Paw and Order by V.M. Burns

Author:V.M. Burns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2020-04-19T16:54:42+00:00

Monday morning was a workday for me. I had been tempted to take the day off and spend it with Stephanie, but I had some work I needed to do in preparation for our taxes, an upcoming audit and the board meeting. The previous night we agreed that Stephanie would drop me off at work so she could keep the car and then she would meet me downtown for lunch.

Neither of us was keen on letting the dogs out alone so when I awoke, I waited on the deck while the three dogs took care of their business before I finished getting dressed.

It seemed like a month since I’d been to the museum, even though it was only two days. I knew deep down inside that I wasn’t to blame for Archibald Lowry’s murder, but I still felt guilty for talking Linda Kay into allowing the Chattanooga Museum to host the event. I really enjoyed working at the museum and didn’t want to cause trouble. Guilt often translated into food in my mind. So, I had Stephanie take me to DaVinci’s, a bakery located about one block from the museum.

“Bakery?” Stephanie glanced at the treats strategically placed in the shop window to entice passersby.

I glanced at my watch. “Why don’t you park, and we’ll go inside and see if we can snag a table and have a pastry and a coffee.”

She glanced at the coffee in the cup holder she’d made at home and then turned the wheel and pulled into the lot beside the building. DaVinci’s was a European style café located in the arts district of Chattanooga. In addition to house-roasted coffees, they offered an assortment of artisan breads, hand-dipped chocolates and delicious, hand-made pastries.

Inside, the smell of fresh brewed coffee, buttery pastries and sugary deliciousness crept into our noses and pulled us deeper into the bakery’s lair. I watched Stephanie take a deep breath and inhale the glorious scent of sugar and coffee. She was hooked.

“Good morning, Mrs. Echosby. What can I get for you today?” Brad greeted me as he did most mornings. I discovered the bakery when I started working at the museum and had become a regular, stopping in practically every day.

I smiled. This must be what the regulars from the television show Cheers felt at a place where everybody knew your name. “Hello, Brad. I’ll take a pastry box for work and how about a croissant and large coffee.” I turned to Stephanie. “This is my daughter, Stephanie.”

“You must be the lawyer from Chicago.” Brad smiled. “Are you here visiting your mom?”

Stephanie nodded, but I could tell she was surprised this stranger knew so much about her. She quickly ordered a coffee and a pastry.

We were fortunate and found a seat at one of the small bistro tables near the window. When we were seated, Stephanie took a sip of her coffee. “Hmmm. This is delicious.”

I smiled. It was nice to get to spend a few minutes with my daughter. I was very proud of her success, but I missed having time to just talk and enjoy each other’s company.

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