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The next day, Zoe pounced on Ed as soon as they arrived in the café at eight o’clock. Pastry tins rattled in the kitchen, signaling his presence.
A minute later, Zoe zoomed out of the kitchen, a big smile on her face. “Ed said anytime is good with him for the play date.”
“When would you like to have AJ come over, Annie?” Lauren asked the cat, who sat in her basket.
“Brrt,” Annie replied, washing a paw.
“I think I’ll have to guess what that means.” Zoe giggled.
“I’m having dinner with Mitch tonight,” Lauren told her.
“If he’s picking you up, I could borrow your car,” Zoe proposed.
“Of course.” Lauren nodded.
“But I don’t want you to miss out on watching them play together. They’re so cute.”
“I know.” Usually, Annie and AJ ran through the cottage, exploring each room, then cuddled up together, either having a snooze, or sharing Annie’s toys. They both seemed partial to Annie’s small stuffed hedgehog, with the toy taking a nap with them, nestled between their two furry bodies.
“What about if I run over to Ed’s straight after we close?”
“That would work,” Lauren agreed.
“Annie?” Zoe cocked an eyebrow in the feline’s direction.
“Brrt.” Yes.
“Then it’s all settled.”
“As long as Ed knows.”
“Oh, yeah.” Zoe zipped back to the kitchen.
As soon as the clock hit nine-thirty, Lauren unbolted the oak and glass entrance door, ready for their first customer.
She glanced at the row of pottery mugs on the counter. She hoped Zoe wouldn’t be disappointed if they didn’t sell quickly.
The first part of the morning passed fairly slowly. What would she wear on her date with Mitch tonight? She didn’t have an extensive wardrobe and tended to wear the same outfits on social occasions, just as she wore a work uniform of pale blue capris and apricot or peach t-shirts in the café. Zoe usually wore jeans or capris and brightly colored t-shirts, and they both wore aprons sometimes.
She’d already worn her plum wrap dress on Saturday night before – her mind shied away from what had happened after they returned to the B&B. What about—
“Hello.”
Lauren blinked as Donna and Barbara greeted her. They stood at the Please Wait to be Seated sign.
“Hi,” Lauren replied, her eyes widening.
“Brrt?” Annie ambled over to them, her eyes inquisitive.
“Isn’t she adorable, Barbara?” Donna nudged her sister.
“She certainly is.” Barbara bent down. “Hello.”
“Annie will show you to a table,” Lauren told them. “Just follow her.”
“Ohh, so this is Annie.” Donna nodded as she and her sister followed the feline through the café.
“Who are they?” Zoe whispered.
“Donna and Barbara.” Lauren kept her voice low. “From—"
“The B&B!” Zoe’s dark eyebrows climbed all the way up her forehead to meet her brunette pixie bangs.
“Yes,” Lauren murmured.
“What are they here for? What do they want?”
“A latte or a cappuccino? I did mention the café to them.”
“They’re coming over.”
Each table sported a menu, and on the menu was a request to please order at the counter. They relaxed the rule for the elderly, infirm, or harried.
Annie had strolled back to her bed, an alert expression on her face as she surveyed the quiet café. Apart from the sisters, there were only two other customers, and they were eating and drinking with apparent enjoyment.
“What do you recommend?” Donna asked as she approached the counter.
“Everything is delicious,” Zoe told her. “Hi, I’m Zoe, Lauren’s cousin.”
The sisters introduced themselves, and ordered a large latte each, an apricot Danish for Donna, and a triple chocolate ganache cupcake for Barbara.
“What brings you down here?” Zoe asked curiously as Lauren ground the beans for the espresso.
“We thought we’d take a little drive and check out your café,” Donna replied with a flap of her hand. “Our weekend was cut short by—” she lowered her voice “—you know.”
“The poor woman,” her sister sympathized. “And her poor husband. He seemed such a nice man.”
“Yes, he did,” Lauren agreed. She wondered how Harry was coping at a time like this and hoped he had family to turn to.
“Donna took the day off,” Barbara continued.
“I love taking time off work.” Zoe plated the baked goods. “We’re closed from Saturday lunchtime ‘til Tuesday mornings.”
“I’m fortunate that I don’t have to work,” Barbara told them.
“Is it usually so quiet on a Wednesday?” Donna broke in, looking around the room.
“No, usually it’s pretty busy,” Zoe told them a little defensively. “We had plenty of customers yesterday, and I’ve already sold some of my mugs. Look.” She gestured to the mugs lined up along the counter, her motion worthy of a TV show presenter.
“They’re certainly ... different.” Barbara picked one up, frowning as she turned it around in her hands. She traced the small bulge at the side.
