Friday

“Would you stop staring out the window and come sit down?” Michael called from the kitchen table. Olivia felt his eyes on her back. Instead of turning, she explained over her shoulder.

“I’m staring at our new neighbor’s front door. Do you think he’ll invite himself for coffee again today?”

She heard Michael chuckle and his chair scrape against the wood planking. Then she felt his arms reach around her waist, pulling her back into his chest. His lips caressed her neck as he mumbled, “It’s okay with me if Jeff doesn’t show up every morning. I like sharing our morning just the two of us.”

She turned in his arms, reaching her hands up to clasp behind his neck. “We had a lengthy opportunity to be alone last night. Now we must use our coffee time to plot out Sage’s future.”

Michael bent closer to brush his lips against her neck. “Since when is matchmaking your deal?” He took her by the hand, guiding her to the kitchen table where he’d left a steaming cup of coffee. “My new blend,” he explained. “I’m calling it In the Deep Midwinter. Hints of chocolate and a slight touch of cherry. Maybe someday I’ll actually like coffee.”

She pulled out her chair and sat down. Picking up the mug, she took a sniff. “Smells amazing. Did Cookie invent a signature baked good to go with your blend?”

“He’s working on it. I tried to talk to him the other day, but he kept jabbering on about baby Star. ‘She’s so smart. Look at those eyes. Love her smooth skin.’ You’d think he’d never seen a baby before.”

“Our niece is pretty special. No wonder he’s enthralled.” Olivia took her first sip of coffee, relishing the warmth on her tongue and the slight tang of cherry. She put the mug down. “This is delicious. Well done. I’m thinking Cookie will come up with something along the line of Cherry Chocolate Cookies. I’d love that for sure. You two make the best business partners.”

“I’ll pass your suggestion along.” Michael patted her hand. “But what about your matchmaking idea? I didn’t realize how serious you were about Sage and Jeff.” 

Olivia sighed. “Sage only has eyes for Star right now. I suppose a new baby is enough company for any single mom. But I’m beginning to worry.”

Michael looked interested, so she kept talking.

“Are all new moms like this? Sage adapts every waking moment to Star’s schedule. The baby gets up and sleeps whenever she wants. Sage has expressed no interest in the band getting back together. Sweet Four O’Clock needs to practice and settle gigs for spring and summer. I’m starting to feel antsy, like we may never perform again.”

Michael cleared his throat, but Olivia wasn’t finished talking.

“But the real problem is that I don’t want to move out and leave her alone with a three-month-old baby.” This time she stopped talking, sitting back in her chair. 

Michael asked, “So playing matchmaker will make it easier for us to move. Is that what you’re thinking?”

Olivia had a solution to her problem. “Jeff. He could really help. If he moves in after we move out, then Sage won’t be alone. I’ll feel so much better.”

Michael cocked his head to one side, his eyes following her lips as she spoke. Once she stopped for another sip of coffee, he said, “So I’m hearing two problems. One is about Sweet Four O’Clock and the other is about our moving. You could look at this another way. A short hiatus from Sweet Four O’Clock might free up more time to pack. As for Sage being preoccupied with Star? That’s a bit trickier.”

He looked at her hopefully. Since he’d started building their new home he’d had that same look. One of expectation. Olivia knew that the latest Bellemare creation was his masterpiece, as least until the next project. 

Being partnered with a famous architect and builder had its perks. Even she had to admit that. If it weren’t for the problem with Sage, she’d be all in for the move.

A familiar scratch came at the kitchen door.

“Sounds like Mayor Maguire wants his breakfast.” Michael stood, making his way to the back door. Once opened, a rush of cold wind accompanied by a handsome brown labradoodle blew past. The dog rushed toward Olivia, bumping into her knees.

“Bork,” he said in greeting. He sat at her feet, his eyes lively with anticipation. 

She patted him on the head. “Good morning to you too.” 

Then she heard Michael speak to someone else at the door. “Hey, Jeff,” he greeted. A tall man stepped into the kitchen. Jeff Grossman wore a puffy jacket and a black woolen cap. Tall and lean, he grinned and came inside. Michael quickly closed the door behind him.

“Hey yourself.” Jeff slapped his gloved hands together. “Cold out there. You guys up for company? I smell coffee.”

“We’re testing Michael’s new blend. Go ahead and find your own mug,” Olivia offered, pointing to the cupboard over the counter.

Michael raised his eyebrows at Olivia, who grinned back at him. Plan on. We just have to figure out how to keep Jeff here until Sage wakes up.

“How about breakfast?” she asked Jeff. “I’m sure you want to stay and say good morning to Sage and Star. The baby will be up soon. I’ll start the kettle for Sage’s tea.” Olivia glanced over at Michael, who looked amused. Was I too obvious? Maybe I made too big of a deal about Sage and breakfast.

Jeff sat down at the table, balancing a full mug of coffee in one hand. Olivia smiled faintly at him, still immersed in her matchmaking plot. So Sage wakes up and wanders in for coffee. He’ll be sitting there all warm and hunky and Sage will say to herself, “Oh hello, big fella. Where have you been hiding?”

