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“Save Gold Leaf Valley! Save our senior center!” The chanting reached the interior of the café the next morning.
“What’s going on?” Zoe rushed to one of the large windows and looked out. Seniors marched along the street in front of the coffee shop, waving signs.
Lauren joined her cousin. So did Annie.
“Brrt?” Annie looked up at Lauren and then peered through the large glass window.
“I think they’re protesting,” Lauren told the cat.
“But why are they doing it here?” Zoe asked. “We don’t have anything to do with the center closing.”
“There’s Martha.” Lauren gestured to the curly haired woman pushing her walker along the street. She’d tied a sign that read Save Our Senior Center to her handlebar.
“I recognize some of the protestors from last night,” Zoe said. “Look, there’s Denise.”
“I wonder if Barry is there as well,” Lauren mused, “since Denise is his assistant.”
“Is Mrs. Finch there?” Zoe squinted. “I can’t see her.”
“It might be too much for her. There’s Hans.” Lauren waved to him through the window. The dapper German waved back to her, a smile on his lips.
“Maybe we should offer them half price lattes while they’re outside our shop,” Zoe suggested. “They might be getting thirsty. I know we said we’d organize a discount for everyone next week, but—”
“It’s a good idea.” Lauren smiled.
“Brrt!”
“We could give half price coffees to the seniors outside and anyone who supports them for the next hour,” Lauren added.
“Awesome! I’ll go and tell them.” Zoe grinned.
This morning, business had been slow, so Lauren didn’t mind offering a big discount to the protestors. It would keep her and Zoe busy and they’d still make a profit – although a small one – on the lattes.
Annie trotted over to the Please Wait to be Seated sign, ready to greet the next customer who entered.
“Come on in!” Zoe held the door open. Hans and a few others walked into the café.
“Brrt?” Annie asked Hans.
“I think we will all sit together today, Liebchen.” His eyes twinkled as he looked down at her.
Annie looked at the three people crowding behind Hans, as if she were counting them.
“Brrt!” She walked sedately to a table that seated six, situated in the middle of the room.
“Thank you, little one.” Hans sat down. Annie hopped onto the spare chair next to him.
“What should we order, hmm?” he asked her.
“We can give you a twenty-five percent discount on the cupcakes,” Lauren said as she approached. “And half price coffee, hot chocolate, or tea.”
“Have you heard about Ralph Lapton?” Hans asked. “It was on the news this morning.”
“Yes.” Lauren nodded. If Hans been on his own, she would have told him that she and Zoe had discovered the victim, but she didn’t know the other three seniors who were with him, and what their reaction would be to her revelation.
“Brrt!” Annie jumped off the chair and trotted to the Please Wait to be Seated sign.
“Hello.” Martha peered over the top of her walker. “You must be the cat everyone talks about. You’re a cutie.”
“Brrt.” Annie sounded pleased.
Lauren hurried over to Martha. “Hans and the others are sitting over there.” She gestured to the large table in the middle of the room. Would you like to join them?”
“Why are you protesting outside our café?” Zoe had come inside.
“Because it’s prime real estate and lots of people will see us.” Martha grinned. “It will bring a lot of attention to our cause.”
“I would agree with you,” Lauren said, “but I’m afraid we’re not very busy this morning.”
“I’m sure that will change,” Martha told her. “We’re going to take turns coming in here and getting a half price latte. That’s a good deal.”
“Brrt?” Annie looked enquiringly at Martha’s rolling walker. She reached up and patted the seat with her paw.
“What’s she saying?” Martha asked.
“I think she wants to know if she can have a ride on your walker,” Lauren replied.
“Sure thing, cute gal.” Martha grinned at the cat. “Hop on!”
Annie jumped on to the padded vinyl seat.
Martha pushed slowly and the two of them trundled to the table where her friends were gathered.
Annie’s eyes widened at the rolling motion. “Brrt!” Look at me!
Lauren watched Hans make a fuss of the feline as she hopped off the walker and onto the chair next to him.
