So far she only had Elias’s words to hang on to. Elias was right; she had acted like a jealous lover. More than anything, though, she wanted him to confirm or deny the rumors that Sophie said were flying around town.
“Is Elias in yet? There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to him about.”
“Oh, sure. I think he’s in his office. Only one patient’s arrived so far. Go right ahead.” Rosemary turned back to her computer screen.
“Thanks.” Lucky pushed through the waiting room door and walked down the corridor. She tapped on Elias’s office door and stepped in.
Elias stood against the light from the window. He was leaning forward, his head bent toward Paula, whose face was inches away. Lucky’s heart stopped beating. Was he about to kiss her? Elias turned and looked over quickly at Lucky standing in the doorway. He straightened. Paula’s cheeks were flushed. Her eyes hardened when she saw who stood in the doorway.
Already upset about the gossip Sophie had conveyed, Lucky was stunned. Just what was going on?
“Lucky!” Elias spoke first. “I didn’t know you were coming in.”
Lucky remained silent, staring at Elias. She was sure her cheeks were flaming red.
“Uh . . . Paula had something in her eye . . . uh . . .”
“I wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh.” Elias cleared his throat. “What was it you wanted?”
Before Lucky could answer, the intercom on the desk buzzed. Rosemary was letting Elias know a patient had arrived.
“Excuse me a second.” He moved toward the desk and grabbed the phone. “Yes?” He seemed flustered. “Room 3? Okay. I’ll be right there. Thanks.”
He turned back to Lucky. “Sorry. My patient just arrived. Can I call you later?”
“Of course,” Lucky replied, doing her best to keep any hint of anger from her voice.
With a nod to both women, he left the room.
Paula was silent. She remained by the window. She stared at Lucky as though a cockroach had just landed on her plate. There was no mistaking her animosity. “Elias told me,” she stated flatly.
Lucky hesitated. “Excuse me?”
“He told me how upset you were about my being hired.”
Lucky knew without a doubt that another flush was creeping up her cheeks. How could he? What did he do, run directly to Paula and convey everything she had said to him? She felt humiliated. How could he do that? Worst of all, she wasn’t in a position to deny it.
She took a deep breath and counted to three. Taking the high road was the best course of action. “I’m sure everything will work out just fine. I certainly wish you the best in Snowflake.” Or better yet, fall off a steep cliff, she thought.
“I know you’ll come to understand how close Elias and I have always been. One can’t simply ignore those feelings, don’t you agree?” She smiled slowly.
Lucky felt as if her face had frozen. What exactly was Paula saying? That something had already happened, that it was just too bad if it caused a rift between Lucky and Elias.
“I know that it must hurt you, and I’m sorry if that’s the case. But I think it’s best to be honest, don’t you?”
Lucky wanted nothing more than to put her fist into Paula’s face and wipe that smirk off of it forever. Just like she had done to Jimmy Pratt in grade school. It took every ounce of dignity and restraint she had left not to do just that. As if Paula could read Lucky’s mind, she raised an eyebrow and waited, a superior expression on her face. Perhaps she would welcome the attack, proving once and for all to Elias how unsuitable for him Lucky really was.
“Absolutely,” Lucky replied. “Honesty is always the best policy.” If there had been any lingering doubt in Lucky’s mind about Paula’s agenda, there wasn’t any longer. She was determined to seduce Elias and drive Lucky out of the picture. The real question was where Elias stood in this milieu.
Lucky turned away and shut the office door behind her, managing not to slam it in her fury. She hurried down the hall, through the waiting room and out to the sidewalk, not looking in Rosemary’s direction.