“I made them myself,” Zoe informed them. “I painted Annie’s portrait on one side. See?” She leaned over the counter and tapped Annie’s likeness.
“That’s very enterprising,” Donna remarked.
“Thanks.” Zoe beamed.
“We can bring your order over to you,” Lauren told them, as she finished making a peacock design on the second latte.
“Thank you.” Donna led the way to their table.
Annie remained in her cat bed. Had she sensed that the sisters didn’t want her company?
“Have you heard any more from that detective?” Donna asked as she studied her latte. “This design is very clever.”
“Thank you.” She and Zoe had attended an advanced latte art class last year, and were now experienced making swans and peacocks, as well as the usual hearts, tulips, and rosettas that bloomed on the surface of the micro foam.
“No, she hasn’t heard from Detective Castern,” Zoe answered for her. “Have you?”
“Zoe!” Although, Lauren was curious about their answer.
“Not yet.” Barbara shook her head, then stirred her latte.
“We were so excited when we won – well, Barbara won the prize,” Donna told them. “And our suite was so beautiful. It looked just like the brochure. Did yours?”
“Yes.” Lauren nodded, the image of their perfect room arising in her mind. “I loved the lavender shower gel in the bathroom. Did you try that?”
“We had rose scented gel,” Barbara replied. “Poor Donna didn’t get a chance to try it. I was actually taking a shower when the murder happened.”
“No way,” Zoe breathed.
“I’m afraid so.” Barbara sighed. “When I shut off the water, I heard Donna screaming and came outside to see what was wrong. I never expected it to be poor Edna.”
“It was just horrible.” Donna shuddered and wrapped her hands around her mug. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about it anymore.”
“But it’s good to get these things off our chest.” Barbara patted her sister’s back. “We should let it all out, so it doesn’t build up inside us.”
“That’s true,” Zoe agreed. “Were you allowed to go home on Saturday night like Lauren and Mitch were?”
“Yes.” Donna nodded. “I’m afraid I didn’t like the detective who questioned us, but he told us to go straight home after taking our phone numbers and addresses. And in my case, my employer’s details as well. If he has any more questions for me, I hope he’s not going to show up at my work.”
“I should hope not.” Barbara frowned. “He should know it would be easy to find you – or me. We live together in Sacramento,” she told Lauren and Zoe.
“It’s only temporary,” Donna said. “A bit of bad luck. I’m fortunate that Barbara has room for me.”
“And for—”
“Oh look, your cat is coming over to us.” Donna swiveled in her chair.
Annie padded toward them.
“Brrt?” she asked, sitting on the floor next to Lauren and Zoe, who stood at the table.
“I think she’s asking if you’re enjoying your order,” Lauren explained.
“The coffee is wonderful,” Donna enthused.
“And so is my triple chocolate cupcake,” Barbara added.
Lauren and Zoe left the sisters to enjoy their treats, while Annie hopped up on a chair and joined the sisters.
“Don’t you think it’s strange they came all the way here from Sacramento?” Zoe asked as they reached the counter.
“Yes.” Lauren nodded. Maybe the sisters were curious about her café as they had claimed, and had been at a loose end. She’d been disappointed too that her romantic weekend had been cut short – in such a horrible way – so it was entirely feasible the sisters felt the same way.
“Maybe they couldn’t resist checking out Annie,” Zoe continued. She glanced over at the sisters’ table. Annie still sat on the chair, appearing to listen to their conversation, which consisted of a low murmur as well as a few admiring glances directed to the feline.
“That could be true.” Lauren smiled.
Before they could mull over the sisters’ appearance some more, the door opened and Ms. Tobin entered.
“Brrt!” Annie jumped off the chair and trotted to greet the newcomer.
Ms. Tobin had once been their prickliest customer, but she had mellowed in recent months, ever since Lauren and Zoe had warned her she was being scammed online. Tall, thin, and in her fifties, she used to wear outfits in depressing shades of brown. Now, her wardrobe consisted of lighter colors and more flattering shades. Today she wore an attractive amber dress and looked cool and comfortable.
“Hello, Annie, dear.” Ms. Tobin smiled slightly as she greeted the cat. “Where should I sit?”
“Brrt.” Annie waved her silver plumy tail and threaded her way through the tables until she reached one in the middle of the room.
“Thank you, Annie.” Ms. Tobin sat down at the small table. Annie hopped up on the opposite chair. “Lauren, could I have a word with you please?” she called a trifle imperiously.
“Uh oh,” Zoe muttered. “Don’t tell me the old Tobin is here.” Prickly Ms. Tobin had not been Zoe’s favorite customer; in fact, Lauren had wondered if Zoe had been a little afraid of her. Now, they were both enjoying the more relaxed Ms. Tobin, and Lauren suspected Annie was, too.
