Page 27 of Donut Disaster
“And what about the judge? Good man, you got there. My mother used to say one in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
“Yes, well, the one in the bush is about to have his marriage officially dissolved. And Everett wants me to make sure all of my feelings for Noah are shaken out before I officially take his hand.”
“Marriage? And here I thought I was passing the womanizing baton to Judge Baxter for good.”
“Not true.” I moan through a sip of coffee. “He’s perfectly devoted to me.”
“So we’re almost at an even playing field with the two of them. I suppose if you’re not in a hurry to race down the aisle, I’d suggest you take the judge up on his offer. Have a conversation with yourself, with the detective, figure out if there’s anything there to salvage.”
“And what if there is?” I practically cry out. “What’s to become of Everett and me? I love him, too. I can’t just put our relationship on ice while I date Noah to see if we fit.”
His eyes meet with mine, serious and familiar. “Yes, you can, Lottie. In fact, it sounds as if Everett is imploring you to do so. Believe me, you’re lucky he cares enough to put his ego aside. Not many men would do that. Would Noah do that? It’s asking a lot of a man. Do you know what that tells me? It lets me know that Everett loves you more than he loves himself.”
A breath hitches in my throat at the thought. “That’s beautiful.” Tears blur my vision, and I blink them back.
“What are you waiting for with Noah? Do you really need the ink to dry on his divorce papers to have a talk with him?”
“I guess not. But, to be truthful, I don’t need to talk to Noah. I already know that I love him. But there are things to say. Everett is right. We have too much unfinished business between us.”
“You’re in a tough place. You know what they say—not every storm is in the forecast. It sounds like you split your heart in two and gave away both pieces.”
“I sure did.” I thump my mug against the counter as if it were a gavel. “Whether or not he meant it, Noah hurt me. And Everett healed me.”
“I’ve got great news for you, kid. You can take all the time in the world. Those men aren’t going anywhere. Take a year to get to know them both a heck of a lot better. Take two years. It will all come together.” He drains his coffee before hopping off his seat. “Thank you for breakfast. How much do I owe you?”
“Are you kidding? You listened to me. That was payment enough. And, I think you might have helped, too. I like your idea of not rushing things. It feels as if the pressure is off my shoulders.” But not my heart.
“Good.” He surveys me for a moment before offering a quick embrace. He takes off, and Cookie hops into the seat next to me.
Harry’s words reverberate in my mind.Not every storm is in the forecast.
It feels as if I’ve been in a storm for the better part of the year.
“Sage advice from a wise, sweet man.” Cookie sighs. “I do say you are fortunate to have so many people who love you, Lottie Lemon. You are a lucky, lucky girl.”
I wrap my arm around him and land a kiss to his furry forehead. It never ceases to amaze me at how solid the ghosts of the dead can feel—that is, if they want to—once they come back.
“I am lucky, aren’t I?” I snatch my cruller off the plate and take another quick bite. “Who do you think we should investigate next, Cookie? Who’s the unlucky one?”
He vocalizes something just shy of a moan as he considers this. “The girl who was arguing with Cassie that night.”
“Anika Bram?”
“Yes. She was his love interest.”
“Dr. Dawson had many.”
Cookie barks out a laugh. “I suppose you have that in common with him, now, don’t you?”
“Yes, well, let’s hope I don’t end up on the receiving end of the Grim Reaper’s sickle. You wouldn’t happen to know where I could find Anika, would you?”
“No, track her down, Lottie. Track down the killer. I want to know who did this to my brother. I want justice. And I don’t care how many hearts you’ll have to break to get it.” He hops off the stool and scampers his way onto Main Street by way of the window.
Cookie wants justice.
And so do I.
Chapter 9