As I finished off a cup of coffee and waited for a jolt of energy to hit my system, a familiar face greeted me.
“Does the craziness in this town ever end?” Daphne Lipton asked.
So much for pleasantries. Apparently, Daphne had zero interest in small talk that morning. I didn’t blame her. Especially given how there were so many big issues to tackle.
“I have been asking myself that question a lot lately,” I said.
“Am I going to like your answer?” Daphne said.
I grimaced. “Probably not.”
Daphne was visibly deflated. “That’s what I was afraid of.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. You’re one of the few bright spots in this town. I don’t know what Treasure Cove would do without you.”
“I think you’re being a little generous.”
“And I think you’re just being humble. You are a real treasure.”
“Thank you for saying that, but right now, I don’t feel like I’m living up to all that hype.”
“What’s the matter? Is the case getting you down?”
“Actually, I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Fair enough,” she said. “I won’t bring up the case again.”
“What I could go for is some good news. Do you happen to have any of that?”
Daphne smiled. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Really? Let’s hear it, then.”
“Speaking of random craziness, your instincts are more amazing than I even realized.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Last night I ran into an old friend from San Francisco that I haven’t seen in over ten years.”
“Is that so?”
She nodded.
“Where?”
“On the boardwalk. After work, I decided to go out for a stroll on the beach. Then, on my way back to my car, I spotted William. It was so good to see him. He’s so nice and funny and handsome,” Daphne said.
I smiled. “Is that a glimmer I see in your eyes?”
She blushed. “Maybe.”
“Back in your San Francisco days, did you and William ever happen to date?” I asked.
“No, but I have a feeling that might change very soon.”
“Oh, really?”
“It’s definitely a possibility.”
“What makes you say that?”
“How about the fact that we spent the whole night talking and laughing and catching up?”
“I guess it was good that you ran into each other, then.”
A dreamy look came to Daphne’s eyes. “It was more than that. It actually felt like fate was bringing us together.”
I scratched my forehead. “I didn’t know you were a big believer in that kind of thing.”
“I wasn’t. But things change. Especially around here.”
“I can’t argue with that. In Treasure Cove, things have been known to change in an instant.”
“I think that’s exactly what they did.”
“You must have had an amazing night.”
Daphne nodded. “It was the kind of thing you see happen in movies, but never in real life. Two old friends, both recently single, just happen to run into each other at random and reconnect.”
“So he just got out of a relationship too, then?” I asked.
“Not only that, but he came here to Treasure Cove in order to get a break from his life. To leave his heartbreak behind. But here’s the thing. After being here for a few days, it turns out he likes this town so much that he’s thinking of moving here.”
“Wow. You two must have really hit it off.”
“We did,” she said. “But he was actually thinking of moving here even before he ran into me last night. Now he has even more reason to do it.”
“I guess it’s safe to say that you’re going to see each other again.”
“Oh yeah. Tonight, actually, for dinner.”
“You two are moving fast.” I bit my lip. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. It’s nice to see you happy. But you did just get out of a relationship.”
“And you’re worried that I might be getting a little too ahead of myself?” Daphne replied.
“I hope I’m wrong, but the thought did cross my mind.”
“It crossed mine too. Except, here’s the thing. I’ve taken it slow before. I have been plenty cautious in the past, guarding my heart until I felt like the timing was right to open up to a man. And look at me, I’m just as single as ever. But you know what I’ve never done?”
“What?”
“Opened myself up to whatever the universe has in store for me. Turned myself over to fate and seen what develops,” Daphne replied. “Will it work?” She shrugged. “I can’t say. But I’m willing to give it a try.”
“I hope it works out for you,” I said.
“So do I. After how things ended with Jake, I can really use a break.”
“You sure could. I’ll pray for you.”
“Thanks. But I think you should save your prayers for trying to get a break in this case you’re working on. I have a feeling you’re going to need all the help you can get.”
Chapter Twenty
Daphne wasn’t wrong. I needed a lot of assistance. The night before, I had prayed for a break in the case to come my way. I would do more of that later. In the meantime, I needed more caffeine.
As Daphne grabbed her latte and left Daley Buzz, my jet-black-haired mother, Elizabeth Daley, came up behind me.
“You look like you could use more coffee,” Elizabeth said.
“Thanks, Mom,” I said. “It’s like you read my mind.”
“I wish I could read minds,” Elizabeth said. “In truth, it was just a lucky guess.”
“Either way, you’re spot-on.”
Elizabeth took my cup. “One refill, coming up.”
“Thanks again.”
“Of course. Anything to help you. Especially since it sounds like you need it.”
“I do. Although, there’s something I can use even more.”
“What’s that?” Elizabeth asked.
“A big fat lead to fall into my lap.”
“I’m afraid I can’t help you there.”
“You haven’t heard anything juicy about this case, then?”
She shook her head.
