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

  “I know. I thought about trying to wrangle an invitation, but there will be plenty of time for that later. Besides, apparently in the real world we’re expected to work on Spring Break,” he finished wryly.

  “Stinks to be an adult,” John said straight-faced. “Personally I don’t recommend it.”

  It was amazing how in just a few short minutes Candace felt completely at ease with Josh’s family. Lilian passed out deviled egg sandwiches to everyone. On a whim Candace broke off a piece of her bread and tossed it at Josh.

  It hit him in the middle of the forehead. There was complete silence for a moment, and then John leaped to his feet. “Food fight!”

  16

  Suddenly the air was filled with deviled egg sandwich missiles. A quarter of Lilian’s sandwich landed on Candace’s head, and she squealed as it slid down her hair.

  “Gross!” She took aim and hurled part of her sandwich toward James who had picked up a chair and was using it as a shield. The sandwich flew apart and splattered against Lilian.

  “Shrapnel!” Lilian shouted. “Take cover.” She dove under the kitchen table, sliding on some deviled egg on the floor.

  When Josh ran out of sandwich, he dove for the loaf of bread and the bowl of egg salad still on the counter. He seized the bread, but his dad beat him to the bowl of egg salad, most of which ended up down Josh’s shirt.

  Candace shrieked as Josh wadded a piece of bread into a tight little ball and pegged her with it. Before he could launch another, James dropped the chair and dove on top of him. Candace watched as the two brothers wrestled over the bag of bread. When it seemed that Josh was about to win, Lilian swooped in, grabbed the bag, and then scrambled onto the counter where she stood up, holding the bag high.

  “I’m the only one left with ammunition!”

  “What are your terms for surrender?” John asked.

  “The terms are these. Josh and James clean up. John must cook a nice dinner by himself. Candace has to go shopping with me.”

  “One moment,” John said.

  James and Josh scrambled over next to him, and he signaled Candace to join them. The four of them huddled up, and the former quarterback took the lead. “Those are some of the best terms she’s ever offered.”

  “I think we can take her,” Josh said. “I say fight.”

  “I agree, but if we try and fail, no telling what she’ll demand,” James said. “I say surrender.”

  “Candace, what about you?”

  Candace felt like she was having the most bizarre dream ever. Still she did her best to play along. “Shopping doesn’t sound bad to me, so I say surrender.”

  “Two for surrender, one for fight,” John mused. He glanced over his shoulder at his wife. “As much as I hate to do it, I have to say surrender. We can’t risk a failed siege against her.”

  They all straightened up, and John turned to Lilian. “We agree to your terms; we surrender.”

  She broke out into a smile, dropped the loaf of bread onto the counter and hopped onto the floor. “Smart choice.”

  “That was unreal,” Candace said, as she looked around at the mess.

  “Work hard, play hard, it’s the family motto,” John said with a lopsided grin.

  Candace started giggling. It was hard to take him seriously while bits of deviled egg were slowly sliding down his cheeks.

  “Come on, Candace, let’s get cleaned up. We’ve got some shopping to do,” Lilian said. “Have fun, boys,” she tossed over her shoulder as she sailed from the room.

  Upstairs, Candace discovered that she had her own bathroom that she hadn’t noticed earlier. She hopped into the shower, washed all the deviled egg out of her hair, got dressed, and met Lilian at the bottom of the steps twenty minutes later.

  “You’re fast. Good,” Lilian said approvingly.

  “Bye-bye, boys,” Lilian said as she and Candace moved toward the front door.

  “Have fun storming the mall,” John said.

  “Think they’ll be done by the time we get back?” Candace asked.

  “It would take a miracle,” Lilian said.

  The two women turned when they reached the door and in unison said, “Bye-bye.”

  Lilian’s car turned out to be a sleek red Corvette. Candace usually didn’t pay too much attention to cars, but she couldn’t help but admire Lilian’s as she slid into the passenger seat. “Beautiful car.”

  “Thanks. Do you have a preference which mall?”

  Candace shook her head.

  “Okay, we’ll go to Stoneridge. It’s closest.”

  They pulled out of the driveway and were on their way.

  “Are food fights common?” Candace asked.

  “I’m sorry. We can be a bit much to handle if you’re not used to it,” Lilian said.

  “No, it was fun, just . . . unexpected.”

  Lilian laughed. “Expect the unexpected, that’s what I always say. I’d guess there’s a food fight about once a month.”

  “Wow, and how many of those do you win?”

  “A little more than my share. When you live with three guys, especially three big, strong guys, you learn to be smart and fast.”

  “I guess so. That was awesome.”

  “I’m glad you were amused. A lot of young women would be heading for the hills right about now,” Lilian said. “Don’t get me wrong; we have a lot of wonderful friends. Most of them, however, don’t spend time with us at home.”

  “Wow, then I’m really flattered that you’re letting me spend the weekend,” Candace said.

  “It was our pleasure. Josh thinks very highly of you, and so do James and John. They’re all very good judges of character. To be honest, I’m glad to have a little time for just us girls so we can get to know each other better.”

  “Me too,” Candace said.

