Page 19 of Bennett

“Yes, you.” Annie nodded, her tone firm. “I don’t want to see Jim’s place vandalized. Not like this. And to be honest, I didn’t want to see the warehouse and showrooms torn apart and sectioned off until all the work was complete.”

Totally understandable. Her aunt had spent months planning the renovations with Brandi to transform the old furniture store into something new and useful. But actually seeing the place damaged by some unknown vandal? That would probably make her feel violated.

Laurel nodded. “Okay, but I can’t leave you here with just Belinda during the end of the breakfast rush and start of lunch.”

Annie’s shoulders sagged slightly before she straightened them. “I’ll call in Darla. She owes me a favor, and I’ll make sure she gets tipped out nicely for the trouble.”

“You sure?” She chewed her lower lip. “What if Darla has plans? That’ll leave you short-staffed.”

Annie snatched up the phone again. “Darla, honey, you busy?” Annie’s voice turned syrupy sweet, which meant Darla was about to get roped into a shift on her day off.

Laurel hid a smirk as her aunt worked her magic.

By the time Annie hung up, she was smugly victorious. “Darla’s on her way.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “You’re dangerous.”

Annie winked. “I know.” Her gaze sobered. “You go on. It’ll be fine. Besides, this is what I asked you here for, isn’t it?”

“Not exactly.” The main reason Laurel was here was to make sure her stubborn aunt actually followed her doctor’s orders after her surgery. She cocked her head. “You wanted me to help out at the diner because you’re short-staffed.”

Two weeks ago, Annie had let one of her servers go when the woman repeatedly failed to show up for shifts. This had left Annie running things with just one of her servers to hold down the fort during the morning.

“True,” her aunt said. “But now that these issues have started to crop up at your uncle’s building, I could really use your help monitoring the renovations too.”

It was rare to see Annie upset, but the distress dulling her gaze coupled with the fact she continued to think of the building next door as Uncle Jim’s, told Laurel her aunt was still in the grieving stage.

She hesitated. Her skill set was more about improvising and managing chaos than actual leadership. But if her aunt trusted her with her uncle’s building, then she needed to give it a shot.

“Okay,” she finally said. “Although I don’t know much about renovating a building.”

“Ah, piece of cake for you,” Annie said. “Your dad told me all about how you oversaw the revamping of the catering shop.”

She snorted. “We replaced two stoves and added an oven and bigger fridge.”

“And found room for another counter workspace, picking everything out and making sure it was all installed properly,” her aunt added, with a gleam in her eyes. “Don’t sell yourself so short, honey. You have a knack for running things. Even your dad can see it.”

Shock rippled through Laurel’s chest, paving the way for a wave of warmth. “He does?”

This was news to her. All she’d done was lend a hand wherever she saw something lacking. Even though catering wasn’t her passion like her parents, she wanted to make sure they had everything they needed at their fingertips.

“Yes, of course.” Annie grinned. “So, overseeing these renovations while you’re here will take a big load off my shoulders.”

Well, damn. When her aunt put it that way, how could Laurel refuse?

She exhaled. “All right. But if I come back and find you trying to do more than pour coffee, I’m dragging you to the doctor myself.”

Annie chuckled. “I’ll be good. Promise.” She lifted her phone. “I’ll call Brandi and give her your number and let her know to discuss things with you from now on.” Then her expression softened, a hint of worry slipping through her tough facade. “Just…let me know what you find, all right?”

“I will.” Laurel squeezed her aunt’s shoulder and reached for her purse.

“Oh, and take this with you.” Annie nodded toward the counter where a takeout bag and a large coffee sat ready and waiting. “Mac ordered breakfast for Carter before he left. Said the guy stayed behind this morning to get a temporary security system installed at the site. Figured you could hand it to him.”

Laurel eyed the bag and coffee. “So, I’m playing delivery girl now, huh?”

“Think of it as a goodwill gesture,” her aunt said. “And maybe an apology for all the work this mess is causing him.”

“Fair enough.” Laurel grabbed the bag and coffee, hoping she was easing her aunt’s nerves.