“They advised as soon as possible. But I’d like to have my ducks in a row first.”
Ducks…meaning a buyer for the café? Elisa traced the lid of her cup with one finger, fighting to keep her tone casual. “So you’re still planning to sell.”
“I don’t see a lot of options from where I’m sitting.” She pointedly tapped the armrest of her wheelchair. “Insurance will make a dent, but the rest will be billed to me after the surgery.” She sighed. “I sure hate debt. And not being able to work after the surgery…it makes sense to hand the Blossom over to someone else.”
A confession bubbled in Elisa’s throat. She wanted so badly to tell Delia about her hope to use the inheritance to cover her surgery but Delia would refuse to let her. She’d have to do it anonymously—assuming she and Noah could figure out the rest of the clues.
Maybe the second clue would make more sense when they weren’t inches away from each other, fighting whatever chemistry had risen from the grave.
“Well, I know the surgery will be a hassle, but I’m glad you’ll be back in shape after that. We all need you.” She glanced through the window at the Magnolia Blossom. Delia came first and was way more important than the café. It held fond memories, but many of those were wrapped up in Delia herself.
“Don’t you worry your sweet little blond head. You can’t get rid of me that easily, now.” Delia’s fingers kept flying over her phone keyboard. “There. Warnings sent.”
Good. Hopefully tomorrow Miley would be in a worse mood. This sure wasn’t the week for Elisa to be cutting back on her own caffeine intake.
“Now, what’s this you were saying about making a mistake?” Delia set her phone down and looked directly at Elisa.
She hesitated, wrapping a paper straw wrapper around her finger. She’d planned to blurt out what happened with Noah last night, but now that Delia had already asked about him, the words felt stuck in her throat like last summer’s strawberry taffy.
“Out with it. I’ve been in the hospital for two days—I deserve a good story.” Delia wiggled her eyebrows.
She drew a fortifying breath. “A lot has happened since your accident.”
“Tell me, tell me. I’ll just be looking out the window while you do, to make sure my café doesn’t suddenly disappear into a sinkhole or some other tragedy.”
“I’ve been named in Gilbert Hebert’s will.”
Delia jerked her attention away from the window to Elisa. “Say what?”
She explained the events of the past few days, ending with the near-kiss from Noah last night and her father’s interruption. “So now we have no idea what to do with the next clue, haven’t spoken since, and I imagine time is ticking for Noah.” She wouldn’t mention her own secret clock counting down to Delia’s surgery.
“Good heavens.” Delia eyed her full coffee cup. “I might need that after all. That’s quite a load, honey.”
“You’re telling me.” Elisa lifted one hand in a wave to Cade, who was approaching the front counter. He waved back, and she quickly sliced one hand through the air in front of her throat.
He tilted his head, frowning.
She mimicked drawing a rainbow in the air, then formed birds with her hands and fluttered them through the air.
His eyes widened in comprehension, and he slowly backed away from the counter, mouthingthank youbefore he darted out the door.
“Sweet boy, there.” Delia nodded toward where Cade had disappeared. “Now. About your father.” She narrowed her eyes. “How didthatconversation go after you left the inn?”
“We haven’t talked, either.”
“But you left with him?”
“I made sure he left, listened to him rant a little, then went home.”
“Without speaking your piece.”
Busted. Elisa shifted positions in her chair, bouncing one foot under the table. “You know I can’t do that.”
“I know youwon’t.” Delia shook her head. “Honey, you’ve got to speak up for yourself.”
“That’s never gone well. Not with Dad.”
“You’re an adult now. Things can be different.” She reached across the table and squeezed Elisa’s hand. “It’s not like it was when your sweet mama passed when you were a teenager. I know how you felt like you had to hold your daddy together.”
