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“HAVE WE GOT EVERYTHING?” Maddie twisted around in the driver’s seat, as if asking Trixie, her Persian and familiar, and then turned to her best friend since middle-school, Suzanne.
“I think so.” Suzanne scrunched up her snub nose, seeming to consider the question.
“Mrrow,” Trixie agreed, sitting up straight, her fluffy white and silver fur and plumy tail looking especially well groomed.
“Good.” Maddie started the car. “It won’t look very professional if we arrive in Aunt Winifred and then realize we’ve forgotten something.”
“We’ve already gone over the checklist,” Suzanne assured her. “This is exciting! Our first catering job.”
“I know.” Maddie smiled at her friend.
“Mrrow,” Trixie joined in.
Two months ago, Maddie had competed at Estherville’s inaugural coffee festival, and had won. That was where she had met Jill and Bob, baristas who owned their own cafés near Estherville, one hundred miles from Seattle.
Although Jill and Bob hadn’t met before the coffee festival, they soon became friends – and perhaps something more? Maddie wasn’t sure, but they’d invited her, Trixie, and Suzanne, to cater their going into business together party.
Jill and Bob were combining forces and turning their coffee shops into a small chain.
“Now that we’ve got our own business cards, I’ll be sure to pass them out at the party,” Suzanne said, her strawberry-blonde ponytail bobbing.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Maddie crinkled her brow. “I wouldn’t want Jill or Bob to think we were cutting into their business.”
“Oh, pooh.” Suzanne waved her hand in the air. “I’m sure they wouldn’t think that – after all, they did ask us to do the catering. And if one of their guests is ever in Estherville for some reason, they’ll be glad to know there’s an awesome coffee truck in the town square where they can get their caffeine fix – instead of driving all the way back to Aunt Winifred or Redbud Glen to get a cappuccino at Jill’s or Bob’s.”
“Maybe we should ask Jill first,” Maddie said, still doubtful.
“Okay.” Suzanne acquiesced. “But I’m sure they’ll say yes.” She grinned.
“Trixie, will you be okay playing in the garden with Jill’s dog Boyd?” Maddie asked.
“Mrrow,” Trixie said primly, her turquoise eyes shining.
When they had visited Jill’s cute café two months ago, Trixie had met Boyd and the two of them had seemed to have fun playing in the garden. Jill had asked them to bring Trixie today, in order to keep her large dog, Boyd, company.
Suzanne checked her watch. “It’s 4.15 p.m. We should get to Aunt Winifred in thirty minutes. That should give us plenty of time to set up before the first guests arrive.”
Although the party was a celebration of the two cafes becoming a small chain, the party was going to be held at Jill’s café.
“Have you got all the health balls?” Maddie checked.
“Yep.” Suzanne smiled. “I made six dozen – Apricot, Mocha, and Maple Macadamia. And Jill said she was going to make some brownies so the guests don’t go hungry.”
“Did you do a Coffee Vision spell today?” Suzanne asked.
“No.” Maddie shook her head. “I didn’t have time.”
Ever since she was seven years old, Maddie had been able to see the future – or the possible future – in the next twenty-four hours, on the surface of a freshly made coffee. It didn’t matter if it was instant, drip, or an espresso she now made in her coffee truck, Brewed from the Bean.
It had all started when she’d visited the local second-hand bookshop and bought a crumbling old copy of Wytchcraft for the Chosen for one dollar. Until recently, that had been the only spell she’d been able to master. But a few months ago, when she’d turn twenty-seven – or seven-and-twenty as the ancient tome had stated, she’d been able to execute some new spells – so far at the rate of one per month, after each full moon.
“The full moon is tomorrow night,” Suzanne reminded her.
“Mrrow!” Trixie agreed.
Maddie smiled at the cat in the rear-view mirror. Trixie had entered her life just over a year ago, and Maddie had slowly come to the conclusion that the feline was her familiar. When Trixie wasn’t keeping them company in the coffee truck, she was at home, usually sitting on the sofa, guarding Wytchcraft for the Chosen.
“I wonder how many guests there’ll be,” Suzanne mused.
“Jill didn’t seem to know exactly,” Maddie replied, focusing on the road as she drove. “She just said to be prepared to make a lot of expressos.”
