Chapter 3

Blake was a little annoyed that the one day Nikki kept her mouth shut was the day she was trying to get information out of the girl. But no matter how much Blake or Giselle asked, Nikki still claimed she didn’t know Book Hottie… Sean Larson. His name is Sean. I really have to stop referring to him as Book Hottie. Even in my head.

Giselle left around noon to get to her afternoon class at MU, and Blake wasn’t really happy to see her buffer walk out the door.

By late afternoon, Blake had wiped down the café tables, made a fresh pot of coffee, and restocked the pastry case with cookies, which seemed to be the most popular treat for her customers who came in after work. Closing the case, she stood up straight and stretched, perching her hands on her hips. When she looked up, she had to stop herself from growling at Nikki. The girl leaned against the counter, staring off into space, twisting a lock of brown hair.

Instead of snarling, Blake forced a smile. “Nikki, you seem to be having a problem focusing today. Is there something you want to talk about?”

The girl blinked a couple of times as if coming out of a trance. She looked at Blake for a long moment then slowly shook her head. “There’s really nothing I can talk about.”

Blake furrowed her brow in confusion. “I’m not quite sure what that means. Why can’t you?”

Nikki tossed her long hair over her shoulder and huffed out a breath. “Why do you even care, anyway? I know you don’t really like me, Blake. You gave me this job as a favor to my aunt.” Her chin jutted out in defiance. “And I know you’re trying to replace me. It’s not like you’re being subtle about it. I’ve seen the ad in the Penny Saver.”

Dealing with irresponsible Nikki was one thing, but insubordinate Nikki made Blake’s stomach burn. She counted to ten before responding. “Nikki, the coffee shop is getting busier with the increase in tourists, and we need more help before summer, because it will be even busier. I want to get someone in here and trained as soon as I can. But I do need you to take this job more seriously.”

Nikki rolled her eyes dramatically. “Or what?”

Blake opened her mouth, ready to tell Nikki to just collect her last paycheck and go, but the bell above the front door stopped her. The door opened, and four ladies streamed in, each carrying a paperback. Dang it all, I forgot today was book club day.

She shot Nikki a look as if to tell the girl that the discussion wasn’t finished, then she turned to greet the group, which was already settling in on the two overstuffed couches in the back corner of the café.

Before she could make her way over, the front door opened again, and in walked Derek Preston, who made their daily deliveries. “Hey, Blake, I have your coffee order. If the back’s open, I can just take it around and load it in the kitchen.”

“Oh, right, I need to unlock the door. I’ll meet you back there.” She turned to tell Nikki to help the book club ladies but immediately noticed that the girl’s eyes were still flashing. Unleashing her on customers probably wasn’t a good idea. “Nikki, why don’t you go let Derek in while I help the book club.”

“Fine,” Nikki said in a huff. Blake was a bit surprised the girl didn’t stomp her foot in defiance before she spun on her heel and headed into the kitchen.

Blake took a few deep breaths and put on her best smile before she turned to the group of women who called themselves “Murder She Read.” The group ranged in age from forty to seventy-something, and every one of them was buzzing.

“I didn’t even know Edna Clouse had a nephew,” Penny Driver was saying.

Elaine Page fanned herself. “Certainly not one so good-looking.” The woman’s eyes sparkled. “Do you think he’s single?” Elaine, the youngest of the group, was recently divorced. Rumor had it that she was collecting a hefty alimony, so she didn’t seem too interested in remarrying. She did, however, seem very interested in spending time with any attractive man who came through town.

Blake offered the group a wide smile. “I see you’ve met my new neighbor.”

Penny turned to her, dramatically fanning herself. “Oh, we sure have.”

“He was carrying in boxes,” Ruby Cross said. “He must lift weights. You should have seen the muscles on the man.”

Blake found her eyes trailing to the front window. “You don’t say?”

