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LAUREN SAT OPPOSITE Mitch at a new to her upscale restaurant in Sacramento. Soft classical music played in the background. Tables with crisp white linen cloths and silver cutlery dotted the room.
She’d already filled him in on what had happened during the last two days, including Annie and AJ’s play date.
Now, they were waiting for their entrees.
“I’m sorry I haven’t stopped by the café lately,” he told her. “I’ve been doing some overtime.”
“Oh?”
“I was going to wait until dessert.” He hesitated, then delved into his jacket pocket. “This is for you.”
“What is it?” Her gaze was glued to the small black box. “You’ve already given me a Christmas present. The beautiful map of the stars.” He’d also added his own message to it.
“This is something else. For being you.” His gaze warmed her.
She carefully opened the box. Nestled on a bed of satin was a gold chain necklace with the letter L.
“I didn’t want to get you a bracelet because I thought it might get in the way when you’re working in the café,” he explained.
She was sure her cheeks were crimson – they certainly felt that way.
“Oh, Mitch, it’s beautiful.” Her finger traced the L. She lifted the piece of jewelry and held it against her neck.
“Let me fasten it for you.” He pushed back his chair and came around to her. His fingers brushed the nape of her neck as he closed the clasp. “There.”
“Thank you.” She looked down at the L resting against her décolletage.
“I wanted to give you something special – because you’re special to me,” he said softly as he sat down again.
“You’re special to me, too,” she told him, blinking furiously. She was not going to cry.
The rest of the evening took on a dreamlike quality for Lauren – until the spell was rudely interrupted by a well-dressed portly man sneezing on her as they left the restaurant.
“Sorry,” the stranger muttered, mopping his nose with a linen handkerchief before entering.
“I hope I don’t catch a cold.” Lauren furrowed her brow. Maybe that was why business had been so slow on Thursday – people had stayed home, feeling under the weather.
“Take a shower tonight,” Mitch advised. “I’m sure you’ll be okay.”
Lauren nodded, determined not to let the incident ruin her evening. She glanced down at her necklace, the sight of the gold L instantly lifting her spirits.
As Mitch drove her home, they spoke about their plans for the following week, agreeing to go out Wednesday night.
“I hope Zoe and Annie aren’t spying on us tonight,” Lauren murmured when he pulled up outside her cottage.
“Let’s risk it.” He grinned.
He took her hand as they walked up the porch steps.
“I can’t see anyone,” Lauren said doubtfully, looking at the front window. On previous dates with Mitch, she’d learned later that the duo had peered out of the window to peek at them saying goodnight.
“Let’s give them something to look at,” Mitch suggested as he cupped Lauren’s face.
“What if I’m infectious?” she countered.
“I’ll risk it.”
He kissed her tenderly, wiping the memory of being sneezed on out of her mind.
They said goodnight a few times, then Lauren finally let herself into the cottage.
“I’m home,” she called out.
“We know.” Zoe and Annie suddenly appeared in front of her, both of them smiling.
***
ZOE OOHED AND AHHED over Lauren’s necklace, then nodded in understanding when Lauren said she was going to take a shower.
Lauren said goodnight to her cousin and went to bed, Annie nestled by her side. She put all thoughts of being sneezed on out of her mind, and thought about Mitch instead.
The next morning, all of them slept in – their Sunday treat unless they planned on going to church.
Lauren woke up, stretching, and swallowed. Oh, no. Her throat felt scratchy.
“I think I caught that man’s cold.” She looked at Annie with wide eyes.
“Brrt?”
“I think I’m getting a cold.”
“Brrt!” Annie jumped off the bed and ran out of the bedroom.
“I don’t think I’m infectious to you,” she protested.
A couple of minutes later, Zoe appeared in the doorway, Annie by her side.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Annie told me to come and check on you.”
“I’m sorry I thought you were scared of catching my cold, Annie,” Lauren apologized.
