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The Quintessential Flannel Shirt Guy

There was a distinctively holiday crispness to the air this morning. It wasn’t bitterly cold. You wouldn’t expect it to be, though. It was technically still late Autumn and not even December yet.

As a rule, the “Ber” months weren’t particularly cold despite their names. It had only just gotten comfortable to wear a flannel shirt or sweater in the last few weeks. People thought of Jeb as the quintessential flannel shirt guy, but he only really wore them when the temperature was suitable.

In fact, he was wearing a sweater today. It was deep blue with a raised diamond pattern in a band around his broad chest. He paired it with his semi-formal khaki cargo pants since he was paying a visit to the bakery on a mix of business and pleasure.

He opted not to wear a hat today. He had been growing his walnut brown hair out in anticipation of the cooler months ahead. Between that and his neatly trimmed beard, it would serve to keep him warm for a quick jaunt to town.

Jeb was typically an early riser. He had already been up for hours before he set off. Time enough to start the rough outline of a bear from a broad stump he’d purchased in the summertime. There had been time enough to start work on the sculpture, shower up, take a moment for his Advent devotional and head into town on his errand.

He wasn’t sure if she’d have cookies out this early but it felt like it was practically lunchtime by now. Even if she didn’t have them out this early, it would be an excuse to hang around a bit and talk business until they were hot and fresh from the oven.
He parked his truck in the first open spot he found. Wouldn’t pay to look too eager. He was planning to wander around the square and see what else caught his attention this morning. No point in wasting a trip. He still had to pick out something nice to send to Mom and Dad for Christmas.

Just the same, he figured he’d start with the primary objective and see where the morning went from there. He had some samples tucked in his cargo pocket in case Aundrea was agreeable to the idea of selling some of his hand-carved kitchenware. He patted himself down to make sure he had his keys before closing the door. Wouldn’t look too professional if he locked himself out of his own truck square in the middle of town.

Why was he so nervous?

He wasn’t wild about being around large groups of people in general. The bustling heart of Laurel Ridge was fronted with a collection of shops that were all the busier due to the onset of the Christmas shopping season. It was an anxious energy that set his teeth on edge but he had a distinct purpose and he would see it done before he withdrew to the repose of his workshop.

The florist had some lovely displays. He doubted they’d survive the trip South, but they certainly put him in a more festive mood. He pondered the notion of grabbing a bouquet for Aundrea but he didn’t want to give her the wrong idea. Perhaps as a thank you gift if she agreed to the business arrangement. Yes, that would be more appropriate.

He moved on past the huge windows of the Zavijava. It was a quaint tableau at first glance but Jeb knew that it was a nationwide franchise of overly expensive coffee. For the cost of a cup of that yuppie poison, he could buy a bag of coffee grounds that would last him at least a month or two and would taste far better. Jeb didn’t see the attraction in wasting money on a cup of corporate coffee pretending to be small town hipster brew. All the people standing in a long line like lemmings for that overpriced swill seemed rather foolish to him.

He held the door for a couple who were departing with their purchase. They smiled and said ‘Merry Christmas’. He smiled and nodded before heading back toward his intended destination.

He felt a strange tug. It wasn’t as if someone was yanking on his sweater. It was something deep down inside. He looked around to see what might be causing it.

Jeb wasn’t a superstitious man but he understood that God could pull one’s heartstrings without much in the way of an announcement. It was a bit unnerving and he didn’t know what to make of it. The bakery was directly across the street and he had business to conduct. The tugging at his soul would have to wait a minute.

While the holiday foot traffic was heavy, the road was clear enough for him to cross without waiting. Jeb hurried to the bakery only to find that Phyllis was just unlocking the door.

“Hi, Jeb. Back for more cookies?” She held the door to let him in.

“Are they fresh?”

“The chocolate chip are fresh out of the oven and the gingerbread men got done just before them. Did you have some in mind? I can tell Aundrea to put them on next. She’s just cleaning up from the last batch.” Phyllis finished tying her apron on as she headed toward the counter.

“Those sound fine but I wouldn’t mind some peanut butter cookies if she’s taking requests.”

Phyllis stopped in her tracks and blinked twice at him. “Sure, Jeb. I’ll tell her.” She dusted off her apron nervously.

“Thanks. Could you ask her to come out a minute before she starts those? I wanted to talk to her about something quick.”

Phyllis got a weird grin on her face and backed slowly into the kitchen. Jeb didn’t notice that. He had turned to look at the freshly baked cookies in the display.

“Jeb?” He turned to see her walking out of the kitchen. “Phyllis said you wanted to ask me something.”

“Hi, Aundrea. This is a lovely bakery.”

She beamed at the compliment the way he remembered her looking when she whacked a double or a triple on the softball field. “Thank you. I’m glad you like it. What was it you wanted to ask?”

The words seemed to stick in his throat. He wasn’t one for glib conversation. This was simply a business proposition. He reached for his cargo pocket and rummaged around. He was too busy trying to locate a spoon to notice how she’d blanched. “Well, I came here to propose-”