blonde hair laying sleekly against her head. “Cari, I’m surprised that’s all you have to say to me. I’ve been gone for quite a while.”
“Not long enough.” Cari folded her arms across her chest. The last thing she was going to do was pander to someone like her mother. She wanted nothing to do with the person who was still reaping havoc with her family. The Wilsons were considered a part of that since Taylor and Lily had married and tied the families together and now with the information they had on Amanda.
“What? I’m your mother, Cari. You should be offering me hugs and kisses and boxes and boxes of these delicious looking treats.” She shook her head and waved her hand. “Not that I would take them. It takes a lot of work to look this good.” But she looked like she had a lot of work done, not that she did a lot of work.
“Actually, I won’t even sell any of them to you, let alone give you some free.” Cari lifted her chin. She wasn’t a grudge-holding woman, but there was loyalty in question and she didn’t have any for the woman who had walked out on them all.
Jennifer narrowed her eyes and pulled her cell out. “Well, I’m going to call the police and see what they think about that.” She glanced at Cari as if that threat might make Cari change her mind.
Cari arched an eyebrow at her and didn’t speak.
“I’m having some issues at the bakery on Fifth. Can I get some assistance?” Jennifer snapped the phone shut after answering some questions and then stared at Cari as if she’d won some kind of battle.
Moments later, Jesse Holthrup walked in, the badge on his dark blue jacket bright in the dim Christmas lighting. “Cari, is everything okay?”
Cari pointed at Jennifer. “Jesse, remember when we were talking a while ago about how my mother walked out on the family and how recently we found out she’d been having affairs and was trying to blackmail the family? This is my mother. Now, she’s trying to demand that I sell her donuts or give them to her free. I don’t want to. I want to deny her service and in fact, I’d like to press trespassing charges against her, if she doesn’t leave.”
Jennifer gasped; her eyes wide. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Actually, I would. And I can. Right, Sheriff?” Cari crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping Jesse would at least back her up. Even if it wasn’t true. She wasn’t sure if she could actually do that or not.
Jesse’s jovial expression faded, morphing into ill-will. “Well, now. You can absolutely do that, Cari.” He pressed his lips together and curled one side as if suppressing a snarl as he looked at Jennifer. “Would you like to leave peacefully, ma’am, or would you like to come with me to lockup?”
“You’ll regret this, little girl.” Jennifer stormed past the sheriff, her hair whipping behind her.
The feeling of victory was short-lived as Cari realized that things weren’t over with Jennifer as it was and now, she had even more anger fueling her.
What was going to be the backlash for what Cari did and how did she explain to her family what had happened?
Chapter 23
Tommy
We need to meet. I’ll come to you.
Ms. Halliwell’s text had come about thirty minutes ago and Tommy paced in the front room of the bed and breakfast while he waited. She hadn’t given a timeframe on when she’d arrive. How she knew where he was left him more than a little disturbed, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Lily stopped in the front room. “Is everything okay?” She pressed her hand to the small of her back and studied Tommy with curiosity.
He held up his hand and shook his head. “No, it’s fine. Thanks. I’m just waiting for someone.”
“Oh, good. Okay, well, if you need anything, my assistant, Eleanor, will be here. I’m heading home for a few days after the weekend. It’s my weekend. Have a great stay, Mr. Declan.” She smiled and waved as she walked out of the cozy building.
Monday through Wednesday as Lily’s weekend sounded like a dream to Tommy. He took a deep breath and folded his arms, standing in one place as he stared out the window. Lily drove away in a large SUV with large winter tires keeping her safe.
Tommy watched the rig drive away, the red taillights the only thing in sight when a sleek black all-wheel