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“I love having a husband,” Zoe Crenshaw told her cousin Lauren one Saturday morning, as they finished getting the café ready for their first customers.
“I can tell.” Lauren smiled. They’d both gotten married three months ago – Lauren to Mitch, and Zoe to Chris. Zoe’s wedding had been a complete surprise to everyone – including Zoe. She’d decided on the spur of the moment after Lauren’s ceremony that it was the perfect moment to marry Chris, and everyone had been pleased and surprised – including Chris.
“Last night when you took me home after craft club, Chris had finished his shift, and he gave me the best foot rub.” Zoe glowed. Lauren noticed that had started after their double wedding.
“And you’re going to keep your last name?” Lauren asked. They were both Crenshaws, but Lauren had changed her name to Mitch’s, which was Denman.
“Yep. Chris is cool with it.”
“Brrt!” Annie, Lauren’s Norwegian Forest Cat, agreed. She was a big, silver-gray tabby with long fur and a plumy tail. Lauren was positive some of their customers only visited so they could interact with her fur baby. Annie seated the customers and stayed to “talk” to them. She could usually sense which patrons wanted to interact with her, and which didn’t. And of course, she had some favorites among them.
Lauren glanced at her practical white wrist watch. “It’s nine-thirty. We’d better open the door.”
Zoe zipped over to the glass and oak entrance door, unbolting it.
She glanced around the café with a sense of pride. Her Gramms had left her this café, as well as the adjoining cottage. Not long after she and Annie moved here from Sacramento, and turned it into a cat café – Annie the only feline – Zoe had visited for the weekend, and decided to stay.
The walls were pale yellow, and the furniture consisted of pine tables and chairs. A string-art picture of a cupcake with lots of pink frosting decorated one of the walls – evidence of one of Zoe’s hobbies.
Lauren prepared the cupcakes and paninis, and they both made the cappuccino, lattes, mochas, and hot chocolates. Ed, her pastry chef, created the most wonderful Danishes, with light, flaky pastry that she envied.
This morning, she’d made her new cupcake – blueberry cream. Consisting of a vanilla crumb, vanilla frosting with a hint of cream cheese to give it a slight tang, underneath a generous helping of plump blueberries, it looked mouthwatering. Her other offerings today were lemon poppyseed, and triple chocolate ganache.
“Hi, guys.” Their friend Brooke, who owned a local hair salon, rushed in. Her chestnut locks were cut in a long bob with feathered ends and had attractive reddish highlights. The hair color flattered her friendly green eyes. She looked neat and efficient in jeans and a pretty blue sweater.
“Brrt!” Annie trotted over to greet her.
“Hi, Annie.” Brooke bent down and smiled at the feline.
“You’re back from your honeymoon,” Zoe observed.
“Yes.” Brooke blushed slightly. “Jeff and I had a great time. I’m sorry I haven’t stopped by since we returned.”
“When was that?” Lauren asked.
Since her wedding – or should that be since her and Zoe’s double wedding – she’d been busy with Mitch moving in the rest of his stuff into the cottage, adjusting to living together as a couple, making sure Annie didn’t feel left out, and running the café with Zoe as usual. At times it felt strange that Zoe wasn’t her roomie anymore, but her cousin was right – she loved having a husband as well.
“Last week,” Brooke admitted. “We visited the Caribbean.”
“Lucky you.” Zoe sighed dramatically. “Lauren and Mitch went to Hawaii, and Chris and I stayed right here, in little old Gold Leaf Valley.”
“And looked after Annie.” Lauren smiled at the cat.
“Brrt!” That’s right!
“And I wouldn’t change anything.” Zoe grinned. “Chris and I made it legal at the city hall in Sacramento while you were in Hawaii, and we’re saving up for our own honeymoon.”
“That’s great,” Brooke said. Glancing at her watch, she added, “That reminds me. I have to visit an old family friend today.” She looked around the café as if checking for privacy, but the place was empty, apart from the four of them.
“Ed doesn’t work on Saturdays,” Lauren informed her.
“That’s right.” Brooke nodded. “I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but I recently inherited my grandmother’s jewelry. The last few months have been such a rush with my wedding plans, working at the salon, and then the honeymoon.”
