The Spring of Candy Apples (A Sweet Seasons Novel) (13 page)

“We don’t? When did this happen?”

“I don’t know. The last few days. We called a truce, and then she started asking me about God.”

“Freaky.”

“Tell me about it. Now she’s here. Freakier.”

Candace waved, and Lisa walked over slowly. Her eyes were wide, and she was staring at everything and everyone. Candace stood up. “I’m glad you could make it.”

Lisa nodded, looking distinctly uncomfortable. “Thanks for inviting me,” she said.

“Do you want to sit with us?” Candace asked.

Lisa shook her head slowly. “I’m just going to sit in the back.”

“Oh, okay, that’s cool. Do you want me to introduce you to anybody?”

“No.”

Lisa turned and walked toward the back of the room, where she found a seat in the corner. Candace continued to stand awkwardly for a minute before reclaiming her seat.

Candace couldn’t help but feel nervous throughout the evening, and she kept glancing back to see how Lisa was doing. The other girl was doing her best to keep to herself despite the efforts of people who were trying to introduce themselves to her. It was a good meeting, and Candace was grateful for that.

When it was over, Candace stood up, but by the time she had reached the back of the room, Lisa had already gone.

“Everything cool?” Tamara asked.

“I guess. I just wish I had a chance to talk to her afterward,” Candace said, actually regretting not having offered to give her a ride in the first place.

“Chill. If she wants to talk to you, she will.”

“I guess you’re right.”

Monday afternoon, Candace tried to find Lisa, but she didn’t seem to be at work. She finally wandered over and stood under the crosses in the Holiday Zone again, reflecting and praying. Josh found her, and she could tell at a glance that he had something on his mind.

“I have a totally awesome idea,” Josh said.

“What?”

“You should spend Easter with my family.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You could come for the whole weekend. It would be fun.”

“Your parents wouldn’t mind?”

“I already asked them, and they’re excited about it.”

“That would be great, but, my parents are going to want to know stuff about your family.”

“Like what?”

“They’re going to want contact information, I’m sure. Phone number, address,
names.
”

“Oh.” Josh sighed. “I see where you’re going with this. You know what, go ahead and tell them. Your parents are cool. I’m sure they can keep a secret.”

“So, it’s okay to let my parents know who your parents are?”

“Yeah.”

She hugged him. “This is going to be awesome!”

“Told you.”

When Candace got home, she found her parents upstairs packing.

“Do you need any help?” she asked.

“I think we have it under control,” her dad said.

“I just wish we didn’t have to leave you alone for Easter,” her mom said.

“Josh invited me to spend the weekend with his family,” Candace said, not entirely sure how they would react.

Both her parents looked instantly relieved. They stopped packing and sat down on the bed.

“That’s very sweet of him,” her mom said.

“I’m not surprised,” her dad added.

“We should have them over for dinner when we get home,” her mom said.

“We’ll need their phone number, just in case,” her dad said.

“Mr. and Mrs. . . . you know, I don’t think we’ve ever heard what Josh’s last name is,” her mom said.

Candace bit her lip.

“What’s wrong, honey?” her dad asked.

“You have to promise not to tell anyone. I’m one of the only people at work who knows who his parents are.”

“Are they famous?” her mom asked.

“Are they criminals?” her dad asked simultaneously.

“A bit famous. Not criminals.”

“Who are they?” her dad asked.

“John and Lilian Hanson, the owners of The Zone.”

13

“I didn’t see that one coming,” Candace’s father admitted.

“Josh’s parents own the park?” her mom asked.

“Yes, along with Zone World in Florida,” Candace affirmed. “At work, people don’t know because he doesn’t want to be treated differently.”

“I could see where that would be difficult otherwise,” her mom said.

“When we invite them over for dinner, we’ll have the game night of all game nights,” her dad said, a smile lighting his face.

“Josh is on my team,” Candace said, staking her claim.

“I call John,” her dad said.

Her mom stuck her tongue out at both of them.

“What day are you leaving?” Candace asked.

“Friday afternoon,” her mom said. “I still wish there was a way for us to spend Easter together.”

“I have an idea about that,” Candace said. “It won’t be on Easter, but we can still celebrate Easter together.”

“We’re all ears,” her dad said.

“Well, you know King Richard’s Feast in the History Zone?”

“How could we forget it? We celebrated several of your birthdays there,” her mom said.

“Well, I found out that for this entire week, up to and including Sunday, they have a special Easter event called the Great Carrot Brunch.”

“The Great Carrot Brunch?” her dad asked. “Is it hosted by bunnies?”

“I think so,” Candace admitted.

“You have Friday off school, right?” her mom asked.

Candace nodded.

“What time is their earliest seating?”

“Ten a.m.”

Her parents exchanged quick looks. “Let’s do it,” her dad said.

“Can you make the reservations, honey?” her mom asked.

“Absolutely.”

She went to her room, called, and reserved three seats for the brunch. When that was done she hopped on the computer and IMd Josh.

My parents said I can spend the weekend.

Cool. Did they ask about my parents?

Yes. They won’t tell, but now they’re planning a game night for all of us after Easter.

