The Curse of the Cherry Pie by Amy Patricia Meade

Author:Amy Patricia Meade [Amy Patricia Meade]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2021-01-11T22:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

With a free afternoon before her, Tish drove to the café to assist with the lunch crowd. Pulling the Matrix into the parking area at a little past twelve thirty, she entered through the back door, hung her purse on a nearby hook, washed her hands, and donned a clean apron before approaching Mary Jo who, looking cool and comfortable in an ankle-length brown dress and a pair of espadrilles, was serving a group of customers seated at the counter.

‘Hey, what are you doing here?’ Mary Jo asked at the sight of her best friend.

‘Bake-off is closed for the rest of the day. Appliance issues.’

‘Yeah, Jules already told me about your “appliance issues.”’ Mary Jo drew quotes in the air. ‘My question is what are you doing here instead of at the condo, resting?’

‘I’m here because I was examined by the medical staff at the civic center and given a clean bill of health. Also, I thought if I helped out, you stood a better chance of making Kayla’s doctor’s appointment on time.’

‘Ah, yes, the all-important doctor’s appointment. I can’t wait to find out what he has to say about that allergy.’

‘Me, too. There’s also the issue of a medical alert bracelet.’ Tish told MJ about Clayton’s early morning hospital call.

‘Hmmm, interesting. I’ll ask Doctor Hobbs about that too,’ MJ said.

Tish nodded. ‘If you’re free afterwards, why don’t you swing by the condo so we can discuss our findings? Jules will be there and I’m inviting Clayton. I’m ordering in some pizzas.’

‘With spinach and meatballs?’ MJ asked.

‘Is there any other way to eat a pizza?’

Mary Jo grunted her approval. ‘I have to drop Kayla at her PSAT prep class at five thirty. I’ll come by after that.’

‘Perfect,’ Tish deemed as her eyes scanned the full café. ‘Where do you want me to start?’

‘I’ve served just about everyone except for table five.’

Tish glanced at table five to see the familiar faces of Daryl Dufour, Celestine Rufus, and Celestine’s daughter, Lacey. ‘Daryl …? What are they all doing together?’

‘Daryl stopped by before Celestine left for the day. He had books for the grandkids on how to deal with grief. Celestine thanked him and they got to talking. Lacey checked in from her errands to see where her mom was, and before you know it, Daryl invited both of them to stay for lunch.’

‘Nice,’ Tish remarked, genuinely pleased to see the trio happily engaged in conversation.

‘Yeah, Daryl’s sweet to think of the kids that way. I think it’s good for both Celestine and Lacey to enjoy some time out of the house and away from the rest of the family for a while.’

‘Yes, it is.’ Tish stared down at the counter. That Daryl Dufour might actually be Lacey’s family – the product of a teenage romance that ended the moment Celestine met Lloyd Rufus – was a secret that remained between Tish, Celestine, and Daryl. ‘I’ll get their order together if you want to check in on the other tables.’

Mary Jo accepted the offer.

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