“Brrp.” Annie hopped onto the bed and bunted Lauren’s hand. All was forgiven.
Lauren told Zoe her suspicions.
“Oh, no! You haven’t had a cold for ages. Neither have I.”
“I know,” Lauren agreed, her throat suddenly feeling worse.
“Hot lemon and honey,” Zoe declared. “And wrap up so you don’t catch a chill. Ooh, and lots of tissues.”
“I think we’ve got all those,” Lauren replied.
“Good. You’d better rest today and tomorrow. Lucky the café is closed then.”
Lauren nodded.
“If your throat hurts, try not to talk too much.”
Lauren didn’t think that would be a problem, since Zoe was the more talkative of the two of them.
She spent the rest of the day following Zoe’s advice. If her throat wasn’t sore, it would have been very pleasant to relax on the sofa and finish reading her book, Annie by her side. She just hoped she would be better by Tuesday. She didn’t want to infect her customers, or Zoe.
Zoe was super solicitous, anticipating Lauren’s needs.
“You’d make a great nurse,” she told her cousin that afternoon.
“I can just see it. Nurse Zoe.” She struck a pose. “I wonder what I’d look like in a nurse’s uniform.” She giggled.
Lauren went to bed early that night. Surely with all the warm water, and honey and lemon beverages she’d had that day she would be better by morning?
But it was not to be. Her throat was still scratchy when she woke up on Monday.
“Brtt?” How are you feeling?
“The same.” Lauren wrinkled her nose.
“Brrt.” Annie sounded disappointed.
“I know,” she said softly, stroking Annie’s velvet soft fur.
Lauren had a quick shower, hoping the warm water would work some magic. For breakfast, she made herself some oatmeal, but after a few spoonfuls, didn’t feel like eating anymore.
“Oh, no.” Zoe walked into the kitchen and peered at her. “You’re still sick.”
“Yep.”
“Will you be okay while I get my hair cut this morning? If I go early enough I mightn’t need an appointment.”
“I’ll come with you.” Lauren took a gulp of orange juice. “Maybe the fresh air will do me some good.”
“You think?” Zoe sounded skeptical.
Lauren gazed out of the kitchen window. The sky was clear blue.
“I’ll be fine.” She tried to believe that.
“Well, okay,” Zoe replied. “But if you start sneezing, you’d better come straight home.”
“Yes, Mom,” Lauren teased, her voice a little husky.
“Brrt?” Annie asked. She sat on the kitchen chair next to Lauren.
“I don’t think Lauren should come with me to the hair salon, but she’s insisting,” Zoe told the cat. She put a piece of whole wheat bread into the toaster. “You’d better wrap up warm,” she told Lauren.
“So had you,” Lauren replied. “It’s only a scratchy throat, Zoe. I’ll be fine.” She willed herself to believe it.
After breakfast, Lauren put on her coat plus the scarf she’d knitted for herself last year.
“It’s a shame you haven’t finished knitting your hat,” her cousin said. “You could have worn that, too.”
Zoe was wrapped up in her colorful crocheted scarf and a red puffer jacket.
“On the way home we could stop by Mrs. Finch’s and arrange her home hair appointment with Brooke,” Zoe suggested.
“Good idea,” Lauren replied. “I won’t stand too near Mrs. Finch though, just in case.”
They said goodbye to Annie and stepped outside. Lauren thought a bracing walk to the salon would be beneficial.
By the time they got there, she’d had second thoughts. She should have stayed at home. Her throat felt worse and now she seemed to have developed a case of the sniffles.
“Zoe, I’m going back home because—”
“Wait.” Zoe clutched her arm. “What’s that?”
They’d just turned the corner and were facing the salon. The street was deserted at just after nine.
A heap of clothes lay on the sidewalk outside the salon. The lights were off and the shop seemed closed.
A cold feeling clutched Lauren’s stomach, a contrast to her hot, irritated throat.
“Oh, no,” she whispered. “Not another dead body.”