“And that’s one thing you’re awesome at.” Suzanne laughed. “Are you sure you don’t want to enter any more barista competitions? You placed second in that big one in Seattle last month.”
“No.” Maddie shook her head. “I haven’t changed my mind. I was so nervous before the competition – I’d rather focus on our business and try to grow it.”
“Which is what we’re doing with this job,” Suzanne assured her. She pulled out a business card from her purse and turned it over. “Maybe we should have added catering to our card. It just says Brewed from the Bean, Estherville, WA. With our names and a picture of Trixie.”
“I think it looks attractive – and professional,” Maddie said, not having to look at the card in Suzanne’s hand to know what it looked like. Silver and fawn on white card stock, with smart lettering that was a close match to the lettering on their coffee truck. When they’d first opened their coffee truck, they hadn’t even thought about business cards. Perhaps they should have.
“Totally,” Suzanne agreed. “I know! When we run out of these cards – and we might after today if Jill’s okay with me passing them out – we can order more and this time add “Catering” to the description.”
“Okay.” Maddie nodded.
Before long, Maddie pulled up outside Jill’s café in Aunt Winifred – it was at the end of the main street lined with a variety of small shops.
The exterior of the coffee shop was newly painted cream with accents of yellow and almond. Jill and Bob’s Coffee Shop was written on one of the large glass plate windows.
Since they’d arrived early, there was parking right outside the café.
“Mrrow?” Trixie peered out of the car window, as if expecting Boyd the dog to be waiting for her on the sidewalk.
“I’m sure he’s looking forward to seeing you, Trixie,” Maddie assured the cat.
Since Trixie was already wearing her turquoise harness, Maddie walked her up to the front door of the café, Suzanne by their side.
The clear glass door trimmed with mahogany flung open.
“Oh, good, you’re here.” Jill beamed at them in relief. A plump, jolly looking woman in her forties, she looked a little frazzled. She’d attempted to tame her blonde hair in a knot at the back of her head, but frizzy tendrils had escaped and flew around her face.
“Mrrow,” Trixie greeted her.
“Hello, Trixie.” Jill bent down to the cat. “Boyd’s been waiting to see you. He had so much fun last time you visited him.”
Trixie looked pleased, and gazed into the café, as if expecting Boyd to suddenly appear.
Maddie didn’t think Boyd – or Jill – were magical in any way, but who knew? Or maybe Trixie was willing Boyd to appear – and as she’d helped Maddie last month with a spell, maybe it wasn’t so crazy to think that.
“Boyd’s in the garden.” Jill straightened up.
“Is that Maddie?” Bob appeared behind Jill. “Come in, come in.” He gave them a welcoming smile. Short and burly, he seemed to be around the same age as Jill.
“Hi, Bob,” Maddie replied.
“Hi.” Suzanne greeted him.
“Mrrow.”
“Hi, Trixie.” Bob smiled at the cat. “As soon as Trixie’s in the garden with Boyd, I can help you girls unload.”
“That would be great,” Maddie replied. Although Jill and Bob were supplying the coffee, she’d brought a couple of bags of beans – just in case they ran out. As well as Suzanne’s health balls.
Jill led them to the little garden at the rear of the property. A large, black, shaggy dog of indeterminate breed raced to greet them.
“Woof!” His big pink tongue lolled out of his mouth, and he seemed to be smiling.
“Mrrow.” Trixie pulled on the harness, something she rarely did.
“Okay, Trix.” Maddie bent down and unbuckled the harness. The early summer weather was pleasant, with a cool breeze that ruffled Maddie’s shoulder length hair.
The Persian dashed after Boyd. The green lawn surrounded by small shrubs and flowering bushes made it seem a fun place to play tag.
Which is what Trixie and Boyd were doing. First Trixie chased after Boyd, then Boyd turned around and chased after Trixie.
“If they need a nap, Boyd’s got a kennel over there.” Jill pointed towards the back of the garden. “I’m sure he’ll share with Trixie.”
“Oh, look.” Suzanne’s voice was hushed.
Trixie and Boyd now seemed to be playing peek-a-boo. Trixie coyly turned her head away from the dog, then quickly looked back at his smiling face, then repeated her action again and again.
“That’s so cute.” Jill smiled. “I wish we could stay and watch them for the rest of the day, but we need to finish setting up for the party.” She hesitated. “In fact, I’ve started to wonder whether we should have organized this event.”
