“S–sell the business?” Ryan looked back and forth between his parents, confused. “Who would you sell it to?”
“M–martinsons.”
“Martinson’s?” Their chief competitor?
“They made an offer months ago,” his mother said. “But your pop was afraid to take it because he knew how much you loved the business and he didn’t want to hurt you.”
“L–loved the business?” Ryan slapped himself in the head and he turned to his father. “They made an offer? A good one?”
Pop’s eyes widened as he slowly nodded.
“And you turned them down?”
Another nod.
“When we turned them down last year, your father decided he could probably handle working at least a few more years. But now. . .” She shook her head.
“I–I’m. . .t–tired.” Pop’s eyes misted over.
“He’s ready to rest. Relax. And Bob Martinson came by the other day to visit.”
“Oh?”
“He made a second offer. Even higher than the first. We’ve. . .well, we’ve decided to sell. It’s really the best thing. We could use the money and your father needs a break. Still, we’ve been so worried about how you would take this news. We’ve known since you got your degree just how much running a business has meant to you.”
“I–I’m so s–sorry, s–son.” A lone tear trickled down Pop’s cheek.
Ryan stood and began to pace the room. “Pop, I love you. And you know I love working alongside you. You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever known and I enjoy spending time with you. But. . .” He paused for a moment, garnering the courage to continue. “I don’t enjoy repairing appliances.”
His mother glanced over at him, stunned. “Y–you don’t?”
“No.” Ryan shook his head. “With my marketing degree, I can do so much. I have so many ideas and plans—but I’ve never been able to get worked up about commercial appliances. Not sure why.”
“R–really?” Pop’s eyes held a hopeful look.
“Really.” Ryan leaned over and took his father’s hand. “And I can’t believe I managed to convince you that I was happy being a repairman. I was so afraid your feelings would be hurt if you found out I didn’t love the things you loved.”
His mother’s brow wrinkled. “Ryan, we’ve raised you boys to follow after God. And He will lead you all into the various businesses you’re supposed to be in. It never occurred to me that you might be working out of obligation.”
Ryan swallowed hard and tried to figure out how to respond. Of course he’d been working with Pop out of obligation—ever since the first stroke. But to say so now just sounded. . .callous. Cold.
Thankfully, he didn’t have time to respond. The door to the room swung open and Casey entered with a broad smile on her face. “Grandpa!” She squealed, then bounded toward the bed. Ryan grabbed her and planted a kiss on her cheek before she could pounce.
“Hey, you!”
“Uncle Ryan. I need to talk to Grandpa.” She scrambled out of his arms and made her way to the side of the bed, where she began to fill everyone’s ears with chatter about her day at school.
At that same time, Mallory and Vic appeared in the doorway, hand in hand. Ryan looked over at them with a smile. He could see the peace in their expressions. For some reason Mrs. Carini’s words came flooding back over him. The safest place to be is in the center of God’s will.
The center of God’s will. Hmm. All those years of repairing appliances when I really wanted to do something else. I wanted to spread my wings and fly. And now. . .
All at once a peace that passed all understanding swept over Ryan as the truth registered. He’d been faithful in the little things. . .and it looked as if the Lord was about to shift him into something much, much bigger.
With a smile on his face, he excused himself to make a very important phone call.
Taffie sprinted down the stairs, ready to bid her parents goodbye. They’d spent the better part of the afternoon packing up the RV and now, finally, the time had come. Her mother and father would ride off into the sunset. Literally. They would head west to Philly to spend the night at an RV park, then continue onward. . .westward. . .over the next several months. Of course, her mother still insisted they’d be back next summer for the wedding. Not that anyone was actually getting married.
Just as she reached the bottom of the stairwell, Taffie’s cell phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket and smiled as she saw Ryan’s number.
She answered with “Hey, I was just thinking about you.”
“Same here.”
“What’s up?” She continued on her way to the front of the house. From here, she could hear the racket from outside. Half the neighborhood had turned up to bid her parents farewell.