“I’ll get these lattes started if you take Martha’s order,” she murmured to Zoe.
“Sure thing!” Zoe dashed over to the table.
Lauren watched Zoe laugh with Martha as she scribbled down an order.
“Vanilla cupcake and a large cappuccino.” Zoe slapped the note down on the counter. “You didn’t make vanilla cupcakes today because Mitch is stopping by, did you?” she teased.
“No.” Lauren blushed at the lie. Vanilla was Mitch’s favorite.
“Today might turn out to be super busy after all.” Zoe eyed the triple chocolate, and lemon poppyseed cupcakes, and Ed’s apricot Danishes in the glass case.
“Have you told Ed what happened last night?” Zoe asked.
“No.” Lauren shook her head. “You know he doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s baking.”
“That’s for sure.” Zoe giggled. “We can tell him about last night later.”
“That’s if he doesn’t hear the commotion outside.” The sound of chanting grew louder as more seniors joined the protest.
“More business for us,” Zoe said brightly.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur as they made lattes, cappuccinos, and hot chocolate for their elderly customers. To Lauren’s disappointment, Mrs. Finch didn’t come in.
“Maybe we should visit Mrs. Finch after we close,” Zoe suggested during a brief lull. “Make sure she’s okay.”
“Good idea. I think Annie would like to come as well.” Lauren looked over at the cat. Hans had rejoined the protestors, and now Annie nestled in her pink cat bed.
“Ooh, it’s Ms. Tobin.” Zoe looked up from the latte she was making and waved to the tall, thin woman.
“I’ll go.” Lauren stepped around the counter and greeted their customer.
“Brrt?” Annie ambled up to Ms. Tobin, looking a little sleepy. Lauren was sure that somehow Annie knew how much Ms. Tobin looked forward to her interaction with her.
“Could you find me a table, Annie?” Ms. Tobin scanned the room. “You seem very busy, Lauren.”
“We’re running a half price coffee special for the protestors. And their supporters,” she added hastily. “Zoe and I saw you at the senior center party last night.”
“Yes, I saw you two as well,” Ms. Tobin replied. “In fact, I’m going to march with them as soon as I have a latte.”
“Then we’ll give you fifty percent off your coffee, and I’m also offering a discount on the cupcakes for this morning,” Lauren replied, not wanting the older woman to feel left out.
“That’s very nice of you,” Ms. Tobin replied with a small smile. “Thank you. Oh – I must tell you how delicious your cupcakes were last night. Are you going to make them for the café? I thought the maraschino cherry was an elegant touch.”
“It was a new flavor I made for the party,” Lauren told her. “But I can definitely make them for our customers.”
“Good. I’d love to have another one.” Ms. Tobin followed Annie to a small table near the counter.
Lauren watched Annie jump onto the chair opposite Ms. Tobin and “chat” to her for a couple of minutes.
“Should we take her order?” Zoe asked, holding a tray of four cappuccinos. “I’ve got to deliver this to the table in the back.”
“I’ll do it,” Lauren replied. Until recently, Ms. Tobin had expected table service, although they usually only did that for the elderly and infirm. Ms. Tobin was neither. But she had mellowed recently, and now usually walked over to the counter to order.
“She loved our cupcakes last night,” she told Zoe before her cousin threaded her way through the tables.
“Awesome!” Zoe grinned.
“What can I get you, Ms. Tobin?” Lauren asked as she approached the older woman and Annie.
“Brrt,” Annie said conversationally, glancing at Lauren.
“I’ll have my usual large latte, Lauren. And one of Ed’s pastries. But you didn’t have to come over here to get my order – I was just about to go over to the counter.”
“No problem,” Lauren said cheerfully.
“Everyone was so upset last night about Ralph Lapton’s announcement,” Ms. Tobin continued.
“So were we,” Lauren replied.
“Oh, have you heard about him? He was run over!” Disapproval flickered over Ms. Tobin’s expression.
