Page 56 of Unexpected Love
“So, you know Jackson?” Cal asks Maggie.
“Yeah. He’s a mess.”
“He’s a good guy. It’s been fun getting to know him. Makes the long shifts go by quicker.”
I make a mental note to grill Maggie on this Jackson later. Charlie demolishes her muffin, and Cal hoists her onto his shoulders.
“Come on, Belle. Let’s let Juju get to work. We can go see the firetruck.”
Charlie squeals in glee, and they take off. I watch his ass as they stroll down the street, then join Maggie back in our booth.
“Girl, I know you’re smitten with the both of them. She’s adorable. And there’s just something about a sexy girl dad.”
“Oh, Charlie is his niece.”
Maggie cocks her head, studying them. “Still. Those two are adorable together.”
“Yeah. They really are. I don’t know how Cal is going to handle it when his sister gets her shit together and comes back for Charlie.”
“Comes back?”
I don’t want to divulge all of Cal’s business, so I just nod. Thankfully, customers start milling in. Maggie does a bang-up job of including me, introducing me to people she knows. Pimping me and my coffee shop as much as selling her own goods.
“It’s awfully nice of you to share your booth, Maggie.” A little blue-haired lady totters in and starts filling her arms with baked goods. She’s wearing a multicolored top, purple pants, and a ratty old gardening hat. A luxury brand purse hooked over her elbow is a direct contrast to the gaudy costume jewelry that glints from her ears and fingers.Her blue hair is a little wild, and hot-pink lipstick bleeds into the wrinkles around her mouth.
She’s the old-lady stereotype that little kids are terrified of.
“Good morning, Mrs. Eversley. It’s good to see you up and about this morning.”
“It’s good to be seen. Did you save me a bran muffin? You know I only like the ones with the cinnamon and brown sugar.”
The corner of Maggie’s lips twitch. “Yes ma’am. I’ve got yours right here. Made especially for you.”
“Mmph.” The older woman snatches the white paper bag that Maggie holds out and trades it for an arm full of cookies and other baked goods.
“Like I was saying, it’s mighty nice.”
I’m confused, but Maggie takes her in stride as she bags up the other baked goods the woman tossed at her.
“I’ll take a cup of that decaf as well.” She turns and levels a watery gaze on me. “The Main Street Committee sure could’ve used the extra revenue for the booth rental instead of you poaching on Maggie’s space.”
She spins on a heel and stalks off.
“Uh.” My head is reeling. I don’t know what to make of what just happened. “Did she just walk off without paying?” I’m stunned that Maggie just let this old woman essentially steal from both of us.
Maggie’s tinkling laughter floats on the morning air.
“Mrs. Eversley has a tab. Don’t worry about it. She’s just a sweet, if not eccentric, little old lady.”
“She reminds me of Ouiser fromSteel Magnolias,” I say, trying to suppress a shudder. “What’d she mean about the table fee?”
Maggie shrugs. “I’m not sure.”
The event goes by in a flash, and within a few hours, we are sold out of all of Maggie’s treats, and all of my offerings have been claimed. Maggie hands the last of the cookies to a small kid who cried because he wanted sprinkles, with a promise that if his mom will bring him by, she will make an extra special one just for him.
It’s been a fun event, and we’ve had a constant line of people. I’ve passed out all of my flyers, and I’m more than excited to have met so many friendly people.
“Oh my gosh.” My face hurts from smiling so much. “What a fun day.”