“I have some news.” Ryan’s voice carried an unexpected level of emotion. Had something gone wrong? Taffie found herself distracted as both of her sisters rushed her way.
“Hurry up!” Tangie hollered. “They’re ready to go.”
“Pop’s not going to leave until he says goodbye to everyone who’s ever bought candy from him,” Candy argued. “So, no rush. Most of Atlantic City is out there, saying goodbye, anyway. Take your time.”
As her sisters disappeared through the front door once again, Taffie did her best to focus on Ryan, who continued to talk on the other end of the phone. She missed part of it, but heard something about his father’s business.
“I’m sorry, Ryan. What did you say?”
“My pop.”
Her heart plummeted. Surely something hadn’t happened to his father. Not now, when things were going to well with his recovery! “W–what about him?”
“He’s selling his business.”
“Selling his business?” Taffie practically squealed with delight. For weeks she’d prayed that God’s perfect will would be done in Ryan’s life, particularly as it related to his work. While she’d admired his amazing work ethic, she could read the truth in his eyes. He really longed to be doing something else entirely.
“Pop is selling the business to Martinson’s on the first of October. No more appliance repairs in my future.”
“Well, except one,” she prompted.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, there’s no guarantee our taffy machine is going to hold up forever. Now that you know how to fix it. . .”
He laughed. “I can promise you this. . .if anything breaks at the shop, I’ll take care of it for you. But don’t tell your friends. My future is in marketing, not repair jobs.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” She smiled, thinking about it. “I’d say you’ve done a fine job of repairing a great many things.” She dove into an explanation of how he’d played a major role in fixing the future of Carini’s Confections, and how he’d helped to repair his brother’s marriage, as well.
She heard a horn honking from his end of the phone and it startled her. She’d assumed he was at the rehab. “Where are you?”
“I’m in the car on my way to your house.”
“Seriously?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t let your parents leave without telling them goodbye. And besides, Casey made a card for your mom. I should be there in a couple of minutes.”
“Hope they’re still here. I’ve never seen two people more anxious to travel.”
She opened the front door and stopped short when she saw the mob of people. Squinting against the sunset, she made out her parents. Pop handed out bags of candy to folks and Mom. . .well, Mom hugged neck after neck. Taffie ended her call with Ryan, then bounded toward her parents, half saddened and half energized. The moment had finally come.
Drawing near her mother, Taffie found herself with tears in her eyes. “It’s just not going to be the same around the shop without you. But I promise to do my best.”
“You’ve always done your best and then some.” Mom gave her a warm hug. “And I have a feeling you’re going to have a lot of help.”
“Oh?” Taf
fie followed her mother’s gaze to Ryan’s car as he pulled up to the curb. “Ah, I see.”
She watched with joy flooding over her as he made his way through the mob to her side. It was just like a scene from that movie—when the hero appeared from out of nowhere to save the day. Sure, Ryan wasn’t dressed in regal attire and he certainly didn’t come wielding a sword. But with the sun setting behind him, he almost carried an angelic glow.
Nah. It had nothing to do with the sun.
He greeted her with a kiss as sweet as candy, which she returned willingly. Then he gave her mother a warm hug and handed her a homemade card. “It’s from Casey,” he explained. “She’s already missing you and you’re not even gone yet.”
“I’m going to miss her, too.” Taffie watched, stunned, as her mother’s eyes filled with tears.
Pop appeared at her side and shook Ryan’s hand. “Take care of this girl of mine,” he said with a wink.
“That’s my plan.” Ryan slipped an arm around her waist and drew her close.
Taffie and her sisters spent a few quiet moments sharing their goodbyes with her parents, then, with as much fanfare as a king and queen, the Carini clan leaders climbed aboard their RV and headed off into the sunset.
Standing there with the raspberry sunset settling in around her, Taffie had to admit there was something rather poignant about the fact that her parents were finally heading off on their way. The strings had been cut. She was on her own.