“Yes.” Lauren nodded. She didn’t know whether to tell her regular customers that she and Zoe had found Ralph’s body. Perhaps she should talk it over with Zoe first.
“I do hope you and Zoe won’t get involved in his death.” Ms. Tobin tutted.
For a moment, she sounded like her old prickly self, but Lauren thought it might be from concern.
“I hope so too,” Lauren replied diplomatically. And right now, it was the truth.
Lauren filled Ms. Tobin’s order, wondering when Mitch would drop by. It might not be until his lunch break, or late in the afternoon. Would he have any news about the hit and run? Had it been an accident? Or had it been ... deliberate?
Lauren shivered as she remembered the disgruntled seniors from last night. Even this morning, in the café, they were talking about what they could do to stop the demolition of the senior center.
Lauren carefully placed Ms. Tobin’s latte and cupcake on the table.
“Are you coming to the meeting in the church hall this evening?” Ms. Tobin asked her.
“Yes, Zoe and I will be there.”
“Good.” Ms. Tobin nodded. “Perhaps we can all come up with some ideas about what to do.”
“I hope so.”
“Brrt!”
Annie departed back to her bed, settling down for a snooze.
“So good of her to sit with me for a while,” Ms. Tobin murmured as she gazed after the silver-gray tabby.
“She must know that you like her to do that,” Lauren offered. She hurried back to the counter, noticing a middle-aged couple ready to pay the bill.
At lunch time, Lauren was ready to take a break for the rest of the day – except she couldn’t. Zoe’s idea of half price beverages had been successful – perhaps too much so. But now, the crowd had thinned out a little in the café, and also outside on the street. Perhaps some of the seniors had gone home for lunch?
“Want your lunchbreak first?” Lauren asked her cousin.
“I’m okay. You go,” Zoe replied. “I can handle things here.”
“I’ll just tell Ed. He’ll help you if you need him to.”
“Go.” Zoe shooed her away.
Lauren pushed the swinging kitchen doors open. Ed stood at the workbench, working a batch of dough. His short auburn hair was shaggy, and his arms looked like monster rolling pins, full of muscle.
“Have you heard about the senior center’s landlord wanting to pull it down and build a resort instead?” Lauren asked.
“Yep.” Ed glanced up briefly. “And he was killed last night.”
“Zoe and I found the body – well, Zoe did.”
“Ouch.” Ed grimaced.
She told him she was taking a quick lunch break and left him to his dough.
Once inside the cottage, she sank onto a kitchen chair and wiggled her feet. Even wearing sneakers, her feet were tired already today.
Lauren grabbed a quick bowl of granola, promising herself a delicious dinner as a reward. Maybe she and Zoe could grab a burger after the meeting tonight, or order a pizza.
After fifteen minutes, she headed back to the café. She didn’t want to leave Zoe on her own for long with so many customers.
Zoe dashed off to the cottage for her own lunch, grabbing a panini as she did so.
Lauren surveyed the customers eating, drinking, and talking to each other. Annie dozed in her cat bed. Everything was under control.
Mitch entered the café, and immediately Lauren’s heartbeat went haywire.
“Hi.” He strode to the counter.
“Hi,” she greeted him. Even after a couple of months of dating, she still felt shy and breathless in his presence.
“I had to walk around the protestors to get in here.” He chuckled.
“Apparently, this is prime real estate.” She told him about Martha’s reasoning for holding the protest outside.
“Are you going to the meeting tonight?”
“Yes. Are you?”
“I have to work late today. But maybe we could have dinner together tomorrow night?”
“Yes.” Lauren smiled.
“Good.” He stood gazing at her for a moment, his dark brown eyes warm. Clearing his throat as if he suddenly remembered something, he said, “Your car’s been checked out and it’s in the clear. I’ve parked it outside your cottage.”
“Thank you.”
“Because we’re seeing each other, I have to recuse myself from the case.”
“I understand,” Lauren replied. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Was it an accidental hit and run?” Lauren asked.
“We don’t know for sure yet.” His face tightened. “The medical examiner is still working on it.”
