Now Katie was really confused about Ray’s behavior. “Well, do you have a second? I’d like a word with you.”
Ray blew out a coffee-scented breath as he looked at his watch. “I’ll come by your office when I’ve finished up with Vance. But I only have a minute, so you’ll need to make it quick.”
“Fine.” She was about to tell him not to bother coming by her office at all, but she really wanted to tell him how the post office manager had acted. She also wanted to find out what in the world was making her so-called friend behave like such a jerk.
She stormed into her office, slammed the door, and grabbed a peppermint. She unwrapped the candy, popped it into her mouth, and promptly bit it in half.
Her phone rang. It was Andy.
“Hey, Sunshine. How are you?”
“Okay, but I sure do have a lot to tell you about at lunch.”
“Yeah . . . that’s why I’m calling. I’m going to have to cancel on you today. Hopefully, I can make it up to you this evening.”
“Sure. No problem.”
“You’re the best. Gotta run.”
And that was the end of their call.
Swell. Just swell.
Katie decided she might as well walk to Tealicious when lunchtime came. Brad had been working on a delicious-looking seafood salad earlier that morning.
Finding it hard to concentrate, Katie was staring blankly at a spreadsheet on her computer screen when Ray came by a few minutes later. “What did you need to talk to me about?” he asked, sounding irritated.
Katie came this close to saying, “Nothing. Just go away.” But, again, she hoped she could find out what was causing his boorish attitude.
“I went to the post office yesterday,” she began.
“Good for you.”
She pressed her lips together. “If you’d allow me to finish . . .”
“By all means.”
“What’s the matter with you?” she asked.
“Not a thing. Why?”
“Because you’re acting like a jerk! Have I done something to offend you?”
“No,” he said. “Do you have to have every man on Victoria Square at your beck and call to feel good about yourself?”
Katie’s mouth dropped open—shocked and hurt by that remark. “Since when do I have any man on Victoria Square at my beck and call? In fact, Andy just called and canceled lunch.”
“Then I imagine you’ll have to run over to Tealicious and get America’s Top Model Chef to whip up something and feed it to you.”
“Is that what you’re angry about?” Katie asked incredulously.
“I’m not angry about anything.”
“You are! You’re angry because Brad fed me a petit four yesterday.”
Ray held up his hands. “Once again, I’m not angry about anything. If you want to fawn over your Chef Adonis, why shouldn’t you? But, be warned. I mentioned to Sophie over the phone last night that Janine was out and Chef Brad Andrews was in, and she was over the moon. So, you might have some competition when she gets back to town.”
“I’m not interested in Brad that way. And he’s not interested in me, either.”
“That’s what you think. I know how a man looks when he’s interested in a woman, and—believe me—he is.”
“You’re being ridiculous. Brad is a wonderful chef, and I’m lucky to have him working for me. That’s all.” She paused. “And he’s too old for Sophie.”
“That’s what I told her. But I guess he’s perfect for you.”
“He’s perfect for Erikka,” Katie said.
“Yeah, well. I think his affection lies elsewhere.”
“Well, you know what your opinion is like, Ray, and everybody has one!”
He drew his bushy brows together. “Tell me what you summoned me to hear so I can go on about my business.”
Katie studied him for a moment, wondering why he was so angry about Brad. She had half a mind to tell him to go on about his stupid business, but she wanted his opinion about the post office manager.
“Are you going to listen to me objectively?” she asked.
He raised and dropped one shoulder.
She took a deep breath. The day was really wearing on her patience. “I went to the post office yesterday and spoke with the manager about Hugh McKinney’s employment.”
“And?”
“And all the guy would tell me was that yes, Hugh McKinney had been an employee of the United States Postal Service,” Katie said. “You’d think he was a government agent or a soldier, but instead of being instructed to divulge only his name, rank, and serial number, the man was programmed to say that Hugh McKinney was once an employee there.”
“What did you expect, Katie? Did you think the man would tell you that Hugh McKinney was doing something inappropriate and that they let him take early retirement rather than fire him?”
“Well, not exactly, but I expected him to be a little more forthcoming than he was.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, Your Majesty. The post office manager was merely doing his job and failed to fall at your feet like so many of your other conquests.”
“Get out.” Katie rose from behind her desk, determined to throw him out bodily if she had to.
Ray stared at her for several long seconds, then pivoted and walked away.
Katie slammed her door behind him. Then she opened it and slammed it again, just to drive home her point.
What nerve! She had no conquests! What in the world was the matter with him? She and Ray had been friends for years. Okay, almost a year. He’d known almost since he met her that she was dating Andy and hadn’t minded the fact, yet now he seemed downright jealous of Brad. Did he think maybe she was cheating on Andy with Brad? But, surely he knew her better than that! How dare he question her character!
She came down hard on her office chair and then got right back up. She was so angry she knew she needed to cool off before she could deal with work and/or her vendors. But she wasn’t about to walk around Artisans Alley. Instead, she left her office and exited the building via the door to the vendors’ lounge.
