Mint Mocha Chip (A Zion Sawyer Cozy Mystery Book 8) by M.L. Hamilton

Author:M.L. Hamilton [Hamilton, M.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

T ate left his house and headed toward Main Street. On Sunday, Logan worked the hardware store, letting Tate come in a little later than usual, but he hated to leave the kid alone for very long. Logan knew how to run the business as well as he did, but Tate didn’t get to see him as much as he used to, and he liked the days when it was just him and Logan in the store once again.

As he drove, he replayed his conversation with Danby in his mind. The FBI agent didn’t think anyone else was in jeopardy from the Bruno Cabello threat, but Tate knew the FBI could be single-minded in its pursuit of the big catch. Not that they wanted collateral damage, and not that they wouldn’t do everything in their power to keep everyone safe, but they wanted Cabello more.

Pulling his phone from his coat pocket, he waited until he got to a stop sign, then he pressed the icon for Zion’s number. It rang and rang and rang, eventually going to voicemail. He disconnected the call, worry knotting in his belly. She never failed to answer his calls.

Forcing his overprotective nature down, he continued on to Main Street, but as he pulled into the municipal parking lot, he searched for her Optima. It wasn’t there. Finding the last available spot, he parked the truck and jogged across the street to the Caffeinator, pushing open the door. The interior was filled with customers, occupying all the bistro tables and filling the reading nook.

Lottie and Sonya were rushing back and forth, filling orders and making coffee. He didn’t want to bother them, but the fact that Zion wasn’t here and it was so busy added a new layer to his concern. He eased up to the cash register and forced a smile for Lottie, Dottie’s younger sister. If he didn’t know better, the two women could be twins, except Dottie enjoyed putting wild colors in her hair, usually to match whatever fashion trend Tallah Ford was following that month, and she wore glasses that she kept on a beaded leash.

“Hey, Lottie,” he said, leaning against the counter. “It sure is busy in here.”

Lottie handed the card back to the customer she was serving. “Hey, Tate honey, it sure is.”

“Zion hasn’t come in yet?”

“No, she was going to talk to Rebekah, then I think Dee wanted her to come to the bowling alley.”

Tate looked at the full dining room. “Did you tell her how swamped you were?”

“We can handle it,” said Sonya, stepping up beside Lottie and passing the coffee to the waiting customer. “She doesn’t need any more stress right now. As soon as we clear out this pre-lunch rush, things will calm down.”

“We’re really fine, honey,” reassured Lottie.

Tate took a deep breath, then nodded. “Well, I won’t keep you.”

“See you later,” called Lottie after him.

Winding his way through the crowd, he stepped out of the coffee shop and removed his phone. He called Zion once more, but again the phone went to voicemail.

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