Town in a Blueberrry Jam Read Online Free PDF Page A

had to fill with a variety of carefully arranged homemade products—the Blueberry Acres gift baskets were her most profitable items.
    She also had a few dozen pints of fresh blueberries ready to go, though there would be so many of those available at the festival tomorrow that she wasn’t counting on selling too many of them. Most tourists preferred something a little more exotic than the pure and simple fruit itself.
    And, of course, there was the last batch of pies, still warming on the stovetop. And the chocolate-covered blueberries, which had to be packed into small cellophane packages and tied up with blue and green ribbons. Some of the items still had to be labeled. She had to pack everything up for transport into town in the morning.
    And she still had to finish the booth. . . .
    She felt exhausted just looking at it all. She had spent the better part of three weeks getting it all together, and there was still so much to do.
    “You’ve done a heck of a job, that’s for sure,” Doc said, hitching up his trousers, “but it should get easier for you this afternoon. Ray’s coming over to help out with the booth.”
    It was like someone had set off a bomb. Candy looked up at her father, thunderstruck. “What?”
    “I saw him at the diner,” Doc continued, unaware of the reaction he had just drawn from his daughter. “He said he’d be glad to help out. He wasn’t doing much this afternoon anyway.”
    “Ray? But . . . no, Dad, tell me you didn’t.”
    “Didn’t what?” Doc looked confused.
    “You didn’t invite Ray over.”
    For a moment, Doc hesitated. “Sure I did. We can use his help with the booth, can’t we?”
    Candy groaned. “No, Dad, not Ray. Not today. He gets in the way more than he helps.” Her shoulders dropped as she leaned back against the counter, crossing her arms in frustration. “Besides, I thought you were going to help me.”
    “Me?” Doc didn’t seem to know how to respond to his daughter’s disappointment. “I’m a scholar. You know that. I’m no good with a hammer. I’d just screw things up. Ray’s the guy you need. He’ll do a good job.”
    “But Dad . . .”
    “Oh, don’t worry, it’ll be okay. Ray’ll build you a fine booth,” Doc said, and he winked and gave her a smile. “Besides, he’s got a thing for you, you know.”
    “Dad! Don’t you dare . . .”
    But Doc went on, sensing a way out of the doghouse. “Well, he does. Anyone can tell that. I realize he might not be the right fellow for you, but you can’t stay single forever, pumpkin. It’s been how long—three years—since the divorce? Time to get back into the scene.”
    Candy glowered at him and lowered her voice to a threatening level. “It’s only been two and a half years, thank you very much. And I’ll decide when it’s time to get back into the scene , as you call it.” She gave him a solid harrumph. “And don’t call me pumpkin . You know how much I hate that name.”
    A twinkle came to Doc’s eyes. “What else do you want me to call my favorite Halloween-born daughter?”
    “Dad, I’m your only Halloween-born daughter. And my actual name would be nice for a change.”
    He chuckled. “Sure thing, pumpkin,” he said, checking his watch. “Oops. Got to go. I should be home by dinner. I’ll bring something. Chinese okay?” He started for the door.
    “What? Where are you going?”
    But before Doc could answer, the phone rang. It was Maggie, calling to talk about Jock. “Candy! It’s me. Have you heard? It’s unbelievable, isn’t it? There are rumors flying around town like bats on Halloween night.”
    “Hang on,” Candy told Maggie, putting her hand over the phone as she called after her father. “Dad!”
    Doc paused at the door. His eyes looked contrite, but his body was ready to go. “Sorry, honey, but I promised the right reverend I’d help the church folks with some of the setup. They’re putting up three booths, you know. We’ll pack everything up when I get