They talked for a few more minutes, then Mitch ordered a large latte.
Lauren ground the coffee beans and steamed the milk, the grinding and hissing soothing to her. She picked up a vanilla cupcake with the tongs and placed it into a brown paper bag for him.
“From me,” she said when he looked at her in surprise.
“Thanks.” His smile lit up his face.
Zoe came back from her lunch break a few minutes after Mitch had departed.
“What did I miss?” She looked around the café.
Lauren smiled to herself. “I’m seeing Mitch tomorrow night.”
“Can you ask him if he can find a gorgeous blind date for me?” Zoe joked.
“I already have,” Lauren replied. “Last night. He’s going to try.”
“You’re the best.” Zoe beamed at her. “Otherwise, I might take up Martha on her offer to introduce me to someone.” Her gaze landed on the string-art picture of a pink frosted cupcake hanging on the wall opposite.
“Going to do more string-art?” Lauren asked.
“I can’t decide what to make,” Zoe replied. “I’ve created so many in the last three months – one for you, one for me, one for Annie, one for here, one for Ed, one for Mrs. Finch, Hans, Father Mike, and even Ms. Tobin.” She giggled at that. “I might be getting all—”
“Don’t say it.” Lauren shook her head.
“Maybe I should see if Mrs. Finch has any craft ideas,” Zoe mused. “Has she been in yet?”
“No. We should check on her after we close this afternoon.”
“It will be tight if we don’t want to be late for the meeting, but yes, we should.”
The afternoon wasn’t as busy, which Lauren was grateful for. At three o’clock, Annie ambled over to the door of the private hallway.
“Brrt,” she called to Lauren.
“Do you want to take the rest of the afternoon off?” She stepped around the counter and reached the feline. Only a few tables were occupied right now.
“Brrp,” Annie agreed.
“Okay.” Lauren smiled as she unlocked the door and watched Annie scamper down the hall and through the cat flap.
“I wish I could go home, too,” Zoe joked as Lauren returned to the counter. “Maybe I need a little pick me up.”
“You’re reading my mind.” Lauren ground the beans for two regular mochas. “Maybe we should save a cupcake for each of us.”
“Now you’re reading my mind.” Zoe grinned.
Ed poked his head through the kitchen door. “I’m heading home now, Lauren.”
“Okay,” Lauren replied.
“Are you going to the meeting tonight?” Zoe asked him.
“Maybe,” he replied. “Father Mike might be able to come up with an idea to help the seniors.”
“We’ll be there,” Zoe told him.
He nodded, then retreated inside the kitchen.
As soon as Lauren’s watch read five o’clock, she locked the front door. Their last customer had departed two minutes ago.
“Let’s clean up quickly.” Zoe started stacking the wooden chairs onto the tables.
Lauren plugged in the vacuum and ran it around the wooden floorboards. She’d already peeked into the kitchen and Ed had left it sparkling clean. All they had to do was wash the last few dirty cups and plates. Although she had a dishwasher, sometimes it was quicker to do a few dishes by hand.
“I’ll take care of the kitchen.” Zoe finished stacking the chairs. “And then we can check on Mrs. Finch.”
“I’ll see if Annie wants to come with us.” Lauren finished vacuuming, then dashed through the private hallway to the cottage.
“Brrt?” Annie asked, looking up from lapping at her bowl of water in the kitchen.
“Would you like to quickly visit Mrs. Finch?” Lauren asked.
“Brrt!” Yes!
“You’ll have to wear your harness.” Lauren unhooked the lavender contraption from the kitchen wall.
Annie’s mouth settled into a pout, but she allowed Lauren to buckle it on.
Lauren stroked her silver-gray fur, marveling once more at how soft and velvety it felt.
“We’ll come home after we see Mrs. Finch, then Zoe and I have to go to a meeting at the church hall,” she told the cat. “To see if we can help Mrs. Finch and her friends keep their senior center.”
“Brrp,” Annie replied, as if she understood.
