Liana tugged self-consciously at her own, less-than-perfect ponytail.
“He’s nice, isn’t he?” Darla sighed dreamily.
Her lips pursed in discontent, Liana nodded. Then she grabbed a dishrag and began to vigorously scrub at an imaginary water mark on the countertop. She channeled all of her emotion into it, pressing against the hard surface until her hand began to hurt.
Oblivious to Liana’s displeasure, Darla leaned forward. “I thought for sure he must be married. I mean, a guy like that doesn’t stay single, right? But he said he isn’t seeing anyone! Can you believe it?” she asked in a hushed, conspiratorial voice.
“No,” Liana replied through gritted teeth. “I can’t believe it.”
She was trying to keep her cool, but inside she was fuming. She had invited Reese for ice cream and he had accepted. In her mind, that constituted a date. But now it sounded like he was also planning to go out with Darla. What was that about?
Had Liana not made her intentions clear? Was she supposed to come right out and say “I constantly daydream about being your girlfriend!” so Reese would get the message? Either he was utterly oblivious to her crush on him or, worse yet, he was a player.
Just then, Luke strolled into the coffee shop. Apparently he was willing to forgive and forget. Either that or he had resigned himself to going back to Just Desserts because it was literally the only coffee shop in town.
He pulled off his Star Wars hat and tucked it under his arm.
His hair was dishevelled, yet it somehow still managed to suit him. A lot of the guys Liana had gone to school with were balding now, which made her feel ancient. But Luke still had a full, thick head of hair. Some of the jerks that bullied him back in high school would be envious if they saw him now.
“What did that dishcloth ever do to you?” Luke asked.
“Huh?” Liana asked in confusion.
He motioned for her to take a look for herself. When she glanced down, she saw that she had managed to tear a hole right through the middle of the poor little crocheted rag. In fact, it was about three threads away from falling apart in her hands.
Liana stopped scrubbing the countertop and tossed the tattered dishcloth aside. She stood upright and looked at Luke, surprised by how happy she was to see him.
She didn’t like the way they had left things. In fact, she had been replaying their ugly confrontation over and over in her head. She knew she owed Luke an apology. Even though he had been acting odd lately, she knew that deep down that he was a good guy.
Surely she had been wrong to ever suspect him of illegal activity.
“I didn’t think I’d see you in here again any time soon,” she said, treading carefully. She was all too aware that the last time she had seen Luke, she had essentially accused him of being a liar. She had sort of implied he was a thief, too. Oops.
His face darkened. “Yeah, well unfortunately this is the only coffee shop in town.”
Liana’s worst fear was confirmed. And she was taken aback by Luke’s sharp tone. Clearly he was still upset with her. She was determined to try to make things right, even if it meant eating a big plate of humble pie. She took a deep breath and hoped the right words would come to her.
“Listen, Luke...I want to apologize for the other day,” she told him. “I was out of line, saying the things I said. I’d take it back if I could.”
The scowl on Luke’s face softened. He opened his mouth to reply.
“Hey boss,” Reese called out, coming up behind Liana. “Can I take my break now?”
“Sure,” Liana replied, inwardly cringing at the interruption. Talk about bad timing.
When she turned her attention back to Luke, the look of annoyance was back on his face.
“Sorry,” she told him. “You were about to say something, weren’t you?”
“Just that I’ll take a coffee,” Luke replied gruffly. “Two creams, one sugar.”
“Yes, I know how you like your coffee,” Liana reminded him kindly. “You come in here almost every day and always take your coffee with two creams and one sugar.” She smiled at him, hoping to melt his icy demeanor.
Instead of returning the pleasantry, he put his hat back on.
“Aren’t you staying?” Liana asked in dismay. “Your favorite spot is available,” she added, pointing to the empty stool at the far end of the counter. “I always think of that seat as yours. In fact, I’m beginning to think I should just put a reserved sign there.”
“I’ll have my coffee to go,” Luke said tersely.
Though Liana couldn’t quite explain it, she felt deeply disappointed.
