She decided to get to the café more than hour before closing because warmer temperatures always brought out more diners. She entered the restaurant through the rear door and walked into the kitchen to see Kayana slicing brisket.
“You’re here early.”
Cherie hung her jacket on a hook and slipped a bibbed apron over her clothes. “My mother came down this morning, and I wanted to get a jump on cleaning—”
“What are you doing here?” Kayana said, interrupting her. “Go home and spend time with your mother.”
“Who’s a mother?” Derrick asked when he entered the kitchen from the storeroom at the back of the restaurant.
“Cherie’s mother is in town, and she should be spending time with her instead of hanging out here. By the way, how long will she be here?”
“Two weeks.”
Derrick pushed his cap off his forehead. “Now it’s time for you to take a two-week vacation.”
Cherie’s jaw dropped. “When you hired me, there was no mention of a vacation.”
“As the co-owner of this venerable establishment, I can make and break the rules. Now, if you don’t take off and spend time with your mother, I’ll fire you.”
“You like saying that, don’t you?” she asked Derrick. “I can recall you threatening to fire me after that incident in the parking lot.”
“This time I’m going to agree with my brother,” Kayana said. “I know you and your mother haven’t always agreed on a number of things, so if you’re given the opportunity to bond with her, then please do it.”
“Now it’s two against one,” Cherie spat out.
Kayana winked at her. “I’ve got to have my brother’s back or he’ll be quick to call me a traitor. If the warmer weather holds, we plan to cook out at his place tomorrow. Why don’t you come and bring your mother, and we can have an impromptu book club meeting in the she-shed, which is now equipped with a heating and cooling system.”
“Does it have a television and a Bluetooth player?”
Derrick nodded. “Leah was relentless when she said it had to have all the accoutrements of a man cave. But I had to put my foot down when she said she needed a fully stocked bar.”
“It’s apparent you didn’t put it down hard enough,” Kayana said under her breath.
Derrick gave her an incredulous look. “What did you say?”
“Nothing. So, Cherie, what do you say we watch your movie selection tomorrow?”
“Yes. What time should we come over?” she asked Kayana.
“Any time after noon. We can watch the movie before we eat, because if we eat and drink before, you know the movie will be watching us rather than vice versa.”
Cherie took off the apron and put on her jacket. She was grateful that Derrick and Kayana had given her time off to be with her mother. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
* * *
Cherie crawled into bed with Edwina, and the two laughed uncontrollably as they watchedTower Heist. There had been a time when they had shared a bed and bedroom; with five people living in a two-bedroom apartment, space was at a premium. They applauded as if in a theater when the credits rolled up the screen.
“I’m going to bed now. Remember, you’re going to meet my friends tomorrow.” She kissed Edwina’s soft cheek. “Good night.”
Edwina smiled. “It’s after midnight, so it’s good morning.”
Chapter 22
The weather cooperated with brilliant sunshine, and the early-afternoon temperatures were predicted to reach sixty. Cherie introduced her mother to Derrick, Leah, Kayana, and Graeme, and she was warmly greeted by the quartet, which she knew surprised Edwina.
Kayana took her arm, steering her away from those who had crowded around Edwina. “Your mother is stunning. I see where you get your beauty.”
Cherie blushed. “My mother has always been a head turner when it comes to men.”
