Page 6 of Mail-Order Avis (A Mail-Order Mystery #3)

Six

T rue to his word, Reed made breakfast the next morning. It consisted of French toast, fried eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes.

Avis had to admit; it was delicious. Every last bite of it.

So, the man could cook. Okay, she had to give him that. As long as he didn’t try to tell her how to run the café, they’d be fine. But the moment he started bossing her around, there was going to be trouble.

This time, she helped him with the dishes, then sat down at the dining room table with Alicia and Samuel. “Is everything satisfactory?” Alicia asked.

“It all looks fine. I can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing. This is very generous of you.”

“Well, you can’t help your circumstances,” Samuel said. “I’m sorry you were brought out here not knowing what was going to happen. Unfortunately, you’re not the first and you won’t be the last.”

“It’s never happened inourtown,” Alicia huffed.

“True, but there’s a first time for everything, dear.” He gave his wife a pat on the arm, then smiled at Avis. “Go ahead, young lady. Sign the contract and so will we.”

Avis tried to ignore the fact that Reed was sitting in an armchair near the window, reading a newspaper. Did he have to plant himself so close? Why couldn’t he read in the parlor?

She looked over the contract one more time, then signed her name. That done, she slid the papers across the table to Samuel and Alicia and watched them sign.

“There. It’s all done,” Alicia said. “You’re now running the Fiddler’s Gap Café and Bakery. What are you going to do first?”

Before Avis could answer, Reed folded the paper, left his chair, and joined them at the table.

“For one, she’s going to let me help her.

” He set the paper aside. “Now that she knows I know what I’m talking about.

” He smiled at Alicia and Samuel. “Let’s face it, she’s going to need all the help she can get. ”

“But what about your position as mayor?” Samuel asked.

Avis caught the hint of a smile forming on Reed’s face.

“It’ll be no problem,” Reed said. “After all, it’s not as if anyone’s running against me.”

“But what if they do?” Avis blurted before she could stop herself.

Samuel laughed. “Trust me, dear, no one around here wants the job. That’s why I wrote Reed and asked him to come. He’s perfect for the position.”

“But what if someone from Baker City decides they want to run for mayor?” she asked.

“No one would vote for them,” Alicia said. “Because they’re from Baker City.” She laughed and looked at Samuel. “Right?”

“That’s correct. Why would anyone vote for a stranger?”

Avis looked pointedly at Reed. “Isn’t he a stranger?”

“Not anymore,” Reed said. “The only thing I have against me is I don’t play an instrument, but I can cook.” He held up a finger and wagged it at her. “And so can you. Let me help you get set up, Avis. It’s the least I can do.”

“He’s right, dear,” Alicia said. “Please don’t turn him away.”

Avis tried not to groan in frustration. Alicia Murray was one of those souls it was hard to say no to. “I’ll do my best.”

“That’s the spirit,” Alicia said brightly. “Now I’m sure the two of you have lots to talk about. Samuel, we need to be at the church for practice.” Alicia rose from her chair, and Samuel followed.

“We’ll see you two later, then,” Samuel said with a parting smile. Together, they ushered themselves out of the room.

Avis had a feeling they were leaving them alone on purpose. But anything she and Reed had to discuss didnotneed to be discussed this very minute.

Someone should’ve told Reed that. “Well,” he said and stood. “Are you ready? Let’s go to the café and see what needs to be done first.”

Avis stared at him a moment. “You’re not going to insist everything be done your way, are you? After all, you’re not the one who’s going to be working there.”

He blinked a few times, as if affronted. “My dear woman, do I seem the type that would try to take over your endeavor?”

Her hands went to her hips. “Yes.”

Reed laughed. “You have nothing to fear from me. I merely want to help. Now, let’s go.”

Before she knew it, she’d been escorted out the door and was walking down the street beside him. Several people waved at them as they went, and Reed introduced them as they passed.

“That’s the Moores and the Peters. They’re heading to rehearsal.”

“Do you know everyone in town?” she asked with a teasing tone.

Reed chuckled. “It’s a small town, Avis, it’s not hard. But I admit I don’t knoweveryoneyet. Not well, anyway. They’re all acquaintances at this point. A few of them are friends, like you.” He winked and kept walking.

Her cheeks warmed at the attention, and she began to wonder if this was such a good idea after all.

When they reached the café, he handed her a key. Good grief! She hadn’t even thought about the key . “What are you doing with this?”

He smiled down at her. “I’m always prepared. Well, most of the time,” he added with a shrug.

Avis shook her head and unlocked the door. Inside, they took a quick look around. “Well, the first thing we’re going to do is clean this place up.” She headed for the kitchen. “I didn’t check last time we were here, are there brooms and mops?”

“I’m sure there are.” Reed followed her and headed straight for a broom closet.

Sure enough, there were a couple of mop buckets, a large mop and a smaller one, a broom, and a dustpan. There were also folded linens for the tables and stacks of dish towels. Good. She could scratch all of this off her supply list.

“Looks like we’ll have to order some soap flakes,” Reed said.

“Do they carry them at the general store?”

“I’m sure Clara does. We need paper and a pencil to make a list of supplies.” He began rifling through the hutches and cupboards. “I’m not seeing any. Let’s check the office.”

Avis blinked. “There’s an office?”

“Yes, as far as I know.” He crossed the room to a door and opened it. “You see? Office.”

She followed him. “I thought perhaps that led outside.”

“No, that’s the door on the other side of the stove.”

Her hands returned to her hips. “Have you inspected this place before?”

