<< Go Back

Her Wild Ride (The Candy Cane Girls) (Volume 3)

By Bonnie Engstrom

Order Now!

“I am Cinderella, with no fairytale prince.”


Natalie whispered to herself and tossed her ponytail over her shoulder before she started wiping down the free weights. Was this what her life had come to? Cleaning stuff? She was grateful for her small gym and the local residents who had joined it and used it almost daily. Some of them said they were uncomfortable in the huge workout areas of the chain gyms. They liked the more intimate surroundings, chatting with neighbors who they actually knew, not someone in another zip code.


But, she didn’t have enough members to pay the bills.


It was six o’clock and she was about to close up for the day when Bill walked in.


“Am I too late?”


He was a new member she’d only seen once or twice. But, he caught her attention this evening, maybe with his question. He had a full head of graying hair, a firm face with few wrinkles and a wide smile. What seemed like a genuine one, not a come on. He was very attractive for an older man, and her heart skipped a beat.


She guessed him to be fifty plus. Maybe thirty years older than her. Did that matter? Melanie’s stepfather Bruce was in his fifties. But, Melanie hated him. Still, Bill had always been a gentleman the few times she had seen him here. Being a black belt in karate, she felt comfortable with any male coming late to her gym.


She had been inspired to start the gym right after high school when her swim coach mentor Coach Douglas encouraged her. He had been supportive of all the Candy Cane swim team members’ dreams for the future, but because she wanted to encourage physical health, he offered to make a small investment in Natalie’s gym. He died before he could make it legal, nor support any of the other Candy Canes’ endeavors. The other girls had pursued other dreams. Noelle had married Braydon who owned Love In Joy Floral Shop in Corona del Mar, and she was teaching English at Vista del Mar High School. Melanie was working at New Hope Preschool in aftercare, but would soon be promoted to teacher. Cindy had married her dream man on the beach in Costa Rica. She and Rob were missionaries planning to plant a church there and establish groups to support Multiple Sclerosis suffers. All important stuff. Connie was a fashion designer, and Doreen was one of her models. Candy had gotten married young, divorced and never pursued a career. Of all of them she was hands down the most beautiful.


What did Natalie have? She just ran a small gym. One that only attracted locals, mostly because they knew her. Her client base was small.


Dialing her phone, she called Candy, the encourager. After all, what were Candy Canes for? They were such a tight knit group, and they always prayed for each other.


~


“Me, too,” Candy said when Natalie told her she was down in the dumps. “Do you think it’s our age?”


Natalie laughed at that. “Maybe. But, hey, we ain’t that old, girl.”


“How about single?” Candy retorted.


“Candy,” Natalie almost yelled. “We are only twenty-six. Not over the hill yet. In our prime. Still able to reproduce.” Why had she said that? Was she desperate to have children, a family?


~


Bill came in the following morning. Early this time, real early. She said a simple “Hi” and went back to stacking free weights in their proper places. So frustrating that people used them and left them near machines or on the floor. Why hadn’t she noticed them last night when she was wiping down? Maybe Bill coming in late distracted her.


This morning he waved and jumped on the treadmill, amping it up to high intensity. She could tell by the loud whirring sound. Last night he wore workout shorts and a short-sleeved tee. Today he wore long workout pants with a stripe down the legs and a tee shirt that hugged his biceps. Not bad ones for an older guy.


What was she thinking? Was she so desperate she was drawn to a man more than twice her age? He seemed a very nice man, a man who was almost handsome and was pleasant and courteous. But, what did she know about him? Maybe he was married, although no ring. But, many men of his era didn’t wear rings. Wearing wedding bands was more of a millennial thing. Forget it, Natalie. Find another dream.


Several more clients came in. Kerstin Day, Noelle’s mother, with a neighbor of hers. Natalie really should make more of an effort to memorize each client’s name. When the gym started to fill up, she went to her office to do paper work. Bryce, her one personal trainer, clocked in and started to work with Kerstin. He was a blessing. All the clients loved him. If more clients wanted personal training at the same time, she would jump in. Unless she was giving a class.


She was paying her rent bill online and wondering how she would get through the next month. She looked at the sparse stack of checks on her desk. Some clients were late again. She felt uncomfortable reminding them, but business was business. She couldn’t survive without their monthly payments. When she mentioned it the women would reach into their purses and pull out a check book. But, men almost always had to go to their cars and usually came back with cash. Then she had to write receipts. What was it with men and cash?


She flipped the lid closed on her laptop just as she heard a tapping. Bill was smiling at her through the speckled glass insert of the door. He was so tall the top of his head was cut off from view. What could he want? He had already paid his bill as he did punctually on the first of every month. Maybe he wanted to report a damaged machine. She opened the door and smiled.


“May I come in? Want to chat with you about something, an idea.”


She gestured to the straight back wood chair and returned to her own chair behind the desk. He perched on the edge of his mopping his forehead with a small white towel.


“What’s up, Bill?” She hoped she didn’t sound too confrontational, but she was due to start a Zumba class in ten minutes.


“Bad time? Sorry. I know you have a schedule to keep.” he said. “This won’t take long, but if it’s something you are interested in discussing more, we could do so over coffee later.”


Natalie nodded and squeezed her hands together on her desk.


“I’ve been thinking.” He flung the towel around his neck.


She started to fidget. Would he ever get to the point? Then his face broke into that warm smile she liked so much, and the words from his mouth stunned her. Was he serious?

Order Now!

<< Go Back