Donna laughed. “No, they were coming out of Portside Grill.”
“Okay, that makes more sense. I know that Mother is a bit… ah… less uptight these days, but I couldn’t imagine her going to Jimmy’s.”
Donna grinned. “No, she hasn’t changedthatmuch. I’m not sure we’ll ever see her at Jimmy’s.”
“It seems a bit strange to think of her dating, doesn’t it?”
“It does. But Ted always seems happy when he’s with her. Even Mother seems… I don’t know… more relaxed. I was actually thinking that maybe we’d have a Parker women brunch this weekend. See if Mom would come.”
“We haven’t done that in quite a while.” Evelyn’s eyes lit up.
“I thought we could send the guys out fishing. I know Barry and Ted have gone out fishing a few times. Maybe Jesse and Blake would like to go, too. I think Austin is still out of town.”
“I think this is a wonderful idea. Sunday?”
“That’s what I was thinking. Let me get a hold of Mother and Livy and Heather. I’ll see if I can make it happen.”
“Great.”
Donna slid off the stool and took her cup to the sink. “I think I’ll make that egg casserole that everyone likes.”
“I’ll bring something, too.”
“Perfect. Now I’ll call Mother. Wish me luck. I still keep expecting her to turn me down when I invite her to anything.”
“Hope she says yes.” Evelyn stood and took her dishes to the sink. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Okay, I’ll let you know.”
She headed out of the cafe and over to her office at Parker’s marveling that they were actually hoping their mother said yes to a Parker women brunch. Man, things were really changing these days.
Evelyn sat at a table in the kitchen totaling up the receipts from this past weekend’s festival. The cafe had made a handsome profit. She was pleased. Actually, both the cafe and Parker’s were doing really well since they’d expanded into the second building this year. People came into the cafe, then remembered they needed to buy something at Parker’s. Customers came into Parker’s and couldn’t resist the enticing aromas coming from the cafe. Livy had made a smart move buying this addition.
As if on cue, Livy came into the kitchen. “Last lunch customer gone.”
“Look at these numbers from this weekend.” Evelyn turned the laptop for her to see.
“Wow, that’s better than I’d hoped. And Melody still had the cafe open, and it was busy, too. Did you hear Ethan won her basket and brought it here and had a picnic here at the cafe with her?”
“No, I didn’t. That was sweet of him.” Evelyn smiled. “Anyway, if I haven’t told you lately, opening Sea Glass cafe sure ended up being a smart decision.”
“What can I say? I’m a genius.” Livy grinned. “And I hear we’re having a Parker women brunch on Sunday. Mom said Grandmother was even coming.”
“She said yes?”
“I guess so.” Livy shrugged. “Oh, andsomeoneneeds to go out and run the ice cream counter…” Livy sent her an innocent look. “A certain Rob Bentley just came in.”
Evelyn jumped up. He hadn’t been into the cafe for a few days and she really wanted to hear how Violet was doing. She didn’t miss Livy smothering a grin—or trying to—as she hurried out to the cafe.
“Hi, Rob. What can I get you?” She slipped behind the counter.
“You are working today.” A smile broke out on his face.
A welcoming one that truly showed that he was glad to see her. It was probably just that she was one of the few friends he’d made in town so far. That was all it was.
“I work almost every day.” She smiled back at him.
“Yes, but it’s nice when you work the ice cream counter and I get to chat with you. Highlight of my day.”
