Trish followed with her tray. “He didn’t steal. Had an airtight alibi—the police confirmed it when they brought him in for questioning.”
Wasanythingas it seemed today? Elisa pushed through the swinging doors into the kitchen and there was Lucius, wearing an apron and happily flipping pancakes. What in the world…
“I’ve got to get these plates to table five.” Trish backed out of the kitchen. “I’m sure Mama D can explain everything.”
Good gravy, she’d almost forgotten why she’d rushed there in the first place. The wonder of the morning—and her new questions—drove Elisa’s feet to table twelve. Mama D sat with her back to the wall, her walker propped beside the booth as she sipped a glass of orange juice.
Elisa plopped onto the seat opposite her. “You have some explaining to do.”
“Lucius is a good boy.” Delia adjusted her necklace. “The only thing he’s guilty of is not locking up behind him when he rushed out of here last week. Someone else stole the pans while the diner was unlocked. I already talked to Sheriff Rubart, told him to reopen the case, but he said it’s unlikely we’ll get a lead at this point.”
“I don’t understand. If that’s true, then where did Lucius vanish to?”
“Apparently his mother had called—they live in Florida. His father was in the hospital, heart attack, I think he said. In his panic, he just left. His phone died, but he thought the text he sent me went through. It never did.” Delia shrugged. “He deserves another chance.”
“I feel so bad I assumed.” Elisa shook her head. “There seems to be a lot of that going around today.”
“You’ve been gone several hours—is Noah okay?” Delia moved her juice cup aside and rested her arms on the table. “Are you two okay?”
“Better than okay. We finished the hunt.” Her face flushed. “You should have seen the letter Gilbert wrote.”
“I’d love to read it one day.” Delia’s voice gentled. “Does Noah have what he needs now?”
“He does. He’s at the bank as we speak, trying to save the inn from his father. But there’s more.” Elisa sucked in a tight breath. Here went nothing. “I’m paying for your surgery.”
Delia blinked at her.
“I know you’re going to argue, but we don’t have time for all that. Remember, I can always go to the admin office at Magnolia Memorial and handle it while you’re sedated.” Elisa pointed at her. “I’m doing this.”
Delia raised her chin. “Gibberish. You young people don’t make sense anymore.”
“No, you’re just pretending you don’t understand because you don’t want me to do it. But I don’t care. I’ve come into some money and this is what I’m going to do.”
“From the treasure hunt?”
She hesitated. “Not just from the hunt. It’s a long story.
“Elisa Bergeron, if you robbed the bank, so help me I’ll?—”
“Of course not.” She held up one hand. “I should be able to cut you a check in a few weeks, max. The hospital will take that long to send you the first bill, anyway.”
“Hmph. I don’t know about this.” Delia leaned back in the booth, her eyes assessing.
“Full disclosure—this was my plan all along. It’s why the hunt was so important to me.” Elisa lowered her voice as one of the busboys walked past with a tray. “I was going to use whatever inheritance Mr. Hebert left to help you. I just didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t take it.”
Delia leveled her with a stare. “You knew right.”
“But you’re the one who has always encouraged me to stand up for myself. To be honest about what I want, to communicate. So…” Elisa wiggled her hands in the air like a magician. “Ta-da.”
Delia didn’t move, just watched, her lips twitching. Her silence was more unnerving than her protests.
Elisa let her hands fall to the table. “Don’t you get it? I can pay for your surgery. You don’t have to sell the diner now.”
“I’m afraid I still do.” Delia ran one finger around the rim of her juice glass, avoiding Elisa’s gaze.
“Why?” Her chest tightened. After all that...why had she gotten her hopes up? She’d finally come to terms with losing the Blossom, just for Noah to present it back to her on a silver platter. Now this.
Elisa swallowed the string of protests she knew would be futile. “To who?”
