The Spring of Candy Apples (A Sweet Seasons Novel) Read online

  “But you are special. I’ve finally begun to see it. The funny part is, it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with what you believe. I hated being at your youth group. Everyone there has had a good life, a decent upbringing, and no understanding of how cruel the world really is. I did like what your pastor said about God, though. That he saw and cared even when no one else did. I want him to see and care about me.”

  “He already does,” Candace said quietly. She pointed to the cross. “That’s what this is all about. Jesus sacrificed himself for each one of us.”

  “No one has ever sacrificed anything for me,” Lisa said.

  “Yes, someone has, and now you know it.”

  “I think I know why so many people like to say they don’t know if there is a God.”

  “Why?” Candace asked.

  “If they acknowledge that he exists, then the burden is on them to do something about it.”

  “You know there’s a God,” Candace said.

  “Yes, I can’t explain it, but I know he must be real.”

  “Then what are you going to do about it?”

  “I want to be like you.”

  “All you have to do is ask Jesus into your heart and to forgive you for what you’ve done.”

  “I’m afraid,” Lisa said.

  “Of what?”

  “Of losing who I am. If I let God forgive me, does that mean I have to forgive others?”

  Candace bit her lip as she struggled to figure out how to answer her.

  “No, you don’t have to, but ultimately I think you’ll want to. It will make your life better. Look at what you said about me. How you felt about me only hurt you. But, no, it’s not a requirement of salvation, although it often ends up being something of a side effect.”

  Lisa nodded. “Will you pray with me?”

  “Yes.”

  Standing there under the cross, they bowed their heads and as Lisa prayed, Candace began to cry.

  “Let’s take it from the top,” Candace said, picking up her stacking cups.

  “Stonehenge at quarter speed and in rhythm,” Pete said.

  “Then the Eiffel Tower at half speed with take down slightly faster,” Sue said.

  “Last the Pyramids of Giza at full speed with lightning take down,” Traci said.

  Corinne nodded. “If we can pull this off, it’s going to look amazing.”

  They had finally gotten all three patterns down. Doing it in order and at the right speed was the next challenge. Talent Show was coming up fast, and Candace could tell they were all getting worried. She figured all they needed was to make it through once, and then they wouldn’t have to stress until after Easter.

  Pete knelt and began to pound out the rhythm for Stonehenge. Then they began. She kept her eye on Sue as she worked. She and Sue were still evenly matched in speed. Sue was slightly better at staying with the rhythm, so watching her helped.

  They successfully put Stonehenge up and took it down. Then they launched into the Eiffel Tower. It went up without incident at the correct speed. Take down went even smoother. They paused and then began the pyramid.

  The clack clack clack of the cups was all she could hear as she built her pyramid. She reached the top, and a surge of joy filled her. They were going to make it! They were going to have a smooth run. She placed her last cup on top of the pyramid and then stared in horror as it wobbled and almost fell. It finally settled, though, and Candace stood up straight with the others and then took it down.

  The last cups all hit the ground simultaneously. Candace bounced to her feet, her arms up like an Olympic gymnast who just stuck the landing.

  There was silence for a moment, and then very quietly Traci asked, “Did we do it?”

  “I think we did,” Pete said, sounding dazed.

  They began to shout and high-five each other.

  “Thank goodness,” Sue said. “I didn’t have one more in me tonight.”

  “I don’t think any of us did,” Corinne said, wiping the sweat from her brow.

  “Congratulations to us,” Candace said. “We officially know what we’re doing.”

  “Now we just have to practice until we can do it in our sleep,” Pete said.

  “More like be able to do it with stage fright,” Sue said.

  “I for one refuse to get that,” Traci joked.

  “Oh yeah, that’s for wimps,” Pete said.

  “Do we know what our competition looks like?” Candace asked.

  “I’ve heard rumors Muffin Mansion isn’t doing so well,” Corinne said.

  Candace shook her head. “I wouldn’t pay attention to those rumors. No matter what you hear, they’re still the team to beat. Does anyone know what the Kowabunga team is doing?”

  “Not a word,” Pete said. “I’ve never seen a team manage to keep a secret this long.”

  “I heard some of the Game Zone guys are doing some riff on the games themselves, you know, trick shots with balls, tossing rings over moving objects, that kind of thing,” Sue said.

  “That will either be totally awesome or completely lame depending on how they do it,” Candace said.

  The others nodded agreement.

  “Do you think we have a chance?” Sue asked.

  “There’s always a chance,” said Pete.

  “But a real chance?” Corinne asked.

  “I think we have a chance at second,” Candace said. “I don’t think we’ll get first unless something unforeseen happens to the Muffin Mansion team.”

  “So, they’re the team to beat,” Traci said.

  “Looks like,” Pete added. “I figure everyone knows it too.”

  “I guess they should be watching their backs,” Corinne said.

  “I think I need some more lemonade,” Candace said. “We’ve got time to practice still, and I think we’re going to be great. You’ll see.”

  “How’s rehearsal for your play coming?” Pete asked, changing the subject.

  Candace smiled wryly. “It seems all I do these days is practice for one thing or another. It’s going well, though.”

