“Ryder.” Kat stepped forward, startling Donna, who’d forgotten she was there. The young family must have left sometime during the debacle. “Can you clean that up and cover the register for a bit? Cassie and Eliza had to take care of something.”
“Sure.” He stooped to pluck one of the plump pastries off the floor and popped it into his mouth.
Kat placed a hand on Donna’s arm. “Don’t feel bad. It was clearly an accident. Cassie and Eliza will work it out.”
“I hope so.” Donna dragged her gaze back toward the kitchen, wondering what to do next. At the very least, she should apologize to Cassie, shouldn’t she?
“Where are you staying?” Kat asked. “With Luke and Cassie?”
“No, I don’t want to impose. I’ll probably find a room for the night and head home tomorrow.” Even as she said the words, her stomach twisted. Was that the right thing to do? Or was she simply running away again?
“I have an empty room at the inn. I’d love for you to stay with us. No charge.”
“That’s very kind, but I couldn’t—”
“Don’t be silly. Of course you can.” She set the pen and completed order form on the counter. “I hate for rooms to go to waste. You’d be doing me a favor. Besides, the only other accommodations in town are at the Morning Glory Inn, and they’re full with a bird-watching group from Sausalito.”
Donna wavered. In the past, she would’ve jumped at the offer of a free room. For years, she’d survived off the generosity of others, often taking unfair advantage. But in recovery, she tried to balance learning to take responsibility and ownership of her problems while also discerning when to accept help. Perhaps this was one of those times?
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind paying for the room.” It wasn’t much, but she had some money in savings.
“I’m positive. I’d be thrilled if you’d stay as my guest.”
Kat sounded so sincere and earnest, as if she meant every word, and Donna briefly wondered why she seemed personally invested in someone she hardly knew. “That’s very kind. Thank you. I accept, but just for tonight.”
“We’ll see.” Kat’s emerald eyes sparkled with a hint of a smile. “Why don’t we give Cassie and Eliza some time to talk, and I can show you the inn? I’m parked out front. You can follow me there, if you like. It’s not far.”
Donna let her gaze flicker back toward the kitchen one last time before she fell in step beside her eager hostess.
Several minutes later, Donna parked behind Kat’s silver sedan. Kat slid out of the driver’s seat and mouthedI’ll be right backbefore heading toward a battered blue pickup. A man Donna recognized as Cassie and Luke’s friend Jack—who’d been a groomsman at their wedding—leaned against the truck, petting a beautiful white husky perched on the passenger seat. The dog wiggled and licked Kat’s face in greeting.
Donna climbed out of her car, marveling at the majestic inn while she waited for Kat. The two-story, Georgian-style structure with regal white columns flanking the entrance stood proudly at the end of the circular drive. It was somehow both imposing and inviting, and Donna had never seen anything quite like it. Even the snootiest of customers she’d served at Sel et Poivre would happily stay here without a single snide comment or complaint.
“But she’s gone too far this time.” Jack’s agitated voice carried in the breeze, breaking through her thoughts. “I’ll call her right now and tell her she needs to back off.”
“Please, don’t,” Kat said in a calm, soothing tone.
Were they arguing? Jack gruffly shoved the sleeves of his flannel shirt up to his elbows, his rigid posture betraying his frustration. Kat placed a gentle hand on his muscular forearm, and he melted at her touch. “I honestly don’t mind,” she told him. “Your mom is just trying to help.”
“But this is what they do, Kat. My parents take over everything. Today, it’s our wedding. Tomorrow, it will be where we’re going to live after we get married. Then, it’ll be when we have kids—”
“Jack,” Kat said softly, taking his hands in hers. She looked so delicate and small next to the blond-haired, blue-eyed giant, yet she carried herself with a strength and confidence Donna admired, as if she’d taken care of herself from a young age, rising to the challenge instead of spiraling out of control, as Donna had done. “I appreciate you rushing over here because you thought I’d be upset, but I’m fine. Really. I don’t care where we have the wedding. Or what color the flowers are. Or whether we serve chicken or fish—”
“Or tri-tip,” Jack interjected.
Kat smiled. “Or tri-tip. I only care that our friends and family are there to celebrate with us, whether it’s here in Poppy Creek or in Primrose Valley.”
“But—” Jack protested, and Kat hopped onto her tiptoes to cup his cheek with her palm.
Donna looked away, granting them as much privacy as possible given her close proximity.
“Please, don’t let this ruin your day. It’ll all work out. We’ll talk more about it later, okay?”
Donna couldn’t hear his reply, but when she stole a quick glance, he’d stooped to kiss Kat tenderly before climbing back inside his pickup truck.
Kat waved as Jack made his way back down the driveway while the husky hung his head out the window, his fluffy ears fluttering in the wind.
“Sorry about that,” Kat said, joining Donna by her car. “Weddings tend to make everyone a little tense, don’t they?”
