announced.

“I like him too,” Callie chimed in. “Mark needs to find a way to clone Kenny, so there are a dozen of him running around in the dining room helping everyone.”

Mark laughed, “If I could do that, I would. I would also wave a magic wand and make Claire more agreeable to be around. She is a masterful chef, but there are times when she is as pleasant as sandpaper on a sunburn.”

That comparison made Callie laugh. She had known several people like that, her ex-husband being one of them, even before he became abusive. It was nice to know other people felt the same about select individuals as she did.

Mark looked at the group and asked, “Are we ready?”

“I think so. I wanted to drop off my resume in a few more places before going home, but after that meal, all I want to do is take a nap,” Callie admitted.

“So come home and help us decorate,” Rosemary said as she and Mark got to their feet.

“Yes, Mommy! Pleeeease! I got a special ornament for you, Mommy. I want you to put it on the tree,” Maya said as Callie stood and helped her down from the chair.

“Yeah, Callie. We need your help with all the pink and purple decorations your brother needs to put up,” Mark grinned.

Callie laughed as she zipped Maya’s coat, then her own. “How can I refuse that?”

“You can’t,” Mark chuckled as he slipped on his coat, picked up the bags, and led the way toward the main entrance.

Callie and Rosemary took Maya’s hands as they followed Mark. Callie bit her lip as she walked behind the man. Mark had always been handsome, but now that he was older, he was one of the most gorgeous men she had ever met. The short beard he had grown accentuated his chiseled jawline and enhanced his dark, brooding appearance. Since high school, Mark’s chest and shoulders had broadened, which was not a surprise. He had always spent much time in the gym, which showed even more now. Callie felt her face heat as she thought about how his defined abs turned into the perfect V-line before disappearing into the low-slung athletic shorts he always wore.

“Callie?” Rosemary whispered as they stepped outside. She had noticed her daughter’s face flush.

“I’m good. I think it is the sugar rush from dessert,” Callie lied. “That plus I’m mad at myself for not having a job yet.”

“Don’t be upset about that. You will find one when the time is right. Until then, you can stay with us as long as you need or want. We love the idea of having you and Maya around all the time,” Rosemary softly said to keep the conversation between her and Callie.

Mark was waiting for them beside his SUV. He was smiling, still holding the bags of food, which confused Callie. She tipped her head and looked at him as they approached. That made Mark laugh and open the door so that Maya could be put in her car seat.

“Oh, wow,” Callie said as she stared past the safety seat at the many bags and boxes of pink and purple Christmas decorations. “I knew you found some, but I had no idea you found that many.”

“Oh, no. This is just part of it. Come with me,” Mark said as he walked to the back of the vehicle. The back hatch was opening as they walked to the back. It was packed so full that Mark could not even see out the back glass. He laughed when Callie’s mouth fell open and said, “See! I told you we need your help with decorating.”

“Yeah. You need me and about twenty more people,” Callie laughed.

Mark tucked the bags of food into the only available space and closed the hatch. “If we need more people, we can recruit some of the neighborhood kids to help out. Now, let me lift Maya into her seat so your mom can get her strapped in while I walk you to your car.”

Callie nodded in agreement. Mark held his hand out to Maya, and she took it without hesitation. That made Callie happy. Maya usually did not like strangers, but she seemed to love Mark. That filled Callie with relief and helped her relax a little. Callie was still smiling as she watched Mark effortlessly lift Maya into the vehicle and step out of the way for Rosemary to fasten her into the seat.

Mark held out his hand to Callie, making her raise an eyebrow as she took it.

“Next time I ask you to join me for lunch, park in one of my reserved guest spots. I don’t like you parking out this far from the building,” Mark quietly told her.

Callie laughed, “What’s going to happen? I get mugged by a raccoon on his way to raid the kitchen dumpster?”

“Maybe,” Mark smirked. “You could also slip and fall. You could encounter a larger animal that might be a threat, and as much as I hate to think about it, people are not above hurting you and others. Even in our little town of Green Forest, it can happen.”

“I survived in Boise for years. I think I can handle what my little hometown has to offer,” Callie grinned as they reached her SUV. She unlocked it and opened the door as she said, “Thank you for walking me to my car. I will follow you to Mom and Dad’s house. Don’t let Jimmy see the mountain of decorations you got until I get there. I want to see the look on his face when he sees them.”

Mark laughed, “It will be hilarious. See you at the house.”

Callie smiled as Mark walked away, jogging across part of the parking lot. She got in and back out of the space, waiting for Mark to pull out of his and turn toward the road. As Callie followed Mark’s vehicle onto the road, she had to admit she did feel better after having lunch at the lodge. Maybe she should consider the job offer more seriously than she was.

-

Claire had made excuses for why she needed to be in various places that would allow her to see Mark and his guests without interacting with them. She wanted to know more about Callie and the little girl, whose name she did not remember. The way the four were smiling and talking like they were family made her stomach turn. Mark would never be happy with someone like Callie. Clair understood that Mark needed to be with someone more sophisticated, like her, even if he did not know it yet.

She watched the group leave the lodge and hurried to the lobby to look out the one-way glass of the massive windows. Claire watched them still laughing and talking, making her frown even more. The last straw was when she watched Mark take the woman’s hand and walk her to the far side of the parking lot. Claire could not watch anymore. She turned and stormed back to the kitchen. She had to think of something to make Mark see she was the one he needed.