Page 77 of Fanning the Flames

“What are they about?”

“Melvin and them yelling at me. Sometimes they have Sadie and I can’t get to her.”

“You’re afraid that’ll happen again.”

“Every day,” Joan murmured.

“You’re a mess.”

She met Greta’s eyes, and they both laughed lightly. “I really am.”

They quieted again as someone passed en route to the restrooms. Greta seemed wistful. Well, as wistful as Grets could get. She slid her cup off the table and stood. “Take care,” she said.

“You, too.” Joan touched her arm before she could breeze out the door, but Greta was already focused onward.

Her heart sank. Maybe this was just another speedbump. Or maybe it really was goodbye.

Nyah paused with a plastic bin filled with dirty dishes. “Did she take off?”

“Yeah.”

“She does that.”

Joan heaved a heavy sigh. “Yeah.”

CHAPTER14

Hot and Cold rocked this sunny Saturday afternoon. Friendship Park was playing host to a gathering of LARPers for a medieval fantasy card game. A lot of them were giving their spectacular pseudonyms, which was both fun and totally relatable for Joan and Mark (though with far more elf ears than in real-life villainy).

Joan leaned out the service window and called, “Order for Sir Maximilian Congrave, Lord Chancellor of Berntable.”

“Berntableux!” several people called back.

“Apologies, my gentlefolk.” She handed the two sandwiches to a white dude with a bushy brown beard and long maroon robe trimmed in fake fur.

Sadie wished him well as she passed an order ticket through the window. “This is the greatest day ever. A November Rain and truffle fries for Squire Finster Magentus.”

“We’re inviting all these people to the grand opening of Sadie’s Café.”

A bright, beautiful smile spread across her face. “I can’t wait ’til Monday.”

Joan smiled back before adding the ticket to the end of the row of metal clips. Sadie had an appointment to see the Knollwood Village property Monday afternoon. Joan couldn’t wait to go with and tell her to sign on the dotted line if it really was the perfect spot. Her investors were ready for Sadie’s Café.

“November Rain, Lord Markington,” Joan said.

“Heard, Lady Joanie of Sparkland.”

“I hope the other trucks are enjoying this.”

“I’m sure they’re getting a kick out of it. Except that artisanal wannabe with the ice cream truck.”

“Thecreamed dairy experience,” Joan drawled in a poor imitation of that irritating woman’s voice.

They worked down the line of orders. She held out a cup of hot and spicy cider at the same time Mark grabbed the last order. “Squire Finster Magentus, your order doth be ready,” he said. His grin grew at the thin blond guy in a long green tunic and tights.

Sadie climbed aboard through the side entry. She set the tablet down and grabbed her water bottle. “You guys need anything?”

“We’re good,” Joan said, scraping down the flat-top.

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