LITMIR.BIZ

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Aunt Jackie for the event site wouldn’t bounce and cause all kinds of issues. I’d planned on doing the exchange last night, but once we’d finished with dinner, I’d forgotten. Well, I’d forgotten with a little help from Greg. The memory made me smile.

      “What?” Toby paused at the office door.

      “Go open CBM annex.” I waved him on.

      He leaned against the doorway, juggling the keys from hand to hand. “Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll find out sooner or later anyway. You know guys talk.”

      “Just go.” Now my face heated and I glanced in the mirror that lined the back of the coffee bar. Yep. Red as a Maine lobster.

      * * * *

      Atomic Power was living up to its name. We’d been able to hear the band for the last block as we walked toward the winery. The good news is the band played a mix of covers from several decades, appealing to the wide generational span that frequented the South Cove Winery. Greg held the door open and we wandered into the almost packed tasting room.

      The first day of the festival had been busy. Several business owners nodded as we passed by their tables. I slipped into the first unoccupied table and tilted my head toward Greg. “Looks like I wasn’t the only one who needed a drink after today’s events.”

      He kissed the top of my head. “Beer or wine?”

      “Get me that new blueberry draft Darla’s been talking about.” I put my feet up on his chair. “I’ll hold down the fort. But don’t be too long, I’m too weak to fight for the table.”

      “I don’t know, with the muscles you’re building in the training class you should be able to fight off a horde of frat boys with no problem.” His lips curled into that lopsided grin that tended to melt my resolve.

      “Keep saying stuff like that, buddy. You might just win boyfriend of the year.” Leaning back into the chair, I surveyed the room. Although I knew a few of the people, most of the crowd must be tourists staying at the local bed and breakfasts for the festival. A blond-haired woman sat by herself in the corner of the room, watching Blake, the lead singer.

      “Who are you giving the evil eye now?” Greg handed me a large beer glass. I took a sip. Surprisingly, it tasted amazing. Not deep and rich like the dark ales I typically enjoyed, but a refreshing change.

      I pointed over to the table where the woman sat. “I think that’s our new shop owner, Kathi Corbin. She’s opening Tea Hee across the street.”

      “Competition?” Greg took a pull off his beer.

      “What?” Turning to look at him, I shook my head. “No. She’s not opening a tea shop, it’s a tea store. She wants Coffee, Books, and More to serve Tea Hee’s special tea blend.”

      “And you’re thinking about it?” Greg leaned back into his chair, watching the band, but listening to me.

      “I am. I think a joint promotion is a smart idea. Working together is why I supply coffee beans to Diamond Lille’s. Just one more place potential customers get to learn about our business.” I nodded to the table. “Kathi looks like she’s really into Blake. Tell me he’s not married.”

      Greg turned his head toward me. “And I would know that how?”

      “Boys talk. Toby told me that today.” My face heated a bit at the memory of what I hadn’t told my barista.

      He shrugged. “Fine, I do know he’s single. Do you want to introduce them?”

      I sipped my beer. “Maybe after the set.”

      We relaxed for a while, just listening to the music. Finally, Blake went up to the microphone and announced, “We’re taking a short break. Be right back.”

      Matt met Blake at the edge of the stage and slapped him on the back. Greg waved the two over to our table and the men went through the greeting ritual. “Hey Jill.” Matt smiled at me. “Busy day for you too?”

      “Crazy busy.” I’d stayed at the shop up until Greg stopped by to get me. We’d eaten dinner at Lille’s, then decided to take the walk up to the winery, as this was his last night off until after the festival. The walk-in traffic had died down and they’d closed the beach off at six, so the only one working at the shop was Aunt Jackie. Harrold had brought her a dinner basket from Lille’s and as soon as she closed, they’d go up to her apartment to eat. I looked from Matt to Blake, as they were both watching me.

      “What?” I looked at Greg.

      He laughed and pulled me into a hug. “I told you she didn’t hear you.”

      “I asked what you did.” Blake blushed. “No big deal, I was just wondering what shop you ran. I’m still trying to get to know people around here. Playing here’s a sweet gig. I’d love to come back. You should see some of the dives where we’ve been booked.”

      I caught Kathi’s eye and waved her over. “You should meet our newest shop owner.”

      Kathi’s pace was so slow, I wondered if she’d hurt herself working with the contractors at her shop that day. Finally she arrived to the table and I heard her sharp intake of breath. Then as if I’d imagined the weirdness, she put on an award-winning smile and gave me air kisses. “Jill, I didn’t see you. When did you get here?”

      “Just a few minutes ago.” I introduced Kathi to the men sitting around the table..

      Kathi just stared at Blake. He grinned and nodded to the beer in her hand. “You ready for another one? I’ve got to get something before our break ends.”

      “Sure.” She looked down at the bottle like it had magically appeared in her hand.

      Matt looked over at Greg and me. “Looks like you two are good. I’ll be right back with Blake.”

      Kathi sank into a chair at the table. She took a long drink of beer. The bottle was almost full. “I can’t believe that guy. He looks just like this kid from my high school. I’ll admit, I had a huge crush on Aaron, but then he died in a motorcycle accident senior year.” She smiled at me. “I don’t think he ever even knew my name.”

      “That doesn’t seem possible.” Greg held a chair out for me and we sat with Kathi. “You don’t seem like the kind of girl guys don’t notice.”

      Kathi pushed a strand of hair back behind her ears. “Oh, you’re wrong there. You’re looking at the original Ugly Duckling. I was so gangly in school, no one even wanted to be friends with me. I only started doing pageants in college to help pay for tuition. By then, I’d kind of grown into my body and my looks.”

      “And then you turned your back on your family.” An unfamiliar voice spoke from behind me.

      I turned and saw the woman who must be Ivy Corbin. She didn’t have Kathi’s beauty, but you could tell they were related. Same hair, same eye color, same body type. But what worked in harmony for Kathi seemed to fight against each other in Ivy. Her eyes were too close together, her nose a little crooked, and her teeth seemed more canine than human.

      “You aren’t supposed to be here. Who’s watching Dad?” Kathi didn’t look at her sister as she talked, keeping her gaze instead on the bar and Blake.

      “Like you care? Seriously, I’ve come to try to talk some sense into you. You have to come back before it’s too late.” Ivy’s voice was suddenly several decibels louder and people at the tables around us started watching the show.

      Kathi sighed and polished off her beer. She grabbed Ivy by the front of her shirt and pulled her close. Although she whispered her next words to her sister, I was close enough to hear. “Go wait outside. I’ll deal with you there.”

      Ivy nodded, glancing at Greg, who’d stood when Kathi had grabbed her sister and was monitoring the exchange. Now that she’d gotten her sister’s attention, Ivy scurried out the front door without looking back.

      Kathi

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