Page 35 of Of Literature and Lattes
He picked up his pace, passed the jewelry store in three long strides, and rounded the corner to the bookshop. He pushed through the door with more momentum than expected and almost stumbled over a customer.
“Hey, Chris... She’s in her office.” Claire stood feet away helping another woman in Nonfiction. Janet waved from behind the counter.
Crossing the store, he leaned against the doorjamb to Madeline’s “office,” really a storage closet with a desk and three chairs tucked tight. Soon after inheriting the shop from her aunt, she’d opened her own pro bono law firm out of the same storage closet her aunt Maddie had used for tutoring.
He tapped on the open door. Nothing. She was so engrossed in something on her computer it took two throat clearings before she looked up.
“That’s a serious face.”
“It’s a serious case.” Madeline waved her hand to bring him closer. “But I need a break and you’re just the ticket.”
“Excellent.” Chris dropped a kiss on her lips. “Go for a walk with me?”
“I’d love to. The Sweet Shoppe?”
He laughed. “Has no one fed you today?”
“As I said, you’re just the ticket.”
A quick wave to Claire with a replying “Grab me one too,” and they were out of the shop and headed across the town square.
The sun was shining and Winsome was packed. School had let out earlier that week, and kids seemed to be everywhere—on bikes, walking, hanging all over the fountain, running across the street without looking.
Chris blanched. “I do not want to work today. Does no one look when they cross the street anymore? Do kids act like this all the time?”
Madeline laughed. “Close your eyes, I’ll guide you... And the kids are having fun and the cars are going really slow.”
“Is that your idea of a win-win?”
“If it is, it’s my only one today.”
Chris pulled her close but didn’t ask any more questions. He knew she was referring to a case, and he also knew she couldn’t and wouldn’t talk about it. She just needed him near—and that felt good.
As they crossed the street, he slid his arm down her back and reached for her hand; she intertwined her fingers within his and squeezed. He pushed open the door to the Sweet Shoppe and took a deep breath of icing sugar and yeast.
Jill stood behind the counter placing cupcakes from a tray into her display case. “Macaron time?”
“You know it.” Madeline laughed. “And one for Claire.”
“Janet?”
Madeline shook her head. “Something’s up there. She says she’s giving up sugar in an effort to ‘reclaim her figure’—which hasn’t been lost, by the way.”
“What?” Jill raised a brow.
Madeline raised both brows. “And Seth’s been taking her out for dinner more. All very suspect... I’ll keep you posted.”
“Cool it, Counselor,” Chris interjected as Jill reached down into her display case and folded two chocolate macarons with pistachio cream in parchment paper.
She handed them across the counter as Chris reached for his wallet.
“Not today.” Jill waved at his hand.
“What’s up?” He stalled, noticing something in her eyes he should have seen before.
“It’s just nice to have you in here.”
Something in her voice cued Madeline too. Chris felt her still next to him and watched as she studied Jill.