“Hello.” Lauren headed toward the table for two.
“Lauren,” Ms. Tobin lowered her voice, “what is this I hear about a murder you were mixed up in? My friend found out about it at the senior center.”
Martha, Lauren assumed, had spread the news.
“I was at a bed and breakfast last weekend in Zeke’s Ridge,” Lauren told her. “I’d won a prize in a contest.”
“Oh, yes, I heard about that. I know you’re seeing Detective Denman and you two went away together. I hope you’re not a suspect.”
“So do I,” Lauren said ruefully.
“But if Detective Denman was with you, I would assume you would both be above suspicion.”
“I hope so,” Lauren replied, not sure if Ms. Tobin approved of her being at a B&B with Mitch, or not.
“And what about these mugs that have Annie’s picture on them? I must see them.” Ms. Tobin’s expression changed from serious to curious.
“They’re over there.” Lauren gestured to the row of mugs on the counter. “Zoe made them. She’s sold some already.”
“I’ll come over and take a look.” Ms. Tobin followed Lauren to the array of cakes and pastries displayed temptingly in the sparkling clean glass case.
“Hi, Ms. Tobin,” Zoe greeted her.
The older woman picked up a mug and studied it, turning it around in her hands.
“Oh yes, it does look like Annie.” Ms. Tobin glanced from the mug to her table where Annie remained, and then back at the mug. “Quite rustic looking.” She traced the slight bulge near the handle, then slid three fingers into the handle and lifted it toward her mouth. “I must have this one.”
“Awesome.” Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Thank you.”
“I do admire your crafting enthusiasm, Zoe,” Ms. Tobin remarked. After putting in an order for a large latte and vanilla cupcake, she went back to her table – and Annie.
“Four sold!” Zoe high-fived Lauren. “I’m definitely going to make more mugs.”
“I’m happy for you.” And Lauren was.
“Now, let’s see, I’ve added up all the costs, and then there’s the price of my pottery classes, plus I need to pay the café a commission – twenty percent?” Zoe proposed.
“You don’t have to pay me – the café,” Lauren objected. Since Lauren owned the café, she paid each of them including herself, a decent wage, and Zoe and Ed shared the tip jar.
“Of course I should.” Zoe shooed away her protest. “It’s the cost of doing business. After my crochet cozy disaster a while ago, I decided to work out my costs properly this time. I’ll still make a small profit on each mug that’s sold for fifteen dollars.”
“That’s very professional of you.” Lauren smiled. “I’ll put the commission straight into the café’s bank account.”
“Now we’re both being professional.” Zoe giggled.
More customers arrived and the three of them were kept busy until after the lunch rush. Donna and her sister left before noon, saying goodbye and promising to visit again.
When Lauren and Zoe finally got a chance to take a break, they flopped on the stools behind the counter, Lauren wiggling her feet in her white sneakers.
“Phew!” Zoe fanned herself.
“Business was good this morning after all,” Lauren commented.
“Yeah.” Zoe nodded. “Hope you won’t be too tired for your date tonight.” She winked.
“Hope you won’t be too tired to pick up AJ for her playdate with Annie,” Lauren parried with a smile.
“No way.” Zoe grinned.
When it was time to close up, Zoe zoomed around the room, stacking the chairs on the tables, while Annie watched with interest.
“I’ll go and pick up AJ now,” she called out after putting the vacuum away.
“Okay.” Lauren emerged from the commercial kitchen.
“See you at the cottage. You too, Annie,” she told the cat.
“Brrt!” Annie’s mouth seemed to tilt up in a little smile.
“I’m having dinner with Mitch tonight,” Lauren told her once Zoe had banged the back door shut. “But Zoe will be home with you.”
“Brrp,” Annie replied.
She knew Annie enjoyed her play time with AJ. A little while ago, Zoe had had the idea that AJ might like to train as Annie’s assistant. However, the young Maine Coon had different ideas, and her training period had been very short. But Annie and AJ still seemed to be the best of friends, which was the most important thing.
“Let’s go and wait for AJ in the cottage,” Lauren suggested.
“Brrt!” Annie led the way down the private hallway.
“We’re here!” A short while later, Zoe appeared in the kitchen, carrying a cage.
“Meow!” A large, fawn tabby with dark brown stripes peered through the wire squares of the carrier. In the middle of her forehead was more dark brown fur in the shape of an M.
“Brrt!” Annie trotted over to her.
“Here you go, AJ.” Zoe unfastened the top of the carrier, and the cat jumped out and greeted Annie.
“Brrt!” Annie raced from the room, AJ hot on her paws.
