by Lynn Cahoon
“I’m letting Aunt Jackie deal with the two of you. See you both tomorrow?” We’d closed Coffee, Books, and More for Saturday with a sign on the door saying we’d be selling on site for the race from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., then reopening in the main shop on Sunday morning. We’d borrowed a food truck from one of Aunt Jackie’s friends, and this was our first official off-site sale day. Everyone but Toby was working the truck. Toby was running the race as a plant for the police department, to make sure nothing happened during the run.
“Yes, ma’am,” they both answered.
By the time I’d left the shop, I only had thirty minutes to grab something to eat before Emma and I had to leave. The race would start south of town, then wind north to the outskirts of South Cove, ending up on the beach parking lot, where Emma and I started our beach run. Greg’s truck was parked at the edge of the lot. He climbed out of the cab and gave me a quick hug before taking Emma’s leash.
“You want to walk to the beginning to meet everyone? We have an hour before Darla’s due to arrive.” His hand dropped absently to the cell phone at his side. “She tried to reach you a few minutes ago, but you must have already left the house. She said she had an impromptu booking she had to finalize.”
I grabbed a bottle of water out of the zippered pouch I’d brought along. “Yeah, the mayor has turned the race into a photo opportunity for him and his cronies. I bet Darla’s feeling like she’s being torn in two.”
“She has Matt to help. Besides, this race check won’t take more than an hour. Don’t worry, she’ll make the best of this.” He locked the truck and put his hand on my back, leading me toward the trail. “From what she said, she charged them a premium rate for such a late booking.”
“Sounds like Darla.” I relaxed as we walked toward the start line. Darla had had volunteers run rope along each side of the trail. Benches were set randomly through the path. The smell of honeysuckle floated through the early summer evening. “Hey, have you heard anything more about the vandalism? Darla asked me this morning.”
“She tried to get information from me when she called. I’ll tell you what I told her. The DA believes it’s just local kids blowing off steam.”
“Has he met our local kids? We don’t have a bad one in the bunch.” I watched as Emma chased a chipmunk off the asphalted path. “I swear sometimes that guy just looks for the easy way out.”
“And sometimes you look for things that aren’t there.” He pushed a lock of hair out of my eyes.
We walked the length of the race path chatting about our day, our upcoming trip, and absolutely nothing. That was one thing I loved about spending time with Greg. He was just as happy to talk about the types of trees lining the path as he was the local sports teams. Don’t get me wrong, the guy loved his ESPN, but he knew when to shut off that side of his brain for other topics. At least with me.
As we came up on the start line, Josh and Jackie met us on the path. “You’re late,” Josh grumbled. He had on the same knock-off tracksuit I’d seen him in the day before. My aunt had switched to a fuchsia-striped jacket with solid legging pants. For her age, I had to admit, she looked good. Emma sat at attention, a whine growing in her throat as she waited for Jackie to see her.
Greg glanced at his watch. “Only by five minutes. I take it you’re the slow group?”
“If that’s a reference to my age, Detective King, you’d better think twice about the next words out of your mouth.” Aunt Jackie marched in place as she gave Greg a withering look. She reached down and stroked Emma’s head without a comment. My dog melted.
“I’m just surprised they set the two of you with that group. I would have thought Darla would have tagged someone who needed it.” Greg’s words flowed over the perceived slight, and I could see my aunt’s shoulders relaxing. My boyfriend had that effect on people; even nasty little men like Mayor Baylor, Greg could calm with a word or two. The man could have been a successful politician, but he hated the games. I bit back a smile.
“Almost a good catch,” Aunt Jackie murmured. She kissed me on the cheek and pulled Josh forward. “We’ll see you at the finish line. Maybe we should all have dinner at Diamond Lille’s after this to celebrate.”
“You know I hate that place,” Josh said to my aunt as we parted ways. “I thought you and I could go to the city and try out the steak house.”
“You could use some time with other people.”