“See? Even Blake is interested.” Judith “Red” Montgomery reached up and smoothed her fire-engine-red locks. “And she never seems interested in anyone.” Red was the oldest woman in the book club, and upon hitting seventy, she had decided she was old enough to say whatever she wanted and everyone else could go “jump in a lake.”

Blake crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s not true, Red. I date,” she said unconvincingly.

All of the women stopped talking and looked up at her, either in disbelief or excitement because they sensed a new bit of gossip.

“What? I do! Occasionally.”

“You tell Ryan he needs to set you up with that new doctor at the hospital.” Red reached up and squeezed her hand. “It’s about time you settled down. The doctor would be perfect for you.”

Blake smiled indulgently at Red. She was tired of hearing about the new doctor in town, and she hadn’t even met him yet. In fact, she’d actually been avoiding her brother because of it. Her last blind date with Dr. Pillsbury Doughboy was still all too fresh in her mind. Not that looks were everything. In all honesty, she could have easily gotten past his looks, but it didn’t help matters that he had spent their dinner talking nonstop about each of the battles in the Star Trek movies.

“You’re sweet, Red, but I might take a break from Ryan setting me up for a while.” Before Red could tell her—again—that her biological clock was ticking, she continued on. “What can I get you ladies today? Are you going to have your usuals?”

They all nodded, except Elaine, who said, “Don’t put whipped cream on my mocha today.” She patted her flat stomach. “I’m watching my figure.”

“No problem, Elaine. I’ll have your drinks right out.”

After she delivered one mocha, no whip, two caramel macchiatos, and a vanilla latte, Blake went in the back, ready to give Nikki a piece of her mind. But when she saw the girl leaning against the kitchen island, all the fight went out of her. Nikki’s face was buried in her hands, and her shoulders shook as she sobbed.

She took a step closer. “Nikki?”

The girl’s head popped up, and she swiped haphazardly at her face. “Blake! Oh God, Blake, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I spoke to you like that. I don’t know what’s gotten into me today. I just… I just…” Her face crumpled, and she erupted into sobs again. “Please… hiccup… don’t… hiccup… fire me.”

Well, crap. Even though she had good reason, Blake didn’t think she could bring herself to fire Nikki when the girl was a mess of tears in front of her. Kyle would have said that made her a “wuss,” but she didn’t really care. She wasn’t about to let her moral judgment lapse for the sake of good business. Blake sighed and put what she hoped was a reassuring hand on Nikki’s shoulder. “I’m not going to fire you, Nikki.”

The girl sniffled and looked up at Blake with watery eyes. “You’re n-not?”

She shook her head. “Not if you can make me a couple of promises.”

“Anything.” Nikki bounced in place, clapping her hands together. “Oh, Blake, I’ll do anything. I’ll be the best employee you’ve ever had.”

Worry took up residence in the pit of Blake’s stomach. She really hoped she wasn’t making a mistake, but she just didn’t have the heart to get rid of Nikki without giving her one more chance. “Well, I don’t know what’s going on with you right now, but you can’t let your personal issues affect your job. You were downright rude to some of the customers today.”

Nikki grimaced. “I know I was. You will never see that kind of attitude out of me again. I swear.”

Blake pursed her lips. “And you really need to pull your weight. You can’t just stand behind the counter and stare off into space or start texting. You could be refilling coffee beans, setting out pastries to thaw, making sure the fridge behind the counter is stocked, checking on the customers.” She sighed. “I could continue.”

Nikki held her hands up. “No, I totally get it. And I am going to prove myself to you. Starting now. Tonight’s the night you do inventory, right?”

Ugh. Inventory. Definitely not Blake’s favorite time of the month. The café closed at seven, and inventory only took a couple of hours, but it was tedious. “Yep, inventory. But then I get to go home and treat myself to a bubble bath and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.” Chunky Monkey was good motivation for anything.

Nikki smiled. “Well, you don’t have to worry about inventory. I’ll do it.” She patted her chest as if that were the greatest idea any woman had ever thought of.

