Cinnamon and Spice Conundrum (Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice)

Chapter 30

Ryan

“Sadie refuses to see you,” Wilbur grumbles the minute I fling open the cabin’s front door.

“We even ordered that fancy pumpkin spice brew,” Dilbert says.

“Agnes and I gave it our best college try,” Georgeanne quips.

“But nothing would persuade her,” Agnes adds. “Sadie’s as mad as a mule chewing on bumblebees.”

My brows crease at the folksy expression, one I’ve never heard before, but no one else even blinks. The foursome pushes their way through the door, heading straight for the kitchen.

“Something smells delicious,” one of the elderly ladies exclaims.

“When can we eat?” Wilbur asks.

I glance around the sea of hungry-looking wrinkled faces. “Where’s Julio?” I ask, realizing the man isn’t in attendance.

The group exchanges guilty looks.

“He dropped out. Said he didn’t want to lose his job,” Dilbert explains.

Ah, so Sadie pulled the employer card on him. Guess I don’t blame her.

Dishing up bowls of steaming pasta, members of Team Ryan grab their dish and find a place at the table. We eat for several minutes, the spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread taking precedence over conversation.

“Admit it. Phase one of the Team Ryan Battle Plan is a dismal failure,” Wilbur says matter-of-factly after his bowl is empty.

Dilbert nods his head in agreement. “You’re toast, man.”

“Thanks for the pep talk,” I say dryly .

“She’s going to be angry for a while,” Agnes says. “You know, a woman scorned and all.”

“But don’t forget, absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Georgeanne expounds.

Folding my arms over my chest, I say, “So what are you all trying to tell me?” My eyes roam over each member of the septuagenarian group.

Dilbert clears his throat. “You probably better let Sadie cool off a bit. We’ll keep you informed as to her demeanor.”

“Yeah, and whether she’s had a chance to chew on enough bumblebees,” Agnes says.

Doesn’t anyone else find that expression odd?

My shoulders slump. Reluctantly, I say, “I guess I’ll go back to Denver. There’s nothing else to keep me here.” Judith is well trained on the coffee machine and cash register, giving me no excuse to go into the café.

“Don’t forget about Step Two in our plan,” Wilbur says.

Showering Sadie with romantic gifts? She’ll probably burn them.

“Maybe I should just forget the whole plan. Accept defeat.” My heart sinks at the prospect of giving up on Sadie. She’s the first woman I felt I had a real connection with. She got me.

She got Jack , a tiny voice inside my head points out.

“You can’t abandon the plan!” they exclaim in unison.

“We’ll deliver the gifts. Flowers and chocolate are a sure way to a woman’s heart,” Dilbert says.

“How do you know? What woman have you ever given flowers and chocolate to?” Wilbur mumbles.

“He dated Mabel for a spell,” Agnes reminds everyone.

Mabel of ugly pinecone salt and pepper shaker fame? I even forked over a few bucks to buy some of those hideous creations because Sadie didn’t want Mabel’s feelings to be hurt after Agnes and Georgeanne did so well with their sales. I throw Dilbert a side-eye, trying to imagine the car mechanic with the incompetent craftswoman.

Maybe there’s something still there, given the way she jumped on stage to save him during the talent show. I shake my head. I can only try to fix one broken relationship at a time. Though I may have more luck with Dilbert and Mabel than with Sadie...

I tune back in to the conversation in time to hear Georganne say, “Her being allergic to those sunflowers was just an unfortunate outcome.”

Agnes chimes in. “I believe Mabel did enjoy the chocolates.”

I hold up my hand. “I’ll buy Sadie a few gifts. You deliver them. And let’s see what happens. Do you know if she’s allergic to anything?” I don’t want to repeat Dilbert’s blunder and send Sadie a bouquet that causes her allergies to flare up. With how much she loves chocolate chips, I don’t think I have to worry about buying her a box of candy.

The consensus of the group is that Sadie doesn’t have any allergies I need to be concerned with. After they depart, I make a list of gifts I hope she’ll love. After I purchase those and give them to Team Ryan to deliver, I’ll tuck my tail between my legs and head back to Denver.

At least Sam and the company will keep me occupied with the work that has piled up since I left. Plus, he hinted at another company we might want to consider buying, strengthening our portfolio of software offerings. Returning to my life as Ryan Turnbill no longer holds appeal, but what other choice do I have?