“Most of the ones we tested the other day were great. That seemed like plenty,” Maxi said.
Jane nodded. “And everyone already loves your pastries. Even the town dogs. Speaking of which, remind me to get some Beach Bones for Cooper before I leave today. I’m dropping him off at Mike’s this afternoon for our trip, and I want him to be stocked up.”
“What’s going on with those?” Maxi asked. “Did you ever find out who was using the name?”
Claire shook her head. “Nope. Maybe the customers were just mistaken, or the person stopped selling them. I’m not going to worry about it, and I’m definitely going to keep selling them. They’ve brought some new customers in and caused some old ones to keep returning.” Claire nodded toward a table in the corner, and Jane looked to see an older man sitting alone, his head bent over the newspaper, pencil in hand.
“Isn’t that Sam Campbell?” Jane asked.
“Yep. He gets the Beach Bones for Dooley. Dooley’s out front,” Claire said, and everyone swiveled their attention to the front door, where the beagle mix was tied to the post, waiting patiently.
“That’s great. I haven’t seen Sam around much the past few years since Jean…” Jane let her voice trail off and looked at the corner again. Sam looked content, and if she wasn’t mistaken, his pale complexion had a bit of color in it now. He was also sitting straighter, less stooped, than when she’d last seen him.
“He’s been coming in a lot more lately. I think Dooley has been good for him. He usually just gets a pastry for himself and the Beach Bones for Dooley and then leaves, but today, I guess he decided to sit for a while. It’s good to see him getting back out.”
The front door opened, and Bunny Howard came in. She looked smart in a yellow sunflower-splotched shirt and jeans, her hair carefully swept into her usual bun. She scanned the café, which was crowded, as usual, her gaze stopping at the corner table.
“Well, will you look at that,” Maxi said. “Looks like maybe Sam came here for more than the pastries and Beach Bones this morning.”
* * *
Bunny had wondered if Sam would actually show up and was almost surprised when she recognized Dooley tied up outside. She wasn’t sure why she was surprised. Sam hadn’t struck her as the type of person who reneged on plans, but she still found it a bit unusual to make plans with someone she’d met in the woods. Well, she supposed that’s what people did these days.
Sam was sitting in the corner. He had a coffee mug to his right and a newspaper laid out in front of him with a school-bus-yellow pencil hovering over it. Was he doing a crossword puzzle? Bunny’s thoughts toward him warmed even more. She loved crosswords.
She hurried over to the corner, barely waving at Jane, Claire, and the others as she breezed past their table.
As she approached Sam’s table, he looked up and smiled. Then surprisingly, he stood and pulled out a chair for her.Who does that anymore?Bunny took this as another indication that Sam was a good guy. He had manners, and maybe it was a bit old-fashioned, but so was she. Sam was a person she could be friends with, someone she could trust.
“Good morning. How are you today?” Sam asked.
“Wonderful.” Bunny twisted around in her seat, looking for Hailey, because she really needed coffee.
Hailey was there in an instant, filling up her mug.
“Did you order anything to eat?” Bunny asked Sam.
Sam shook his head. “I was waiting for you. I didn’t know if you would want anything.”
“Are you kidding? I never turn down an opportunity to eat.” Bunny looked up at Hailey. “I’ll have a bran muffin.”
Sam smiled. “I’ll have the same. Oh, and a half dozen Beach Bones for Dooley.”
Sam’s gaze slid to the window, where he could see the dog tied out front. Bunny could see how his eyes lit up when he saw the dog safe and happy out there.
“Claire’s bran muffins are my favorite. I love the raisins, and do you know she puts real shredded carrot in them?” Sam asked.
“I do indeed. They’re very good and not too sweet. I saw Dooley outside and gave him a little pat. He’s a great dog.”
“Thank you very much. He’s good company.”
Bunny nodded. She imagined he would be. She knew that Liz adored her new dog.Maybe I should consider getting one myself.Her gaze fell on the crossword. She tilted her head sideways to see the clues and what Sam had filled in so far.
“Risky,” Bunny said.
Sam’s left brow shot up. “Pardon?”
“Twelve down.” Bunny pointed to the newspaper. “Full of uncertainty. Five letters.”
