A LEAF OF FAITH

My ear buds were in place as I listened to another chapter in my favorite author’s newest mystery thriller book. I was in awe as the story took a giant leap with the main character literally jumping out a window onto a bread wagon. He was being chased through a building by a gang of drug peddlers. At the last minute he opted to jump as there was no other choice. He was caught in the middle of an underhanded ploy with the cartel to use kitchen chefs as their guinea pigs. The well-known restaurant owners hired them with good intentions but secretly brought in others who seemingly stayed in the background but took charge of a behind the door food business. They forced a money-making scheme by trafficking drugs through baked breads. The families of the chefs were immediately put in jeopardy and forced to commit to the operation. There was no choice but to follow the cartel with their scheme.

My jaw dropped as I listened to this part unfold. Then, I glanced around from where I stood. It felt as though the scene was in an identical place like this cafe. Upstairs was where the owner lived. She was speaking loudly coming down the stairs from her place and it caught me by surprise at that moment. I quickly took the ear buds out and put my book on hold. She looked towards me, rolled her eyes and nodded as the conversation on her cell phone came to an end. I went into the kitchen to begin the day, but it was not where I wanted to see myself at that moment. It seemed too real when I saw our chef stacking loaves of bread prepping for lunchtime sandwiches.

The owners of the building just down the street had recently reopened as the newest food place on the block due to the ongoing need for food options. They were closer to the trail head and people loved to grab and go. It was an upscale bakery, and it became quite popular. We were surprised at why they were also baking a ton of bread loaves. I read that the business name, THE BAKED WOLVES, was already featured in the trail guide. Earlier, I noticed black sedans were going in and out from behind their building. I saw a guy from the shop come out with a hat that had a furry tail hanging down. He also wore an apron. That’s odd. I counted eleven big ones. The drivers helped load these into the sedans. What were in them and where were they going?

The mystery thriller story I was listening to put my mind on over drive. Was it a coincidence that the chapter I just heard seemed to have the same scenario unfolding in the story? Ok, stop. I took a deep breath and put a hand up to cover my face, closing my eyes for a moment, then stepped away from the window and went to the supply closet. The HOT SPRINGS café was my daily workplace. Life had taken a sidestep for me when my significant other called it quits, and he left me with nothing. I felt lost. But months later, at this café, I know there is another good day on the horizon. So, I stepped up to prepare and clean the various food stations for the busy ongoing foot traffic this season brings to HOT SPRINGS. The café was hugely popular at this time of year, from March to May, due to its key location. Who would have thought this town brought the Deer Park Mountain trail walkers down the Main Street as a scenic place to meander as part of the Appalachian trail.

The shop owner and my co-worker, Annie, an older woman, was always quite the worker bee. She saw my distress.

“Hey, Lexie, what’s up? Are you okay?” She gave my arm a positive pat down. Then a hug followed.

I smiled, shook my head and said, “Thank you.” I mentioned how I had a lot on my mind and made up a story about family. She offered to sit and have a cup of tea after our work time was over. “You can vent.” Her eyes winked at me and with a genuine grin she added, “I see a little bit of a creative story unfolding. So, you know, I’m here.” 

I was grateful she saw the other side of me. Maybe it would be a good moment for us to talk later today. “Ok! Right now, we need to get to the craziness about to happen.” Annie went to the door and turned over the sign, HOT to OPEN – Spring Right In! She gave me a thumbs up and we spent our time crisscrossing one another with plates and drinks. We always helped each other with this, that and everything else. Breakfast blended into lunch, and we finally served the last of our top favorite sandwiches. Our newest special lunch menu was called Lover’s Leap as that was the next go to mountain spot from this river valley town. There were creative names for all the sandwiches and hot drinks. Annie was the queen when it came to this. SNOWFLAKE KISS was a special hot tea with white chocolate snowflake cookies. It was my favorite!

Over the course of the day, I noticed more cars attracted to the back of the bakery building. What was going on? Annie saw how many times I would stop and look over, spying, but all the while pretending not to be nosy.  

“Hey, Lexie, what are your thoughts?” I jumped at her quiz as she spoke right into my ear, then quietly cleared a few plates and said, “Oh, I am just looking at the cars coming and going over there. It is kind of odd.” We kept this just between us and did not say anything out loud.  Annie added her comment, “I agree.”

It was near closing time, when two men dressed in suits came into the café. I glanced at Annie; she nodded and went to offer them a seat. There seemed to be quite a lively and friendly conversation happening between them. I kept myself occupied by giving Annie time to get a sense of these new customers. She knew her cliental as the shop had been in Hot Springs for many years. I can’t wait to hear her story as it would certainly be entertaining from her point of view. She welcomed them to stay as long as they needed as she went to the door and turned the sign over to close the shop. She walked over to me as I got their food, paused and whispered, “There is more to the story.” And her grin said more.

I was putting clean plates back into the cabinet, when the door jingled. Then someone knocked heavily on the door. Annie was busy in the kitchen, so I went to the door. It was probably someone coming late and did not know that we were closed. I opened the door slightly and was surprised to see the guy in the furry hat from the coffee shop.

 “Sorry to come by this late,” he apologized. “But I need to speak with the two gentlemen dining in your cafe.”

He seemed nervous, which did not make me feel comfortable at all. I took a deep breath and suddenly felt in charge and more comfortable than earlier in the day.

“I’m sorry. Who are you?” I paused and he excused his lack of manners. His British accent was totally out of place especially with him in that odd hat. I grinned as he held out his hand for a proper introduction. I told him my name and he replied with, “James Bentley, ma’am. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Please, step inside.” He removed his hat, then shook my hand. The two gentlemen stood, and he quietly spoke about the next date of the packaged shipment. They both nodded and wished him well, as they left the café.

He turned to me, hat in hand, and smiled. I looked at Annie and her folded hands went to her heart. A wave of pleasure filled the moment. I was captured by his sincerity and was smitten. He changed how I felt and my view on life.

It was Annie who offered a welcome gesture to this person, as she knew more than she let on. “Please, let us take a moment and James will share his amazing story.”  She motioned to take a seat at a table and offered each of us her favorite spring blend of tea. As it steeped, we enjoyed the aroma. James was especially taken with the name, ‘A Leaf of Faith’. Then he shared his unique story he had with THE BAKED WOLVES. As he spoke, Lexie was drawn back to the mystery thriller book she was listening to as there seemed to be an uncanny coincidence. James Bentley was involved in a positive way such as the main character in the book. Her mouth dropped as he revealed the amount of bread being baked. “It is for the greater good that we are giving away bread to the many shelters that rely on food.” He smiled when the real secret came out. “The bread made by the local “wolves” is delicious and we are grateful for their ambition with my added request.”

James revealed that a small envelope with a gift card to help aid poverty relief had been safely baked inside each loaf of bread. They are then hand delivered to the ones most in need. “The sedans with their drivers, are my family’s way to help give back for the greater good.”

Annie was the one to end this moment. She looked at me, smiled and then with her cup looked to James and with a tribute said, “Let’s raise our cup of tea and to keep it filled with ‘A Leaf of Faith’.”