LOL! That should be fun.

I called dibs on you. My dad called dibs on your dad.

Should have called my mom. She’s a wicked good player.

Mom will be happy.

Always a good thing.

Guess what!

You’ve decided 2 invite all the refs 2 the play.

No!!!!!!!

I could invite all the refs.

Don't U dare!!!

We’re going 2 the Great Carrot Brunch Friday b4 they leave.

Can U pick me up there?

Of course. Have u ever been?

(shaking head no)

It totally rocks!

Just 1 # question?

What?

Will there be carrots?

ROTFLOL!!

Well?

No.

Really?

No.

OK confused now.

Of course there R carrots!

Glad 2 hear it.

OK gotta go now.

Everything OK?

Homework.

Yuck.

Tell me about it.

Later.

TTFN.

Candace signed off. Her phone rang, and for a second she thought it might be Josh again, but it turned out to be Tamara.

“What’s up?”

“I’ve made a decision,” Tamara said.

“Yeah?”

“I’m going want to throw my parents that anniversary party at Boone’s with the prize I won.”

“They’ll love that,” Candace said. “Isn’t that a bit short notice, though?”

“The prize people said I could pick any of the next six Wednesday nights because they were holding those open for things like this.”

“And their anniversary is like in a week and a half, right?”

“Right. So, I’m thinking the Wednesday after next. We’re coming back Monday morning.”

“Awesome.”

“I want you and your parents to come as well as Josh, James, and their parents, but I know your parents don’t know the big secret.”

“No longer true.”

“What! What happened?”

“Josh invited me to spend Easter weekend at his house and gave me permission to tell my parents who his parents were.”

“And you didn’t tell me!” Tamara shrieked in her ear.

“Sorry, it all just happened,” Candace winced.

“This, this is why I don’t want you to go away to college. It’s hard enough getting information out of you even when I see you every day.”

Candace bit her lip. She needed to tell Tamara she wanted to go to Florida Coast. That discussion could wait, though.

“This all happened literally within the last hour, I just finished talking to my parents,” Candace said.

“Okay, fine, I forgive you. This is great, though! Now I can have everyone at my parent’s party.”

“My parents should be home by then, but there’s a chance they won’t be,” Candace warned.

“Wait a minute, what am I thinking? They’re going to be gone for what, a week?”

“Ten days.”

“What are you going to do next week when you’re not at Josh’s house?”

“I hadn’t thought about it yet,” Candace admitted.

“This is awesome! You can stay over here!”

Candace grinned. “Sounds good to me.”

“Okay, back to Josh. You’re going to be spending the weekend at his house?”

“Yup.”

“Wow, this is huge.”

“What do you mean?” Candace asked.

“I think he’s totally into you,” Tamara said.

Candace could feel herself blushing. “We’re just friends.”

“Uh-huh. And how’s that working out for you?”

Candace was at a loss for words.

“That’s what I thought. You totally have to make a move.”

“Tamara! I can’t do that. It’s Easter.”

“Excuses, excuses. At least tell me you’re giving careful consideration to your wardrobe.”

“Maybe.”

“That’s it. I’m coming over tomorrow night to help you pack.”

“I’ve got work tomorrow.”

“I know, I’ll be over after. We haven’t a moment to lose.”

The next day at work Candace couldn’t help but think about what Tamara had said. She and Josh were just friends. There was something deep inside her, though, that was trying to tell her differently. She wasn’t ready to deal with that.

“Hey, Candace,” Traci said, waving her hand in front of her eyes.

Candace blinked. “Sorry, what?”

“I was asking if you thought maybe that was a little bit overkill,” she said, pointing to the candy apple in Candace’s hands.

Candace looked down at it and blushed when she realized she had put more than three times the usual amount of stuff on it.

“Have a little apple flavor with your candy?” Traci joked.

Candace groaned. She tried to fix it, but just ended up making it worse.

“Well, you can either throw it in the trash or give it to Becca,” Traci said.

“That’s not even funny. Have you seen her on a sugar high? Seriously scary.”

“Oh, no, I know.”

Candace tossed the apple in the garbage. “What a waste.”

“Don’t worry about it. Are you okay? You’re acting all weird and spacey.”

“I guess I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

“Anything I can help with?”

Candace shook her head. “Not really. I’m pretty sure I have to work this one out on my own.”

“Okay, but I’m here if you want to talk. It’s break time. I’ll be in the storage room stacking cups if you need me.”

“Thanks,” Candace said with a grin.

After ruining a second apple, Candace got one of the other girls to trade places with her. Thanks to her summer job, she knew she could handle the cash register even in her sleep. Fortunately it was a slow day.

She’d only been in the front a few minutes when Roger came in, his face grim.

“What’s wrong?” Candace asked him.

“Talent Show.”

“Why? I’ve seen you guys practice, you’re amazing.”

He fidgeted and wouldn’t meet her eyes. Finally she said, “Can I get you some fudge or a candy apple?”

“No, I came here to talk to you.”

“About Talent Show?”

He nodded.

“Then I guess you’re going to have to tell me what’s wrong.”

“No one’s ever seen Becca dance.”