Sweet Gone South by Alicia Hunter Pace Read Free Book Online Page B

in college and had written his master’s thesis on Internet sales. She knew he wouldn’t stay forever but he’d promised her eighteen months.
    Today was little league opening Saturday and there had been a parade down Main Street at eight o’clock. She’d given Phillip the option of waiting until Monday to launch the coffee bar’s new hours but he’d been eager to get started. Though they hadn’t had time to advertise beyond a sign in the window, they’d been swamped. But with the parade over, the shop had emptied as quickly as it’s had filled up. Everyone had moved to the ball fields where the games would be starting soon.
    “If I’d known we were going to be so busy,” Lanie said, reaching for a mug, “I’d have scheduled someone else to come in.”
    “We did all right.” Phillip flashed his perfect white teeth. “We don’t have a single muffin left.”
    “I might need to call Mary Frances at the bakeshop to increase the order. We’ll see how it goes Monday.”
    “Get some brownies,” Phillip said.
    “You think people will eat brownies for breakfast?”
    “Probably not. But I like brownies.” He closed his eyes and tossed his head. Oh, he was a charmer.
    Lanie laughed. “Then I suggest you sashay over to the bakeshop and get you some.”
    “I don’t sashay. I stride.”
    “Well, if you’ve got this, I’m going to stride back to my office and pay some bills.”
    “I got it.” He pulled the list he’d made of the candy prices from under the counter and taped it to the register.
    “Call me if you need me.”
    Just as Lanie turned to go, strains of
The Candy Man
sang out.
    Jill St. Clare. Lanie could do without her this morning. In fact, she could do without her every morning. They’d served together on the Junior League silent auction committee for the Merritt High School Bobcats Booster Fair last spring and Jill was a lot more interested in telling people how things ought to be done than in doing any actual work. This morning, every blond hair was in place and her makeup perfect — as usual. She wore a short denim skirt and a tight red t-shirt, and carried a basket. Lanie was more than sure that it was no coincidence that the red tea towel on top of the basket matched her shirt.
    “Well, top of the morning to you, Jill. Are you on the way to grandma’s house?”
    “Uh, no.” She looked around, clearly not getting the joke. In truth, most people didn’t get Lanie’s jokes. “Should I be?”
    “No. What can I get for you, Jill? Our coffee bar is up and running.”
    “Oh, I never drink coffee anymore. Ever since I got my teeth bleached, it seems kind of counterproductive.”
    “I can see that.” Lanie took a drink of her coffee. “Phillip, maybe we could work a deal with Dr. Mason. Buy so many cups of coffee and get a discount on a bleach job.”
    “Good idea. Maybe we could set up a dental chair right in the shop.” Phillip moved from behind the counter to wipe down the tables. He bent over to pick up a napkin from the floor and Jill surveyed his bottom.
    Lanie leaned over and whispered, “He’s young, Jill.”
    “Oh.” Jill shook her head. “Is Luke Avery here?”
    Well, well, well. It had been four days since Emma and Luke had moved in and as far as she knew this was his first caller. And what a caller it was. Lanie couldn’t help but wonder if Luke had invited her.
    “I haven’t seen him come down,” Lanie said. “But I can’t be sure. I guess you’ll have to go up and see.”
    “Where would that be?”
    Lanie pointed her toward the stairwell and was about to go to her office when the door opened again and Millie Carmichael entered carrying a casserole dish. Lanie liked Millie better than Jill. At least she used to.
    “I just brought Judge Avery a little something to welcome him to town.” Millie raised the dish for Lanie’s inspection. Three to one there was mushroom soup and potato chips involved. Maybe even tuna.
    “Well, how nice.” Lanie directed her