“And now coming home to a new reality,” Zoe observed.
“Exactly. Our cat wasn’t happy that we went away and boarded him, and took a day to forgive us after we took him home, and then there was the whole settling back in after the honeymoon – you know how it is.”
“Yes.” Lauren did.
“So, I received Grandmother’s jewelry after the wedding but before our honeymoon. We got married in early December, but we thought we’d wait until January to go to the Caribbean – Christmas is a busy time at the salon, and at Jeff’s flower shop.”
Zoe nodded vigorously.
“So,” Brooke paused. “Maybe it was silly of me, but I wanted the jewels to be safe while we were away. I went to the local bank to ask about putting them in a safety deposit box while we were gone. I know Gold Leaf Valley is a safe town to live in, and there would probably be a ninety-nine-point-nine percent chance that nobody would break into the house while we were gone, but—”
“I understand,” Lauren broke in. Mitch was a police detective and did everything he could to keep the town and surrounding areas safe. She thought he did a great job. But sometimes burglaries did happen, as well as the occasional murder.
“Yeah, it makes sense to keep your valuables protected,” Zoe agreed.
“Brrt!”
“While I was at the bank, Uncle Francis came out of his office, and told me there was no need to rent a safety deposit box – he would look after my jewelry personally.”
“I didn’t know you had family here,” Zoe said.
“He’s not a relation exactly – he’s an old family friend,” Brooke explained. “I grew up calling him Uncle Francis. He was originally from here, then he moved to Sacramento for his career, and then moved back here a few years ago, and now he’s the manager of the local bank.”
“Did you collect your jewelry?” Lauren asked curiously.
“No. I was thinking of visiting Uncle Francis this afternoon—”
“Why don’t we go with you?” Zoe volunteered. “It will be good to hear all your news, especially what the Caribbean is like, and I have to admit I am curious to look at your jewels.”
“Jewelry.” Brooke sounded amused. “It’s not like it’s the Crown jewels of England, but there is a gorgeous sapphire ring and a diamond necklace.”
“No wonder you wanted to keep it safe while you were away,” Lauren commented.
“Brrt!”
“If you two – three—” Brooke glanced down at Annie, “—wouldn’t mind coming with me, that would be great. Jeff is busy at the shop all day today, but you still close at lunchtime on Saturdays, don’t you?”
“Yep,” Zoe replied.
“Why don’t I meet you here this afternoon?” Brooke proposed. “What time is good for you?”
They agreed on three o’clock, which would give Lauren and Zoe time to eat lunch before meeting Brooke.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Lauren assured their friend, after making a latte for her.
“So am I.” Brooke lifted the cardboard cup in farewell as she left the café.
***
A FEW OF THEIR REGULARS came in that morning, but it wasn’t as busy as usual. When a couple entered and stood by the Please Wait to be Seated sign, Lauren glanced over.
“Brrt?” Annie trotted to greet them.
“Keith, it’s a cat.” The blonde woman, who looked a youthful fifty-something, nudged him in the ribs.
“I can see that.” He had short brown hair, and wore dark slacks and a gray sweater.
“Annie will seat you.” Zoe leaned over the counter.
“Really?” the woman asked.
“Brrt!” Yes!
“Follow her,” Lauren advised.
“You heard her.” Keith walked behind Annie as she led them to a two-seater at the rear.
“I wonder who they are,” Zoe murmured to Lauren. “I’ve never seen them before – have you?”
“No.”
“Maybe we should go and take their order.” A hint of impishness sparkled in Zoe’s brown eyes, and complimented her brunette pixie cut.
“Okay.” They weren’t very busy and they did take their customers’ orders sometimes – usually when they were infirm, elderly, or just plain harried.
“What can we get you?” Zoe zipped over to the couple. “I recommend everything!”
Keith smiled.
Annie had departed to her pink basket, as if sensing the couple weren’t too receptive to her company.
“How good is your coffee?” The woman pointed to the laminated menu on the table. “Are your lattes better than your cappuccinos? Or is it the other way around?”
Lauren felt Zoe bristle beside her.