The rest of Aunt Jackie’s words disappeared as they turned a curve away from us. I smiled up at Greg. “I guess we have dinner plans.”
“I’d do anything for your aunt, but seriously, eating with Josh is a whole ’nother layer of commitment. You know he’s petitioning the council for air fresheners on the street—”
I interrupted, “To keep the sea air out of South Cove? Yep, he pitched his idea at the Business-to-Business meeting this month. The guy is certifiable. I swear, I don’t know what Aunt Jackie sees in him.”
As we rounded the corner, we came up on the large entryway to the path where Darla had set up ground zero for the start of the race. We were right next to a large parking lot where people could shuttle in either from South Cove or one of the beach parking lots down the highway. The banner had already been set up, and Darla was snapping pictures of the area. Kind of a calm-before-the-storm snapshot.
“Hey, there you are.” Amy stepped forward to greet us. She gave me a quick hug and then repeated the gesture with Greg. She tapped his chest. “I thought maybe something happened.”
“Like a natural disaster or a riot in our little town?” Greg chuckled. “Nothing like that. I just wanted a few minutes to spend with my favorite girls.”
Justin came around and slapped Greg on the back before kissing my cheek. “They do make it a little hard to get alone time around here, don’t they?”
Amy punched him in the arm. “Stop being a baby. I told you we’d go surfing on Sunday.”
“I appreciate your helping out with the Mission Walk,” I added, upping the sugar level in my tone a few points.
Justin shrugged. “Just making sure everyone”—he paused and pointed at Amy—“understands the sacrifices we men make for the women in our lives.”
“You’re going to think sacrifice,” Amy murmured.
Darla stepped in between Amy and Justin, her five-foot frame making a human W as we looked at the trio. “Since we’re all here, let’s get started.” She checked her watch. “I sent Josh and Jackie out at six on the dot. You two”—Darla pointed at the couple flanking her—“I want you to start at six fifteen.”
Justin set his wristwatch. “No problem.”
“When do we go?” Greg and Justin were discussing Justin’s new runner watch as I asked Darla for our directions.
“Six thirty. I’ll leave here and drive back to the South Cove finish line to meet up with Amy and Justin. Then I’ll wait for the rest of you.” Darla made some notes on her clipboard. “Tomorrow we’ll have an official race clock and timer, but tonight, it’s just me and my Timex.”
When Amy and Justin took off, it was just Greg and me. We sat on a bench and waited. Greg took my hand in his. “You excited about the wall being recognized?”
I thought about the question for a minute before I answered. “I know the race doesn’t mean the historical commission will actually find in our favor, but it’s a good sign. And I’m a little worried about the amount of work ahead of us if the wall is certified.”
“You know you’re doing the right thing.” Greg squeezed my hand. “Even if it does ruin my plans for a sweet hammock and barbeque pit in the area.”
“I know, right? Emma’s going to freak every time someone walks near the fence. I’m going to have to change the fencing area if I want it to be accessible to the public.” I thought about all the changes that would take place in my life if the wall was ever approved. Maybe Mayor Baylor would get his wish and the house Miss Emily left me would be turned into a gift shop and tour center for the Mission Wall. “I don’t know, maybe I sho
uld have just kept things the way they were.”
Greg pulled me into a hug. “You know life doesn’t work that way. If the wall is historical, we’ll deal with the problems that come along with having a tourist destination in your backyard. We have options.”
I laid my head on his chest and watched Emma sit next to him and lean into his leg. Greg was a rock to cling to in a sea of storms. And for a few minutes, I felt safe.
CHAPTER 4
The race trial went off without a hitch, with Jackie and Josh bringing up the rear in less than two hours. Darla, Justin, and Amy left first, apologizing for not being able to make dinner. Aunt Jackie pulled me aside as we walked up the stairs from the beach to the parking lot.
“I know I suggested this double date, but honestly, I’m beat. I’m going to have Josh take me home, and I’ll heat up some potato soup I have in the freezer and then turn in.” She stopped at Josh’s black sedan and slipped into the passenger seat. “I’ll see you bright and early at the food truck.”