Luke never had his coffee to go. He always sat at the counter and took his time. He was one of the locals who had become a fixture at Just Desserts. Liana had taken his presence for granted in the past, just assuming he would always be there.
“Luke…”
“Excuse me!” Irene Meddler’s shrill voice rang out, as cringeworthy as ever. She banged her coffee cup against her table angrily. “I need a refill!”
“I’ll be with you in a moment, Mrs. Meddler,” Liana called.
“That’s not good enough!” the old woman hollered, to absolutely no one’s surprise. “I don’t want my coffee in a minute! I want it now! Haven’t you heard that the customer is always right? Honestly, young people these days...”
“I’ll be right there!” Liana replied, forcing herself to remain even-tempered.
Some days she wanted nothing more than to ban the crusty old bat from her coffee shop. But she knew that wasn’t a practical solution to the problem that was Mrs. Meddler. In a small town, a business owner couldn’t afford to be anything but pleasant.
“Your cat is insane,” Luke suddenly informed Liana, looking bewildered.
She glanced down and saw Fluffy standing in the middle of the coffee shop. The fluffy feline was staring at Luke, back arched and teeth exposed. Fluffy growled at him menacingly before hastily retreating behind the counter.
“All cats are a little insane, aren’t they?” Liana replied with a shrug.
She scrambled to pour Luke’s coffee. Mrs. Meddler was already huffing and puffing in anger. Liana knew if she made the cranky old woman wait much longer, she would regret it.
“Here’s your coffee,” she said, hastily putting a lid on the cup.
He reached for his wallet.
“It’s on the house,” she told him.
“You don’t have to do that,” he protested.
“I insist.”
“Thanks,” Luke said, reluctantly putting his wallet away.
Liana watched as Luke walked out of the coffee shop, drink in hand.
He seemed angry - undoubtedly with her - but he still stopped to hold the door for Sarah Anderson. As he walked out onto the street, a car drove past and tooted its horn at him. Luke waved hello before continuing on his way.
Liana stood there watching out the window until Luke disappeared from sight. He had lived his entire life in Sugarcomb Lake. Liana had known him since they were kids. He was a polite, slightly nerdy, incredibly nice guy. He couldn’t possibly be a criminal...could he?
Chapter 15
“Good morning!” Amy Owens called out cheerfully.
The bells on the door jingled merrily as she walked into Just Desserts.
She looked as lovely as ever in a pale blue down-filled trench and stylish grey winter boots. A light dusting of snow coated her curly auburn hair. The flakes melted rapidly in the warmth of the coffee shop.
Amy waved to Liana as she approached the counter.
It was Friday, a few minutes after the morning rush. Things had quieted down somewhat, though there were still a decent number of customers inside. Liana had been taking advantage of the lull by preparing a few more batches of cookies. She knew they would be snapped up in no time. They always were.
“Hi!” Liana smiled, dusting flour off her lacy white apron.
She quickly tried to tidy her hair, which seemed determined to es
cape from her ponytail holder. All she really managed to do was get flour in it. She had a feeling her blue jeans and pale pink cashmere sweater were also covered in flour. Her apron was laughably ineffective.
“Where’s Reese?” Amy asked, looking around.
“It’s his day off.
“Ah.”
Liana noted that Amy’s fiance was nowhere to be seen.
“Is Sam working today?” she asked.
Amy nodded. “So am I, actually. I’m just on a break.”
“Oh, I thought you got Fridays off? Last time I popped into the salon on a Friday, I got stuck with Kimberly,” Liana whispered, making a face. “That will teach me to always, always call ahead for an appointment!”
Amy snickered. “I do get Fridays off, but lately I’ve been picking up all the extra shifts I can. It turns out weddings are really, really expensive. Who knew? Maybe Sam’s idea to run off to Vegas to elope wasn’t so bad after all.”
“He doesn’t want a wedding?” Liana asked. That didn’t surprise her. Sam was arguably Sugarcomb Lake’s only competent cop...but he wasn’t exactly a social butterfly. She didn’t imagine he wanted any part of a big, elaborate wedding.