“No, but I’ve eaten here. Back when I first arrived in town. And Samuel told me there’s a water pump out back, aside from the indoor plumbing.”

“Well, that’s nice to know.” She looked around the small office and spotted a small safe. There was also a desk, a few chairs, and a wooden filing cabinet. But like the rest of the café, it was dusty and would need cleaning.

“Shall we get what we need to make a list?” Reed asked.

“Yes. Check the desk.”

He did and found both paper and pencil. Together, they headed back out to the front.

They stood behind the long counter, and Avis looked at the empty shelves below it. “Whoever was here last seems to have taken a few things with them.”

“Yes,” Reed said. “But they’re small things like cake platters and a pie display.” He scribbled a few items down, then studied the empty shelves. “What will you put under here?”

She sighed, suddenly weary. The excitement of cooking for the Murrays and signing contracts that morning had taken more out of her than she realized. “I’m sure I’ll think of something. But right now, I’m thinking of cleaning.”

“All right, if that’s what you want.” He set the paper and pencil on the counter. “There are two mops. One for you, one for me. Let’s get these chairs up on the tables and get to work.”

She watched as he took off his jacket and began rolling up his sleeves. There was a coat rack near the door, and without asking, she took his jacket and hung it up. That done, she went to the broom closet to retrieve the buckets and mops. “What are we going to do for soap?” she asked.

He held up a finger. “Come with me.”

To her surprise, they left the café, walked up and across the street, and stepped into the general store.

“Hi!” Clara greeted cheerfully. “Well, Reed, how nice of you to drop in. How much candy would you like?”

Reed laughed. “No candy right now, Clara. We need some soap flakes.”

“Oh? Are we cleaning up the café?” she asked, eyes twinkling as they drifted toward his bare forearms.

“We are. But there’s not a bit of soap in that place to be found. Better give us some wood polish, too.”

Avis’ eyes widened. She realized she didn’t have any money on her. “Oh, I’m sorry, but I can’t pay for this right now.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it,” Reed said easily.

“I can’t let you do that,” she protested.

“Yes, you can. Besides, it’s my pleasure.” He turned toward her. “As I said before, Avis, it’s the least I can do.”

She took in the tender look he gave her and felt her stomach flip. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“You’re welcome.” He smiled and faced the counter again. “Oh, and Clara, we wouldn’t mind a few licorice whips while you’re at it.”

Clara laughed. “I knew you couldn’t resist getting some candy.” She began gathering what they needed as Avis took in her surroundings.

The general store was charming. Though it was smaller than the one back in Beaver Flats, she liked this one better. It was more colorful and better organized.

They left with their supplies and returned to the café. As soon as they stepped inside, they got to work filling the buckets and getting the water ready. Avis began sweeping the kitchen floor.

She sneezed a few times from the dust, and Reed quickly opened the back door. “It’ll air out soon, don’t worry,” he assured her.

Avis waved a hand in front of her face. “Goodness, I hope so. I didn’t think there’d be this much dust.” She sneezed again.

“If it becomes too much, step outside and get some fresh air,” Reed said gently.

Avis noted the tenderness in his voice, and her heart melted a little. He really did want to help. She didn’t know why she’d thought him insincere before.

As she got back to work, memories stirred. When Uncle Phil married Henrietta, the woman set out to make Avis’ life at the café as miserable as possible. Avis had been popular with the customers, and Henrietta didn’t like not being the center of attention.

Uncle Phil noticed and said something. After that, Henrietta doubled her efforts to drive Avis out. But Avis had refused to leave. Uncle Phil was the only family she had left, and the café was her home, quite literally. They had lived in the apartment upstairs.

Avis had to step outside twice, and each time, Reed checked on her before returning to sweep the front of the building. When the sweeping was done, they started mopping. A chore that took longer than expected. By the time they finished, Avis was sweating and looked a mess.

Reed didn’t look much better. He wiped his forehead with a dish towel and left it near the sink. “That was a lot,” he said. “I’m going to open the front door so the floors dry quicker. Let’s leave the back door open too.”

She nodded and watched him leave the kitchen.

Then she tiptoed to the sink, grabbed the dish towel, rinsed it in the soapy water they’d filled earlier, and began wiping down the counters.

Next, she crossed to the two huge hutches and began taking stock of what was inside.

Plates, silverware, serving dishes, glasses.

..and, what’s this? Avis spotted a folded note sticking out between two plates.

Watch the papers, it said. The initials “L.L.” were scrawled beneath.

“Who is L.L.?” She shrugged, tucked the paper into her skirt pocket, and got back to work.

The other little scrap she’d pulled from the hearth the other day was sitting on her dresser back at the Murray House.

Out of curiosity, she’d compare the two later, but she was pretty sure the handwriting matched.

When Reed returned to the kitchen, she closed the drawer she’d had open and turned to him. “What was the name again of the man who managed this place before?”

“Penrose, I believe. Why?” He crossed to the sink and picked up the damp rag she’d been using.

“Is there anyone in town with the initials ‘L.L.’?”

Reed paused. “Why do you ask?”

She shrugged and pulled the paper from her pocket. “I found this between a couple of plates in the hutch. And there were a bunch of papers that had been burned in the hearth. One of them had the same initials, so naturally, I’m curious.”

He crossed the room and looked at the note. “I have no idea. As far as I know, there’s no one here with those initials. But we’ll ask Samuel—he’ll know. Maybe it’s somebody that used to live here.”

Avis took the note back, shrugged, and returned it to her pocket. She’d worry about whoever “L.L.” was later. Right now, she had work to do.