  She took a deep breath. “I’d like you all to come,” she said.

  “That would be great,” Traci said.

  “I’ll be there,” Sue said.

  “Great, bring your sibs.”

  “I’d love to come. I’ve never actually seen a live play,” Corinne admitted.

  “I’ll be there,” Pete said, giving her one of his rare smiles.

  “Great,” Candace said despite the sudden sense of fear that threatened to overwhelm her.

  15

  When everyone else had left Sue’s house, Candace lingered behind. “You can invite Mark to the play too,” she said.

  Sue blushed. “Thanks.”

  “He’s a nice guy,” Candace said.

  “He really is. I’m so glad I met him. You know I really need to thank you.”

  “Me, why?” Candace asked startled.

  “He told me that he came to work for The Zone because you made it sound like so much fun. We wouldn’t have met if it weren’t for you.” Sue laughed. “I owe you a lot more than that actually. The scholarship from Tamara’s parents, getting everyone to bring Christmas to us, and inspiring Becca to give me the golden candy cane so that we won all those prizes — food, gas, everything we needed, really. I’m not sure where’d I’d be right now if it weren’t for you.”

  Candace felt a lump in her throat. It was funny. It seemed like lately all people were doing was telling her how much she had impacted their lives for the better. It made her feel so humble, because she knew she really hadn’t done much. Somehow God had worked through her, though, to touch the lives of others.

  I always thought you had to make sacrifices and grand gestures to change people’s lives. It seems that sometimes all you actually need to do is show up.

  “Thank you,” she whispered before hugging Sue. “The truth is all of you have done more for me than you’ll ever know.”

  Soon
they were both crying. “You know, I think you’re going to do great things for this world.”

  “Starting with Florida?” Candace asked with a laugh.

  “No, starting here. Never be afraid to be who you are.”

  Candace went home and invited everyone she knew to the school play. After all, she had already started inviting a few, no need to discriminate. She couldn’t get out of her head what Sue had said about not being afraid to be who she was. She often felt like a confused, easily embarrassed young woman who was spinning out of control. If she was going to take Sue’s words seriously, then she couldn’t be afraid to let her friends see just that.

  And I’m never likely to be more confused, more embarrassed, or more out of control than I am going to be on that stage, she thought.

  Friday morning, Candace woke up more excited than she could ever remember being. She had no idea what to expect out of the weekend, but knowing Josh, she should expect the unexpected. She also couldn’t wait to see the Great Carrot Brunch.

  They loaded up the trunk with her luggage and her parents’ and then drove over to The Zone. They walked to the History Zone and entered the castle.

  Candace and her parents followed the waitress into King Richard’s, and she was awestruck. She had expected the place to be decorated in the same pastel hues as the rest of the park. Instead, though, they had gone the exact opposite. She felt like she had stepped onto the set of a biblical movie.

  “I feel like I’m in ancient Jerusalem,” her dad said, mirroring her thoughts.

  “I had no idea they did anything like this,” her mom marveled.

  They were soon seated at their section of one of the long tables that ran nearly the length of the hall. Candace glanced around and was surprised to see how many referees were there with their families. Several saw her and waved, and she waved back.

  “What, do you know everyone here?” her dad joked.

  “Pretty much,” she said. “I don’t know all their names, but the faces are familiar.”

  A few minutes later the room was packed, and the waitresses began serving the food. Every course featured carrot of some sort. There was even carrot soup.

  As it turned out, the meal was more of a dinner theater. On the stage at the front of the hall where King Richard normally presided, they presented an Easter play. When they came to the part where Jesus had to carry his cross, the actor shouldered the wood and walked down the aisles between the tables. By the time they came to the crucifixion, she could see a lot of people wiping their eyes, including her dad.

  “I think this must be one of the most amazing Easters we’ve ever had,” her mom said.

  When the brunch was over, they met Josh in the parking lot, and Candace transferred her bags to his car and hugged her parents.

  “Make sure you call,” she told them.

  “We will,” they promised.

  “Josh, thank your parents for us,” her dad said.

  “I will. Happy Easter.”

  “Happy Easter,” her mom said, giving Josh a hug as well.

  They finally drove off, and Josh turned to her. “Shall we?”

  She nodded.

  Fifteen minutes later they were parking in front of Josh’s house.

  Josh and Candace walked up to his front door. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I’m nervous,” she admitted.

  “Why? You’ve met my parents . . . at least my dad . . . before.”

  “Yeah, but never as your dad. Just as Mr. Hanson, owner of The Zone,” she said.

  Josh grinned. “It’s okay. He’s much cooler as my dad.”

  Candace smiled back.

  John Hanson threw open the door. “Candace, welcome and Happy Easter!”

  “Thank you, sir,” she said.

  “Call me John. Saves me from calling you Miss Thompson.”

  She nodded. “I can do that.”

  “Excellent, then we’ll get along just fine. Come meet Josh’s mom.”

  It was easy to see the family resemblances. While James was a little more driven, like their father, Josh obviously got his more laid-back personality from Lilian. She hugged Candace when they were introduced.

  “I’ve heard so much about you, it’s nice to finally meet,” Lilian said.