“Why?” Suzanne asked.
“It’s probably nothing.” Jill shook her head. “Maybe I’m just not cut out to organize something like this. We’re still not sure of exact numbers – not many of our customers have told us that they’re coming, but Bob’s grandmother is.” Jill sounded as if she didn’t relish the idea.
“Oh?” Maddie hoped she wasn’t prying.
“I’m probably being silly.” Jill forced a laugh. “Bob said she’s a great old lady, very independent – and very keen to attend today.”
“That’s nice of her,” Suzanne said encouragingly.
“I know.” Jill nodded. “And she does sound like an interesting lady – she’s even driving here from Redbud Glen and she’s in her eighties. But I haven’t met her before today.”
“Oh.” Maddie understood Jill’s reservations. It would be a bit stressful to meet your business partner’s – and boyfriend’s? – grandmother at your first official event.
“Forget I said anything.” Jill shook her head as if to clear it. “We better go inside and finish setting up for the party. I’m sure some guests will arrive.”
Maddie noted Jill’s strained smile as she and Suzanne followed her into the café.
“I hope people turn up,” Suzanne whispered to Maddie as they trooped inside.
“I know,” Maddie replied, wanting the party to run smoothly. She didn’t think Jill needed any more aggravation right now.
Bob helped them unload the car, and then showed them around the coffee shop. The interior was light and airy, with wooden tables and chairs of a cinnamon hue dotted around the space.
“If you can make the espressos, Maddie, Jill and I will circulate with our guests, and we’ll take over when you need a break.”
“No problem.” Maddie smiled at the burly man.
“And Suzanne, if you can hand the espressos around, and take special orders if anyone wants something different.”
“Got it.” Suzanne nodded, her ponytail bouncing.
“When you’ve gone around the room with one tray of coffees, take a tray of brownies and health balls and offer them to the guests. That will give Maddie a chance to catch up with the next batch of coffee orders,” Jill added.
“Sure.” Suzanne smiled. “Hey, Maddie and I finally got business cards made.” She plucked one from her purse and showed it to Jill and Bob. “What do you think?”
“It’s a good likeness of Trixie.” Bob handed the card back to Suzanne.
Maddie looked sideways at her friend. Perhaps now wasn’t the right time to ask about passing out their business cards at the party. Especially since Jill still looked worried about the event.
“Is it okay if I pass them out during the party?” Suzanne continued, as if she didn’t see Maddie’s little look. “So they know who’s doing the catering.”
“Although I’ll be using your beans,” Maddie hastily put in. “I totally understand if you don’t think it’s a good idea about our business cards—”
“It’s okay, Maddie.” Jill spoke. “It’s a good opportunity for you girls.”
“Thanks, Jill.” Suzanne grinned, pushing the card back into her purse.
“We coffee folks have to stick together,” Bob said. “If a customer at your coffee truck mentions visiting Aunt Winifred or Redbud Glen, you can tell them about our cafes. Hey!” He hurried off and came back in a flash, holding out some business cards. “Why don’t we swap some of our cards? We’ll give some of yours out to our customers here if they mention going to Estherville, and you can do the same with our cards.”
“You’re on!” Suzanne plunged her hand into her purse and held out a wad of business cards. “I packed plenty for today.”
Maddie groaned silently. Sometimes Suzanne could be a little too enthusiastic.
Suzanne and Bob swapped their stack of cards, looking pleased with themselves.
“I guess we better continue setting up for the guests,” Jill said. “Maddie, do you want to test our espresso machine, so you’re familiar with it before everyone arrives?”
“Of course.” Maddie hurried around to the counter.
“You could make me an espresso,” Suzanne called out, as she helped Bob carry some chairs to the side of the room.
Bob and Jill had decided to move the tables and chairs to the edges of the room, leaving a large space in the center for the guests to mingle and for Suzanne to circulate with her trays of espressos and sweet treats.
“Good idea,” Bob commented, carrying two chairs at once. “And I think Jill and I could use one as well.”
“Coming right up,” Maddie said, familiarizing herself with the machine.
“Not for me, Maddie,” Jill spoke up. “I don’t think I need anything else to make me jittery.”
Maddie gave her an understanding smile as she nodded.
