Six
“Do you have to go into the restaurant today, my love?” Victor asked.
Sherry glanced to Elvi in surprise. They were seated at the dining room table enjoying coffee. Sherry had passed on the wine in the end, feeling awkward about drinking it so early. She, Basil, Elvi, Victor, and Katricia were there. Drina and Harper still hadn’t come downstairs, and Stephanie slipped away to her own room shortly after Sherry and Elvi had come below.
“You work in a restaurant?” Sherry asked curiously. For some reason she’d just assumed Elvi had her hands full with running Casey Cottage.
“My friend Hazel and I own a Mexican restaurant in town. It’s called Bella Black’s,” Elvi explained. She then glanced to her husband and said, “I might go in later, but after Lucian called last night, I asked Pedro and Rosita to open today, and to call in one of the girls for an extra shift.” She smiled wryly and shrugged. “I thought I should stay here to greet Basil and Sherry.”
“Ah.” Victor nodded.
“I’m glad I did too, since Bricker didn’t pack anything but lingerie for Sherry and we need to take her shopping,” Elvi added dryly.
“I’d rather you wait a day for that shopping trip.”
Sherry glanced around with surprise at that comment and stared at the man who stood in the open kitchen door. Tall, dark-haired, and really rather gorgeous, the man wore a police uniform and carried two duffel bags that he now set on the floor. It could only be Katricia’s Teddy, she decided when Basil’s daughter stood and moved around the counter to greet him with a kiss that made her eyebrows rise. It looked like it started out and was meant to be a gentle kiss of greeting and nothing more, but best intentions and all that, it quickly caught flame and turned into much more. Sherry was about to turn away when Teddy suddenly broke the kiss and tucked Katricia’s head against his chest to avoid temptation.
“God, woman, I hope you found a dress because I surely missed you and don’t want you to have to leave again,” he growled, holding her close.
“I did,” she assured him, and then raised her head to add, “I didn’t get the chance to buy it, but I can call in the order and have it delivered.”
“Good,” he said, and kissed her forehead, then released her to remove his shoes.
“So, why do you want Sherry and I to wait a day to go shopping?” Elvi asked now. “Is there trouble?”
“No,” Teddy answered, finishing with his shoes. Straightening, he added, “I’d just rather Sherry and Stephanie stay close to the house for a day, to make sure they weren’t followed from Toronto.” Slipping his arm around Katricia, he then urged her around the counter to join them in the dining room, saying, “Once we’re sure there isn’t going to be trouble you can take her shopping.”
“Drina and I kept an eye out, I am pretty sure we were not followed,” Katricia said, and then added, “But it is better to be safe than sorry.”
When Victor and Basil both nodded in agreement, Elvi sighed and cast Sherry an apologetic look. “Tomorrow, then. But I’ll loan you clothes until we can go shopping.”
Sherry seriously doubted she’d fit in Elvi’s clothes. The woman was a little shorter than her, and definitely thinner. Sherry had more of a Marilyn Monroe type figure than she liked.
“Sherry, this is Teddy Brunswick, Chief of Police in Port Henry and a very old and dear friend,” Elvi said, making the introductions.
“Hello,” Sherry murmured, smiling at the man, and then taking his hand when he held it out.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Carne,” Teddy said politely as he shook her hand. “Welcome to Port Henry. I’m sorry your visit couldn’t be under better circumstances.”
“Thank you,” Sherry murmured as he released her hand.
Nodding, Teddy turned to Elvi then. “If you’ll tell me which room we’re in, I’ll take the bags up and get them out of the way.”
“Top floor next to Harper’s room,” Elvi announced, standing up and gathering empty coffee cups. As Teddy turned to head back to the bags by the door, she asked, “Do you want a coffee, Teddy? There’s still some in the pot.”
“Maybe later, thanks,” he said as he bent to gather the bags.
“I’ll help you take them up,” Katricia said with a grin as she quickly scooped one up herself. She then caught Teddy’s free hand to lead him to the stairs.
“That’s the last we’ll see of those two for a while,” Victor said with amusement as he watched the pair hurry upstairs.
Elvi grinned and then glanced to Basil and Sherry before saying, “Well, I may as well head in to the restaurant after all. Then I can take tomorrow off instead for our shopping trip.”
Sherry smiled at the suggestion and then shifted her gaze to Victor when he stood as well.
“I’ll take you to the restaurant, love,” Victor announced, and then glanced to Basil. “There’s a sunroom off our bedroom with a television and whatnot. You two can go there and talk in private if you like. I am sure you have a lot to discuss.”
Basil nodded. “Thank you.”