“Zoe might have finished the dishes by now.” She and Annie walked down the private hallway and into the café.
“All done.” Zoe came out of the swinging kitchen doors. “Let’s go!”
They walked around the block to Mrs. Finch’s house.
“I hope she’s okay,” Lauren said as they neared the sweet, cream painted Victorian house. Mrs. Finch had a small front yard with a neat lawn.
“Me too.” Zoe knocked on the door.
“Hello, girls.” Mrs. Finch slowly opened the door. “Hello, Annie, dear.”
“Brrt!”
“We just wanted to see if you were okay,” Lauren said.
“Are you going to the meeting tonight at the church hall?” Zoe asked.
“I don’t think so,” Mrs. Finch sounded regretful. “I enjoyed last night – until Ralph made his announcement – but I think two evenings out in a row are too much for me right now. I was planning to come to the café today, but ...”
“We understand,” Lauren replied.
“We’re still on for string-art club Friday night, aren’t we?” Zoe asked.
“Of course.” Mrs. Finch smiled. “I do so enjoy our little get-togethers.”
“Awesome!”
“We’d better get going,” Lauren said, glancing at her watch, “if we want to get to the meeting on time.”
“Of course. And you can tell me all about it tomorrow when I come to the café.”
“We will,” Zoe assured her.
They waved goodbye to her, and walked back to their cottage. After Lauren gave Annie her dinner, she and Zoe grabbed their purses and strode to the church hall. It wasn’t very far away, and it seemed silly to drive such a short distance.
“Phew!” Zoe remarked. “All this exercise is giving me an appetite!”
“I wouldn’t mind going to the diner for a burger afterward,” Lauren admitted, “or getting pizza.”
“Deal.” Zoe grinned. “Either sounds great to me.”
They approached the cream painted church. Groups of seniors stood outside, talking to each other.
“There’s Hans.” Zoe waved to him.
“And Martha.” Lauren watched the older woman push her walker into the church hall.
“And a lot of people who were at the protest today,” Lauren observed, smiling at them.
“Maybe we should go inside and get a seat,” Zoe murmured. “I hope there are enough chairs for everyone – after the day we’ve had, I don’t know if I could stand for another couple of hours.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Lauren replied, her feet beginning to ache once more.
They entered the hall. Black folding chairs had been set out in rows, and half the seats were filled already.
“Let’s sit at the back,” Lauren suggested. “We should still be able to hear well.”
“Because some of the others might need to sit up front,” Zoe finished the thought. “Good idea.”
To their relief, there were plenty of vacant chairs at the rear.
“Hi, Father Mike!” Zoe greeted the priest.
“Hi, girls.” He smiled at them, then sobered. “I guess you’ve heard by now what happened to Mr. Ralph Lapton.”
“Mm-hm,” Zoe replied. She lowered her voice. “We were the ones who found him.”
“My goodness!” His eyes widened. “I’m sorry, I had no idea.”
“We haven’t told anyone – well, except for—”
“Ed,” Zoe finished.
“Do you have any news about his death, Lauren?” Father Mike asked. “Forget I asked,” he said a second later, looking embarrassed. “It’s just that you’re dating Mitch and—”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t know anything,” Lauren told him.
“Except that we’re in the clear,” Zoe added. “Well, Lauren’s car has been cleared – the police checked it all over.”
“Good.” Father Mike nodded. “It looks like we’ve got a large turn-out for tonight.” He frowned for an instant. “Eventually, Barry from the senior center will have to contact Ralph’s wife and find out what she intends on doing with the property.”
“Do you think she’ll inherit it?” Lauren asked.
“That’s my guess,” the priest replied.
“When will we know, do you think?” Zoe asked.
“I have no idea.” Father Mike looked regretful. “But in case Crystal does go ahead with the scheme to build a resort, I think we need to come up with a plan.”
More people walked into the hall, and Lauren and Zoe left Father Mike to greet them.
“I hope everyone’s got some ideas.” Zoe stifled a yawn. “Right now, I don’t have anything.”