“I think you’ll be pleased with whatever you order,” Lauren replied. “Otherwise, I’ll remake it for you.”
“I’m sure it will be fine, Christina,” Keith said.
“All right. I’ll have a triple shot latte,” Christina said after a moment. “Nothing to eat, though. Too much sugar isn’t good for me.”
“I’ll have a cappuccino and one of those blueberry cupcakes I saw when we passed the counter,” Keith requested. “Thanks.”
“Of course.” Lauren made a note on her pad.
“Back in a jiffy,” Zoe promised.
Lauren made the beverages while Zoe plated the cupcake.
“Oh, you’re giving them a swan.” Zoe admired the designs on top of the micro foam.
“I think we should make a good impression.” The advanced latte art course they’d taken a while ago had really paid off.
“I hope she – Christina – isn’t going to be another Ms. Tobin.”
Ms. Tobin had been their prickliest customer, but after they’d saved her from a romance scam, she’d become one of their most loyal patrons.
“And now Ms. Tobin is our friend,” Lauren reminded her.
“True,” Zoe admitted.
They took the order over. At the moment, the couple were their only customers.
“Thanks.” Keith looked at the cupcake in appreciation, the blueberries glistening on top of the vanilla frosting swirl.
“That does look good,” Christina grudgingly admitted. She leaned across the table, picked up the fork, and dug into it.
“Christina!” Keith frowned. “You are not doing that again, are you?”
“Why not? The judge said I was entitled to half of everything.”
“We’re not married now.” He pulled his plate protectively toward him.
“Why don’t I get you another fork?” Lauren headed to the counter.
“I thought she said she didn’t want to eat sugar,” Zoe muttered when she joined her.
Lauren nodded, grabbing the cutlery and returning to the table.
“Thanks.” Keith gave her a wry smile.
Christina took a sip of her latte, her expression lightening a tad. “Not bad,” she commented.
“Thank you,” Lauren replied.
“A not bad from Christina is like a great from someone else,” Keith confided. He took a sip of his cappuccino, his face brightening. “She definitely meant great.”
“Thanks,” Lauren said again. “Let me know if you’d like anything else.”
“Will do.” Keith took another sip.
A few more customers came in. Annie seated each one, and stayed to “talk” with a couple of them, while Lauren and Zoe filled the orders.
“I wonder what they’re saying to each other?” Zoe peered over at the back table, where Keith and Christina enjoyed their treats.
“It’s none of our business,” Lauren said.
“I think they’re divorced,” Zoe mused. “Christina said the judge gave her half of Keith’s stuff. I’ll see if they want something extra.”
Lauren reluctantly followed her. Sometimes Zoe could get a little carried away. She was an impulsive person, but had a good heart.
“Would you like anything else?” Zoe asked them.
“What is this mug?” Christina pointed to the pottery mug she held, with a painting of Annie wearing a floral headdress. She turned it around in her hands, an elegant sapphire and diamond bracelet sparkling on her wrist. “Lauren and Mitch and a date.”
“Zoe made them for the café,” Lauren explained. “I got married recently, and Annie was my maid of honor, along with Zoe.”
“And then Annie was my maid of honor, with a little girl called Molly. Lauren was my matron of honor.” Zoe grinned.
“Hmm.” Christina put the mug down, looking like she’d lost interest in the story already.
“Nothing else for me,” Keith told them. “It was delicious, though.”
“That’s what we like to hear.” Zoe beamed at him. She waited a beat, as if expecting Christina to say something similar, but instead, the woman acted as if they no longer existed.
“My brother was pleased you were able to fix his computer,” she told Keith.
Lauren headed toward the counter, Zoe slowly following.
“There wasn’t that much to do,” he replied. “I just had to reformat the hard drive.”
Once Lauren was behind the counter, she was out of earshot of the couple.
“It’s a shame Annie gave them a table at the rear,” Zoe murmured. “I’d love to know what they’re saying right now.” She looked over at Keith and Christina.
“It’s none of our business,” Lauren said again.
“I know. But ... I can’t help wondering about people sometimes.” A glimmer of a smile sparkled in her eyes. “Maybe that’s why I love it so much when we go sleuthing.”
