The Spring of Candy Apples (A Sweet Seasons Novel) by Debbie Viguié

every inch of the Home Stretch had given way to pinks, yellows, and purples.
    She turned and walked toward the Holiday Zone and marveled at what she saw. As if by magic, the Saint Patrick’s Day theming had disappeared and been replaced by Easter. Spring had officially come to The Zone, complete with bunny rabbits, Easter eggs, and three giant crosses that presided over the Holiday Zone.
    Candace found herself under the three crosses, staring up at them and thinking of their significance. Spring was a time of birth and rebirth, death and resurrection. As much as she loved winter, even Candace found that she was enjoying the lengthening days and the warmth of the sun. She couldn’t help but feel, too, that there was something wonderful just around the corner.
    After a few minutes, she became aware of someone standing silently next to her under the crosses. She glanced over and saw that it was Josh. His face was lifted upward and his eyes were closed. She thought he was praying, and she turned to look away, not wanting to intrude on something so private.
    She tried to pray, but too many thoughts crammed her mind. Over all of them, though, was a sense of thankfulness and profound awe. Stains on the dark wood of the center cross looked almost like blood, and a shiver went up her spine.
    “Every year these crosses still amaze me and make me feel so small,” Josh said.
    “They’re wonderful . . . and terrible all at the same time,” Candace replied.
    “Makes most other things seem unimportant, doesn’t it?”
    “Yeah, it really does,” she said. After a moment, she added, “I’ll see you later. I’ve got some things to take care of.”
    Candace knew what she had to do, but she wasn’t sure where to start looking for Lisa. Fortunately, she didn’t have to search very long. She found her at the second food cart she came across.
    “What is it?” Lisa snapped when Candace stopped in front of her.
    “We need to talk,” Candace said.
    Lisa’s eyes narrowed and she set her jaw. “Yeah?”
    “Yeah. This feud thing is stupid. No guy is worth us sniping at each other like this. I never meant to steal Kurt from you. I don’t think I did. Regardless, I’m sorry that you were hurt. I wish we could put it behind us and be — ”
    “What, friends?”
    “I was thinking more non-enemies,” Candace corrected.
    “I can live with that,” Lisa said after a minute.
    “Truce?” Candace asked, extending her hand.
    “Truce,” Lisa agreed, shaking on it.
    “See you,” Candace said, turning to go.
    “That’s it?” Lisa called after her.
    “Isn’t that enough?” Candace asked.
    Lisa smiled at her. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
    Candace returned to the Candy Counter and spent the next hour up to her elbows in apples. When it was close to the end of her shift, Traci appeared and took a seat next to her.
    “Hi, I’m on break. I thought we could chat,” Traci said.
    “Sure, what’s up?”
    “I’m terrible at cup stacking, and I don’t think I’m going to get better fast enough to help our chances in the talent show. I think the team should cut me loose.”
    “What? We can’t do that,” Candace said, taken completely by surprise.
    “Sure you can, it’d be easy.”
    “Not an option. You are our team member. Besides, everyone is supposed to participate in the talent contest.”
    “There are a couple of people, singers mostly, who are doing solo acts. I can do something like that, and I’ll be covered as far as participation goes.”
    Candace stared at Traci. She was right about one thing, Traci wasn’t good with stacking cups. Not that any of them except Corinne were much better. Still, without Traci they could move through the training a lot faster.
    “No,” Candace said. “We got into this together, and we’re going to make it through together. If you really want to quit, I can’t force you to be on our team, but if you do, have the courage to admit why you’re doing it.”
    “What do you mean?”