“Me either,” Lauren said regretfully. She hadn’t even had time today to mix up cake batter for the morning.
After a few more minutes, the hall filled up. She spotted Ed in a middle row, talking to another man. Multiple conversations buzzed around her and Zoe, until Father Mike called for quiet. Barry, the director of the senior center, and his assistant Denise, stood on either side of the priest at the front of the room.
After saying a few words about the problem the senior center faced, Father Mike called for ideas.
“Unfortunately, the owner, whoever that is going to be now,” Barry said, “is within their rights to not renew our lease. But there are avenues we can explore. For instance, the new owner will need building approval to build this proposed resort. We can object, and make sure it all goes through the proper channels.”
“But where will we go if they don’t renew the lease?” a man shouted.
“My house is too small for everyone!” a bald man chortled.
“The church can host some activities right here,” Father Mike told them. “I’m sure we can arrange movie nights and card games.”
“That will be very helpful,” Denise told the priest, “and we appreciate the offer. But a lot of people depend on our hot lunch program, and the kitchen here is too small – even if we were able to use it,” she added hastily.
“Have sandwiches instead,” a large woman called out.
“Lauren and Zoe could make us cupcakes,” Martha suggested.
Lauren looked at Zoe with wide eyes. She would welcome the extra business, but how many extra dozen cupcakes would she need to bake each day?
“You can’t eat cupcakes every day,” another woman scoffed.
“You can’t?” Zoe whispered to Lauren. “You can in my world.”
Lauren stifled a smile. “Mine too,” she whispered back.
“Who killed him?” a man asked.
“We don’t have any news as to that,” Barry said a trifle pompously. “I’m sure it will be on the front page of the newspaper if the police make an arrest.”
More and more suggestions were shouted out, as well as people wondering aloud if the hit and run had been accidental or deliberate.
Father Mike took control of the meeting once more.
“I suggest we make a list of what activities you’d like to continue here, in the hall,” he said. “If the worst comes to the worst and your lease isn’t renewed.”
“Poker!” Martha shouted.
“I’ll pass a list around and you can write down what you’d like,” Father Mike said.
“Have these young ones got any ideas?” A man with a pot belly stood up and pointed to Lauren and Zoe.
Lauren’s face flamed as most of the seniors turned around and stared at them.
“I do.” Zoe stood. “Like I suggested last night, you could do a crowdfunding campaign. But instead of raising money to buy the property from whoever owns it now, you could raise cash to buy a block of land and build your own senior center. And no one would be able to take it away from you.”
“Yeah!” Martha pointed at Zoe. “I like that idea!”
“Our own senior center,” a few people murmured.
“It’s certainly an idea,” Barry spoke over the others. “And one we can definitely look into. But we’d have to find a suitable block of land that would allow the correct zoning. We’ll need to do everything properly and get building permission.”
“We can build it ourselves!” the pot-bellied man called out. “We did it before and we can do it again!”
Cheers of “Yeah!” rang out.
Denise, Barry’s assistant, called for quiet.
“First, we’ll need to find out what’s going to happen with our current lease. But we can try crowdfunding to raise the money for our own land, so something like this won’t happen to us again. Tomorrow I’ll research which site is best to use for raising funds.”
“Why don’t we have another meeting in a couple of days’ time?” Barry proposed. “We can hold it at the senior center since the lease is still current, and Father Mike, you’re certainly invited.”
“Yeah!” the seniors enthused.
The meeting broke up shortly after.
“I knew you were a zippy gal.” Martha wheeled up to Zoe and Lauren. “Good idea.”
“Thanks,” Zoe replied. “It just popped into my head,” she whispered to Lauren.
Lauren nodded, and smiled at Martha, and the others who came up to say goodbye to them. The seniors seemed to be looking forward to the next meeting and told Lauren and Zoe they had to attend.
“Yes, you must be there,” Denise said before she left the hall. “I think crowdfunding is a great idea. I just hope we can raise enough money.”
“Me too,” Zoe said.
