Page 7 of Sweet As Candy: Trick or Treat Collaboration

I’m chuckling as I go back and look at the ones I snapped. Seeing the joy on Johnny’s face, I know what I’m going to do next, even if it may be too soon.

Pulling up Candy’s number, I send her a text.

Wish you were here with us.

I attach the picture with the text and then put my phone away. Knowing how busy she is on a Saturday in our small downtown area with tourists milling around, I don’t expect her to answer me back right away.

“Alright, ready to help me bag them?” I ask Johnny. He’s still buried in the leaves.

“If I have to,” he grumbles, as he steps out of the leaves.

“Well you don’t have to, but if you don’t help it’ll take even longer, and then we won’t be able to do anything fun today,” I tell him, as I squat down, so I’m on his level. The one thing I’ve learned a lot lately is Johnny acknowledges and listens more when you get on his level and talk to him.

“Alright, Daddy. I’ll help you, but I’m not happy,” he says, with a pout.

“I get it, this is not my favorite chore either. The faster we get this done, the faster we can go to the park,” I counter.

“Yay!” he squeals and then we get back to our work. It takes hours, but we get the front and back yard done and then go inside to get cleaned up.

“I’ll make some sandwiches while you’re cleaning up,” I tell Johnny. I take my phone out of my pocket and set it on the kitchen counter before I wash my hands. Once I finish, I look at my phone and see that Candy responded to my text.

He’s the cutest, wish I was there too <3I put my phone back down and get the sandwiches ready, so we can eat. Then maybe we’ll go to the park and meander towards Candy’s bakery.10CandyThe picture Dylan sent melted my heart. I was bummed I had to leave them this morning. In fact, I was a downright grouch. My assistant pushed me to the back, telling me I’d scare the customers away. When Dylan sent me the picture, it turned my frown upside down.I’ve been working on a few cakes today while she manages the front. I hear the chime go off and on all day. I tend to ignore it when Kelly is here.I’m just putting the finishing touches on a birthday cake for a little girl when Kelly peeks her head around the corner, “Hey, Dylan and Johnny are here. You want to come up front?”“Nah, can you send them back here? I want to show Johnny something,” I tell her, as I put the cake in a box and set it in the cooler.“Ms. Candy!” I hear as I turn around and Johnny is running at me full force. I drop to my knees as he opens his arms to hug me.“Hey, Johnny. How are you? I saw someone had lots of fun without me this morning,” I say with a wink, as I look over his shoulder at Dylan.“Yeah, it was okay. Then, I had to help dad. That’s no fun,” he grumbles.“I have something fun for you to do. Will you help me decorate some cookies?”“Can I, pleaseeee?” he begs, looking at Dylan.“I don’t mind if Candy doesn’t mind. We don’t have any plans, but if she has to work, we need to head out, okay?” he counters.“Okay, dad.” He sits down on the chair I vacated, and I set everything up for him. Johnny doesn’t know it yet, but these cookies are just for him.I take everything out that’s needed for Johnny to ice the cookies and let him go to town. It’s not every day I get to have some fun in my own shop.It makes me pause. The community could really use a day where parents can treat their kids to a day out and it not cost them a thing.“What’s that smile for?” Dylan questions and it breaks me out of my thoughts.I go to him, needing a hug. It’s only been a few hours and I already miss being around him and Johnny.“Oh nothing, thinking about ways to give back to our community,” I tell him, as he sneaks his hand to my neck and pulls me in for a hug.“Hi,” I murmur.“Hi, back,” his eyes are looking into mine and I can’t help the butterflies that are fluttering inside of me.He holds me in his arms, until his head tips down towards mine. Dylan’s lip barely grazes mine and we hear, “Oh daddy is kissing Ms. Candy.” We break apart abruptly, both of us laughing as we turn our attention back to Johnny.We spend the rest of the day icing the two dozen cookies I set aside for him to decorate and take home.