“Are you sure everything’s okay?” I thought about Sasha saying my aunt had visited with an arthritis specialist. Maybe she was pushing herself too hard.
Aunt Jackie waved my concern away with a flick of her hand. “Now, don’t be treating me like I’m ready for some old age home. I just walked three miles. I think I’m due for some relaxation time.”
I watched as Josh pulled the car out of the parking lot and back toward South Cove. Greg put his arm around me. “She’s a strong old bird. She’ll be fine.”
“I just worry.”
He led me to the truck, and Emma jumped in the backseat and lay down on the blanket Greg kept back there for her. “I know you do. But until she asks for help, you need to let her be.” He opened my door for me, holding out his hand for support as I climbed in. “Hey, want to go down to that clam shack on the beach? We could share a bucket of clams and have shrimp po’boys and fries.”
“Carb loading for the race tomorrow?” I leaned back into the bucket seat. “You know I’m not running, right?”
“We walked the path twice tonight, to the beginning and back to the end. I think we deserve a good dinner.” He turned the key. “I might even let you kiss me when I drop you off at your door.”
“Aren’t I a lucky girl?” I reached over and took his hand, and after dropping Emma off at the house, we spent the rest of the evening together like any other normal couple.
Race day was predicted to be hot and sunny, but most of the racers would be off the track and back in South Cove by the time the sun really started beating down on the beach. I brewed a single cup of coffee when I rose and ate a toasted cheddar bagel. This was our first trial run in a food truck. I was on the fence about the opportunity. Aunt Jackie was sold on the idea and had been running numbers to see what kind of business we’d have to have to set up a satellite shop that could attend the local festivals and fairs on a regular basis.
I put Emma outside with a new bone and headed down to the beach parking lot to meet up with Aunt Jackie and Sasha. As I passed by her house, Esmeralda was out in the front yard, watering her azaleas. I really was going to have to up my game in flowers if my house was even going to compare to my neighbors.
“Good morning,” I called over the fence, pausing to see if she wanted to talk or would just wave me off. You never knew with our resident fortune-teller/police dispatcher. Sometimes she was chatty; other times, she didn’t really want to talk. I guess since she had two careers in which talking was her primary responsibility, I could understand. That was one reason I loved the bookstore part of Coffee, Books, and More. I could hide out and read a book and still consider myself working because I was “researching” new authors. I patted the tote I’d thrown over my shoulder that morning just to make sure I’d packed a book in case traffic to the coffee shack slowed down.
“Good luck with the run today.” Esmeralda shut off the water sprayer and walked over to greet me. “Sorry I couldn’t help this time.”
“No worries. We all have to work.” I didn’t believe in my neighbor’s psychic gift, but I didn’t want her to think I thought less of her talent. To each their own, right? I nodded toward the black cat nestled on the porch in a wicker chair. “Maggie hasn’t been over to visit lately. Maybe she’s becoming a homebody?”
Esmeralda glanced over at the now-yawning kitten. “Apparently she feels you’re safe right now and don’t need her help.”
Yep, that is it. My life is going well, and the cat can sense my contentment.
Maggie meowed her agreement, and Esmeralda laughed. “Don’t worry, Jill. We know you’re a non-believer. It just doesn’t mean we agree with you.”
“Well, I’m just glad she’s staying out of the road. I would hate it if something happened to her.” I stepped away from the fence and waved.
My neighbor called after me. “Send Josh over to me if he needs help adjusting.”
I turned to ask her what she was talking about, but Esmeralda had already turned the water back on and wandered to the backyard. Maggie blinked her eyes at me and then curled tighter to return to sleep.
I power-walked down to the beach, determined to keep Esmeralda’s weird announcements out of my head. The last time we’d talked, she’d admitted to being able to read people, and with the rumors that floated around the small town, she typically could nail a prediction without any help from the other side. But I didn’t want to think about what she’d heard about Josh or maybe Aunt Jackie that was causing this kind of premonition.