I bit my lip. “It isn’t like the rumor mill to let us down.”
“You can only expect so much from coffee shop customers.”
“I was talking about Grandma, the one-woman rumor mill. I thought she knew everything that went on in this town.”
“Usually, she does. But she has been a little busy.”
I shrugged. “What’s more important than helping me solve a murder?”
“Trust me. You don’t want to know,” Elizabeth said.
I stared into my mother’s eyes.
“What aren’t you telling me? Where is Grandma right now?” I asked.
“I’d rather not say.”
The coyer that my mother became, the more it raised my curiosity. My mind raced with possibilities. I settled on the most probable answer. “Is she out gobbling up samples at Costlow again?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Her appetite has sunk to a new low.”
“All right. The suspense is killing me. You have to tell me now.”
Exasperation filled Elizabeth’s face. “You’re not going to drop this, are you?”
“Not a chance. Now, come clean. What is it that you don’t want to tell me?”
Elizabeth groaned. “She’s out getting gelato.”
A baffled look came to my face as I looked at the time on my phone. It was a little after nine in the morning. “She’s getting ice cream at this hour?”
“According to your grandma, it’s never too early for gelato.”
“I didn’t even realize the gelato shop was open right now.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Go figure.”
My eyes lit up. “What a delicious discovery.”
>
I gazed out the window of the coffee shop with great longing.
Elizabeth cleared her throat. “Sabrina, please tell me you aren’t thinking about gelato right now.”
“Can you blame me?” I asked.
Elizabeth shook her head. “Oh dear. Not you too.”
I held my pointer finger out. “Hey. It’s not my fault. I’m powerless when it comes to ice cream.”
Elizabeth squinted. “Even at nine in the morning?”
I shrugged. “My sugar craving doesn’t care what time it is.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “You really do take after your grandmother.”
“So you’re saying that I keep good company, then?”
“That’s one way of putting it,” Elizabeth replied.
“Anyway, I should be going.”
“To work on the case, right?”
I nodded.
Elizabeth stared hard at me. “Before or after you get some gelato?”
I remained coy. “Who says I’m going to get gelato?”
“Come on, Sabrina. You don’t think I know you?”
“Aren’t you a little bit interested in giving this morning gelato a try?”
She shook her head. “Not in the least.”
“Where’s your sense of culinary adventure?”
Elizabeth laughed. “I wouldn’t call morning gelato culinary adventure.” She put her hand on my shoulder. “Tell your grandmother that she’s a bad influence.”
“I told her that when I met up with her for Costlow samples a while back. She seemed to relish the role of defying expectations. I’m pretty sure that she isn’t going to care,” I replied.
“Of course she did. She’s the only eighty-three-year-old who makes the rules up as she goes.”
Chapter Twenty-One
As I drove over to Luigi’s Gelato, my mother’s disapproving voice wasn’t the only one in my head. There was also a nagging voice at the back of my mind urging me to turn back.
I could hear my bathroom scale back home begging me to reconsider giving in to this gelato craving. Meanwhile, my sweet tooth was laughing hysterically at my utter lack of will power. But I couldn’t help myself. Right then, my taste buds were in control, and they refused to listen to reason.
By the time I arrived at Luigi’s, I was practically salivating. What a dangerous time for my diet.
Actually, who was I kidding? During times of great stress, my diet always became a casualty.
If anything, it was surprising that I had managed to make it this long without giving in to temptation.
I swung the front door of the shop open and deliciously sugary aromas wafted my way while the display case made my eyes bulge with sheer delight. As was to be expected at such an early hour, the place was empty except for the owner, Luigi Antonelli, and my grandma, Betsy Daley.
It felt surreal to be setting foot in a place like this at nine thirty in the morning. On the flip side, now that I saw the delectable gelato in the display case, there wasn’t any turning back.
Luigi shook his head in disbelief as he spotted me. “Just when I thought my morning wasn’t strange enough.”
My grandmother was so busy savoring her gelato that she didn’t turn around and look at me. Instead, she shrugged and replied to Luigi, “What are you talking about?”
Luigi pointed at me. “We have familiar company.”
Betsy whirled around and saw me approaching the display case. Her eyes lit up. “Sabrina. What a pleasant surprise.”
“Surprise is definitely the right word. I never thought I’d find you in a gelato shop at this hour,” I replied.
Betsy smiled wide. “What can I say? Sometimes life is filled with delicious twists and turns.”
“And other times, life is just surreal.” Luigi glanced at me. “Your grandmother arrived here this morning before I even opened.”
Betsy raised her eyebrows at Luigi. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. What’s the matter? You don’t like my money?”
Luigi waggled his pointer finger back and forth. “That’s not it, Betsy. You know I am very appreciative of your business. But you have to admit, there isn’t a whole lot of clamoring in the world for breakfast gelato.”
“As far as I’m concerned, that’s the world’s loss and my scrumptious gain,” Betsy said.