“Um…” Blake tried to think of an appropriate response as her stomach flipped over. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to trust Nikki with inventory. “I, uh, thank you, Nikki. But I’m sure you already have plans. I know you’ve had a difficult day. You really should go home and—”

Nikki shook her head. “Nope, I can do it. Really, Blake. I want to show you I can be responsible. And you’ve let Giselle do inventory before. Come on, I really can be the employee you need. You can depend on me. You go home, and I’ll stay for a couple of hours and get the inventory all wrapped up. I’ve seen you do it before. I know exactly what to do and what forms I need to fill out.”

“Well…” There had to be a good reason why Blake needed to stay and do it herself, but for the life of her, she couldn’t think of one. She guessed the worst that could happen was that Nikki wouldn’t do it right, and she would just have to stay late and do it the next night. But who knows? Maybe Nikki really could get it finished, then Blake wouldn’t have to worry about it for another month.

Plus, a night of nothing but The Bachelor and a pint of Chunky Monkey sounded like heaven. “Okay, Nikki. That would really be a huge help. I have to admit, the twelve-hour workdays are getting to me.”

Nikki clapped her hands together in excitement. “You won’t regret it, Blake. I promise.”

The rumble of Blake’s stomach made her realize she hadn’t eaten anything since the mini quiche at lunchtime. As she left the café shortly after seven, her eyes roamed across the street to Sliced Restaurant & Bakery. Sliced was one of the oldest businesses along Main Street. Molly and Micah Brand had run the place since their father died five years before. Blake was just thankful the twins had kept his recipes, including those famous cheeseburgers that made her mouth water. She swayed in the direction of Sliced, but exhaustion got the better of her, and she decided TV and sleep sounded way more appealing. She began the fifteen-minute walk home, really wishing she’d driven her car that morning, and stopped when she heard male voices raised in anger.

“It’s none of your business, Larson!”

Blake tiptoed to the pathway between Mystery Cup and Macabre Reads and peered down to the alley. Sean Larson stood with his fists clenched at his sides, a menacing look on his face. Even from a distance, Blake felt as though she should back up a couple of steps. He had to be talking to someone, but that person was hidden behind Macabre Reads.

“Maybe it’s not my business,” Sean was saying, “but my God, use some freaking sense. You know what she’s like, what she’s done. Do you think she’s changed?”

“I’m sick of this. It doesn’t matter. That was in the past. And I sure as hell don’t need you of all people questioning my moral compass.” Gravel crunched beneath angry feet as the man in the shadows paced into the light. None other than Todd Lang.

“Blake?”

At the sound of her name, Blake spun around with a squeak, stumbling in surprise. “Micah! Oh gosh, you scared me.”

“I didn’t mean to startle you.” Micah offered her a lopsided grin and ran his fingers through his disheveled red hair, but his smile faltered as he studied her face. “Are you okay?”

Blake pressed a hand to her chest to calm her pounding heart. “I’m fine. Just a little on edge, I guess. What are you doing here?”

Micah arched an eyebrow at her, his tousled red hair ruffling in the breeze. Blake knew he was a couple of years older than she was, but as handsome as he was, he had such a baby face. It was as though she could look at him and see exactly what he’d looked like when he was ten years old. “We had someone call in sick, so I’m working the evening shift and closing.” He peered down the pathway where she’d been looking. “You sure you’re okay?”

Blake followed his gaze and saw that the alley was empty. Whatever the conversation between Sean and Todd had been about, they’d moved it to a more private location. “Yeah, I just thought I heard something.” She forced a laugh. “I think I’m just tired. I’m going to go home and enrich my mind with some reality TV.” She began walking again, and Micah fell in step beside her.

When they reached the street corner, she waved goodbye and watched him cross the street before she turned to head home. During the brief walk, she couldn’t think of anything besides what Sean Larson and Todd Lang could have been arguing about.