As if reading her mind, Ryan drew her close and planted kisses in her hair. Her heart swelled with joy. No, I’m not alone. The Lord—and a very handsome marketing guy—would walk with her. . .every step of the way.
TWENTY-THREE
The winter months passed—one holiday to the next. Just as Ryan predicted, Carini’s Confections thrived during the autumn season and did even better at Christmastime. The winter brought in an older crowd, but Taffie didn’t mind. In fact, she could hardly wait for Valentine’s Day. Not only had she created a new product called “Carini’s Rose” ─a delicate chocolate, rose-shaped candy made specifically for the holiday—she had also agreed to participate in the singing valentines project.
What in the world had gotten into her?
Ah yes. Love. Love had motivated her to sing, to dance, to smile twenty-four hours a day. Love had left her dizzy and gleeful, silly and carefree. She could hardly think straight these days. Her whole life had morphed into a romance movie. Not that she minded. No, sir. In fact, she rather enjoyed it.
On the morning of February 14, Taffie arrived at the shop and changed into her tuxedo attire, ready to get to work. Just as she made her way behind the coffee counter, Tangie appeared in the doorway, her cheeks flushed from the cold.
“Brr! It’s freezing out there!” She came inside and gave Taffie an admiring look. “I can’t believe you’re doing this. You’re going to. . .to sing.”
“I am.” Taffie grinned, unable to hide her joy. “But we couldn’t have managed our orders without you. I’m so grateful you took a day away from school. You’re saving my neck. Even with three of us participating, we almost have too many orders to cover. I almost asked Mallory if she would join us.”
“Is she a singer?” Tangie’s brow wrinkled as confusion set in.
“She is now.” Taffie gave her a wink. “Love will do that to you. But I think we can manage. And Ryan’s mom has agreed to stay at the shop, tending to our other customers while we’re out.”
Just then, Ryan made his entrance from the back room. He looked dashing in his black tuxedo, white shirt, and red bow tie. Tangie let out a whistle. “You clean up real nice.”
“Thank you.” Ryan bowed at the waist, looking every bit the royal prince.
Taffie’s heart swelled as she looked at him. Seeing him in a tuxedo made her head spin. She forced herself to stay focused on the task at hand. There was much work to be done, after all. She pulled out the paperwork, showing a total of thirty-three orders for singing valentines. “Eleven apiece,” she informed the others.
“Whoa.” Tangie’s face lit up. “You’ve really gotten good at this marketing thing.”
“Blame it on him.” Taffie pointed at Ryan, who shrugged.
“What can I say? I’m having the time of my life. My new PR firm is doing great. Business at the shop is growing every day. I can’t believe how blessed I am.”
“No, I can’t believe how blessed I am,” Taffie whispered. She gave him a light kiss on the lips and his cheeks turned crimson.
“You two are something else.” Tangie groaned. “To be honest, I’m jealous of you. It’s Valentine’s Day and you have each other. I’ve got. . .” She released a loud sigh. “No one.”
“What about Joe?” Taffie asked. “That guy you told me about last month?”
“Joe? Oh, yeah. Well, he moved back to Sheboygan when the show closed. Go figure.”
“You’re going to find your Prince Charming,” Taffie reassured her. “Just don’t get ahead of God.”
Tangie offered up an exaggerated sigh, then went into the office to change into her tuxedo. Before long, Ryan’s mother made her entrance, and the three songbirds were ready to hit the road. They agreed to meet back at the shop at five o’clock. After all, the first annual Valentine’s Day Karaoke Extravaganza at Carini’s was to begin at seven o’clock that evening. The place would be full of song-filled lovers, young and old.
As they left the candy shop, Taffie thought about all that had transpired in such a short period of time. God had truly stretched her. . .in more ways than one. Ironic. Not that she minded. No, looking into the chocolate brown eyes of Ryan Antonelli, the only thing she minded was being away from him for the next several hours.