A few cars dotted the back parking lot and Katie headed for the perimeter. It was going to take more than a circuit or two to cool her flaming ire.
Fourteen
Katie finally calmed down and even managed a smile as she walked into Tealicious for lunch. It had only been two days, but she could already see how much Brad had improved the tea shop. By changing the music and tweaking the decor, the entire atmosphere had changed to that of elegance and class. The place had been entirely too laid-back with Janine in charge. Laid-back was fine for a diner or café, but people expected a different ambiance when they stepped into a tea shop.
The dining room was packed. Of course, it hadn’t hurt that Margo had sent a press release to all the regional news outlets announcing the addition of world-class chef Brad Andrews to Tealicious. When Katie had first received Margo’s email with the already-sent press release attached, Katie had been just a wee bit irritated. How dare Margo Bonner interfere with Katie’s running of Tealicious? The woman had been given the option of a partnership, but she’d eschewed it in favor of providing Katie a loan to take over the shop.
Now that Katie saw the number of people waiting to be served, as well as those already seated in the dining room, she begrudgingly had to admit that Margo had done a brilliant piece of marketing. Maybe her former mother-in-law had wanted to ensure timely repayment of that loan, though she needn’t worry about that—Katie felt sure she should be able to pay it off well ahead of schedule. Still, Katie realized she should be gracious and send Margo some flowers to show her appreciation. After all, it was entirely possible she’d simply been trying to help. And Katie certainly couldn’t argue with the result.
A smiling Brad beckoned for her to join him. Katie sidled past th
e packed tables. Arriving at his side, she leaned forward conspiratorially. “Has it been like this all day? I mean, it was busy yesterday but nothing like this.”
“It has. I’ve even signed a couple of autographs, believe it or not.”
“Maybe people expect you to move on to bigger and better things soon—perhaps even a television gig,” Katie said, with a smile. “I can see that happening. You have the face and voice for TV.”
“You think?” He grinned. “What’re you having today?”
“The seafood salad and hibiscus tea.”
“Terrific. I’ll add a shortbread cookie as well.”
“Please don’t. I’ll have to walk two extra laps around the Square tomorrow morning as it is.”
He scoffed. “Nonsense. You have to try one. They’re tiny.”
“Okay, but just one.”
“Take a seat—that table over there is empty. I’ll have one of the girls bring your lunch out.”
Katie nodded and threaded her way across the dining room to an empty table by the window.
One of the servers, Emma, was bussing the table next to Katie’s. She stepped closer and said softly, “Thanks for hiring Brad. He’s amazing to work for—at least, so far—and he’s absolutely dreamy.”
“I’m glad you’re pleased.” Katie tried to hide a grin as she shook her head.
“Is there anything I can get you?” Emma asked.
“Brad took my order.” She heard a bell ringing in the kitchen. Emma hurried to answer and a moment later came out with a tray. Brad had done as she’d asked and only added the one cookie. Katie tasted her salad, which was every bit as delicious as she’d imagined it would be.
Katie eavesdropped on the conversations around her. Everyone seemed happy with the food, the ambiance, and she felt a flush of pride in her new business.
She finished her lunch—even the not-so-tiny shortbread cookie—and was debating getting more tea to take back with her to Artisans Alley, when Harper and Mary Jones came through the door. Katie cringed, remembering all too well Paul’s unwelcome nighttime visit. She hoped the couple wouldn’t see her, but her hopes were dashed.
Mary nudged Harper, and the two engaged in a whispered exchange. And then they headed straight for Katie’s table.
The Harpers couldn’t possibly accuse her of any wrongdoing. She was here first and in her own establishment, for goodness’ sake. She had more right to be at Tealicious than anyone. She straightened her spine and lifted her chin.
“Hello, Katie,” Mary said, and her voice actually sounded pleasant.
Katie didn’t trust Mary’s politeness not to be a trick. “Hello.”
“Fancy seeing you here,” Harper said, barking out a brittle cackle. Laughter coming from this man was as incongruous as roller skates on a zebra. “Just kidding. I know this is your place. Fine job you’ve done with it, too.”
“Thank you.” Katie was aware that her voice was flat and filled with suspicion, but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t trust these people.
“Paul said he came to see you the other night,” Mary said. “He told us he accused you—to that meddlesome Detective Schuler, no less—of bothering us. I told my baby brother that you’d done nothing but come to express your sympathy over Ken’s death and that you even brought me a lovely box of candy.”
Katie shifted in her chair, trying to angle her body away from the Harpers and toward the door. “I appreciate your setting the record straight.”
“Paul has always been a little overprotective of his family,” Mary continued. “You wouldn’t think that of the baby of the family, would you? But little Paul always was a bulldog.”
Little Paul?
“What . . . what brings you to Tealicious?”
“Lunch—same as you,” Harper said. “But, I imagine yours is free since it’s your place.”
Katie didn’t appreciate his snarky tone. “Not at all. I pay for my food just like everyone else. I’m the owner, not a freeloader.”
