For a moment, I noticed Horatio’s face twist with an awkward emotion. Was that frustration or something else? I wasn’t sure.
“You here for the festival too?” Rayne asked cheerfully, clearly trying to turn the conversation.
“Only incidentally. I’d come over to check on the property.”
“I always liked that little cottage…it has a unique charm to it, don’t you think? Why don’t you stick around awhile? It’s a great event. Horatio, take Julie down to Alice’s. Our friend owns a bagel shop on Main. I bet she could fix her up with a bandage, and I’m pretty sure you owe Julie a cup of coffee.”
“That’s not necessary,” I said as we reached my car. I had to protest a little, right? While the prospect of grabbing a coffee with Horatio was extremely enticing, I was already feeling antsy about getting Dad on the phone. I needed to hear from him that I could take the property. I needed to know that it was mine. After all, it wasn’t really a business asset. We’d gotten it through inheritance. I just needed to get home and talk to him. Pulling out my keys, I popped open the trunk. “Thanks for carrying those. You really didn’t have to. It was just an accident.”
“My fault. I feel really horrible,” he said as he loaded the signs into my trunk. “And I’d love to buy you a coffee…and a Band-Aid, if you’re up for it.”
“You’re missing a great event. Speaking of which, I need to get back to my booth. It was great meeting you, Julie,” Rayne said, sticking out his hand.
Awkwardly, and with a giggle, I shook his hand left-handed, nursing my still-bleeding finger on my right hand. It was starting to throb. “Nice to meet you too.”
With a smile, Rayne waved and headed back down the street.
I turned back to Horatio who had just finished loading the last of my signs back into the trunk of my bug.
“All set,” he said, closing the trunk. “Ready?”
Horatio. Who in the world names their kid Horatio these days? “Really, you don’t have to. I’m all right,” I said.
“Are you sure? It’s not every day I slam into the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. Alice makes a mean bagel. If you’re hungry, I’ll spring for lunch too,” he said with a smile.
I eyed him over. He really did seem sorry. And, considering my tissue was already soaked with blood, I really did need a bandage. And when I looked at him once more, peering into his light blue eyes, I liked what I saw. There was someone soft, maybe even kind, living inside those eyes. They intrigued me.
“All right, just let me stow this first,” I said, setting the recipe box on the passenger seat of my car. As I set it down, I noticed what I had thought was silver paint on the lid actually looked like real silver. Someone had inlaid strands of silver onto the woman’s hair and the dust she was blowing seemed to be flecked gold. It was so lovely. I tossed a sweater over the box, just for safe keeping, then locked up the car. I turned back to Horatio who was unsnaking his tie from around his throat. I smiled at him. “Lead the way.”
Chapter 6: Horatio
“Hey Alice,” I called as I guided Julie, touching her gently on the small of her back, to the counter.
“Horatio? Here to blow some of that money you raised?”
I laughed. “You know that was for charity.”
“Don’t I count?”
“Only if you’re going to run a bagel-making workshop for kids.”
“You know, that’s a cool idea,” Alice said with a thoughtful grin.
“First, med triage. Got a first aid kit? This is Julie, and I’m pretty much responsible for slicing her finger open.”
“Smooth,” Alice said then turned to Julie. “Hi Julie, I’m Alice. Want to come around back? I can clean you up,” Alice said as she looked over Julie’s finger.
“I don’t want to trouble you. You’re so busy,” Julie said, casting a glance around the deli.
“Cleaning up Horatio’s messes is something I’m very good at,” Alice said with a knowing wink. She was right. I was less than smooth at times, and figuring out how to unglue gold diggers was a skill I hadn’t yet mastered. Alice, on the other hand, knew how to pull them off like the painful burrs they were.
“Uh, okay,” Julie said, curiosity filling her voice, as she headed around the counter toward the back with Alice.
From a distance, I watched the two of them chatting while Alice bandaged Julie up. They laughed like old friends. The scene made me smile.
The bell above the door rang. A guy with two small kids entered. He ushered them to the small kids’ corner then went to the counter.
“Hey Cooper,” Alice called. “Be right there.”
The guy waved to Alice then headed over to play with the kids. The two children, a boy and a girl, giggled wildly when their daddy sat down at the kids-sized table with them and began serving them invisible drinks. I smiled as I thought of Viola.
As if on cue, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out to find a message from my sister.
Second place for Frozen Kisses. Suppose we ought to stay in a hotel tonight? Viola wrote.
Another state might be better. I replied.
For the love…he must be losing his shit. He’s acting…weird. His smile is wider than his face. He even started giving me shit because you didn’t get that property yet. Better work it out before he has a coronary.
Giving you shit? Why? Tell him to back off.
Take your own advice.
No. Seriously. He doesn’t need to take that out on you. It’s on me.
I frowned at my phone. Why would Dad go after Viola for something she had nothing to do with? I didn’t remember Dad ever acting like this when Mom was alive. Viola had always been his princess, and I had been his protégé. Now I was the land baron’s whipping boy and Viola just “didn’t take anything seriously.”
It’s all right. Just try to get the property. Viola wrote.
Trying.
Try harder.
“Here we go,” Alice said, returning with Julie. “You guys want lunch?”
“It’s on me,” I told Julie.
“Oh, definitely take him up on it then. He’s notoriously cheap,” Alice said, using one of her many well-rehearsed lines that was sure to send the gold diggers screaming for the hills.
Julie laughed. “That’s no problem. I’m a cheap date. I’m game if you still have time,” she said then, smiling at me.
God, she was gorgeous. She looked like she’d stepped out of a Botticelli painting, stopped by Woodstock for a makeover, then landed before me to make me lose what little cool I had managed to acquire over the years.
“Yes. I do have time, I mean. A muffaletta for me. How about you, Julie?”
Julie quickly scanned the menu board above the counter. “Avocado and tempeh?”
“Veg?” Alice asked.
Julie nodded.
“All right. Just give me a few,” she said then waived us toward a table. “Cooper!” she called then, turning to the dad. “How’s my mermaid?”
“Hungry,” the man replied with a laugh.
“All packed up,” Alice said as she handed him a to-go bag.
“Is here okay?” Julie asked, drawing my attention back.
I nodded, stopping to pull out her chair for her.
I saw her raise an eyebrow, but she said nothing.