Chapter 32
TORN BETWEEN HUMILIATION and a furious anger, Lucky stomped through the back door of the Spoonful, slamming the door behind her. What was Elias trying to say? That something was in Paula’s eye? What nonsense! She couldn’t bear to think what she had interrupted. If she did, she’d burst into tears. The rumors must be true. She was such a fool! She had fallen in love with Elias. And in her defense Elias had done everything but get down on one knee and actually propose. He hadn’t said those words, but he had done and said everything that could lead up to that moment. She had been the one who was hesitant, fearful, afraid of losing independence, not sure if she was on solid ground since the death of her parents. She wanted to enjoy the romance, but she wasn’t in a hurry to rush into a permanent commitment. In spite of all that, she was crazy about the man. She felt as if a serrated blade had been plunged into her chest. If only she hadn’t been so cautious. Elias was ready for that kind of change in his life. He had been alone for a long time and was more than ready. If only she hadn’t been such a scaredy-cat, then perhaps Paula could not have come between them. But what if that wasn’t the case? What if Elias had harbored feelings for his former love all along, but didn’t know it? Lucky cringed when she pictured herself stomping into his office. She, with her hair stuck on her head, no makeup and old jeans. Paula, elegant in an expensive outfit, her hair shaped perfectly, makeup subtle but enhancing. Lucky felt like the proverbial bull in a china shop. She could imagine the comparison between her and Paula. No wonder Elias was smitten and ignoring Lucky.
She slipped into the office and shut the door, taking deep breaths to stop the tears. Sophie was right to tell her what was happening behind her back. Only a good friend would take the chance of being the bearer of unpleasant tidings. Lucky pulled a tissue from the box on the desk and wiped her eyes and blew her nose, finally regaining some level of calm. She had to pull it together. Another long day was starting, and she still didn’t know where Janie was.
She heard voices in the corridor. First Sage and then, unmistakably, Meg’s voice. Lucky slipped her jacket over the chair and stuck her purse under the desk. She walked out to the hallway, pulled a fresh apron from the closet and headed to the kitchen.
“There you are,” Sage said. “I thought I heard the door slam in the back.”
Meg stood by the worktable. She spoke breathlessly. “I heard you were looking for Janie. Sage told me. But I haven’t seen her since yesterday. Have you called her mom?”
“Yes,” Lucky replied. “I just got off the phone with her. I’m concerned, but I’m sure there’s an explanation.”
“She’s scheduled to start at nine this morning. She’ll show up.”
Lucky nodded. She didn’t trust herself to speak. The way this day was going, she was certain of nothing. She glanced at Sage. He was quiet, but she was sure he saw through her controlled demeanor.
Nine o’clock came and went, and there was still no sign of Janie. Meg was rushing back and forth, doing her best to fill the breach. The morning regulars, Hank and Barry, had come and gone, and now the restaurant was crowded with later arrivals. Lucky glanced over the counter and around the restaurant. It seemed everyone had descended on the Spoonful at once. Now several people were preparing to leave. In another half an hour, things would settle down. She’d check in with Miriam at the first opportunity.
Lucky looked up as Ernie White and the big man who must be Rory came through the front door. Jack glanced over quickly and then ignored the new arrivals, intent on making change for exiting customers. Ernie headed straight for the counter, his companion followed.
“Hello, Lucky,” Ernie said. The other man grabbed a menu and didn’t look up.
“Ernie. What can I get you?”
“How ’bout coffee to start?”
“You got it.” Lucky returned with two cups of steaming hot coffee and placed them on the counter
.
“Lucky, this is Rory. He’s working for me out at the festival.”
Lucky smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
“We’re not all ruffians out there,” Ernie said. “Lots of nice people have a stall going. You’d enjoy it. I know you would.”
“We’ve been over all this before, Ernie. You know how Jack feels.”
“I do. I do. But Jack’s old hat. You’re young. You can understand how businesses have to market themselves these days. I’m sure you could overrule him if you made up your mind.”
Lucky was losing patience with the man. She did her best to bite her tongue. “Thanks, Ernie. But no thanks. We have all we can handle here as it is. You can surely see that.”
Ernie nodded and watched her carefully. “I saw you talking to Nate the other day.”
Lucky had the feeling Ernie was broaching the subject he intended all along. “Yes.” She wasn’t sure where this was leading. She only wished they’d place their orders and be done with the politicking. She was suffering from a low level of anxiety about Janie and wanted a chance to call Miriam back. Lucky was hoping against hope that Janie might have returned home.
