Lila set up the laptop at one of the front tables while the old crew argued over the popper.
“Put a few more kernels in,” Irene insisted. “The machine can handle it!”
Lila heard the metallic clink of kernels raining into the machine. She smiled and shook her head.TJ was right. They were adorable… and terrifying.
“Somebody plug it in!” Paddy called.
“I’ll do it!” Wilfred said.
The popper whirred to life.
“Wow, look at it go!” someone cried. Then came the firstpop… another… and another… until the sound filled the café.
“Land sakes, it’s exploding!” Grandma shrieked.
“Take cover!” Irene yelled.
“Somebody shut it off!”
Lila dashed from the table to the front counter. Popcorn was flying everywhere. They’d forgotten to put the top part of the popper on. Hot kernels pinged off the counter and walls while fluffy popcorn rained down like snow.
“Oh my gosh!” Lila cried. “Turn it off! Quick!”
“How?” Irene shouted, shielding her face.
Lila yanked the cord from the outlet. The popper sputtered to a stop, but a few last kernels shot out before the chaos ended. The floor, counters, and half the front room were strewn with popcorn. “Oh, for heaven’s sake…”
“Don’t worry, child, we’ll clean it up,” Grandma said cheerfully. “Come on, everyone. Darn faulty machine! This goes on top of it!” She held up the missing top.
They all stared at her.
Paddy’s bushy eyebrows shot up. “Well, what do you know? That’s what was missing!”
“Okay, everyone,” Irene said briskly. “Let’s clean this up and have another go.”
Lila wanted to pull her hair out, and almost did, until TJ’s hands gently stopped hers.
“It’s all right, sweetheart,” he whispered near her ear. “Let them handle it.” He drew her back from behind the counter.
Nearby, customers were laughing, some taking pictures, others sampling popcorn off the counter.
“This is going to be great, Lila, you’ll see,” one man said.
She nodded, half dazed. “It’s been an interesting week, but we’ll get through it.” The words sounded more like she was trying to convince herself than him.
“Lila.” TJ turned her toward him. “It’s all right. They made a mistake, so what? We’ll make another batch. There’s plenty of popcorn left.”
“I know, it’s just…” She sighed. “This is abusiness.They’re treating it like it’s their house.”
“Is that so bad?” he asked. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face.
Her breath caught. The simple touch sent a little flip through her stomach. “Well… I guess I can get used to it. Thank heavens Tilly and Jack aren’t gone too long,” she murmured.
“You gonna be okay?”
She looked up at him, charmed by the warmth in his voice and the lilt of his accent. “Yes, I’ll be fine. I just get uptight, that’s all. MaybeI’mthe one who needs a vacation.”
He glanced toward the others, who were laughing and tossing popcorn at each other. “They’re having fun. Besides, everything doesn’t have to be perfect.”
