Assault and Batter(47)
As he slid a five across the counter toward me, I thought about comping him just as I had George, but I knew that the police chief a hard and fast rule about freebies, so I just thanked him and gave him his change.
“Thanks for stopping by,” I said.
“Happy to do it,” the police chief answered, and then he left.
It appeared that Jake had done his best to make sure that I had support while he was away.
It really hadn’t been all that shocking. After all, I knew that he loved me, and I loved him right back.
The question was, why was I still in April Springs while he was in Alaska? Wasn’t that where I needed to be instead of trying to solve a murder so far away?
Maybe, just maybe, I’d made the wrong decision turning down Jake’s offer to go with him. I needed to give some serious thought about my future and the possibility that it might be away from April Springs. It would mean selling the donut shop and leaving my family and friends far behind, but if I wasn’t willing to do it all for love, could it really be called love? I cherished my work, my mother, and my friends. Could I give it all up to be with Jake?
Should I?
At the moment, I had no idea.
“Are we going to close up soon?” Emma asked me a little later, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“What?” I asked. “What time is it?” I answered my own question when I looked at the clock and saw that it was seven minutes after eleven. “Sorry, I must have zoned out.” I turned to the two remaining customers and added, “We’re closed, folks. Thanks for coming in.”
After everyone was gone, I locked the door and flipped the sign. “How are the dishes coming?” I asked Emma.
“They’re done, and the last few donuts are all boxed up. Suzanne, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said, “but thanks for asking. If the kitchen’s clean, you can take off.”
“I don’t mind staying and helping you with the front,” she said as she grabbed a rag.
“Okay, if you’re sure. Thanks.”
As Emma wiped the tables down and swept the front, I worked on closing out the register. We balanced out, always a nice result, and I let Emma out.
“Aren’t you coming?” she asked.
“No, I’m waiting for Grace,” I said.
“I can wait with you, if you’d like me to.”
I took Emma’s hands in mine. “I’m fine. I promise. Now scoot. Don’t you have a class this afternoon?”
“Don’t remind me,” she said with a grimace. “I’m not a big fan of higher mathematics.”
“Sorry I can’t help you, but I can barely balance the day’s receipts,” I said.
“I’m off then, if you’re sure.”
“Absolutely,” I said.
After she was gone, I locked the door behind her and sat down on one of our most comfortable sofas. If I didn’t hear from Grace by eleven thirty, I was going to call her. I wasn’t normally so concerned about her whereabouts, but when we were investigating a murder, it was a different matter entirely. I watched the minute hand as it crept downward, and I was about to take out my cellphone when she rushed up to the donut shop.
I unlocked the door, stepped outside with my deposit and my donuts, and then I locked it back behind me.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said, nearly out of breath. “I didn’t think my last meeting would ever end.”
“You’re fine,” I said. “After we swing by the bank, why don’t we grab a bite to eat before we start investigating? I’m starved.”
“That sounds good to me. I overslept and missed breakfast.”
“Want a donut?” I asked her as I extended the box to her.
“Don’t tempt me,” she said, and after a moment’s pause, she lifted the lid. “Maybe I’ll have a nibble until we get to the Boxcar.”
I laughed as I pointed across the street. “You can’t wait that long? You must be starving.”
“Sure I could wait, but why would I?” she asked with a grin as she chose two blueberry donut holes. “There, I’m good now.”
“Are you telling me that you’re too full to have lunch now?”
“You’re kidding, right? That was just to take the edge off,” Grace said as she wiped her hands on a tissue she dug out of her purse.
When we got to the Boxcar, Trish eyed the box in my hand. “Suzanne, did you bring me a present for my birthday?”
“Is it your birthday?” I asked. “Happy birthday, Trish.”
There were a few more well wishes from nearby customers when Trish said, “Before you all burst out in song, it is not, I repeat, not my birthday.”