Sasha and Aunt Jackie already had the food truck open, and the smell of coffee filled the morning air, mixing with the salty breeze coming off the ocean. Sadie’s purple Pies on the Fly van sat parked next to the food truck, and I waved at Nick as he loaded up a stack of pie boxes to take into the truck.
Sadie stood outside the truck, talking to Aunt Jackie on the inside. She waved me over when she saw me. “We’ve decided to leave half the dessert inventory in my van during the event. That way I get some free advertisement out of the race, too.” She beamed up at Aunt Jackie.
I translated the agreement for Sadie. “The truck’s too small for all the pies, right?”
Aunt Jackie nodded. “We’d only be able to stock twenty percent of what she brought if we didn’t have the van available. Now, we may not need as much as we think, but it’s always better to be prepared, right?”
I nodded and Sadie laughed. “You really know how to sell, don’t you, Jackie? Here I was thinking you were doing me a favor by getting my name out there.”
“It does get your name out there. There’s just a secondary reason why it’s a good idea.” Aunt Jackie handed Sadie a cup of coffee. “What does that boy of yours want?”
Nick poked his head around the counter. “Nothing. I’ve got to get to the starting line. I’m running.”
Sasha handed him a bottle of water. “Then drink this, you need to stay hydrated.”
Sadie left the corner near me and Aunt Jackie to tell Nick good luck. “She’s a good mom,” Aunt Jackie murmured.
“You wishing you and Uncle Ted had had children?” I took the cup of coffee my aunt held out the window to me.
She shook her head. “Nope. If we’d had kids, then I’d be off somewhere playing grandma instead of working a coffee shack on this fine California morning.”
“I almost believe you.” I sipped my coffee. “You want me in there prepping?”
Aunt Jackie shook her head. “Why don’t you go relax for a while? Sasha and I have this. I’ll call you if we need you. Just make sure you’re here before the race starts at seven. Josh is picking me up, and we’ll be driving down to the starting line.”
“I still can’t believe you got him to actually walk the race.”
My aunt’s eyes twinkled with glee. “I have that man wrapped around my little finger. You need to learn from the master.”
“Greg and I are just fine.” I turned and watched the waves come up on the beach. Even though the sun had just broken ov
er the mountains, the crowds were starting to gather. The starting line area didn’t have any room to set up booths or sign-ups. Darla had a shuttle bus set up to take runners down to the starting line. Runners were scattered all over the beach, stretching and chatting.
“Turn over the Open sign and go mingle with those society people while you still have time.” Aunt Jackie handed me a cookie bar. She nodded toward the sign-up booth. “I think Darla needs some help over there. It looks like they are upset about something.”
There were two men in suits in front of the Mission Walk booth. Darla’s arms were waving as she talked, but I couldn’t tell what they were saying. I tapped my phone. “Call me if you get in the weeds.”
“As if.” Aunt Jackie sniffed, then turned her attention to a couple who had come over as soon as I turned over the Open sign. “What can I make for you?”
I wandered over to the booth with the bright blue and white flags announcing the Mission Walk. I could hear the raised voices as soon as I got closer.
“You should have been told that all entries had to be finalized online and no one could enter on site.” The taller of the two men was shaking a finger at Darla, who had her hands on her hips. “How can we control the funds when there’s no accounting set up?”
“How about you trust me and my staff?” Darla sputtered. “I guess you don’t know that I’ve run a business for the last ten years all on my own without having draconian accounting methods. What do you think, I’m going to run off with the profits?”
“Now, Mrs. Taylor, please don’t take our concern for following our standardization and rules for events as a slight. We’ve been doing these events for over ten years. We’ve learned and implemented the best processes over the years. The PR company should have explained all of this before the event was even approved.” The smaller man held his hands out in a gesture of surrender. “Since they seemed to have failed in their duties, we’ll have to assign a member of the financial committee to sit with you today.”
