Tough As They Crumb: Raised and Glazed Cozy Mysteries, Book 26 by Ainsley Emma

Author:Ainsley, Emma
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Summer Prescott Books
Published: 2023-01-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“You don’t need to be here right now,” Orson grumbled at her when she stopped by the donut shop two hours later. Maggie had no intention of staying, but she did want to check in. She looked up at the large sign in Myra’s handwriting that had been tacked up next to the menu behind the counter. “No boxed lunches until further notice,” the note read. Her heart sank a little, but she shook her head and forced the thoughts away.

“I came in to check on all of you,” she said to a hovering Orson. “And to tell you that I got to see Ruby.”

Hopeful faces gathered around her. Zeke was the exception. He maintained his place in front of the deep fryer, but his sober glance told Maggie he did not expect good news.

“How was she?” Myra asked. “Is she awake?”

Maggie smiled sadly and shook her head. “She is not awake yet, but I told her that we were all pulling for her, and that she needed to hurry up and get back to her farm animals because not one of us knows what we’re doing.”

“Speak for yourself,” Orson grumbled. “Paul told me I was his best farm hand assistant yet.” He looked around the small group and shrugged his shoulders. “I have a lot more life experience than any of you combined.” He slammed the towel in his hand down on the prep table and sulked out of the kitchen.

“He won’t admit it, but this has him torn up inside,” Myra said when the swinging door closed behind him.

“Yeah, he’s been especially spicy,” Naomi said. “I think the only reason he hasn’t lined us all up for a whooping yet is because Zeke is here to keep things going.”

“He seems to respect that smoldering masculine energy,” Myra whispered.

“I heard that,” Zeke said from the deep fryer. “And you’re welcome.” He turned toward them with a wide smile.

“Listen, I think Ruby is going to make a full recovery,” Maggie said with as much conviction as she could muster. “I called Paul and told him I’m going to run out to the farm to meet him and help make sure the animals are fed.”

“Please let us know the second you hear anything,” Myra said before heading back out front.

“I will,” Maggie promised. She hugged both women and turned to Zeke. “Thank you for being here. You are a gem.”

“Oh, he doesn’t mind being here,” Myra said. “He loves the fact that he is so close to Flo.”

Flo ran The Diner, a lunch and dinner food truck parked out on the other side of the donut shop parking lot.

“If you think you’re going to get a rise out of me, you’re mistaken,” Zeke said. “But I’m not denying a word you said.” Zeke’s admiration of the food truck owner was a poorly held secret among them.

Maggie left the kitchen and headed up front. She wanted to hug Orson once before she left, even if he responded like a porcupine with his sharp quills.

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