In a couple of minutes, the machine was hissing and burring as Maddie made the first espresso.
“We’ve got light, and dark roasted beans. So customers can choose which roast they’d like – or even try both and do a taste test.” Bob grinned as he pushed a wooden table to the side of the room.
“Suzanne, yours is ready,” Maddie called out.
She’d deliberately given her friend the first espresso in case it wasn’t up to scratch, since this was the first time she’d used Jill’s espresso machine. When Jill had hired them for the party, Maddie had suggested she come over for a trial run of the machine, but Jill had waved away her suggestion, stating she was sure Maddie knew what she was doing. But she didn’t want to disappoint anyone, especially her bosses for today.
“Thanks!” Suzanne sipped from the tiny white porcelain cup and then tossed the rest back in one gulp. “Yum!”
“Was it really okay?” Maddie whispered.
“It was perfect, Mads. Make one for yourself and then you’ll see.”
After Maddie pulled a shot for Bob and handed it to him, she hurried back to the machine and made one for herself. Suzanne was right when she told Maddie not to doubt herself.
The rich, dark roast with hints of fruity complexity put a smile on her lips – and her taste buds.
“I think we’re all ready.” Bob dusted his hands off. He wore dress jeans and a navy button down shirt, looking smart yet casual at the same time.
“Do you think anyone will come?” Jill peered through a large window near the entrance door.
“Of course they will.” Bob wrapped his arm around her shoulder, causing her to blush.
Maddie and Suzanne exchanged a quick glance. Perhaps this was a romantic relationship – as well as a business one.
Maddie noticed a slender woman wearing a pink floaty dress and pink stilettos tip-tapping along the path to the front entrance. Her long brown hair was a darker shade than Maddie’s.
“Vanessa’s here.” Bob hurried to open the door.
Maddie, Suzanne, and Jill exchanged a wide-eyed look. Who was Vanessa?
“Am I the first one here?” the woman giggled, clutching at Bob’s arm as she entered the café. “I hope you’ve got lots of coffee ready for me!”
“Come in and meet everyone.” Bob steered her in the direction of the three women. “Vanessa, this is Jill, my partner, and our caterers for today, Maddie and Suzanne.”
“We run a coffee truck called Brewed from the Bean in Estherville,” Suzanne said.
Maddie waited for Suzanne to pull a business card out of – where? She must have put her purse away somewhere, but Maddie was sure her friend had stashed the cards somewhere on her person.
But Suzanne didn’t make a move to do anything else. Thank goodness.
“When Bobby told me about the party, I just had to come,” Vanessa cooed, smiling at him.
Maddie and Suzanne stared at each other. Bobby?
Maddie risked a glance at Jill, who looked puzzled – and anxious.
“Vanessa’s one of my regulars,” Bob put in hastily.
“Your most regular regular.” Vanessa giggled.
Bob flushed and looked embarrassed at the attention.
Jill cleared her throat. “Would you like an espresso, Vanessa?”
“I would love one,” Vanessa gushed. “Thank you – oh, what did you say your name was?”
Jill looked as if steam was about to emerge from her ears.
“This is Jill, my partner,” Bob told Vanessa in a steady voice. “And Maddie and Suzanne are our friends, and doing the catering for today.”
“That’s so nice of you girls,” Vanessa said, as if noticing them properly for the first time.
“I’ll make your espresso.” Maddie escaped, glad to leave the little group.
She peeked over at the small gathering as she pulled a shot. Vanessa hadn’t specified which type of roast she’d like, so Maddie had chosen the light one, thinking it would suit her personality – or what Maddie had glimpsed of it so far.
As she came back to the group with the steaming espresso, she wished she was out in the garden, watching Trixie and Boyd play on the lawn.
“Thanks.” Vanessa snatched the coffee and downed it in one gulp. “Ah! That’s better.” Then she frowned. “But I like your dark roast the best, Bobby.”
Suzanne rolled her eyes. Jill looked like she wanted to do likewise but was forcing herself to refrain. Bob looked uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry. I can make you another one with the dark roast, if you like,” Maddie offered.
“That would be super.” Vanessa thrust the empty cup at Maddie.
Now it was Maddie’s turn to flush. As she readied the machine, she wondered if taking this catering job had been a bad idea. It had sounded perfect when Jill and Bob had approached her and Suzanne about it, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Suzanne came over to her, just as Maddie pulled the shot.