“And of course, we’d need to find a vacant block of land,” Denise continued. “One that’s not too expensive.”
“Ooh, if you lose the lease, can you dismantle the center and save all the building materials for your new one?” Zoe’s eyes sparkled. “Or does the improved building belong to the owner, even though you provided some of the supplies?”
“That’s a very interesting point,” Denise replied thoughtfully. “We’ll have to look into that.”
Lauren and Zoe made their way out of the church hall, waving goodbye to everyone.
“We’ll have to catch up with Hans when he comes into the café,” Zoe told Lauren.
“Definitely,” she agreed.
Lauren’s stomach growled by the time they reached Gary’s Burger Diner.
“I’m starving!” Zoe opened the door with a whoosh and they walked into the stainless steel and glass interior.
“There’s Cindy.” Lauren waved to the waitress at the hostess station.
“Hi, guys.” Cindy greeted them with a smile. Her long blonde hair was swept back with violet barrettes. “Are you dining in or taking out?”
“In,” Lauren and Zoe chorused.
“Take your pick.” Cindy gestured to the half-empty restaurant as she handed them menus.
They chose a two-seater in the middle of the room.
“I don’t see many people here from the meeting,” Zoe said as she studied the other diners.
A family of six occupied a large table, while a few middle-aged couples laughed and chatted as they ate huge burgers.
“Maybe they had their dinner before the meeting,” Lauren suggested. She didn’t need to look at the menu – she couldn’t wait to taste a smoky barbecue special.
“Early bird special.” Zoe grinned. “It’s a shame they don’t have that for people our age.”
Cindy came over to take their order.
“I bet I know what you guys would like.” Cindy smiled at them, her notepad ready.
“You probably do,” Lauren said with a rueful smile.
Zoe glanced at Lauren. They nodded at the same time.
“Yep, we’ll have the usual please,” Zoe declared.
“Coming right up.” Cindy winked at them before hurrying to the kitchen.
They didn’t have to wait long before they received their meals. Lauren’s plate was filled to the brim with golden fries, and a large burger. The juicy-looking meat patty hung over the edge of the bun, and fronds of crisp lettuce and slices of fresh tomato peeked out. The aroma of smoky barbecue sauce teased Lauren’s appetite. A chocolate shake finished off the meal.
Zoe’s order was identical.
“I just love this burger.” Zoe sighed after she enjoyed her first bite.
“Mm-hm,” Lauren mumbled around a mouthful of flavorsome beef.
Soft folk rock music played in the background as they concentrated on eating until Lauren finally pushed her plate away. A few fries and a little bit of burger bun remained on her plate.
“I think I’m stuffed.” Zoe patted her slim stomach. She’d eaten everything on her plate. She slurped up the last of the chocolate shake. “Now I’m good to go.”
“Me too.”
After paying, they turned to leave. The door swung open and Crystal walked in, furtively looking around as if to check nobody recognized her. She wore a tawny messy bun beanie with her distinctive strawberry-blonde locks poking out at the top, and large black sunglasses shielding her eyes.
Zoe drew in her breath.
Lauren watched Crystal hurry over to a small table in the rear, her faded denim jeans and white sweatshirt a total contrast to the gown she’d worn last night at the senior center party.
“Let’s say hello to her.” Zoe nudged Lauren.
Zoe zipped over to the widow. Lauren followed, wondering if they should disturb Crystal.
“Hi.” Zoe smiled at her.
“Oh – hi,” Crystal said with less enthusiasm. She took off her sunglasses and narrowed her green eyes, her expression clearing. “You were there last night. Cupcakes and coffee.”
“That’s us,” Lauren admitted. “Are we intruding?” She didn’t know whether she wanted Crystal to say yes or no.
Crystal shrugged. Zoe took it as an invitation to sit down at the table, eyeing the spare chair at the next table and then glancing at Lauren.
Lauren took the hint and dragged the stainless-steel chair over and sat down.
“You’ve caught me,” Crystal said in a low voice.
