“Mom, you know you can’t create chaos here, right? This is our new home, and we don’t want drama.”
SuAnn nodded. “I know. I’m not going to do anything like that, Janine. I’m really trying to be a better person. More accepting.”
Janine rubbed her upper arm. “I know, Mom. But, is it really the best idea for you to get involved in a competition of any kind? It doesn’t bring out your best side sometimes.”
SuAnn stood up and slid the papers into her oversized tote bag. “I promise I’ll behave, dear. I wouldn’t do anything to ruin this new life I’m trying to build. I just wanted to have my grandma’s pie recipes because nobody can possibly beat me if I use one of those.”
Janine walked her mother to the front door. “Remember, you want to make new friends here.”
“I’ve never been very good at that, Janine. Plus, I have my two girls here. Why do I need friends?”
It made Janine sad to hear her mother say something like that. “Because you deserve it.”
As she watched her walk to her car, she wondered what was going to happen when her mother entered that competition. She feared it wouldn’t be good.
Colleen stared at the large bowl of candy in the middle of the conference room table. She loved chocolate. It didn’t matter what kind it was or what it was covered with. Chocolate covered strawberries, raisins, nuts - she’d eat any of them. These were just plain chocolates, but she still struggled not to grab a handful of them and shove them into her mouth. Thankfully, she was sitting next to Tucker, and he was holding her hand.
“Sorry to keep you both waiting,” the woman said as she came into the room, shook both of their hands and sat down.
“No problem. I know you must be busy,” Tucker said.
“Always. I wish I wasn’t,” she said, smiling sadly. “Our foster care system is overwhelmed, and it only seems to get worse with each passing year. So many kids in terrible situations. I swear I stay up most nights trying to figure out a solution, ya know?”
“Well, that’s why we’re here, actually,” Colleen said.
“Oh?”
“We work in the toy invention business,” Tucker said. He slid one of his business cards across the table.
“That must be very interesting,” the woman said. “But, I don’t quite see the correlation between toys and foster care?”
Colleen decided to take over. “We were thinking… actually, hoping… to use our skills to help get some of these kids adopted and provide a really great learning opportunity for them too.”
“How so?”
“We’d like to propose a toy invention camp where a group of kids can come and Tucker will teach them about inventions, starting their own companies one day, marketing and so forth. Obviously, this would be more suited for older kids, maybe elementary ages and up. At the end of camp, we’d have a huge party and invite the public. You could be there with some of your staff to help facilitate meetings and give more information on becoming a foster parent, or, better yet, an adoptive parent.”
The woman, who Colleen knew was named Amy Winston from her name tag, leaned back in her chair and tilted her head. She thought for a long moment.
“You know, that’s not a bad idea at all. It’s actually quite innovative.”
Tucker looked at Colleen and smiled. “Our very good friend, Dawson Lancaster, owns The Inn At Seagrove. He has already agreed to let us host it on his grounds. He also has a nice big shop in the back of his property where we can do hands-on demonstrations for the toy invention classes. I’m planning on demonstrating how to draw inventions, and I’ll even show them how I built one of my bestselling toys.”
“So, do you think you could get ten to fifteen kids to participate?” Colleen asked.
“Definitely. I have a lot of boys and girls who would be a great fit for something like this. But…”
“But?” Colleen said.
“I have to ask… What would the cost be?”
Colleen and Tucker looked at each other and laughed. “We hadn’t considered charging anything, actually,” Colleen said.
Amy’s mouth dropped open. “Really?”
“We just wanted to give back to the community and touch some kids’ lives. We never thought about getting paid,” Tucker said.
Amy stood up and pressed her hands together in a praying position. “God must have sent you because I can’t think of a nicer offer!”
Colleen and Tucker stood up and Amy ran around the table to hug them. They definitely hadn’t expected that kind of reaction.
“I guess we better start planning?” Tucker asked.
“Yes! Oh, I can’t wait to tell our board members. They’re going to be so excited. Let’s talk over email and finalize the date and details,” Amy said.
“Sounds good. I’ll be in touch soon,” Colleen said as they walked toward the door. It felt good to be appreciated for trying to help the kids in her community, and it would be a few hours before anything could wipe the smile off her face.
Chapter Three
There was nothing Julie looked forward to more than Sunday dinners. It was the one time of the week where she got to catch up with everyone. Life had been plugging along at a hectic pace recently, so she was looking forward to finding out what was going on with everyone.
“Can you put the rolls on the table?” Julie said, handing the basket to Janine.
“Is Mom coming?”
“Yes. She was able to get her new employee to cover for her this afternoon. She really needs a day off. I think it’s starting to stress her out being at the bakery all the time.”
“Well, if she could keep an employee and not run all of them off…”
Julie held up her hand. “I know. But, it’s Sunday, and on Sundays we’re all happy, right?”
Janine laughed. “Sure, sis. Whatever you say.”
As they finished setting the table, everybody started filtering into the house. First Dawson and William, both of whom planted kisses on their respective partners, and then SuAnn, Colleen, Tucker, Meg and Christian. Julie was excited to surprise everyone with another guest.
“Welcome, everyone. I’m always glad to see your smiling faces on Sundays,” Julie said, standing up as if she was presiding over an important meeting. She held up her glass of sweet tea. “In honor of this beautiful Sunday afternoon, I’d like to let you in on a little surprise…”
As soon as she said it, Dixie popped out of the laundry room, a big grin on her face. Simultaneously, everybody descended upon her, giving hugs and kisses on her cheek.
“Y’all make an old girl feel really loved,” Dixie said, once everyone backed up a bit. “Is this what my funeral will be like?”
“Only if you pop up and surprise all of us,” Dawson said, with a wink.
“I’ll give it my best shot,” she responded, winking back at him.
“I’m so glad you’re home, Momma,” William said, putting his arm around her. She buried her face in his chest.
“Me too, darlin’. Me too.”
“Where’s Harry?” Colleen asked.