  Within a couple of minutes they were at the mall. Lilian pulled a scarf out of the glove compartment and wrapped it around her head.

  “I know, it’s a cliché,” she said. “However, it’s necessary if we want private time.”

  Candace hadn’t thought about it, but Lilian was just as famous as her husband. She’d been a Cover Girl for several years, and Candace could remember seeing her face on billboards when she was younger. The sports star and the model — now there was a cliché.

  “How did you and John meet?” she asked.

  “We met in junior high. We started dating in ninth grade when I was overweight and he couldn’t throw a football if his life depended on it. Funny, huh?”

  “Yeah,” Candace said. “I guess you never can tell what someone will turn out to be.”

  “Well, we’re both living proof that with hard work and dedication you can achieve your dreams. Sometimes life takes you on a strange route to get there. Look at John. When I met him, he didn’t dream about being a football player; he dreamed about being Walt Disney. A lot of people thought that when he went after football, he was giving up on his dream. I knew better, though. He loves playing football. He loves playing anything, but ultimately it was all a means to achieving his dream.”

  “That’s cool.”

  They walked into the mall and headed straight for a jewelry store. “I need an amethyst necklace,” Lilian explained.

  She found one she liked almost immediately. She then turned her attention to Candace. “What’s your favorite stone?” she asked.

  “I like emeralds,” Candace admitted.

  Lilian smiled. A minute later she had Candace trying on a gold cross pendant with an emerald in the center of it.

  “What do you think?” she asked as Candace checked it out in the mirror.

  “It’s beautiful,” Candace said.

  “Great, we’ll take this one too,” Lilian told the saleswoman.

  “But — ”

  “No buts, this was part of the terms of surrender.”

  “I was one of the ones surrendering, though. I’m not sure I should be partaking in the spoils of victory.”

  “It’s a
gift. I want you to have a memento of your Easter with us.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  After they left the jewelry store, they wandered through the mall. When they found the line to get pictures taken with the Easter Bunny, Lilian insisted that they get in it. A few minutes later Candace and Lilian were sitting beside the Easter Bunny having their picture taken. Lilian had taken off her scarf for the picture, and all around them people whipped out cell phones to take a picture.

  “I have a feeling we’re going to have to head home after this because we’re not going to be able to get any more shopping done,” Lilian said. “Sorry about that.”

  “No worries,” Candace said as she smiled for the photo.

  They purchased two copies. Lilian signed a few autographs, and then they beat a hasty retreat to her car. “Let’s see what John is planning on cooking,” Lilian said with a smile.

  “Is he a good cook?” Candace asked.

  “It depends entirely on what he’s making,” Lilian said. “His Mexican food is great. However, if he’s planning on barbeque, choose the chicken. Trust me on this.”

  Back at the house they discovered that the kitchen was spotless, and the guys were in the back with the barbeque.

  “Just in time,” John said. “Candace, chicken or ribs?”

  Candace glanced over at Lilian. “Chicken, definitely chicken.”

  Lilian smiled her approval.

  “I love your mom,” Candace told Josh later that night. “She’s a lot of fun.”

  “I’m glad you two got along. I was a little worried,” he confessed.

  “Why?”

  “Well, as you’ve pointed out, my family is definitely not normal. Not everyone can handle that. I was worried that you’d be here two hours and be ready to leave.”

  Candace shook her head. “I’ve having a wonderful time. To be honest, it’s kind of refreshing. I’m also a bit jealous. I think you guys have more fun than anybody else.”

  Josh shrugged. “I think your family has a lot of fun too.”

  “Yeah, I guess it’s just more conventional fun. By the way, my parents are totally serious about having all of you over to dinner in a couple of weeks.”

  “I think that will be awesome. There’ll be enough of us we should totally play charades.”

  “Movie, TV show, book, or song,” Candace said. “Charades is my parents’ favorite party game.”

  “Speaking of movies, you want to head down to the theater?” Josh asked.

  It sounded tempting, but she was tired. She also wanted to make sure she was rested for whatever was planned for the next day. “You know, I think I need to get some sleep,” she said.

  “Probably a good idea.”

  They said good night, and Candace retreated to her room. She closed the door and started laughing again at the décor. Lilian definitely had a wicked sense of humor.

  She hung up some of her clothes in the closet and then got ready for bed. Before hopping in, she checked her phone and saw she had a text message from Tamara.

  How is it going?

  Candace smiled. She thought about calling but remembered that Tamara was at her grandmother’s and three hours ahead, so she was probably already asleep.

  She contented herself with sending a text message back. Really good. Having fun.

  She set the phone down, but before she could get into bed it chirped. She flipped it open and saw the reply.

  How much fun?

  Candace sent her reply: Too much. Food fight with the whole family. Shouldn’t you be asleep?

  I wish. The bed’s too hard.

  Candace smiled. Ouch! Talk to you later.

  She tossed the candy corn shaped pillows onto a chair, pulled back the covers, and crawled in. She was pleased to discover that she would not be having Tamara’s problem. The bed was so comfortable she almost fell asleep before she reached to turn off the lamp on the nightstand.