“I’ll take it to her,” she muttered, her natural good-humor dimmed. “Why on earth did Bob invite her?”
“I don’t know.” Maddie shrugged helplessly. “You don’t think ...”
“That she’s his ex-girlfriend?” Suzanne arched an eyebrow. “I did wonder, but I don’t think so. But I think she wants to be his current girlfriend.”
“And as far as we know, that’s Jill – isn’t it?”
“If she’s not now, I think she will be in the future.” Suzanne grinned, her annoyance with their first guest seemingly forgotten.
Maddie checked her watch. “I thought the guests were supposed to arrive at six, and it’s only quarter to.”
“Yep. Vanessa definitely wants to be Bob’s girlfriend. I bet she arrived early so she could get some alone time with him.” Suzanne tsked. “Men are so clueless sometimes.”
“You better take it over to her,” Maddie whispered as she intercepted an impatient glance from Vanessa.
“Okay.” Suzanne hurried over to Vanessa, Bob, and Jill.
Maddie decided to stay behind the counter and let Suzanne handle Vanessa. Perhaps their first guest hadn’t known about Bob and Jill’s relationship – whatever that was exactly – and that’s why she was acting a little spoiled?
“Grandma Pat!” Bob rushed to the front door that had now been propped open.
“I told you I could get here on my own.” An elderly lady with short cropped gray hair, wearing a lavender pants suit and using a matching lavender cane that tapped on the wooden flooring, entered the café. She patted Bob’s shoulder.
“Everyone, this is my Grandma Pat.” He bussed his grandmother’s cheek. “Come and meet Jill, my partner.”
“Hi,” Jill said, holding out her hand. “Bob’s told me a lot about you.”
“As long as you treat him right, I’m sure we’ll get along just fine, dear.” Grandma Pat shook Jill’s hand.
Maddie watched Jill smile tentatively at the senior, and then Bob introduced Suzanne and Vanessa to his grandmother.
“And this is Maddie.” Bob ushered Grandma Pat over to the espresso machines. “She and Suzanne are helping us out today.”
“Would you like a coffee?” Maddie smiled at the older lady.
“That would be lovely, dear. How about a nice cappuccino with lots of chocolate powder on top?”
“Coming right up.”
Grinding and hissing ensued as Maddie made Grandma Pat’s order.
“Let’s get this party started!” A deep female voice boomed into the room, causing Maddie to look up.
A woman with curly chestnut hair, a sturdy figure, and a bright smile pinned to her face, stood in the entrance of the café.
“Genevieve!” Jill hurried over to meet the newcomer.
“I wonder who that is?” Grandma Pat mused as Maddie dusted plenty of chocolate powder on top of the cappuccino.
“I haven’t met her before,” Maddie said, watching the two women embrace.
“This is my friend Genevieve,” Jill said, bringing her into the room.
“What do you need me to do?” Genevieve rubbed her hands in a ready to work manner.
“I think everything is just about ready.” Jill looked around the room that now had a large space in the center for people to mingle.
“But let me introduce you to everyone. This is Suzanne, who will be handing around the espressos and treats. She makes these delicious health balls – you’ll have to try them. And I’ve made some brownies.”
“You know I love your brownies, Jill.” Genevieve smiled at her friend.
“Maddie’s working the espresso machine.” Jill waved a hand in Maddie’s direction. “And of course you know Bob.”
“Hi.” Genevieve nodded politely in Bob’s direction.
Maddie noticed Bob return the gesture.
Hmm. Didn’t Genevieve like Bob?
Suzanne glanced in Maddie’s direction, a “What was that about?” look on her face.
“And this is Bob’s Grandma Pat.” Jill brought her friend over to the elderly lady, who had just taken her first sip of cappuccino.
“Hello, there,” Genevieve boomed.
“I can hear you just fine, dear.” Grandma Pat set down her cup on the counter. “No need to shout.”
“Sorry.” Genevieve lowered her voice slightly. “Why don’t we sit you at a table where you’ll be more comfortable?” She reached out to take Grandma Pat’s arm.
“I’m fine where I am.” The elderly lady shook off Genevieve’s hand. “I’m perfectly happy here, enjoying my cappuccino.”
