Page 13 of Forbidden Whispers

“Sure,” he said with a grin. “I may not have been as brainy as you were in high school, but I love a lot of the classics. And you have to admit, it’s an appropriate story for where I’m at mentally right now.”

She laughed. “Okay, let me grab my purse, and we can begin at the beginning with Lakeside Latté.”

***

They pulled into the small parking lot of the popular Whispering Pines icon. It was full of cars, as usual.

Noah pulled out a black extendable leash from the center console storage area and, twisting in his seat, reached behind to attach it to Boon’s collar.

“Where’d you get that?” Maggie asked.

“My family are a bunch of dog people. I borrowed it from one of my brothers. I know this place is dog friendly, so we can just bring him inside with us.”

Maggie remembered that Noah had two brothers—one older, one younger—and that it had been his brother Jake’s wife, Alex, who had contacted her on Noah’s behalf to arrange for the matchmaking service. Jake and Noah looked a lot alike, both tall and lean with that dark, curly hair. The main difference was that where Jake’s eyes were almost black in color, Noah’s were a soft gray that seemed to change shades depending on his mood.

As the three of them walked toward the door, Boon easily kept pace. The graceful way his long, slim body moved reminded Maggie of a gazelle. She smiled as Noah quickly scooted behind her so that he could reach to open the door for her. Once they stepped inside the cozy shop, Maggie breathed in the delicious aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and baked goods. She hoped Noah didn’t hear her stomach rumble in response. In her morning rush to Noah’s aid, she hadn’t been able to finish her pastry or even her mug of coffee.

The shop walls were exposed brick and shiny metal piping ran along the ceiling overhead. A polished wooden floor gleamed beneath cozy groupings of overstuffed chairs and low tables. Pendant lights with warmly lit Edison bulbs hung down over rectangular high-top tables that lined both walls. Almost every space was filled with people sipping beverages, chatting or working on laptops.

Lakeside Latté was the most popular coffee shop in town, thanks in large part to the warm, welcoming personality of its owner, Olivia Wooldridge. Maggie often chose it as the location for morning and early afternoon dates that she arranged for her clients due to its comfortable vibe. Olivia was a third-generation citizen of Whispering Pines. She knew pretty much everyone in town, and everyone knew her. She was always a great source of information concerning anything happening in the area.

Maggie led the way toward the back of the shop, passing by glass cases filled with the source of the delicious baking aromas.

“Hi, Olivia,” Noah and Maggie said in unison.

The full-figured brunette shop owner laughed from behind the cash register. “How’s it going, you two? Especially you!” She lifted a brow and smirked at Noah.

“Why did you say it like that?” Noah asked with a slight frown as he sat down on a stool in front of the counter. Just then, Boon poked his head over the countertop. Both of his pointed ears were standing straight up at attention now, his black nose wriggling as he inhaled the delicious, new smells.

“Well, hello to you, pretty boy,” Olivia said, distracted from answering. She reached across the counter to pat Boon on the head and scratch him behind his ears. The dog closed his eyes in bliss. “Is he yours?” she asked Noah.

“Er, no,” he said awkwardly. “It’s kind of a long story.”

Olivia looked up, quizzical. “Anything to do with yesterday afternoon?”

“Maybe? But before we explain,” Noah said, “can I get one of your delicious café lattes with oat milk and an Asiago cheese bagel with cream cheese? I feel like I need caffeine and protein.” He turned to Maggie. “Would you like coffee or anything?”

“Actually, that would be wonderful! I’d love one of your cinnamon rolls and a caramel mocha with two extra pumps of caramel, please.”

Noah stared at her for a beat.

“What?”

“That’s not coffee, Maggie. That’s dessert.”

“What can I say, I like sweet things.”

“Maybe that’s why you’re so sweet,” Olivia laughed, pulling on a pair of gloves and turning to fill their orders.

“Thanks, Olivia,” Maggie said, flashing Noah a smug look. “Now, about yesterday, can we ask you some questions concerning anything you remember about the date Noah had here?”

“Sure!” she said as her hands worked the espresso machine. “But give me a bit, I have another worker coming in, in about fifteen or twenty minutes, and I can take a short break then.”

Noah, Maggie, and Boon stepped aside as some new customers approached the counter to place their orders.

Noah still held onto Boon’s leash, so Maggie grabbed their orders when they came up. “We should get a table,” she suggested.

“I noticed a couple of empty ones outside when we walked in,” Noah said.

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