She turned to Ernie’s companion. “We have a really great pumpkin rice soup with a half sandwich of turkey and dried cranberries on rosemary bread, if you’d like to try that.”
“Sure,” the man called Rory replied. “That sounds good.”
“Same for me,” Ernie chimed in.
Lucky placed the order slip on the hatch. One by one most of their customers were leaving. There wasn’t much to do at the moment except whisk away a few dishes. There was no way to escape Ernie’s clutches.
Ernie picked up where he had left off. “I told Nate in no uncertain terms I didn’t want him coming around whenever he felt like it and disrupting all my operations out there. Throws everything off schedule. And telling that dork of a deputy to chase down the kid certainly doesn’t help my business. I had to hire another guy to work the pony rides. I gave Nate a piece of my mind. I told him he better have a damn good reason to be sniffing around the festival. There’s no funny business there. Everything’s aboveboard.”
Lucky recalled the travelers’ concern of the night before. If Ernie had stopped by the police station to rescue Daniel from Nate’s clutches, where was the young man? She was on the verge of asking if Daniel had returned to the festival when she spotted Nate outside the front door. She breathed a sigh of relief. Now she might have a chance to talk to Nate privately about Janie.
Nate came through the door and approached the counter. Ernie had built up a swell of anger. He was on a roll and was not to be silenced.
“And if I see Nate Edgerton again, I’m gonna tell him straight out . . .”
“What’s that Ernie?” Nate laid a hand on the man’s shoulder. “What are you gonna tell me?”
Ernie jumped. His face darkened. “Uh . . .” He gestured to Lucky. “I was just tellin’ this young lady here that I run a real clean operation. Everybody’s happy who’s workin’ at the festival.”
“Good to hear.” Nate took a stool next to him. “I’ll have a cup of coffee, Lucky, and a bowl of chili if you’ve got that today.”
“Sure, Nate.” Lucky was relieved she wouldn’t be held hostage to Ernie’s ramblings any longer. She poured Nate a cup of coffee and placed his order. “I’ll bring you one of those pumpkin rolls too.”
She returned with Ernie’s and Rory’s orders. Ernie had fallen silent, as had his sidekick. They were doing their best to ignore Nate’s presence.
Three more people came through the door. Lucky glanced over at Meg. She was doing an excellent job but was beginning to look a little harried.
Where could Janie have gone? This was so unlike her. Even upset as she had been all week, she hadn’t missed a day of work. Janie had always been conscientious. Lucky hoped Ernie and his sidekick would leave soon so she could have Nate’s full attention. Or maybe he was here because Miriam had already called him about Janie?
The new arrivals found tables, and Lucky noticed that Joe Conrad had come in behind them. Her heart sank. She wouldn’t have a minute to talk to Nate now unless she dragged him into the office. Joe looked around the restaurant and finally spotted Nate at the counter. He headed straight for the stool next to Nate, greeting Jack at the cash register.
“Hello, Lucky . . . Nate.” Joe sat down.
Nate acknowledged Joe’s presence with a nod. “Oh, by the way, Isaac said to say hello.”
Joe’s face brightened. “He did?” He smiled widely. “How’s he doing?”
“Fine, I guess. Said he hoped to hear from you.”
Joe laughed. “Well, he’s being polite. He probably breathed a sigh of relief when he didn’t have me looking over his shoulder. I’ll give him a call though—it’ll be nice to catch up.”
Ernie and Rory shot a look at Joe and, after a discreet look passed between them, rose without a word and walked over to Jack to pay their bill.
Joe had taken notice of them, and curious, he spun around on the stool, watching as they paid and left the restaurant.
Nate pulled two plastic bags out of his pocket and, reaching over, slipped the cups that Ernie and Rory had used into the evidence bags. He pulled a pen from his pocket and made a mark on each of the bags. “You don’t mind if I borrow a couple of the Spoonful’s cups, do you, Lucky?”