“Well, right now, we need to start cleaning up.” Lauren glanced at her watch. “We’ll be closing in an hour, then grabbing lunch and meeting Brooke.”
Zoe glanced over at Annie’s basket. “I think Annie is snoozing now so she’ll have plenty of energy for this afternoon.”
“I think you’re right.” Lauren looked fondly at her fur baby.
“What’s Mitch up to today?” Zoe asked curiously.
“Taking some of the stuff from the junk room to the dump.”
After they’d returned from their honeymoon, they’d started going through all the things that had been in that small room – perhaps for decades. Some of it had belonged to her Gramms – but she didn’t think she needed several jars of rusty old nails, and odds and ends like that – and some of it belonged to her, from when she and Annie moved in, like cooking magazines that she’d only made a couple of recipes from, and now wondered why she’d bought them in the first place.
The sentimental and valuable things she decided to keep now resided in the closet.
“And tonight we’re having pizza at your place,” Zoe reminded her.
“I’m looking forward to it. I think Annie is, too.”
“I think we all are – and the pizza shop will when we place our order.” Zoe giggled.
Keith and Christina approached the register, Christina continuing to talk to him.
“And I can’t believe I couldn’t get a longer lunchbreak yesterday. I told my supervisor I needed to go to the boutique before it closed at four, and pick up my dress, but she didn’t care. “Rules are rules,” she mimicked a high-pitched voice.
“You couldn’t go today?” Keith asked.
“They’re closed on the weekend.”
“Your new job is a good one.” His voice became serious. “Now you can make your own living.”
Christina made a face at him. “Thanks,” she said after a moment, giving him a small smile.
“I’m glad I could help.” He sounded sincere. Turning his attention to Lauren and Zoe behind the counter, he said, “Christina’s paying for both of us.”
Christina made another face but pulled out her wallet from her handbag. Once again, Lauren noticed her beautiful sapphire and diamond bracelet – at least, she assumed they were real gems. Perhaps they were faux jewels instead?
Lauren processed the credit card.
“Everything was delicious,” Keith assured them. “I might be back.”
“Mmm,” Christina murmured non-committedly, following him out the door.
Zoe zipped over to their vacant table and gathered up everything. “She liked the latte well enough to drink it all.” She peered at the empty mug.
“Maybe this isn’t her sort of place,” Lauren replied.
“But it might be Keith’s.”
“Maybe.”
They tidied up and served the last few customers, so when it was closing time, they wouldn’t have much cleaning to do.
After Zoe whizzed around with the vacuum and Lauren closed the register and took care of the dishes, they were ready to eat their own lunch.
Annie woke up during Zoe’s vacuuming, and the trio trooped down the private hallway that connected the café to the cottage.
“What are we having?” Zoe looked expectantly at Lauren.
“I was going to ask you the same question.”
“Brrt?”
“How does chicken in gravy sound, Annie?” Lauren grabbed a can from the pantry, opened it, and spooned some into Annie’s lilac bowl.
“Brrt!” Annie’s pink tongue darted out to test it, then she ate enthusiastically.
“We’ve sold out of paninis,” Lauren said. “I have some tuna in the pantry – if Mitch didn’t take it for lunch yesterday.”
It was silent in the house, apart from the hum of the refrigerator. She guessed Mitch was still at the dump.
“That’s what I’ve noticed at Chris’s – I guess it’s my – our – place now. A can of something in the pantry I thought I’d have for my dinner, and then the next day – poof!– it’s gone. Chris ate it.”
Zoe glanced around the homey kitchen, which sported an old but large pine table and matching chairs, somewhat similar to the furniture in the café.
“You haven’t changed anything in here.” Zoe sounded pleased.
“Why would I?” Lauren crinkled her brow.
“Oh, you know, marriage, and Mitch.”
“I’m perfectly happy with the way things are in here,” Lauren assured her. “I think Mitch is, too.”
“That’s good.” Zoe nodded.
“Anyway, weren’t you here for dinner on Tuesday night? Everything was the same then.”
“I know.” Zoe smiled at her. “Maybe it’s because we were roomies for a lot longer than we’ve been married.”
