The Maverick - By Jan Hudson Page 0,20
and one details to tend to, not the least of which were calling their mom and Aunt Min and telling them about the incident.
“I’ve been thinking,” Sunny said as they stood watching the water being pumped out. “Maybe it would be a good idea to wait a few days before calling Mom and Aunt Min. By next week, everything ought to be back to normal.”
“That’s a brilliant idea. I’m for it.” They grinned at each other. “They’re such worriers.”
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than Cass’s cell rang. She glanced at the ID screen and frowned. “Who else do we know in France?”
Sunny groaned. “We never have been able to get away with anything.”
“Hi, Mom,” Cass said.
“Cassidy,” her mother stated. “What’s going on there? Min and I have been worried all day, and nobody is answering the phone at Chili Witches. I know something is wrong. Is Sunny sick?”
“No, Mom. Nothing like that. She’s fine. In fact, she’s standing right here beside me. You want to talk to her?”
Sunny held up her hands and began shaking her head. “You tell her,” she whispered.
“Uh, Mom, we’ve just had a little plumbing problem here, and we’re having to close down a couple of days to get it fixed.”
“What kind of problem?” her mother asked. “Now, don’t beat around the bush, Cassidy. Tell me all of it.”
Cass rolled her eyes and told her the whole story.
“Oh, my stars and garters! I was afraid something like this would happen. Min and I will be home on the first plane.”
“No, no, Mom. Don’t cut your stay short. Everything is under control here. Sunny and I can handle things just fine.”
Griff arrived while she was trying to placate her mother, and she could only wave to him and mouth, “My mom. Just a minute.”
He nodded and went to investigate the situation in the café—as if he could do anything that wasn’t already being done. By the time she got off the phone and related the conversation to Sunny, Griff was back.
“Looks like they have everything under control. Any idea who would do such a thing?” he asked.
Cass shook her head. “Probably the same kind of goofball who set fire to the governor’s mansion a while back. The police seem to think it’s malicious mischief, since nothing was stolen. Any available cash—and there wasn’t much—is in a big wall safe that would take a stick of dynamite or a blowtorch to open.”
“Have you ladies had lunch?”
“No,” Sunny said. “I haven’t even thought about lunch.”
Cass glanced at her watch and was surprised to find it was after two o’clock. “For once I haven’t even thought of food.”
“How’s the restaurant next door?” Griff asked. “Is it open?”
“Hooks is great, but I think we should hang around here for a while,” Cass said.
“You two go ahead,” Sunny told them, “and I’ll stay here.”
“Let’s all go,” Griff said. “I’ll tell the crew where we’ll be in case you’re needed.”
Cass wasn’t sure if she was grateful or irritated with Griff’s taking charge, but her stomach was beginning to rumble, so she let it go.
FOSTER OUTDID HIMSELF on their late lunch, and it was delicious. When Griff tried to pay the bill, Sid refused his card.
“These girls are like our nieces,” he said. “We’re devastated about what happened. How long do you think you’ll be closed?”
“We’re hoping to be open by the weekend,” Sunny said. “It depends on how long things take to dry out and how much damage there is to the floor. The company we’ve called in to restore the place got right on it, so we’re hoping the quick response helps.”
“Let us know if there’s anything we can do,” Sid told her.
“Will do. Thanks for the lunch.”
“Our pleasure.”
After they left, Griff said to Cass, “You obviously can’t stay in your apartment yet. I’d like you to stay at my hotel.”
“Thanks, Griff, but I’m staying with Sunny—at least for a couple of days. We have a ton of details to attend to, but I appreciate the offer.”
He grinned. “It wasn’t totally selfless. How can I help you?”
“There’s really not anything you can do at the moment.”
“Did you have insurance?”
“Yes, and the rep has already been here. Everything’s covered—or at least the majority of the damage. Mostly the whole thing is a big pain in the tokus. Thanks for coming by, Griff.” She gave him a peck on the cheek.
“Am I being given my hat?” he asked.
She chuckled. “Not exactly, but Sunny and I have a lot to do.