“Thank you so much,” Harper said. “Would you like a cup of coffee or tea?”
“Coffee would be lovely.”
“Have a seat. I’ll get it for you.”
Joyce settled in at the counter. “I have some news to share.”
“Oh?” Frankie rinsed the strawberries, giving the strainer a good shake to get rid of the excess water. “What is it?”
“My sister is coming to visit.”
“All the way from England?” Willa asked.
Joyce nodded. “Indeed. Mitch is paying for her flight, too. Isn’t that just splendid?” She looked at Harper. “You’ve been so good for that man.”
“I didn’t have anything to do with him doing that, but that’s amazing. Very generous.” Harper set a cup of coffee in front of Joyce, adding the container of creamer and a little dish of sweetener packets.
“I couldn’t be happier. I haven’t seen her in years.” Joyce picked out two of the sugar packets and added them along with a splash of creamer. “What’s new with all of you?”
Before Harper could answer, Willa chimed in. “My mom and aunt met their biological mother yesterday and pretty soon, they might be meeting their father. Their mother said he was dead, but I found him online.”
Joyce’s eyes narrowed. “I might need a little more explanation than that.”
Frankie, who was about done slicing the strawberries, looked up. “We met Sharlene, our biological birth mother, yesterday but it didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. When the subject of our father came up, she said her parents had told her years ago that he’d been killed in a car accident. But Willa did some digging and, apparently, that wasn’t true. He’s still alive. Or so we believe.”
Harper had the griddle out and heating up. She added a few slices of butter to it. “We need to do a little more investigating, but it seems either she lied to us or her parents lied to her.”
Joyce sipped her coffee, her gaze ponderous. “Could have been her parents. Trying to protect her. Parents do such things, you know. Then again, she might not want you to talk to him. Especially if her story and his story don’t line up.”
Harper tapped her nose. “Exactly what I’m thinking.” The butter sizzled. She added ladles of batter to the griddle. “Joyce, you want to stay for breakfast?”
“Oh, no, but that’s so kind of you. I’ve got to get back. Lots to do at the house. And at the guest house to get ready for Beryl. That’s my sister.”
“How soon is she coming?” Frankie asked.
Joyce grinned. “Three days from now. Himself didn’t mind the cost, but I found a last-minute deal and my sister’s got no obligations, so why not?”
Willa came over and sat at the counter next to Joyce. “Is she as good a baker as you are?”
Joyce laughed. “Oh, my days, compared to Beryl, I have no right to even be in the kitchen. Baking was her profession. Don’t worry. I’ll get her to whip up a few things. Her Victoria sponge would make Mary Berry weep. And her Bakewell tart…divine.”
Willa laughed. “I don’t know what those things are, but I am certainly willing to try them.” She looked at her mother. “Do you think it’s all right if I stay a little longer? I’d hate to miss out on such a cultural experience.”
Harper laughed, knowing Frankie would like nothing more than additional time with her daughter. “It’s not really up to me.”
Frankie was all smiles now, her earlier funk gone. “Willa, as far as I’m concerned, you can stay as long as you want. I knowyou have to get back to school at some point, but until that time comes, you’re welcome here.”
Willa let out a little whoop of happiness. “Then I’m not going anywhere.”
Archie stood up on the couch and woofed, tail wagging for all it was worth.
“See?” Harper said as she started to flip the pancakes. “Even Archie thinks that’s a great idea.”
But she had a feeling that Willa’s desire to stay had more to do with meeting Buck than anything Joyce’s sister might bake. Either way, it would be great to have Willa around longer.
Harper just hoped Buck wasn’t the massive disappointment that Shar had turned out to be.
Chapter Six