“We’ve been married for three months.”
“Exactly.”
Lauren stifled a smile as she found the tuna in the pantry.
“I’m pretty sure we have some salad leaves and tomatoes.”
“And tonight we can pig out on pizza.” Zoe sounded delighted at the thought.
After a quick lunch, they got ready to meet Brooke outside the cafe.
“Uncle Francis only lives a few blocks away,” their friend assured them.
Annie led the way, wearing her lavender harness.
“I’ve been to the bank a few times and didn’t realize you knew the manager. Is he a short man with gray hair?” Zoe asked.
“Yes,” Brooke replied.
“I think I know who you mean.” Lauren nodded.
Annie stopped to sniff a blade of grass here, and a flower over there. It was a pleasant walk, the temperature not too low, and they weren’t in a hurry. The town dated from the Gold Rush era, and quaint Victorian houses lined the streets – a lot in good condition, and a few that needed work.
They rounded a corner, Brooke gesturing to a dwelling that looked well cared for. The house was white, with navy gingerbread trim, with a garage attached to the house on one side. The lawn was short, with a small blue spruce in the center.
“Uncle Francis doesn’t work on Saturdays, so he should be home. I called him this morning during my break and told him that I’d come over this afternoon.”
Annie looked around curiously, leading the way up the little garden path to the small porch.
Brooke pressed the bell. Ding dong.
“Hello, my dear.” A short man with gray hair opened the door. He was dressed neatly in brown slacks and a gray sweater. “Come in, come in.”
“Hi, Uncle Francis.” Brooke smiled at him. “These are my friends – Lauren, Zoe, and Annie.” She gestured to the feline. “They run the Norwegian Forest Cat café.”
“Brrt!” Hello!
“What a beautiful cat.” Uncle Francis admired the silver-gray tabby.
“Brrp.” Thank you. Annie looked pleased at the comment.
“Come in, all of you.” He motioned for them to enter.
They walked down a wide hallway decorated in cream, and then into a large living room with a comfortable looking brown leather sofa and matching armchairs. A polished oak buffet stood behind the seating, sporting a bottle of bourbon and fancy glasses. A large screen TV sat on a sturdy-looking oak coffee table.
“How was the honeymoon, Brooke?” He motioned for them all to sit down.
Lauren sank down into comfortable sofa, as did Zoe. Annie sat demurely on the beige carpet in front of Lauren, while Brooke and Uncle Francis took the two armchairs.
“It was wonderful,” Brooke replied. “I’m sorry I haven’t been by sooner, but—”
“I understand.” He nodded. “I thought your wedding was wonderful – you and Jeff seem very well suited and I’m sure you’ll be happy together – but it can take time to settle in together – even if you were living together before the wedding.” His voice took on a teasing note.
Brooke’s cheeks turned a little pink.
“So, I assume you’ve come to collect your grandmother’s jewelry?”
“Yes,” Brooke replied. “Thank you for looking after it for me.”
“No problem at all.” He rose. “I’ll just get it out of my safe.” He left the room.
Lauren looked at Zoe, who returned her glance. Then the three of them looked at Brooke.
“Should you go with him?” Zoe finally spoke.
“Brrt?”
“I trust Uncle Francis,” Brooke replied. “Maybe he doesn’t want us to see the combination to the safe.”
“That makes sense.” Lauren nodded.
“I guess,” Zoe said. “But didn’t you take a look at the safe when you gave him your jewels?”
“Yes. He showed me where it was in his study, but then he asked me to turn around so I wouldn’t know what the combination was.”
“That’s probably a good policy to have,” Lauren mused.
“But we are totally trustworthy,” Zoe declared.
“He’s only just met us,” Lauren pointed out.
“True. He didn’t seem to recognize us from the bank.”
“I’m sure he has hundreds or even thousands of customers who have accounts there,” Lauren replied.
Measured footsteps signaled Uncle Francis’s return. His face was pale and his forehead shone.
“Is something wrong?” Brooke rose, her brow furrowing.
“I don’t know what’s happened.” Uncle Francis drew a checkered handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face. “I’m afraid your jewelry is missing.”