“Well, good for you,” Mary said. “I just hope that doesn’t mean you’re paying for the food twice.”
Katie merely shrugged, having no desire to discuss her business—or anything else—with Harper and Mary Jones. “I hope you enjoy your lunch as much as I’ve enjoyed mine.” She stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to Artisans Alley.”
“You know, if that newspaper article wasn’t lying about how good the food is, I believe we will,” Harper said.
Katie paid for her lunch and left her pretty little tea shop. As she walked back to Artisans Alley, she wondered why the Joneses had been so nice. The day she took the candy to Mary, the woman had practically thrown her out . . . and she’d definitely been hiding something. Harper had never been anything other than belligerent. Were they being amiable because they’d discovered she owned Tealicious? Ownership of the tea shop would, she supposed, lend her offer of buying their building—along with the rest of the interested Victoria Square merchants—more credibility.
No, there had to be more to their cordiality than the fact that they’d discovered she owned Tealicious. McKinlay Mill was a small town. Most of its residents didn’t need to read in a newspaper that Katie had taken over the tea shop six months ago. More than that, Katie didn’t trust either Harper or his wife. They’d been nice to her for a reason. But what could that reason possibly be?
* * *
—
Hours later, Katie was laboring over a stack of bills when Andy stopped in to see her. She smiled, stretched, and stood to embrace him.
“What a wonderful surprise.” She noticed then that he held a small white bag. “What’s that?”
“It’s a cinnamon roll. I was afraid you didn’t take time to eat.”
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness,” she said. “I did have lunch, though. I went to Tealicious. When I was there this morning, Brad was making a seafood salad that looked divine. So when you had to cancel, I decided to go try it.”
Andy raised his eyebrows slightly. “Was it good?”
“Fantastic. You’ll have to try it sometime.”
“I will. You know, if you’d rather start going to Tealicious for our lunch dates, that would be fine.”
Katie shook her head. “Absolutely not. There’s a reason we don’t normally have our lunch dates at either of our restaurants. Our lunch dates are for putting our work aside for an hour and focusing on each other.”
Andy pulled her in for another kiss. And another.
Finally, Katie pulled back, a satisfied smile lingering on her lips. “Thank you for the cinnamon roll. I’ll save it for later.”
“That’s fine. I really just needed an excuse to see you. Your smile always brightens my day.”
“Wow. Is there any way we can play hooky for the rest of the day?” she asked, grinning.
Andy sobered. “I’m afraid not.”
“Then, would it help get you through the day if I promise to give you a back rub tonight?”
He smiled. “Absolutely. You’re the best.”
“What’s going on today? Did someone call in sick, or are you having an especially busy Tuesday?”
“Neither, but when Erikka came in, she told me that she got a letter from the school system saying that her part-time position has been eliminated.”
“Oh, no,” Katie said. “Poor Erikka. There goes her excellent benefits package.”
He held up a finger. “Not exactly. There’s a full-time position doing the same type of work that has become available, and the school system is offering that job to Erikka. They need to know by mid-July whether or not she accepts the position.”
“Are you saying that Erikka is either going to have to go full-time with the school system or lose her job there altogether?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” He sighed. “And if Erikka goes
full-time, I’ll most likely lose my assistant manager.”
Katie hugged him. “Oh, Andy. I’m sorry.”
And she was sorry that Andy was going to have to hire and train another assistant manager. But the thought of lovely Erikka leaving Angelo’s Pizzeria for good made her heart soar. And even better for Katie, it actually was a wonderful opportunity for Erikka.
The crappy day had totally turned around. Nothing could spoil it now. But just to make sure, Katie crossed her fingers—hard.
* * *
—
Things were definitely looking up. So much so that Katie was practically skipping later that afternoon when she left her office to stretch her legs and walk around Artisans Alley to see how everything was going. But when she passed the cash desks, she noticed Rose slumped on a stool at cash desk one with her chin lowered to her chest.
“Rose? What’s wrong?” Katie moved around behind the desk, afraid that Rose was on the verge of collapse.
Rose raised her head, and tears shimmered in her clear blue eyes. “Shin splints. If my legs don’t get better soon, I’ll have to bow out of the walkathon. And I’ve trained so hard for it!”
Katie put an arm around Rose’s shoulders. “Have you been to the doctor?”
“I saw him yesterday afternoon. He told me I have bone-related shin splints.” She drew a shuddering breath. “I was afraid I had something worse—like a fracture. Dr. Peterson warned me that if I don’t stop walking until the shin splints heal, I really could get a stress fracture.”
“Rose, dear, you really need to be at home with your feet up.”
“I’ve never been one to put my feet up and laze about. You know that.”
“I do know that, but you have to take care of yourself,” Katie said. “We want you to get well so you can participate in that walkathon.”
Rose drew in a wavering breath.
“Are you okay to drive yourself home?”
“Of course. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to leave now. I want to get home to my computer to look up what I need to do to quickly recover. I’m afraid my doctor isn’t all that knowledgeable when it comes to how to fix this, other than advising rest.”
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