“We can set up the tray of goodies for Suzanne to take around.” Jill urged her friend around the counter, toward the kitchen in the back.
“Good idea,” Genevieve’s loud voice faded a little as she and Jill walked out of sight.
“I hope she’s not going to try and boss me around all night.” Grandma Pat’s mouth pursed.
“She’ll probably be too busy helping Jill,” Maddie said.
“I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.” Grandma Pat sipped at her cappuccino. “Lovely coffee, dear. I do everything for myself, you know, except mow the lawn and change the lightbulbs. Don’t like climbing ladders at my age. Bob takes care of those things for me.”
“Wow,” Maddie murmured, wondering if she would be as spry at eighty-something.
“I just hope Jill is going to be good to my Bob.”
“I’m sure she will,” Maddie replied. “She’s a lovely person. And she’s good at making coffee.”
“Hmm.” Grandma Pat picked up her cup. “If she makes a cappuccino as good as this one, then we’ll see. I must say Bob has had a spring in his step for the last couple of months. I just hope they’re not rushing into this business partnership.”
Maddie had wondered that too at first, then decided that surely Jill and Bob would know if merging their cafes into one chain was right for them.
“Bob!” A hearty male voice. A man in his early forties with short dark hair, and wearing navy slacks and a gray shirt, entered the coffee shop.
“Kevin!” Bob left Vanessa and Suzanne and stepped over to greet his friend.
Suzanne hurried over to Maddie, seemingly glad to leave Vanessa.
“I think I need a latte after that.” She dramatically mopped her brow.
“She’s not to your liking, dear?” Grandma Pat asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.
“You can say that again.” Suzanne leaned her elbows on the counter. “But I didn’t want to leave Bob alone with Vanessa – I was starting to wonder if she was actually a man-eater.”
Grandma Pat hooted with laughter. “I like you.”
“Thanks.” Suzanne grinned. “Maddie and I are doing the catering tonight.” She looked around the room, guilt flickering across her face. “Where’s Jill? I should be helping her.”
“She and Genevieve are in the kitchen.” Maddie tilted her head toward the back of the room where the kitchen was located.
“I’d better go and see how I can help.” Suzanne headed toward the rear.
“Well, tonight mightn’t be as boring as I thought it might be,” Grandma Pat confessed as she finished the cappuccino. “I didn’t like to disappoint my grandson and say I’d rather stay home and play in the online poker tournament my friend Mary told me about. She’s taking part in it. I so wanted to beat her.” The senior looked wistful.
“My friend Suzanne has made some health balls. And I know Jill has made brownies.” Maddie couldn’t think of anything else to cheer up Grandma Pat apart from food and coffee. “And I can make you as many coffees as you like – or even a hot chocolate if you don’t want to drink too much caffeine.”
Grandma Pat brightened. “Now there’s an idea. And I might like a cup of tea later – do you think you could make me one?”
“Of course,” Maddie promised, hoping Jill had some tea bags – or even loose-leaf tea – somewhere. Surely she had some customers who preferred tea over coffee, like Maddie and Suzanne did?
“And here’s Grandma Pat.” Bob appeared next to his grandmother, his friend Kevin right beside him.
“Hi, Grandma Pat.” Kevin grinned at the elderly lady. “What do you think about all this? Bob and Jill going into business together?” He slapped Bob’s back. “Before long you and Jill will have a whole chain of coffee shops all over the state!”
“Two’s enough to start with.” Bob smiled. “You know I’ve been thinking of expanding for a while. Partnering with Jill seems like the right move.”
“I think Bob knows what he’s doing.” Grandma Pat nodded.
“You’re right there,” Kevin agreed.
“Hello?” A woman in her thirties appeared in the entrance to the shop. “Is the party on?”
“It sure is!” Bob hurried to greet his guest.
After that, more people arrived in ones and twos. By six-thirty, the party was in full swing.
Maddie was kept busy making espressos as well as lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos. She barely saw Suzanne as her friend circulated around the room with her tray of caffeine loaded drinks, and then again with brownies and health balls.
Genevieve was helping out by taking people’s orders and relaying them to Maddie, practically peering over Maddie’s shoulder as she worked nonstop at the espresso machine. Maddie wished the other woman would go join the party, but couldn’t think of a way to say so politely.
