Wright In Danger

Chapter Fifteen

Loraine and June were equally annoyed. They had opened the shop expecting everyone to show up ready to work. The baristas showed but Jones did not. He was in charge of putting the truck order away. When his scheduled clock in time had come and gone, Loraine had at first been worried but it turned into irritation when he didn't call and explain himself. The truck had arrives with no Jones in sight. Loraine asked June to take care of running things while she took care of the truck. Even the truck driver didn't seem all that comfortable leaving her to do it alone and so offered his help. 

When Jones did show up, she was nearly done with putting everything away. He stood off to the side looking sheepish with a bandage on his arm. She couldn't remember the last time she had snapped on someone but she came close laying eyes on him. "Are you going to explain yourself?" Unable to maintain eye contact She folded her arms as she waited for his explanation. When he did look her in the eyes, he really did look apologetic. "I apologize for not coming in when you expected me. It won't happen again. You have my word." 

She found she couldn't stay mad. This was the first time he'd ever shown up late. So cutting him some slack was reasonable. "I'll accept your apology. So long as you call us the next time you know you're going to be late. I don't want to think something bad has happened to you. Neither does June. We care about you."  Relaxing, he gave a small nod. "I am sorry for not getting in touch. That was bad on me. You and June have treated me with nothing but respect." This was true. 

She left him to finish putting the last of the order away. She needed to talk with June. She found her pouring the coffee beans to make a fresh batch of coffee. "Was everything okay while I was putting away the order?" Closing the lid, she pressed start. "Yeah. Everything was just fine. What's the word on Jones?" Loraine pointed over her shoulder. "He just showed up. He's got some injury to his arm. I didn't ask him about it. He apologized and I left him to finish putting the order away." Placing hands on hips, June shook her head. "He's never been late before. You told him to call in future, right?" Nodding, she watched the girls as they bustled around them. "Shouldn't have further issue."

Some time later Loraine realized how slow they had got. She had thought for sure they would have been as busy as Lina had been. Looking towards the window there was no one headed for the door or even anyone passing by. Something was going on. Or maybe she was making too much of it. For all she knew it was the calm before the storm. Lunch wasn't all that far away. Turning to go read e-mails, the chime above the door sounded, returning her attention. Only to lay eyes on Ina.

Dressed in a sharp sky blue suit, there wasn't a hair out of place as she sauntered up to the counter. June was at Loraine's side in seconds. "Good morning. What can we get for you?" Loraine asked. Tapping her talons on the counter, she made a "hmm" sound as she looked at the menu. "I'm a simple girl. So a plain latte, please" Dropping her eyes to meet Loraine's, her smile turned knowing. "It's so quiet in here. Is it always like this?" June answered. "No. We were wondering ourselves where everyone had disappeared to. Do you know?"

Again with the tapping. "I mean...it could have to do with the detective's house having been broken into but that's just my guess." Loraine's heart thudded painfully in her chest. "How long ago did this happen?" Looking out the window, she was quiet a moment. Pretending to give it thought. If she didn't answer in the next five seconds... "About a half hour ago. It drew quite the crowd." Looking at June she was in just as much shock. Someone had broken into his house. Why? What had they been after? 

Ina's latte was handed over. She took her time pushing back the tab and sipping. She was enjoying their reaction. "Do I take it you're close to the detective? Judging by your reactions, I can't help this thought." June's nudge was message enough. "He comes in every now and again with his partner Officer Duvall. They work hard to keep the town safe and so they are provided the respect that deserves. Any particular reason you ask?" Staring down into her latte, Loraine had a suspicion she wasn't going to like what she was about to say. When she lifted her gaze, Loraine knew her suspicion was correct. "A little birdie told me they saw the two of you getting cozy at the sushi restaurant. Any comment to that?" 

"Are you having someone spy on the detective? June accused. It made sense as Ina had to know Beau didn't want her anywhere near him during the investigation. "Spying on him?" She asked incredulous. "Gosh no. It was a coincidence they happened to be in the same place at the same time. I'm hurt that you would think so lowly of me." The guilt trip didn't make June ease up any. "You are not to go running off at the mouth about the two of them. Got it?" Her words seemed to bounce right off Ina. "Don't worry. I'll keep it to myself. I must say, Loraine. The man really is a catch. Congratulations." Not replying to that, her mind was firmly on Beau. She wanted to call him but he was likely going through his things to see if anything had been stolen. "Is there anything else we can get you?" June pressed. "Nope. I got everything. Enjoy the rest of your day, girls." 

Loraine walked back to her desk, dropping heavily into her chair. "That woman knows how to get under a persons skin." Leaning against the wall, June rolled her eyes. "It's what she's good at. She'd be out of work otherwise. Do you buy that her person just happened to be at the restaurant?" Of course she didn't. "How could I? The way she boasted about them seeing us. I'm giving Beau the heads up the next time we see each other. Maybe he'll want to talk with her about privacy." The way she had sauntered in here knowing what she had about Beau, both last night and now was uncomfortable. 

"Do you think Beau talking with her will give her the wrong impression? I mean, she could get it into her head that he's making time for her, "June said. They were picking up again and Loraine felt relief at that. "I'm sure Beau will know exactly what to say to get his point across. Even the chief knows what kind of woman she is. He won't allow her disrupting the investigation. By any means." Of that she was absolutely certain. "You're right. The chief doesn't want Beau's attention diverted. She won't be a problem."

The early lunch rush came as she expected them too. It was the usual madhouse. They sold what felt like twice the amount of pastries. Not that Loraine was complaining. It would help with the sales being that they were closed the last two days. She even encouraged her baristas up selling. They worked diligently together getting through every order. She was proud of their teamwork and their tip jar was plenty full by the time the crowd dwindled down. "Good work everyone!" When the last person went to sit down, they got to re-stocking, re-filling and wiping everything down. 

June came up to her while she was straightening out the coupons. "I was thinking. Beau could do with taking the break in off his mind. I don't know how soon the two of you agreed to for your next date but tonight would be fitting." Loraine thought about it. "I don't want him to feel crowded. He's the topic of everyone's conversations right now, then I come in and say, '"hey, lets go out to dinner tonight."'  I just...feel weird about it." Sighing, June placed a hand to her back. "I highly doubt he would feel like you're crowding him."

She thought it over. She didn't want to use herself as a distraction. No. They had a great time together last night and she wanted more of it. They could just eat, talk and enjoy another night walking arm and arm afterwards. The image brought a smile to her face. He had that effect on her. For went on working her head in the clouds and most likely a goofy smile on her face. She didn't care. As soon as she saw Beau again, she would be the one to ask him out. Now that was a change.