Lauren and Zoe looked at each other. Was Crystal going to confess to something?
“I’ve had a craving all day for these burgers,” Crystal continued.
“Do you live around here?” Zoe asked. “I haven’t seen you or your husband before last night.”
“We live – lived – in Sacramento, but we have a cabin nearby for getaways. That’s how I know how good the burgers are.”
“We’re sorry about your husband,” Lauren said.
“Thanks.” A not-quite smile touched Crystal’s lips. She stared at them for a moment. “The police said he was found by two women—”
“Guilty,” Zoe admitted.
“Huh.” Crystal sank back in her chair. “It really is a small world.”
“And this is a small town.” Lauren gave a tentative smile.
“How did you get home last night?” Zoe asked curiously. “You left before your husband did.” She seemed to ignore Lauren’s admonishing frown.
“I called a cab,” Crystal replied. “It wasn’t the first time I’ve left without him.” She shook her head. “There’s no point trying to reason with him when he’s like that. So I waited in the foyer for the cab to arrive.”
“Did you go back to Sacramento?” Lauren asked, despite herself. “Or to your cabin?”
“The house in Sacramento,” Crystal replied. “But this morning – when the police notified me—” she shuddered. “I just couldn’t face the neighbors today, so I drove to the cabin as soon as I could.” She hesitated. “I know your seniors were unhappy about his announcement last night, but they’re not the first who have felt like that. Our Sacramento neighbors are mad at him because he exceeded the building height on the barn he erected.”
“A barn in Sacramento?” Lauren frowned.
“He wanted a man cave.” Crystal sighed. “When he gets an idea – got, I mean – in his head, there was no stopping him.”
“What happened to the barn?” Zoe asked.
“He was supposed to amend it and take off the top part, but he hadn’t yet. The deadline was next week. The neighbors might have taken care of it by the time I go back there.”
“They hated it that much?” Lauren said.
“Yeah.”
There was a short silence.
“We went ahead with the meeting tonight,” Lauren remarked. “I hope that wasn’t inappropriate.”
“Oh, right. I totally forgot about that after – after ...” She blinked fiercely. “You guys do what you need to do.”
After an awkward moment, Lauren and Zoe told her briefly about the gathering at the church hall.
“Do you know what you’ll do with the senior center?” Zoe probed.
“Zoe!” Lauren whispered.
Crystal gave a short laugh. “Well, first I’ll have to see if I inherit.”
“You don’t know?” Zoe’s expression was skeptical.
Crystal scanned the room, as if checking for eavesdroppers, then leaned toward them. “I got the feeling lately that Ralph was thinking of looking around for a new wife.”
“No way!” Zoe’s mouth parted.
“I’m sorry,” Lauren offered.
“We’ve been married four years. I know I’m a trophy wife. But I was okay with that. We didn’t discuss money or wills, or any of that stuff. I didn’t even know what he intended to do with the senior center until we were on our way there last night.”
“Oh,” Lauren replied.
“Why did you marry him?” Zoe asked inquisitively. Lauren nudged her.
“Because he could be very charming when he wanted something,” Crystal told them. “And back then, he wanted me. I told myself marrying him was better than working for minimum wage. I was twenty-eight. I was fond of him – then. He said I could do whatever I wanted within reason, and he’d give me a generous monthly allowance that I could spend on whatever I liked. I thought it was a good deal, so I took it.”
“But now?” Zoe asked eagerly.
“But now ...” Crystal shrugged. “I don’t know how I feel. Even though our marriage wasn’t great right now, he was still my husband. And until I see his lawyer, I don’t know if I’ll be penniless or wealthy.”
Cindy came over to take Crystal’s order. Lauren and Zoe excused themselves, and left the diner.
“Wow,” Zoe murmured as they walked home. “I feel sorry for her.”
“Me too,” Lauren replied.
“I hope Ralph provided for her in the will,” Zoe continued.
“Definitely,” Lauren replied, then halted mid-step. She stared at Zoe. “Crystal didn’t say if she’d signed a pre-nup.”