Kate recognized relief on Justin’s face as she and Maxi walked through the front door of the bakeshop.
“Hey, Cookie Lady,” he said. “Man, it’s been crazy since you left. We’re totally sold out of sourdough. And chocolate chip cookies. And those peanut butter cookies with the chocolate chips in ’em. OK, I might have eaten a few of those myself. And Andy Levy called. He wants to put in a standing order for sourdough, along with some white and wheat for sandwiches. He also wanted to know if you could give him a dozen sourdough rolls for something new they’re trying at the pub. Some kind of experiment with pot roast sandwiches. Which sounds pretty good right now. And you had three phone calls from people who want cookies for birthday parties. And one for a ‘gender reveal,’ whatever that is.”
“It’s a very new tradition that means more business for us. So, basically, awesome,” Maxi said, slapping her friend on the back. “Mention that they might want balloons, too. I do really good balloons.”
“Oh, Mrs. Más-Buchanan? You got a couple of messages, too. Mr. Kim wants some flowers for Mrs. Kim. One of the resorts called about flowers for a big dinner-dance. And one of your neighbors wants to know if you can make her front yard look like this place.”
Maxi fished two twenties out of her purse, handing them to Justin.
“Do any of the girls you know wear charm bracelets?” Kate asked him.
“Not that I’ve noticed. Not on the beach, anyway.”
“Silver wouldn’t mix with sand and salt water,” Maxi said. “Unless she just wore it for special occasions.”
“Why? Do you want me to ask around?” Justin offered.
“Could you?” Kate asked. “But quietly. I don’t want to get anyone in hot water.” Especially me, she added silently.
“Sure. No sweat. I’m gonna grab some grub and some nugs. See ya!”
“What did I tell you?” Maxi said, shuffling through her messages after he left. “Not only is everything totally fine, but we have some new clients. Whoa, Delores Philpott wants me to make her yard look like the Cookie House? That woman is gonna need a dump truck full of rye seed and a few less cats.”
Kate put her phone messages on the counter. How would a smart businesswoman prioritize? Return calls first, then whip up more cookies and sourdough.
As Kate sorted through the slips of paper, Maxi made another pot of coffee. Once she flipped the “on” switch, she snapped her fingers.
“Do you remember what you said when I asked you to describe the bracelet?” the florist said excitedly.
“I said it was heavy silver,” Kate replied, studying the phone messages and making notes on a small pad.
“And that it looked like an antique. I bet Rosie or Andre could tell us which of the local antique stores specialize in something like that. And if they can, we might be able to learn a little more about it.”
“That’s brilliant!” Kate said. “If we could find out when it was made, or what country it’s from, or what some of the charms mean—anything like that could help us pinpoint the owner.”
“Be funny if it belonged to Mary Larde or their mamacita,” Maxi said. “A little keepsake Roly Paulie swiped when he ran away from home.”
“If that’s the case, we can return it to her when she shows up to take over Lord Enterprises. I would so love to be standing there the first time she walks through that door. Can you picture the look on her face when she gets a load of that gold sink?”
“Or Blondie? That girl is toast.”
“At least she got some flowers out of the deal. How much do I owe you, by the way?”
“Nada. Those flowers are a symbol of true love. And you can’t put a price on true love. Although Leonard Kim will. And I’m betting it’s gonna be about fifty bucks.”
“At least let me pay half. And don’t think I didn’t see you slip cash to Justin. That’s a Cookie House expense.”
“Nah, it’s a get-Sam-the-heck-out-of-jail expense. But I’ll send you a bill. Instead of numbers, it’s gonna be little pictures of cookies I wanna try. And maybe some of those sourdough rolls. Those sounded good.”
“Sheesh, we missed lunch. No wonder we’re so hungry. Make you a deal. If you watch the shop for ten minutes, I’ll take Andy a half-dozen sandwich loaves and get us both some lunch. Anything special you want to eat?”
“Whatever he’s got ready to go. I am starved.”
“Two delivery-woman specials—got it,” Kate said. “I was also thinking, if we packed up my stuff after work I could move in tonight.”
“Tonight, tomorrow, next week. I don’t think Javie and Michael are gonna give up that tent, whatever you do. And I’ve kinda gotten used to having fresh cookies every morning.”
“It’s time,” Kate said, shaking her head. “You and Peter opened your home when I had no place to go. That blows me away. And if I leave before your poor husband gets too sick of me, he might not mind if I pop up for a meal now and then. You know, as long as I bring bread. Or pizza. Plus, there’s no more stalker danger. And I think we can be pretty certain the burglar’s not coming back.”
“Not unless he haunts the place,” Maxi said.
“Oh sure,” Kate replied, grimacing. “Like that won’t give me nightmares.”