Amy shrugged. “You know how he is. But he said it’s my day, and he’s begrudgingly agreed to go along with whatever I want. Well, as long as I stick to our budget.” She wrinkled her nose. “Sticking to a budget is no fun.”
“Ugh, tell me about it,” Liana agreed. She was thinking about all the numbers she’d crunched since she had started running the coffee shop. “Sometimes it’s all I can do to not run out and rob a bank,” she joked.
“Hey, speaking of robberies: I heard there’s been a crime spree here!” Amy said. “There was another break-in last night over on 9th Street. Sam called me from work as soon as he found out about it. I have a bad habit of leaving my door unlocked,” she confided.
“I think a lot of people do,” Liana replied. She stroked her chin thoughtfully. “Another break-in, huh? That’s crazy! Was it anybody we know?”
Really, that was a silly question. Sugarcomb Lake was too small for strangers.
“It’s that couple that moved here a few months ago,” Amy told her. “I can’t think of their name.”
“Ah, I know who you’re talking about,” Liana nodded, though the name escaped her as well. “The husband is really tall, and the wife is usually carrying her little toy poodle around with her. They come in here every once in a while for lattes...the cat freaks out when the poodle is here.”
“That’s one high-strung cat you have,” Amy remarked, glancing over at the fluffy grey feline. He was curled up in his basket by the window, snoozing happily in the sun.
“Fluffy really isn’t that high strung,” Liana replied. “Most of the time he’s content to just hang out here, eating crumbs off the floor and making friends with my customers. It’s only dogs that make Fluffy hysterical, really. And dust particles. And lint.”
“Your cat doesn’t seem particularly fond of Reese. When Reese was here alone, I came by. You know, to keep an eye on things for you,” Amy winked. “Reese did a great job as far as I could tell. But when he came in from shoveling the sidewalk, Fluffy got aggressive with him. The little guy seems to hate Luke, too.”
Liana tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. “I’m not sure that’s true,” she replied after a moment’s consideration. “Usually, Fluffy isn’t bothered by them. But every so often, he completely flips out. He’s done that with a few other customers lately, too. I don’t get it.”
“Maybe they tease him?” Amy suggested.
“No,” Liana replied at once. “I wouldn’t stand for that and everyone around here knows it. Besides, we both know Luke would never tease an animal.” Liana wasn’t sure why she was so certain about that, but she just was.
“That’s true,” Amy agreed.
“Maybe Fluffy is being territorial,” Liana shrugged. “The only time he seems to misbehave is when people are coming into or leaving the coffee shop.”
“Maybe the little bell above the door gets on his nerves.”
“Who knows,” Liana chuckled. “Cats are simple, yet incredibly complicated little creatures. But back to the break-in...I don’t suppose the thief has been caught?” she asked.
She was pretty sure she already knew the answer.
If the thief had been caught, surely that would have been the first thing out of Amy’s mouth.
Amy shook her head, her face darkening. “Honestly, the more Sam tells me about the police force here, the angrier I get! They are supposed to serve and protect...but all they seem interested in doing is snacking and gossiping around the water cooler! It’s so maddening!”
“Poor Sam,” Liana said sympathetically. Then she turned her attention back to the break-in. “Do you know any details about what happened? What was stolen? And how did the thief gain entry to the house?”
“You sound like Sam,” Amy chuckled. Then she grew serious. “I heard a window was smashed at the back of the house. Sam said the thief mostly got away with cash and small electronics - cell phones, a laptop, that sort of thing.”
“Do you think the thief is the same person who killed Colin Watson?” Liana blurted out.
“It seems unlikely we’d have two criminals terrorize the town at the same time, doesn’t it?” Amy reasoned. “Normally it’s so calm and quiet here. Sam says it’s the safest community he’s ever lived in. Well, usually. Now, maybe not so much. Anyway, be sure to lock your doors, okay?”
