when your mom is a strong, independent woman.”
“I think the bigger question is are you going to tell her?” He started counting desserts in the case. “I really don’t want to have to move before I finish this book and the publisher showers advance money on me.”
“You are such a dreamer. And I should tell your mom.” I shook a finger at him, which I knew he’d just laugh at. No one on my staff took me the least bit seriously and I loved it that way. “Anyway, if Evie comes down before I get back, tell her to wait for me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He glanced at the almost-empty dining room. “You sure you don’t want to stay and help with the crowd when it arrives?”
“Nah, you can do it.” I swung my tote over my shoulder. “If you need help, you can ask Aunt Jackie to come in early.”
“I’ll be fine.” He glanced at me nervously. “Won’t I?”
I shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not.”
As I walked home, I thought about the way the crew had turned into more than just a team. We were a family. And I had three brothers along with Greg to tease me. The shop had turned into more than just a way to make enough money to live on. It had become a gathering spot where people came for a minute of silence or to step out of the heat of the day. We were as much of an institution now as Diamond Lille’s, even though the diner was here long before I’d even visited South Cove the first time.
Now it was time to add a new member to our family. Evie already had connections with the group. We just needed to make sure she had connections to the community so she’d stay around a while.
I made a quick turkey sandwich for lunch and, after letting out Emma, I was on my way back into town. This time in my Jeep. We’d walk to Main Street Bed and Breakfast, but Bakerstown was just a little too far to do on foot. Especially if I wanted to be back before dark.
I parked in my spot behind the shop and climbed out. Coffee, Books, and More shared the parking with Antiques by Thomas. A large panel van sat on one side of the lot and a motorcycle was parked on the sidewalk under the back balcony. Josh Thomas’s Smart car wasn’t parked by the electric supply plug. He must be out for the afternoon.
I went in through the back door, making sure to relock it as I entered. I didn’t need people coming in the office and getting into things. The worst that could happen was a cheesecake theft, but I didn’t want to hurt anyone with the sugar high they’d get.
Deek and Evie were talking. Homer was cuddled in her arms and he saw me before the humans did. He barked and Evie glanced over.
“Are you ready?” I asked her as I retrieved a cheesecake from out of the walk-in and then put a dozen cookies into a box and wrote down a receipt for Aunt Jackie. I always said they were for marketing, but I think she billed me for most of the missing pastries because she knew my sweet tooth. I patted the box. “Deek, I’ll be back for this.”
Carrying the cheesecake, I moved toward the front door with Evie hurrying after me.
“Why are we taking treats? I thought we were just going to talk to them?” Evie let Homer down on the sidewalk as she caught up with me.
I paused at the corner and looked both ways. No traffic. “Didn’t your mama ever tell you it’s not nice to go visiting empty-handed?”
“No, but I guess that’s true.”
I laughed as we crossed the road and headed toward Bill and Mary’s bed-and-breakfast. “Neither did mine, but it’s a nice sentiment.”
We didn’t go in the front door when we reached the large, Craftsman-style home. We took a rock path and went around the house and into the backyard. The kitchen door had its own porch, a miniature of the one in the front. Mary’s garden was nicely rototilled and there were plants already growing.
“It’s lovely back here.” Evie stopped to let Homer smell a bush. “That reminds me. The small garden on the back porch—is it okay if I plant some vegetables in pots along with the flowers? I’d love some fresh tomatoes this summer.”
“Of course. Aunt Jackie might take some of that furniture, but you can add