“Don’t forget the mocha,” Genevieve told Maddie.
“I’ve just made it.” Maddie gestured to the steaming cup she’d just placed on the counter.
“Oh, right. Good.” Genevieve studied her notepad. “And a dark espresso, and a light espresso. Then I’ll get Suzanne to come over and take them to the guests.”
“Great.” Maddie focused on pulling a shot. “If you grab Suzanne now, they’ll be ready by the time she gets here.”
“Just what I was going to say.” Genevieve made a beeline for Suzanne, who was offering one of the guests a health ball or a brownie – or maybe both?
Maddie relished the brief respite from Genevieve. Perhaps she was being unfair, but Jill’s friend seemed to be acting as if she were in charge of the catering, not Maddie and Suzanne. Perhaps Jill had asked her friend to help out as well? But if so, why hadn’t she told Maddie and Suzanne?
“I didn’t know Genevieve was in charge of the catering.” Suzanne frowned as she put down her tray on the counter.
“You’ve just read my mind.” Maddie placed the mocha and the two espressos on the tray Suzanne used for the drinks. “Mocha, light espresso, and dark espresso.”
“And then I think I’m going to need one – a triple!” Suzanne picked up the tray and headed back into the crowd of guests.
No more orders – for a minute, at least. Maddie glanced over at the guests. Vanessa seemed to be flirting with Bob. Jill stood next to Bob, and didn’t seem to like Vanessa paying so much attention to him. Maddie couldn’t tell if Bob was completely clueless, or if he was enjoying Vanessa’s company, although he didn’t look like he was returning the flirty gestures.
Grandma Pat sat at a table with a cup of tea, a maple macadamia health ball, and a brownie.
Genevieve was taking more coffee orders, striding from one guest to another.
And Kevin was standing on the other side of Bob, seeming to make jokes – when Vanessa wasn’t flirting with Bob.
A shout of laughter caught Maddie’s attention. Kevin brandished a fancy silver pen, taking off the cap and writing something on a card.
“Here’s my cell phone number,” he said loud enough for Maddie to hear. He addressed the middle-aged woman standing next to him. “Call me anytime. You’re right – you can never be too early for tax time!” He chuckled as if he thought he’d made a funny joke.
Maddie crinkled her brow. She thought Jill and Bob were going to circulate amongst their guests – not stand in a little group. Although, she couldn’t blame Jill for wanting to keep an eye on Vanessa if Jill and Bob were a couple, and not just business partners.
An hour later, and the crowd of perhaps twenty people began to thin. As Maddie took a breather from the espresso machine, she watched Jill and Bob walk a few guests to the door and say goodbye to them.
Perhaps now would be a good time to check on Trixie and Boyd. With a start, she’d realized she’d been so busy handling the espresso orders that she hadn’t gone out to the garden to make sure they were okay.
What sort of cat person or witch was she?
But, she reasoned, she hadn’t experienced a whisper of intuition that Trixie needed her.
Still.
She caught Suzanne’s eye and gestured for her to come over.
“I’m going to check on Trixie and Boyd. If anyone needs a coffee, can you make it?”
“Sure.” Suzanne’s ponytail bobbed.
“I haven’t had a break all evening.”
“I’m sure Bob and Jill will be cool with it.” Suzanne looked over her shoulder – Jill and Bob headed toward Grandma Pat, who still sat at the table. “Anyway, they said we could have a break if we needed one – so you’re having yours now.”
“Thanks.” Maddie smiled at her friend.
She headed out the back door to the garden. The sun was slowly sinking in the sky, but there was still plenty of daylight.
Maddie inhaled the fresh air as she walked over to the enclosed lawn. At first she couldn’t see Trixie, or Boyd, then she spotted a pile of white and black fur in the kennel.
She opened the wooden gate, a slight squeak emitting, and walked quietly over.
Boyd snoozed in the shelter, Trixie curled up beside him, her white paw touching his black one.
“Ohhh,” Maddie whispered. She didn’t want to disturb them.
She tiptoed back to the gate, wincing as it squeaked again when she closed it. Hopefully she hadn’t woken Trixie and Boyd.
“Well?” Suzanne asked as Maddie entered the café. A couple more guests seem to have departed.
The espresso machine hissed and burred as Suzanne pulled a shot.