  The light clicked off, and Candace started laughing hysterically. The ceiling of the room was covered with glow-in-the-dark candy apple stickers.

  17

  Her phone rang at seven a.m., waking her up. “Hello?”

  “I know it’s early there, but I had to know what’s going on,” Tamara said.

  Candace chuckled and filled her in.

  “I’m jealous. You’re having way more fun than me,” Tamara lamented.

  “If it’s any consolation, James really misses you.”

  “That does make me feel a little bit better,” Tamara admitted.

  “Apparently he was thinking of trying to get an invitation to the reunion out of you.”

  “You mean he was willing to come spend Easter with my family?”

  “Yes.”

  Tamara groaned in frustration. “I wish I had known that. I would totally have asked him, and we could be having a great time.”

  “Well, you know what they say: ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ ”

  “I don’t want fonder. I want him here and kissing me.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Speaking of kissing. How are things with Josh?”

  “We are just friends,” Candace said, a little more forcefully than she had planned.

  “Okay, backing off now,” Tamara said.

  They chatted for a couple more minutes, and then her phone indicated that her parents were trying to get hold of her. She hung up with Tamara, and her dad came on the line.

  “Aunt Bess made it through the surgery just fine.”

  “Oh good.”

  “Yeah, the doctors even said she can come home tomorrow.”

  “That’s a good Easter present,” Candace said.

  “We thought so. How are things going there?”

  “Fine. John and Lilian are really nice.”

  “Oh, so it’s John and Lilian, huh? Sounds like hobnobbing with celebrities is going to your head,” he teased.

  “Very funny, Dad.”

  “Hey, it turns out Aunt Bess lives less than an hour from Florida Coast.”

  “Really?” Candace asked.

  “Yes, and she said you would be welcome there any time day or night,” her dad added.

  “Wow, I guess I won’t be all alone,” Candace said.

  “Well, since Josh is going there too, I’m not sure you were ever going to be all alone.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Well, I should go. We love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Candace got up, got dressed, and headed downstairs. A few minutes later everyone else joined her, and they had cereal, which to her relief, they didn’t end up throwing at each other.

  Once they had finished, Candace turned to Josh. “What’s the game plan?”

  He chuckled. “Very funny.”

  “I thought it was appropriate.”

  “Well, tonight we hold a vigil of sorts — prayer, meditation, that kind of thing.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty intense. Until then, though, the day is ours. So, what do you want to do?”

  Candace smiled. “I heard that you had a pool.”

  That night Candace held a candle as she sat next to Josh in a pew in a small chapel. The chapel itself was about a five-minute drive from the house. There were a dozen other families present. A pastor led them in a few songs and then in prayer. After that he sat down with his own candle and left everyone to think and pray on their own.

  It was a very moving experience. As Candace sat there she prayed for her family, especially her Aunt. She prayed for Lisa and her newfound faith. She prayed for Tamara and James and their relationship.

  Next to her Josh stirred slightly. God, watch over and guide Josh. Thank you for our friendship and all the ways that he has been there for me. He’s an amazing guy. I pray that you give him strength and guidance.

  Suddenly her heart began to pound, and her hands started shaking slightly. She felt like she couldn’t quite catch her breath. She
wasn’t sure what was wrong with her, but she felt dizzy and unbalanced. Just when she thought she was going to pass out, Josh took her hand in his.

  Everything seemed to stop. She opened her eyes and stared down at his hand holding hers. Such a small gesture, but so powerful. There was so much strength in that hand and so much kindness as well.

  She turned her head slightly so she could see his face. It was mere inches from hers. She studied his features in a way she never had before. As though feeling the weight of her stare, his eyes flickered open and he turned and looked at her.

  He leaned forward, and his lips brushed hers for a moment. Then he dropped his head back down in prayer and closed his eyes. Candace forced her eyes away from him and stared instead into the heart of the candle she held.

  God, what’s happening? she asked.

  On the way back to the house, everyone in the car was silent, still thinking and praying. Once home, they all headed upstairs. Candace lingered for a moment in her doorway, wanting desperately to talk to Josh but not sure what to say. He looked at her, smiled gently, and then disappeared into his own room.

  She closed her door, walked over to the bed, and knelt down. She had a lot more praying to do before the morning.

  In the morning they rose before sunrise and had prayer outside, which John led. Afterward they had brunch at the house. Extended family came, but Candace was too distracted to remember any of their names. Finally at two o’clock she found herself on the back lawn waiting for the start of the Easter-egg hunt.

  Candace turned and saw Josh walking toward her, his jaw set and his stride purposeful. He had with him an array of objects that Candace was hard-pressed to identify.

  “What is all that stuff?” she asked when he got close.

  “Easter-egg-hunting gear. You know, night vision goggles, binoculars, metal detector, the usual.”

  “You have got to be kidding me!”

  Josh smiled. “Nope. My family takes everything about Easter very seriously. When we say Easter-egg hunt, we mean hunt.”

  She wanted to talk about the kiss, but somehow it didn’t seem appropriate for the time and place. She schooled herself to wait and focused instead on the game at hand.

  “So, what does a girl have to do to get some equipment?”