Feeling a pull at her heart, Olivia knew why Sage having a partner mattered so much to her. It was because of her own mom. Growing up, Mona had told Olivia how being a single parent was the hardest thing she’d ever done. 

Olivia realized that as their move came closer, she felt sad. Her usual upbeat attitude had been scraped away, giving rise to a sense of anxiety. I don’t want to abandon Sage and Star in this big house. Now every time Michael brought up the potential move, she felt a pang of misgiving. But she didn’t want to tell him, for fear he’d think she was ungrateful and not all in.

While Michael and Jeff huddled in deep conversation, Olivia walked to the cupboard. She pulled down three plates and then took forks out of the drawer underneath the counter, keeping her ear tuned to the other room for the first sound of her niece awakening.

Placing a homemade loaf of sourdough onto the cutting board, she bent over to inhale the yeasty goodness. The tangy smell of freshly baked bread improved her mood right away. For several months she’d made a habit of buying a fresh loaf every week from Thyme Out. 

As she sliced she once again marveled at how well Cookie and Michael had started their small business. Sometimes people just fit. And even more than people, Cookie’s bakery just fit. If you asked anyone in town, they’d tell you Thyme Out had been open forever. Probably because no one could remember when Lily Rock didn’t enjoy his signature baked goods.

Olivia glanced toward the doorway. Baby must be sleeping in. With a balanced but firm grip on the handle of the knife, she deftly finished slicing the last pieces of bread from the loaf. Perfect for toast. I have Meadow’s homemade raspberry jam and butter. A dozen eggs. That should keep Jeff here, at least for a while longer.

And then the now familiar wail of a baby came from the other side of the house. “Star is up,” Olivia announced right away. Jeff glanced over, but then his head turned back as he kept talking to Michael.

Men. No clue. If it weren’t for me, Jeff and Sage would never get together.

Olivia grabbed the handle of the half-full coffee pot. Edging closer to the table, she leaned over to fill Jeff’s mug. Before she could replace the pot, Jeff’s phone buzzed. He picked it up.

“What? Slow down.” The hair on Olivia’s neck rose at the sound of alarm in his voice. “I’m here with Mike and Olivia. Deep breath. Now tell me again. Honey, stop crying. Do you want me to come over? I can be right there.”

After a few moments of listening, he pocketed his cell and stood. “I guess I’ll have to have breakfast another time. That’s Roxy, my sister. She’s crying and very upset.”

As he headed to the door he continued to explain, “Roxy’s found a dead body. In the bathroom. Where she’s working.” His clipped sentences only emphasized the alarmed expression on his face.

Michael looked to Olivia and they both nodded. She put the coffeepot down, returning to stand in front of Jeff. “We’ll go with you. I’ll put the eggs back in the refrigerator and grab my coat.” 

“Jeff and I will meet you out front,” Michael added. He nodded to the back door. As the baby continued to wail in the background, Mayor Maguire followed Olivia, nosing against the back of her knee. She turned to explain. “I’ll feed you very soon,” she promised. “Or maybe you’re ready for a car ride?”

“Bork,” he replied. But then he glanced toward the pantry as if he’d changed his mind. 

“Food later,” she promised.

When she didn’t make an attempt to open the pantry, Mayor Maguire gave up and ran ahead of her through the doorway. 

Olivia made her way to the front door and opened it to let Mayor Maguire out first. “Bork,” the mayor called out, running down the driveway just as Jeff’s truck pulled around the corner. 

Michael hopped out of the passenger seat. He opened the back door and then explained, “I thought you and the mayor would want to sit together in back.”

“Sounds good,” she said as the dog jumped in first. Once she’d settled herself into the seat and attached her seat belt, Michael closed the door and got back into the passenger seat.

“Where is Roxy staying?” Olivia asked as Jeff bumped down the driveway toward the main road.

“Up by the Lily Rock trail. That big house owned by Whitney Zimmer. Roxy was hired to cater some retreat for a bunch of tidy influencers. I’ve never heard of that Whitney woman, but Roxy tells me she’s kind of a big deal.”

“I think I’ve heard of her,” Olivia said.

Jeff continued. “She owns Time to Tidy. She sells books and runs a popular website on how to curate and clean household clutter. She sets up her retreats in Lily Rock, but I’ve never met her face-to-face.” 

Olivia swallowed hard. “Is it…” Her voice faltered. “Is it Whitney that your sister found dead?” She couldn’t disguise the dread in her voice. 

“I really don’t know. Roxy was so upset she didn’t say.” Jeff looked forward, intent on the road.

Michael glanced toward the back seat. “Looks like you may have another case to solve.” He shrugged and then explained to Jeff. “Olivia has a gift. You may not be aware, but she helped the constabulary solve that last case about Beats Malone. People love to confess to her. Once she starts singing, they just spill their guts to anyone who will listen. Lately, she doesn’t even have to sing.”

Jeff’s truck accelerated up the winding road toward the top of the hill. He gave no indication that he’d heard Michael’s words. 

Olivia wasn’t surprised. I bet he’s worried about his sister. So traumatic to discover a dead body. I remember my first time. 

She reached over to wrap both arms around Mayor Maguire’s warm, comforting body, laying her face against his fur for comfort.