Luigi smiled as he shook his head. “You are truly one of a kind.”
Betsy boasted, “And proud of it. Consider the mold broken.” She held her pointer finger up. “But just because I’m a trailblazer doesn’t mean that my footsteps can’t be followed. Take Sabrina, for example.” She put her hand on my shoulder. “You showing up here for some breakfast gelato proves that great minds really do think alike.”
My eyebrows rose. “What you call a great mind, I just call a curious one. Honestly, when my mother told me you were here, I didn’t believe it.”
“I know. It’s an idea so tasty that you’re probably kicking yourself for not coming up with it yourself.”
I laughed. “Not quite, Grandma.”
Betsy did not roll back her previous statement whatsoever. “Well, I certainly wish that I had come up with this idea sooner.”
“By the way, my mother says you’re a bad influence,” I replied.
Betsy took a bite of her gelato. “Once you get a taste, I’m pretty sure you’ll disagree with your mom.”
Luigi shook his head. “Betsy, you are without a doubt the feistiest woman I have ever met.”
“Hey, just because I’m old doesn’t mean I can’t be bold,” Betsy said.
Luigi laughed. “And wildly unapologetic.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. This is the most delicious idea I’ve had in years,” Betsy said.
“Well, thank you. I’m glad you like the gelato,” Luigi replied.
“I don’t like it. I love it. Who knew breakfast could taste this good?” Betsy asked.
“Does that mean you are going to make this a habit?” Luigi replied.
“Why not?” Betsy said.
“I can think of a number of reasons,” I said. “And I’m sure that any nutritionist in the world could too.”
“Hey. I’m eighty-three years old. If I want gelato for breakfast, who is going to stop me?” Betsy said.
I shrugged. “How can I argue with logic like that?”
“Why would you argue at all when there’s delicious gelato to eat?” Betsy asked.
I chuckled. “That’s another good point.”
“I have no shortage of them,” Betsy replied.
I smiled. “You know what I love about you, Grandma?”
Betsy used a playful tone as she replied. “Everything?”
“That you have no shortage of confidence,” I said.
Betsy threw her arms out. “Why wouldn’t I be confident? I have a lot to offer the world.”
“Like breakfast gelato?” I joked.
“Hey, laugh all you want, but I’m going to turn breakfast gelato into a national sensation,” Betsy said.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I had strong doubts that breakfast gelato would ever become a national sensation, but it was definitely a delicious treat. After all, there was a magic to gelato. Between the quality of the ingredients, the creamy texture, the rich flavor, and the generous dose of sugar in each serving, it was hard to finish a bowl of gelato and not have a smile on my face.
My mood was certainly lifted as I left Luigi’s that morning and headed over to the police station to check in with David. Unfortunately, as I approached my boyfriend’s desk, he clearly wasn’t riding a sugar high like I was. Instead, his spirits were sagging as he stared with great intensity at a case file that was open on his desk.
“Any interesting developments?” I said.
He looked up from the file. “Actually, I think I should be asking you that.”
My forehead wrinkled. “What do you mean?”
He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “Sabrina, don’t play dumb with
me.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. This case has got me just as stumped now as I was last night.”
“I wasn’t referring to the case.”
“Then I’m even more confused. What’s going on?”
“From what I heard, your sweet tooth had a very active morning,” he said.
My muscles tensed up.
David continued. “That’s right. I know you went out for some breakfast gelato.”
“How did you—?”
“Sabrina, I’m a detective.”
I stared him down.
“And your mother told me.”
I shook my head and let out a sigh. “Of course she did. She is incapable of keeping a secret.”
“Hey, don’t put this on your mom. I don’t know anyone who could keep a breakfast gelato run a secret.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. Eating gelato at nine in the morning is like something a five-year-old would come up with.”
“It was my grandma’s idea, actually,” I said.
“Fine. I stand corrected,” he replied.
“To be fair, Grandma Betsy is young at heart.”
“She definitely channeled the mind of a little kid with this idea of hers.”
“Hey. Don’t knock her ideas. Going out for breakfast gelato was a stroke of genius. Besides, if anything, it has me wondering if maybe I should add more childlike activities into my daily routine.”
“So you really loved your gelato, then?” he asked.
“I sure did. And I’m not ashamed to admit it.”
David became deflated. “Oh.”
I held my pointer finger out. “Don’t judge me.”
“I’m not.”
“Then what’s with the long face?”
“I’m just disappointed that you didn’t invite me,” he said.
I scrunched my nose. “Wait. You mean you would have come with me?”
“Of course. Do I look like the kind of guy who is going to turn down ice cream?”
“Apparently not.”
“Definitely not,” he said. “I can’t believe you didn’t invite me to come with you.”
“I’m sorry. I thought you were focused on this case,” I said.
“I was. Maybe too much. I have stared at this case file so long this morning that I’m getting a headache.”
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