Lucky stared at him. “Not at all. They’re yours. You can keep them. What’s going on, Nate?”
Nate shook his head imperceptibly to indicate this was something he wasn’t willing to discuss. He turned to Joe. “Something wrong?”
Joe shrugged his shoulders. “No. It’s just . . . that guy who just left. You know him?” Joe looked from Lucky to Nate.
“The one in the suit? That’s Ernie White. He lives over in Lincoln Falls. He’s the man who organized the festival. Why do you ask?”
Joe shook his head. “Sorry. Just something about him . . . looked familiar. Like I know him from somewhere but can’t place him.”
“You’ve probably seen him around town or out at the Harvest Festival.”
“Yeah,” Joe replied. “That must be it.” He glanced at the plastic bags on the counter and quickly looked at Nate. “Any news about your stolen body or the van?”
“Nah,” Nate said, taking a sip of coffee. “I’m heading over to Lincoln Falls in a little bit. We got a report of an abandoned car on someone’s property outside of town. It’s been towed, and I’m gonna have it gone over and checked for fingerprints. I could be wrong, but it’s the right color and it may be the car that sent the van off the road. The techs can have the paint analyzed, and we’ll see if it matches. We don’t have a gun, but if it’s the right car, I guess we have a murder weapon.”
Meg carried a tray of dishes back to the counter. Lucky rinsed them off and loaded them into the bin. “Lucky, I’m gonna take a break as soon as that bunch leaves,” Meg said, indicating a large round table in the center of the room. “Is that okay?”
“Sure. That’s fine. I can manage the rest.” Lucky glanced over Meg’s shoulder. Miriam stood on the threshold. Her face showed the strain of the last few days. She looked carefully all around the room, undoubtedly hoping to see Janie at work.
Lucky and Meg exchanged a look. “You haven’t heard from her, have you?” Lucky whispered.
Meg’s face fell. “No. And that’s really odd.”
Miriam spotted Nate at the counter and walked directly to him. Nate, sensing that something was wrong, turned to follow Lucky’s gaze.
“Bradley told me I’d find you here,” Miriam said to Nate. “Can I talk to you?”
“Why, sure, Miriam. What can I do for you?”
Miriam glanced at Joe Conrad. Nate could sense her discomfort.
Lucky moved closer to Nate. “Why don’t you use my office?”
Nate shot a look at Lucky. From her expression he could tell she was already aware of Miriam’s concern. Something important was brewing. “Let�
�s go.” He stood, picking up the two evidence bags, and ushered Miriam through the doorway to the corridor.
Jack telegraphed a silent question as Meg disappeared into the kitchen for her break. Jack had realized something was wrong when Janie didn’t turn up.
Lucky turned back to Joe. “What would you like?” Nate’s chili was cooling on the hatch, and Nate might be closeted with Miriam for a while. “We have some great chili,” she said hopefully.
“Fine. Chili would hit the spot right now.”
“You got it.” Literally, she thought, placing the bowl on the placemat.
“Are you a mind reader?” Joe laughed.
“It is one of my talents,” she replied.
“You know, I have a date with a lovely woman this evening,” Joe offered.
Lucky’s eyebrows rose. “You do? Why, that’s wonderful. Who is the lucky lady, if I may ask?”
Joe smiled. “I’ll give you a hint. She runs a ladies’ clothing shop right here in Snowflake.”
“Oh!” Lucky grinned widely. “Hmmm. Let me guess. Could her name begin with a C and end with a Y?”
“Sure does. I’ve made a reservation at that fancy restaurant up at the Resort. Do you think she’d like that?” he asked with a trace of nervousness.
“Yes, I do. I’m sure she’d be very pleased. You’ll both have a wonderful time. The food is excellent.”
“You know, Lucky, I’ve been a widower for a long time. This is the first time . . . well, this is all new to me.” He grinned sheepishly. “I’m out of practice.”
A Roux of Revenge Page 16