Well, no time to fret over that right now. Not with so much work to be done. With a song in her heart, she headed off on her way to belt out some happy tunes. If the situation called for it, she might even throw in a little choreography.
As Valentine’s Day progressed, Ryan thought about Taffie at least a thousand times. As he sang to a young couple at a local restaurant. As he crooned a tune for an elderly couple in their front foyer. As he surprised a young woman at her workplace. Everyone responded well to the singing valentines and the accompanying chocolates, but his heart still ached for Taffie. He wanted to sing. . .to her. And he would, before the day ended.
At five-thirty, just as he wrapped up the final order, Ryan headed back to the candy shop. He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and read the words over and over again. He couldn’t forget these lyrics. To do so might change the outcome of his life.
He pulled into the parking lot nearest Carini’s at a quarter of six, but didn’t leave his car right away. Instead, he spent a few minutes in prayer, asking God to lead him. With so much on his plate, he certainly needed the Lord’s guidance.
Ryan entered the shop and saw his mother at the coffee bar, serving up flavored coffees and hot chocolates to customers. Vic and Mallory had arrived with Casey in tow. Even Luke showed up to help out with the Karaoke equipment. Ryan grinned as he noticed his father and Casey, seated near the front of the room. He walked over to his father and gave him a warm hug. “Glad to see you, Pop. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“H–happy Valentine’s D–Day.” His father smiled a now-familiar crooked smile.
“I’m gonna sing a song tonight, Uncle Ryan,” Casey said, her eyes sparkling. “I’ve been practicing all day.”
“What song?”
“I can’t tell you. But you’re gonna love it!”
“If you’re singing it, I’m sure I will.” Ryan gave her a kiss on the top of the head. “Anything you sing will be wonderful.” He looked around, curious. “Anyone seen Taffie?”
Tangie appeared from behind the candy counter with an explanation. “She’s running late. She called about fifteen minutes ago to say that things went so well with the singing valentines that she got a couple more orders. So, she’ll be at least an hour or more.”
“No way.” Ryan’s
heart plummeted. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Why?” Tangie gave him a curious look.
“Oh, nothing.”
Several minutes later, the evening crowd started to trickle in. Before he knew it, over twenty people had signed up to sing in the Valentine’s Day Karaoke Extravaganza. All love songs, of course.
Ryan started off the evening’s festivities promptly at seven, but nothing felt the same without Taffie. Sure, folks were buying all sorts of goodies to munch on while they listened to wanna-be singers croon love songs. But Ryan’s heart just wasn’t in it.
Until exactly 8:02 p.m. when the love of his life walked through the door. He took one look at Taffie—her lopsided ponytail, red bow tie all askew, and exhaustion etched on her face—and his heart sprang to life. After giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek, she went back to the office to change clothes. He was surprised to see her return in a beautiful red blouse and black slacks. No work attire tonight—not on Valentine’s Day. No, tonight would be a night neither of them would soon forget.
He hoped.
A few minutes later, just after an elderly man sang a Frank Sinatra standard, Ryan took to the microphone. “I know I’m not on the schedule,” he explained, “but I have a song I’d like to sing to someone very special. It’s a valentine I wrote just for her.” He picked up his guitar and swallowed hard before strumming the first chord.
From the audience, Taffie looked his way, clearly confused. Her cheeks flamed pink as he began to sing the song he’d worked on for days:
You’re God’s precious gift, my sweet valentine;
The love of my life, but will you be mine?
Forever I’ll hold you, forever we’ll be,
One in His sight, if you’ll just. . .marry me.
A gasp went up from the crowd as he sang the last line. He forced his attention to the woman he’d written the song for. From her chair, she stared at him in complete stunned silence, eyes filled with tears. Ryan stopped strumming the guitar long enough to gaze at her with a heart filled with love. He gestured for her to join him on the stage and she came. . .albeit slowly, hesitantly. When she stood next to him at last, he knelt down on one knee and a nervous chuckle erupted from the audience.