“Thanks. Do you need me to bring anything out here for you?”
Charlie shook his head. “We’re okay.”
“Mom’s got everything she needs,” Andy said as Charlie took two more cups off the tray.
David understood why he was protective of his mom. “I’ll ask her, anyway. If she doesn’t need my help, I’ll come back out here.”
With a last look at David, Andy moved farther down the line.
“He’s a worrier,” the lady behind him whispered. “I saw the same expression on my boy’s face many times.”
“Did your son become less worried as he got older?”
“Not really. It’s part of who he is.”
David watched Andy and Charlie hand out the lemonade. He could only imagine some of the things they must have seen and heard. To trust anyone after that kind of trauma would be hard, but he wasn’t going anywhere in a hurry. Hopefully, over time, both boys would trust him.
He left the line and walked along the path between the cottages. The changes happening to the next cottage were just as extreme as the alterations to Andrea’s building. Compared to the last time he was here, it looked a lot tidier. The large dumpster that had sat in the back of the property was gone. Warped timber framing that the construction crew had piled in one corner had also disappeared, along with the thigh-high grass and weeds.
It would be interesting to see what type of business moved into the cottage.
The back door of The Starlight Café opened and a woman threw a bag of trash into the bin. She jumped when she saw him.
“Oh, my goodness. Who are you?”
He held out his hand. “David O’Dowd. I’m Andrea’s business partner.”
The woman smiled and shook his hand. “Vanessa Adams. I’m working part time at the café. What are you doing out here?”
“I wanted to see if Andrea needed help with anything. Charlie said it would be quicker getting into the café if I used the back door.”
Vanessa waved him forward. “Come inside. It’s a little chaotic, but we’re keeping on top of the orders. Where are you from?”
“New York City.”
“I’ve always wanted to visit the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building.” Vanessa opened the door. “My sister went to a show on Broadway last year. She said it was amazing.”
Katie Terry was standing in the kitchen and holding two plates of food.
“This is a nice surprise,” she said. “I didn’t know you’d be here for the opening.”
“I wasn’t planning on being here, but I changed my mind.”
“Andrea will be pleased to see you. She’s in the café, behind the front counter.”
David followed Katie into the café. It was busy, too busy for the number of staff who were working.
Andrea’s eyes widened when she saw him. “David? What are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d see how you’re doing.”
“It’s busier than I thought it would be.”
He looked at the people seated at the round tables. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. When Andrea finished serving the person in front of her, he asked, “How can I help?”
Andrea’s sigh made his last-minute decision to come here worthwhile. “Can you give Vanessa a hand in the kitchen?”
“Consider it done. If you need me for anything else, just ask.”
