Homer reached his neck so he could sniff me. I swear, the dog could smell a cookie crumb or treat from a mile away. I rubbed between his ears and focused on Evie. She had her hair in tiny braids, each one with at least one colored bead weaved in. She looked great in sweats and no makeup. I should have hated her for that alone, but she was an amazing barista and had a wide knowledge of books too. And she was nice. “No worries. Evie, have you met our newest business owner here in South Cove? This is Meredith Cole.”
“So nice to meet you.” Meredith reached out to pet Homer, but a small growl emitted from the dog’s throat. “Sorry, I should have asked first.”
“He’s usually great with strangers. Maybe he’s just had too much change lately.” Evie pulled him closer to her chest and put her hand over his nose to keep him from actually biting the newcomer.
“Totally my bad. I was raised with dogs. I should know better.” Meredith flashed Evie a smile, then turned to me. “I was just making sure you were coming tonight. Neal and I are buying the wine this afternoon, so I wanted to get a solid head count. You and your guy, Greg, right?”
I nodded. As long as there wasn’t a crazy problem that kept him at the station, we’d be there. “I’m coming. And Greg’s onboard. Unless something happens.”
“Remind me. He’s a firefighter?”
Amy snorted. “Nope. Greg’s our local police detective. He should be police chief, but Mayor Baylor keeps shooting down the title change. He’s afraid Greg’s going to challenge him for his mayoral spot.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Meredith turned to Amy. “You and your fiancé are coming, right?”
“Our first date night for a while. Justin’s been crazy busy with midterms over at the university for the last few weeks.” Amy put the last chair under the table by where we were standing. “You and Neal are married, right? Did you get married locally? What was your venue?”
I giggled and Amy threw me a dirty look. “Sorry, but I’m glad you have a new victim in this whole marriage insanity.”
Darla picked up all three clipboards and tucked them into her tote. “I was going to mention that Matt’s not going to be able to come. He’s in Missouri at his folks’ house doing some sort of farm stuff. Plowing or planting or something. He’s told me, but I keep forgetting. I don’t even have a garden or an inside plant. He really shouldn’t expect me to follow his discussion on crop raising.”
“Darla, a farm wife.” I tried out the image. It didn’t take. Although the girl was so crazy in love with her boyfriend, Matt, I wouldn’t put it past her to at least try.
“Don’t start. Anyway, sorry about the late notice.” She turned away from me and focused on Meredith.
“No problem.” Meredith glanced at Evie. “Do you want to come? We’re set up for ten—the guy who runs the antique shop is bringing his girlfriend and a couple who’s staying at Main Street Bed and Breakfast this week.”
Evie’s eyes widened. “Me? You’re inviting me to the party?”
“Free of charge. I need to get some karma going around here and I’d rather not bring in just anyone.” She looked around the room. “Some of the local artists are kind of touchy when you talk about teaching others how to paint. Everyone has an opinion. Like they’re all Degas or Monet. I’ve visited most of the galleries here, and although they do a great job in seascapes, I’m certain no one is going to break out and take over the art world.”
I decided right there and then that I liked Meredith. I had always thought our artist members of the business to business group were a bit too in love with themselves. Meredith seemed down-to-earth and a great judge of character. “Evie, you need to come. It will be a great way to meet other people in South Cove.”
“I like the people I know. I’d hate to risk fate.” Evie glanced around the shop, now put back together for the day’s business. Her grip tightened on Homer, who’d stopped growling but was still watching Meredith closely. “I’ll think about it. What time?”
“It starts about six thirty. Greg doesn’t like to be out late on a work night.” I glanced over at Toby, who was behind the counter. A line was starting to form. Most of the students from the cosmetology school were here for their morning break. “I need to go help Toby. See you all tonight. Evie, I’ll stop at the apartment if you want to walk over with us.”
“I do need to get out. So, yes, that would be perfect. Thank you.” Evie moved toward the back door to the apartment. “I might have to take a break to check on Homer. He’s having some problems adjusting.”
“Oh no.” I rubbed the little dog’s chin. “Are you homesick, Homer?”
“No, he’s not. Neither one of us are.” Evie turned on her heel and stomped toward the back door.
I watched her leave before asking the group, “Did I say something wrong?”
“Not that I heard. Maybe she’s just a little nervous about leaving the dog?” Amy put her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. We’re just getting to know one another. You know that process takes some time. She moved from a house on an acre outside of New York City; living here in an apartment must be a total change.”
I glanced at the line, which seemed to be even longer, so I excused myself and went to help Toby. But my thoughts were stuck on Evie. Was she going to fit in? Was this just an isolated incident or would our customer service suffer from her verbal snaps?
Amy turned down meeting for lunch when she came to say goodbye. She was driving into the city to meet Justin that afternoon because Mayor Baylor and his wife, Tina, were off on a cruise. From what I saw, our mayor did a lot of vacationing under the guise of networking and promotion. I wasn’t sure people who cruised were actually small-town coastal tourists. But he somehow convinced the Council.
After the rush had left I picked up an Advanced Reader Copy one of the book publicists in New York had sent us. I loved this mystery author and decided to snatch the book before my aunt even realized it had arrived. I was about to call her when Deek Kerr came in the front door, his laptop case over his shoulder. Today his blond cornrows were dyed green. He set down his stuff at a table near the wall where he could plug in his computer and then strolled behind the bar. “What are you doing here?”
He filled a large mug with coffee and then sprinkled some cinnamon on top. He glanced at the clock before answering me. “For the next three hours I am writing and hope to get this chapter done. I so hate the middle. I know everyone told me it would be the pits, but did I listen? No. I did not.”
I glanced at the schedule we had sitting by the cash register. Deek wasn’t working until tomorrow, when he took over for me, unless he’d taken Aunt Jackie’s shift. “After you pen your opus, what then?”