  “It’s good to meet you too.”

  Their house was larger than Tamara’s, but it had a different feel to it. Tamara’s home was very refined and sophisticated. Josh’s house was more fanciful.

  “Shall I give you the grand tour?” Josh asked.

  Candace nodded.

  “Make sure you start with Candace’s room, so she can drop off her bags,” Lilian said with a smile.

  Candace followed Josh up a curving staircase. Portraits that looked like they had been painted during the Renaissance hung majestically on the walls. Must be Josh’s ancestors, Candace thought, until she spied one portrait in particular.

  “What?” Josh asked, noticing that she had stopped.

  “This portrait,” she said, pointing to one of a young man in period clothing who seemed to be smirking.

  “Yes?”

  “It’s you.” She meant to say looks like you, but the more she stared at it the more she was certain it was Josh.

  “Very good! You’d be amazed how many people never figure that out,” he said with a laugh.

  She looked at some of the other portraits and was able to identify James, John, and Lilian.

  “You guys are crazy!” she said.

  “It has been said.”

  Candace started laughing. “I love it.”

  “I have a feeling one of these days Tamara’s portrait will be up there,” Josh said.

  “Lucky,” Candace responded before she knew what she was saying. Horrified, she gazed up at Josh, but he just shrugged.

  “I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t want to be married to my brother.”

  Candace started to laugh again. “Let’s hope not!”

  They continued up the stairs, and Candace tried to put the portraits out of her mind. At the landing they turned left and walked down a long corridor that looked like something from an old haunted house movie. Heavy wooden doors were shut, hiding the rooms that lay beyond.

  At last they stopped at one on the left close to the end of the hallway. “This one’s yours,” Josh said.

  Candace held her breath as he opened the massive wood door. She stepped inside and promptly fell down on the floor laughing. The entire room was decorated like a massive candy store. Giant pillow candy corns decorated the bed. A wind chime made of candy canes swayed in the breeze from the open window. Posters advertising every kind of sugary treat known to man decorated the walls. The rug in front of the bed was shaped like a fluffy cloud of cotton candy, and a bouquet of candy apples was skillfully arranged in a vase on the nightstand.

  Josh set her bags down and then joined her on the floor. She wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “How did this happen?” she asked.

  “We wanted you to feel at home,” he said.

  “Whose idea was this?” she asked, looking accusingly at him.

  He lifted his hands defensively. “Not mine.”

  “It’s gotta be your dad then.”

  “Nope. This was mom’s doing.”

  “Your mother? That sweet, laid-back woman?”

  “Oh, yeah. Most people don’t truly get my parents as a couple until they’re on the receiving end of something like this. This is all Mom. She has a twisted sense of humor, and don’t let that laid-back thing fool you. She’s every bit as competitive as Dad.”

  “I guess she wasn’t kidding when she called this my room.”

  “Nope. Not even a little bit.”

  “Your family is so weird!”

  “I know. Isn’t it cool?”

  “Yes!”

  Candace imagined what a guest room for Tamara might look like, and she laughed until her sides hurt. Finally she struggled to her feet. “I think I’ll take the rest of the tour n
ow.”

  “Absolutely,” Josh said as he placed her bags next to the closet. “Plenty of time to unpack later.”

  He led her back into the hall and to the door directly across from hers. “This is my room,” he said.

  She followed him inside and smiled. The room was decorated like a surfer’s dream. There was surfing art and artifacts everywhere. The room was blue and white, and it definitely left the impression that you were in the ocean. Framed posters for surfing movies decorated the walls.

  “Very cool,” she said.

  He grinned. “And now the rest,” he said, leaving the room and heading back toward the stairs.

  Downstairs she followed him from living room to kitchen to dining room to two different game rooms. They ended up going down a spiral staircase to the basement where the movie theater was. The screen was huge, and there were thirty real movie theater chairs arranged so that every seat had a great view.

  “Wow. Now this rocks.”

  “Yeah. I’ve caught Dad watching television down here a few times,” Josh said with a smile.

  “Can’t say that I blame him.”

  “Me either. Mom would kill him, though. She has a strict rule. The theater is for movies only. She doesn’t lay down the law often, but when she does, watch out.”

  They climbed back up the circular staircase and found Josh’s parents in the kitchen.

  “Just in time for lunch,” John said brightly.

  “What are we having?” Josh asked.

  “Deviled egg sandwiches,” Lilian said.

  “Is it just me, or is it wrong to eat devil anything on Good Friday?” Candace joked.

  Total silence greeted her. Terrified, she wondered if she had somehow insulted them. She needn’t have worried because they finally burst out laughing.

  “I can’t believe I never thought of that,” Lilian said.

  “We’ve been having deviled egg sandwiches on Good Friday as long as I can remember,” John said, wiping his eyes on the back of his hand.

  “Candace, where have you been all these years? Clearly we need you to save us from ourselves,” James said as he walked into the room.

  “Hey,” Candace said.

  “Welcome,” he smiled. “Too bad Tam couldn’t come, it’d be a regular party.”

  Candace shrugged. “They’re off visiting her grandparents back East.”