“They’re asleep.” Maddie smiled as she described what she’d seen.
“Wish I’d been there.” Suzanne mock-pouted. “It sounds too cute for words. We’ll have to ask Jill if Boyd would like to come over to your house for a playdate one day – what do you think?”
“I think Trixie would like that,” Maddie said with a laugh. “So would I. Maybe one weekend?”
“We’ll talk to Jill about it after tonight.” Suzanne put the espresso shot on a tray. “My feet are killing me right now. I’m glad the party seems to be winding down.”
“I know what you mean,” Maddie said ruefully. “At least we have stools inside our truck if we need to get off our feet.”
“Swap you.” Suzanne slid out behind the counter and grabbed the tray. “This is for Vanessa.” She scanned the knot of guests standing around Bob. “I can’t see her though.” She frowned. “Or Jill.”
“Maybe Bob knows where Vanessa went,” Maddie suggested. “Are there any more coffee orders?”
“No.” Suzanne shook her head. “Genevieve only gave me this one. Uh-oh. She’s coming this way. Bye.”
Maddie watched Genevieve head towards her.
“Where were you, Maddie?” Genevieve furrowed her brow.
“I was taking a short break,” Maddie replied, hating confrontation like this. “I believe that’s allowed. And Suzanne was here to make any espressos.”
She watched the other woman flounder – something she didn’t think Genevieve was used to.
“As long as someone is here to make the coffee,” she finally said. “That’s what Jill is paying you to do.”
“And Bob,” Maddie pointed out although she didn’t know why.
“And Bob. Yes.” Genevieve answered, as if she didn’t like to say his name.
She turned to go back to the guests, her back stiff.
Maddie had no idea what that was all about. Maybe when the party was over and Genevieve had gone home, she’d ask Jill exactly who Genevieve was? Because right now, it seemed as if Genevieve was in charge!
Maddie watched Suzanne speak to Bob as she held the tray containing the espresso. Bob shook his head and gestured to the front entrance.
Suzanne walked outside and turned right.
A couple of minutes later, Maddie watched her friend come back inside, her tray empty. She must have found Vanessa and delivered the espresso.
But instead of coming back to see Maddie, or going into the kitchen to get another platter of health balls and brownies, Suzanne hurried past the guests and down a small hallway that Maddie knew led to the bathroom.
A couple more guests left, Bob saying goodbye to them outside the front door. Maddie watched him wave to a middle-aged couple, then he turned left, walking out of sight. Maybe he needed a fresh air break as well?
Jill bustled out from the kitchen behind her, giving Maddie a start.
“How’s everything going, Maddie?” Jill’s face was flushed.
“Oh, fine,” Maddie replied. “Suzanne’s just taken an espresso to Vanessa.”
“Can you believe that woman?” Jill scowled. “Hanging on to Bob’s every word like that? And flirting with him?” She made flirting sound like a terrible crime, punishable by prison time.
“I was a little surprised,” Maddie said truthfully.
“And Bob doesn’t seem to know what she’s up to.” Jill’s face darkened. “But I do. Trying to move in on him. That’s why I had to stay with them all the time, so she knew he was taken.”
“So ... you and Bob are ... together?” Maddie asked, hoping she wasn’t being nosy.
“Yes.” Jill smiled, looking momentarily happy. “It’s pretty new though, so we’re not going around showing off about it if you know what I mean. It’s not as if we’re twenty-somethings, like you and Suzanne.”
“You’re not that old,” Maddie protested. In thirteen years’ time she might be Jill’s age. It wasn’t that far away – was it?
“Thanks.” Jill chuckled. “You always know the right thing to say, Maddie.” She looked over to where Bob was talking to Grandma Pat at her table. He must have returned to the party. “At least Vanessa hasn’t got her hooks into him right now.”
Jill scanned the room. “Where’s Genevieve? Have you seen her?”
Maddie glanced over at the remaining guests.
“No.” She shook her head. “She was here a few minutes ago, and then she went over to the guests.”
But she wasn’t in the room now.
“Maddie!” Suzanne rushed over to the counter, her face white. “I need you to come with me – now!”
“What is it?” Maddie’s eyes widened as she saw the state her friend was in – shocked and scared.
“I can’t tell you here.” Suzanne tugged on Maddie’s hand. “Just come with me right now!”
