Two weeks later…
“That will teach them,” Gran said, pinning a finger to the front page of The Star Lake Gazette. “They’ve retracted everything they said about you and issued a formal apology. Idiots.”
My grandmother was back to her normal self, seated on a barstool in front of the counter in the Starlight Cafe. Sue was beside her, sipping from a latte and reading the article over her shoulder.
“It’s front page news, Milly,” Sue said. “That’s amazing.”
“And they’re crediting her with having uncovered the true murderers.” Gran grinned at me, pride shining from her. “You’ve outdone yourself again, dear.”
“Stop it, you two. You’re making me blush.” I fanned my face then grabbed the pot of coffee from our second coffee machine and headed out among the tables of customers.
Yes. The tables of them.
For the first time since I’d taken over the Starlight Cafe, the place brimmed with activity. People had been coming in all morning, and it had been this way for the past week. It had started with my regulars, a few of their friends, and then it was as if the floodgates had opened.
Everyone wanted to try Frank’s old cafe.
It would’ve made my dad proud to see it, and that brought me so much happiness I could barely cope. But there was still that kernel of doubt. Of longing for my old life. I’d have to squash it out somehow, right?
I poured coffee for a table of customers then took an order from another and delivered it to the kitchen, where Fran and Noel cooked up a storm. Both were red-faced and happy at the extra work. They loved the cafe about as much as I did.
I exited into the main section of the cafe and stopped in my tracks.
Thomas stood near the cash register. Gran and Sue ignored him flat, continuing their conversation over the paper.
I squared my shoulders and walked over to him. “Thomas,” I said. “I didn’t hear back from you regarding our DNA test.”
“Yeah,” Thomas said. “I’ve been thinking a lot about how things went down between us, and I wanted to apologize. I think I came on too strong regarding the cafe. Look, the truth is, I just wanted to help you out.”
“Uh-huh. I believe you said you had a right to half of my father’s cafe.” I wasn’t going to call him our father unless I had real proof that Thomas was my half-brother.
Maybe that’s something I can check out in the future.
“Yeah, I was acting irrationally. It was wrong to talk like that, and I’m sorry,” Thomas said.
I didn’t reply.
“Look, I just wanted to apologize and say that, but, yeah, if you need any help, don’t hesitate to give me a call,” he said.
I nodded. “Sure. Thanks.”
Thomas lingered for a moment then gave a small wave and left the cafe. I put the coffee pot down and returned to my place behind the counter. “Well,” I said to Gran and Sue, “that was fun.”
“I heard what he said, dear. Sounds mighty suspicious to me.” Gran pursed her lips. “Now that there’s a DNA test to be taken, he doesn’t want to commit.”
“I agree,” Sue said. “Mighty suspicious.”
I shrugged. “I don’t have time for him today. I’m too happy to care about his silly interferences in our lives. Look at this place.”
Gran and Sue turned and admired the interior of the cafe, its dark wood floors, the kitsch checkered tablecloths, the happy customers eating the food prepared by my fantastic chefs. There was even a line in front of the waffle station where people piled syrup and treats atop their waffles.
“It’s amazing, Milly,” Sue said. “You should be proud of yourself.”
“Your father would be proud of you too.” Gran held my hand and squeezed it. “And this is only the beginning.”
“Only the beginning,” I repeated.
If I tried hard enough, breathed in the smells of the cafe, listened to the sounds, I could almost feel my father here with me. His solid presence beside me, his hand on my shoulder, proud that I had saved the cafe.
That I had made it back into the place he had always wanted it to be. I would never give up on his dream because it had become mine now too. A happy cafe, family and friends, in the perfect lakeside small town.
I placed my hand on my shoulder, absently, smiling.
Milly, Waffle, and Gran continue their adventures in the next book in the Milly Pepper Mystery series. Cheesecake Murder will be available on all major retailers in 2022!