“So cute!” Zoe beamed as the sound of little feet pounding the carpet reached them.
“I know.” Lauren nodded. “What are you and Annie going to do while I’m out with Mitch?”
“The usual,” Zoe replied. “Have our own dinner, watch TV.”
“When are you seeing Chris again?” Lauren asked.
“Next weekend.” Zoe wrinkled her nose. “He’s got a lot of shifts this week. I told him about my mugs, though, and he said he’d buy one. But I told him I’d give him one.” A soft smile touched her lips.
“That’s great.” Her cousin had briefly investigated the world of online dating a while ago, and after some disastrous dates, had sworn off having a love life altogether. Until Chris came along. Funnily enough, he had been connected to one of her online dates, in a totally innocent way. Zoe had met him for the first time in person, as a friend of Mitch’s.
“I’d better put one away for him, since they’re starting to sell,” Zoe said.
“Good idea.”
Lauren and Zoe peeked into the living room. Annie and AJ were now chasing a tinkling ball around the room.
“That should keep them busy for a while,” Zoe commented. She peeked at Lauren’s white practical wrist watch. “You’d better get ready for your date. What time is Mitch arriving – seven?”
“Yes.” Lauren hurried to the bathroom and took a quick shower. She still hadn’t decided what to wear.
When she entered her room, Zoe was already in there, rifling through her closet.
“Zoe?”
“I thought I’d help you get ready. Besides, I don’t have anything else to do right now.”
“What do you think?” Lauren gestured to the dresses hanging on the white plastic hangers.
“Not your plum wrap dress. You wear that a lot. It looks good on you, though.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“What about this?” Zoe pulled out a periwinkle outfit. “It’s similar in style to your plum dress.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She wanted to quickly blow dry her hair, and grab her purse before Mitch arrived.
“Where are you two going?” Zoe asked.
“The bistro.” It was one of their favorite places and was located on the outskirts of Gold Leaf Valley.
“I need Chris to live here, and then we can eat there whenever we feel like it.” Zoe tapped her cheek. “And go to the Italian place again at Zeke’s Ridge. And then we could double date with you and Mitch like we did when we visited the farmers’ market in Sacramento a few months ago.”
“Have you spoken to Chris about this?” Lauren asked as she zipped up her dress and grabbed the hairdryer. “Maybe he could look into transferring down here.”
“No.” Zoe shook her head. “It’s probably a crazy idea.” She sounded a little wistful, which was unlike her usual upbeat self.
“I thought you liked visiting him in Sacramento.” They seemed to take turns visiting each other.
“Yes, I do,” Zoe replied, “and going to restaurants there is fun. There’s so much to choose from, compared to here, but I see your eyes light up when Mitch stops by the café.”
“They do?” Lauren touched the gold L necklace he’d given her as she studied her hair in the mirror.
“Uh-huh.”
“Chris visits you at the café sometimes,” Lauren pointed out.
“That’s true.” Zoe sounded brighter.
It seemed that things might be getting serious between Zoe and Chris. They’d attempted to downplay their attraction to each other at the beginning, but she knew Zoe wasn’t interested in seeing anyone else, and although she couldn’t speak for Chris, she didn’t think he was dating anyone else, either.
“Why don’t you talk to him about it?” Lauren suggested, hoping she was doing the right thing. She didn’t want to interfere in their relationship, especially if wanting to help them backfired.
“Maybe.” Zoe sounded noncommittal.
Lauren finished getting ready. The doorbell rang just as she’d grabbed her purse.
“I’d better say goodbye to Annie and AJ. What time are you going to take AJ home?” Lauren asked.
“Probably straight after you’ve gone. Annie could come with us.”
“She might like that,” Lauren replied, heading to the front door and opening it.
“Hi.” Mitch smiled. His tall, muscular frame filled out his charcoal slacks and gray dress shirt nicely. Lauren’s heart fluttered.
“Hi.” She returned his smile.
“Come in,” Zoe called. “Lauren wants to say goodbye to Annie.”
“No problem.” He followed Lauren into the living room.
Annie and AJ were curled up together on the sofa, the small toy hedgehog nestled between them. Each of them had a paw resting on the hedgehog’s brown furry stomach.
“Ohhh.” Zoe’s voice was hushed.
“I know.” Lauren blinked fiercely. So cute.
“I’ve got to take a photo.” Zoe zipped to her room and came back in the next second, waving her phone.
Click. The two cats didn’t stir.
Zoe held out the phone to Lauren. She’d captured the sweet image perfectly. Mitch peered over Lauren’s shoulder at the screen.
“Yeah,” he said. “I think that one’s a keeper.”