Rosalie waited for Andrea to cross the room before turning to him. “Something isn’t right,” she whispered. “I don’t know what’s happened, but Andrea’s upset. Even when we were training, she wasn’t this stressed.”
“I’ll talk to her about it.” Instead of waiting in the kitchen, he stood in the doorway and watched Andrea move around the café. With her blond hair gathered into a ponytail, and her pink and white apron tied around her waist, she looked calm and efficient. But he knew how deceptive looks could be.
After she joined him in the kitchen, he leaned against the counter. “It’s good to see so many people here.”
Andrea sent him a strained smile. “I’m happy, too. How was your night in your truck?”
David’s eyes widened. He thought no one had seen him. “How did you know I was there?”
“My neighbor from across the road saw you. She called me to make sure I was okay. How long were you parked outside my house?”
He ran his hand around the back of his neck. “For most of the night. I left at five o’clock this morning.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
“A cup of coffee would be great.”
Andrea sighed and poured him a drink from the coffeepot. “You shouldn’t have watched my house, but I appreciate you making sure we were okay.”
“It’s surprisingly comfortable in my truck. Next time, I’ll take my pillow.”
“There won’t be a next time. We’ll be all right.”
He could have disagreed with her, but he didn’t. Andrea had a stubborn look on her face that didn’t leave any room for negotiation. She picked up a ladle and poured a thick, orange liquid into the waffle machine.
“What are you making?”
“Pumpkin waffles with apple cider syrup.”
He scrunched up his nose. “It sounds…interesting.”
“I told Gordon Jessop I’d make them for him. Most people don’t think pumpkin and apple cider go so well together, but they’re delicious.” She took a waffle off another plate and looked at him with troubled eyes. “Would you like one?”
“I’m not a fan of pumpkin.”
She handed him a fork. “I thought you enjoyed trying new things.”
David poked the fluffy, pale orange waffle. “It doesn’t look too pumpkiny.”
“Be brave. It won’t hurt.” When he still hadn’t eaten any of the waffle, she pushed the plate closer.
“That’s what a nurse told me about my last vaccination. She was wrong.”
Andrea checked the other waffle. “It’s up to you, but they’re delicious. Even the boys like them.”
With a sigh that was pure drama, he cut off a small piece. “Here goes nothing.” After chewing the waffle three times longer than most people would have, his eyes widened. “I take back any misgivings I might have had. They’re great.”
“I told you so.”
“Now that I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone, it’s your turn.”
She took another plate out of the cupboard and arranged three waffles on top. “What do you mean?”
“Have you called Pastor John and Ethan?”
“Ethan was talking to a patient, but John was wonderful. The boys weren’t registered for any programs at the church today, but he picked them up and he’s looking after them. I tried to contact my lawyer. She wasn’t in her office.” Andrea’s hand shook as she placed a small jug of syrup beside the waffles. “I’m okay if I can do something about what happened. But, when I couldn’t get hold of my lawyer, I panicked.”
“Do you feel better now?”