“I will,” Liana promised. “How was your getaway with Sam?” she asked, changing the subject.
Amy rolled her eyes. “Don’t get me started. I know he’s not the most outgoing guy ever and I’m usually okay with that. But while I was hanging out with my family, he pretty much just sat in the corner watching hockey on his phone. I was so annoyed! It was so typical of him!”
Liana offered a sympathetic smile. “At least he’s consistent,” she offered.
“Ha! Anyway, enough about me.” Amy sat down at the counter and gave her long auburn curls a toss. “I have to get back to the salon to do a perm in ten minutes, so this is going to have to be fast. How are things going with Reese? I want all the details!”
Liana made a face. “Unfortunately, there isn’t anything to tell. Do you remember Darla Duke from high school? Because she’s back in town, newly single and on the hunt. She swooped in and stole Reese right out from under me!”
“What?!” Amy hollered indignantly, causing several customers to turn and stare.
“Shh, keep your voice down!” Liana hissed.
“Tell me exactly what happened!” Amy whispered.
“She saw Reese, decided he was good looking and started fawning all over him,” Liana confided. “She’s been inviting him to go rock climbing and hiking and who knows what else. She’s pretty much throwing herself at him.”
“And he’s receptive to it?” Amy asked incredulously.
“He seems to be.”
An expression of anger came over Amy’s face. “Does she know you’re interested in him?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I bet she does,” Amy predicted. “I mean, it’s kind of obvious from the way you look at him.”
“It is not!” Liana protested, immediately flushing. Was she really that transparent?
“Darla’s kind of a jerk for stealing away a guy you’re clearly interested in,” Amy said. “But maybe she and Reese deserve each other. I mean, no woman can steal a guy who doesn’t want to be stolen. Maybe Reese isn’t such a catch after all.”
“Do you think he might just be completely oblivious?” Liana asked hopefully. “I asked him out for ice cream but I didn’t really make it clear that I wanted it to be a date. Maybe he thought it was a friendly, platonic thing.”
Amy snickered as she helped herself to a lemon cookie. “Are you asking me if he’s stupid?”
“Maybe.”
“So we’ve concluded that he’s either a jerk
or a moron. Either way, he’s a dud.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Liana tried to explain. “You’re twisting my words.”
Amy took a big bite of her cookie and chewed it thoughtfully. “I’m a hairstylist,” she said through a mouthful of crumbs. “That means I’m pretty much a relationship expert, because everyone who sits in my chair can’t help but spill their guts to me. I’m basically an unlicensed therapist who gives awesome haircuts.”
“That’s true,” Liana nodded.
“Well in my completely biased and unprofessional opinion? You can do better.” Amy grabbed another cookie and tossed some money on the counter. “I’ve gotta run. Keep the change! And don’t settle for some schmuck who doesn’t appreciate you,” she advised.
As she mulled over Amy’s words, Liana couldn’t help but feel skeptical.
Sure, her friend meant well. But Amy’s relationship was far from perfect, by the sound of it. Sam was a good guy, but apparently he had some quirks that drove his fiancee nuts. Was she really the best person to be offering up relationship advice?
“Did you hear about the break-in last night?” Patricia Porter asked eagerly, interrupting Liana’s thoughts. She came barrelling up to the counter red-faced and out of breath. She obviously wanted to the one to break the news to everyone.
“We know!” Barbara Norman called from her table by the window. “I already told everyone!” she added, puffing up her chest as she bragged about being in the know.
Liana rolled her eyes. Those two women were so predictable.
“Oh,” Patricia said, deflating like a balloon. She took off her stylish black leather gloves and walked over to the counter. “I’d like a cappuccino and a lemon cookie, please.”
“Coming right up.”
Patricia glanced down at her gloves and made a face. “Ugh, my gloves have gasoline all over them!” she complained. “That’s the last time I go to a self-serve gas station! Honestly, a lady shouldn’t have to pump her own gas!”
Red Velvet Cupcakes to Die For (A Liana Campbell Cozy Mystery Book 1) Page 9
