“It sounds like much the same thing as our committees back in the city.Our church ladies could be quite stubborn and territorial.”
“Then you know why I seek quiet refuge away from my office.”He offered the plate of muffins to her.“Please try a couple of these—they’re still warm.How about some butter with them?”
“Just one.”She slid it on her plate.“No butter.”He was clearly waiting for her pronouncement on the delicacy.She took a fork and slid a bit into her mouth.And then she decided a second fork might be worthwhile.He smiled at her.
“I thought so.You only thought a bite would do it.Take the second one.”And he moved it onto her plate.“Because if you don’t take it, then I would have to eat three so that Tillie’s feelings wouldn’t be hurt.”
“And I can see how worried you are about that happening,” she said, eyeing him with a bit of sarcasm.She took another bite.
“I’ll share a secret with you.But you must keep it to yourself.Don’t want it getting out.”
“I’m intrigued,” she whispered back in the same tone he had used.
“On Wednesday and Friday afternoons, about this time, stop in here and you’ll find some warm muffins, different flavors depending on her mood that day, but you can grab a couple of nice warm muffins and a beverage and make it through the rest of your afternoon.”
“I shall certainly remember that.Thank you for sharing.Now how about sharing something else with me?”
Matt placed his fork down and gave her his attention.“Sounds important.I take it that’s why you stopped to see me?”
“It is.”She sat up straighter in the booth, her plate empty, and gaze met gaze.“I went to the vet’s office and had a great visit with Teddy and Doc.He did ask that I call him that.Very nice man.His whole staff, or the ones I met at any rate, seemed very caring also.Then I stopped at D and J and met Dee who is quite a friendly and nice character in her own right.”
“I’m glad that you found them all to be welcoming.We do have good people here.”
“Yes, and they told me the same thing in both places.When I asked the amount of the bill that I owed, they said nothing.They told me that someone…and neither of them would say who…but someone had paid both bills already.”
“Really?”
“Makes one speechless, doesn’t it?”She continued to watch him.
“I suppose it does.Why did you need to speak to me about that?”
“I was hoping you could use some of your police detecting experience and find out the guilty party for me?I certainly want to thank them personally.”
“Well…maybe they didn’t want these people to share that information because they don’t want anything in return?”
“Why?I know it was you.I’m a stranger here…a stranger to all of the people here.Why would you or anyone take care of those bills?”
“It’s the right thing to do.As I see it…it’s my daughter’s fault that all the things were set in motion with her running into that road.And you could only react.Your car was damaged.Your dog was hurt.And you spent three days in the hospital.My daughter learned a hard lesson about actions and consequences.But she’s alive because of your split-second decision.So, if I choose to pick up a few bills, it’s nothing compared to what you did.And all you need to do is say thanks and let it go.”
“That’s all?”
“Can I get you two anything else?Freshen up your cups?”
“I think we’re good,” Matt said to the woman who walked up to the table, with a carafe of fresh coffee in her hand.“Tillie, may I introduce Ally Jones from—”
“New York City,” she finished the sentence for him with a big smile at Ally.“News travels faster than a proverbial speeding bullet in a small town.We’re glad to have you visiting us.”
“Thank you.And those muffins were excellent.”
“I appreciate that.I’m not sure if or how often those and other pastries will be coming out of the kitchen.Marvin, the genius behind those goodies is leaving for a couple of months.He’s heading back to California to help his mother sell their business now that his father has died, and his mom needs to go live with her daughter.So, I’ll be looking for someone to come in on a limited basis in case either of you come across anyone who can turn out great baked goods three days a week.”
“I’ll pass the word,” Matt responded.“Hope you find someone soon.”
“Well, I better get back to work.I hear the boss is a real slave driver around here,” she said with a laugh that Matt joined in with.
“If you’ll excuse me for a second?”Ally stood and headed in the direction of the ladies’ room.Once out of sight from their table, she stepped to the counter for a few words with Tillie.Then, that business concluded, she made her way back to where Matt waited.She remained standing, and so he stood also.
“Thanks for the muffins and for everything else.But I’ll find a way to pay you back.”
