Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel Read online

  “When do you have to go back to New York?” Ricardo asked.

  Pressing her lips together, Daphne set down her glass, deciding how much she should tell them. “Well . . . I might not be going back to New York at all. Other than to pack my things to bring back here.”

  “What?” Olivia’s eyes lit up. “Are you moving back home too?”

  Daphne nodded. “Do you think that’s totally nuts?”

  “No,” they all said simultaneously.

  “Of course not,” Ricardo said. “Otherwise, we’d all be crazy. Right?”

  Jeff nodded. “When I left Appleton after graduation, I thought I was never coming back here. But after seven years in the Silicon Valley I couldn’t wait to come home.” He grinned at Olivia. “And then I found the love of my life right here in Appleton.”

  She patted his cheek. “My prince came and rescued me just in the nick of time.”

  “What do you mean?” Daphne asked.

  “Jeff came home about the same time Bernadette started going downhill,” Olivia said quietly. She glanced at Ricardo as if something about this topic made her uncomfortable with him. And now there was a short silence.

  “Olivia was taking care of Bernadette twenty-four/seven at the end,” Ricardo explained to Daphne. “But she was at the end of her rope by then. I tried to help out when I could, but Olivia was really handling most of it. I was so happy for her when she and Jeff started dating. She needed a spot of brightness in her life.”

  “Oh . . . yes, I can imagine.” Daphne was still confused as to Ricardo’s role. “And that was so generous of you to help Olivia like that,” she told Ricardo. “If I’d been around, I would’ve helped her too.”

  “My mom did what she could,” Olivia said, “but she’s not real good around sick people. I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t have gotten through it without Ricardo’s help.”

  “You see, Bernadette and I had just gotten engaged and then she got diagnosed.” Ricardo clarified for Daphne’s sake. “I still wanted to get married, but she insisted we should wait. She truly believed she was going to beat it . . . and get better.”

  “But that never happened,” Olivia said sadly. Jeff reached over and grasped her hand tightly in his.

  “It was a rough time,” he told Daphne.

  “I’m so sorry,” Daphne said for the second time, but this time to all three of them. “Bernadette was such a good person. I always admired her.”

  “It wasn’t easy losing her,” Ricardo admitted. “She was a vital part of this community.”

  Olivia pointed across the street. “See that—Bernie’s Blooms—that was the florist business she started a few years before she got sick.”

  Daphne peered at the quaint little shop. With its green-and-white striped awnings and dark green flower boxes overflowing with blooms, it was absolutely charming. “I admired it from the street. I had no idea that was your sister, Bernadette. It’s adorable.”

  “I run it now,” Olivia said proudly.

  Ricardo pointed to his own flower boxes. “And she maintains most of the flowers along Main Street, including these.”

  “Well, not me personally. Not all the time anyway. I have a couple of girls working for me.”

  “See that pink bicycle with the big basket?” Jeff nodded toward the flower shop. “That’s how they make most of the deliveries. As I recall some of them went out for your aunt these last couple of days.”

  “What a fun job to deliver flowers on a bicycle,” Daphne said. “I would’ve loved working there when I was in high school.”

  “That reminds me,” Jeff told Olivia. “Jenna dropped off a job application when I was helping out there on Saturday. She wants to work for you this summer.”

  “Jenna McPheeters?” Daphne asked impulsively.

  “Yes, do you know her?”

  “Not really. But her dad is my—I mean he’s my aunt’s attorney. He helped her with her will and her estate. We met earlier today to go over it.”

  “Ooh, did Aunt Dee leave you anything good?” Olivia’s dark brows arched with interest.

  “I see you’re driving Dee’s old Corvette. I remember washing and waxing that car when I was a kid.” Ricardo sighed wistfully. “And how I used to wish it was my car.”

  Daphne blushed to remember how she’d daydreamed about Ricardo back then, probably when he was washing the car, secretly wishing he was her boyfriend. “Yes, Aunt Dee dearly loved that car. She named her Bonnie and I was the one to put the first ding on her. Actually it was more than a ding. The whole car had to be repainted.”

  “But it’s the original color,” Ricardo told Jeff. “Only fifteen Corvettes were made in that copper.” He looked back at Daphne. “Let me guess, your aunt left that to you?”

  “No kidding?” Jeff turned to admire the car again. “She’s a real beauty. Any interest in selling her, Daphne? I’ll give you a fair price.”

  “No way,” Olivia answered. “Daphne needs to keep that car. I can just imagine how hot she must look behind the wheel. I mean, seriously, it goes with her hair color and everything. You better keep her, girlfriend.”

  “Don’t worry. The car will stay with the house.”

  “Meaning you got the house too?” Olivia blinked. “I have always adored that Queen Ann Victorian. And the gardens are to die for. You better let me know first off if you plan on selling it.”

  “Oh, listen to you.” Jeff elbowed his wife. “I can’t even attempt to buy her car, but here you are about to make an offer on her house. Nice going, babe.”

  “You two sound like you’ve been married for twenty years,” Ricardo teased. “Instead of just two.”

  “But we’re still just as much in love as ever.” Jeff reached over to give his wife a squeeze and she responded by gazing into his eyes and suddenly they were kissing.

  Not comfortable with public displays of affection, Daphne picked up her water glass and looked out upon the street, but her gaze seemed to get stuck on the sign over the flower shop. It was still hard to believe that Bernadette, the vivacious girl who’d always been so full of life, had passed on.

  “Bernadette was the first business owner to leave a water dish on the sidewalk for dogs,” Ricardo told Daphne. “And she even kept a cookie jar of doggy treats in there. That was just one of the trends she started.”

  “She was so thoughtful.” Daphne turned back to smile at him. “I’m sure you must still miss her a lot.”

  He nodded. “But like so many things, it does get better with time.”

  “So back to you, Daphne,” Olivia said suddenly. “Are you really not going back to New York? You’re going to live here in Appleton for good?”

  Daphne gauged how much to say. “I have to admit, it’s not a very well-thought-out plan . . . but yes, I think I’ll give my boss my notice tomorrow.” She bit her lip. “Do you think it’s a mistake?”

  “No,” they all said simultaneously again.

  Ricardo laughed. “You guessed it, we’re all card-carrying members of the Appleton Chamber of Commerce. And whenever anyone wants to move to town, we automatically turn into the town’s loudest cheerleaders.”

  “That’s not true,” Olivia said. “We only sing the town’s praises when we like someone. If we don’t care for them, we act like Appleton’s not all that great. Right?”

  The guys laughed.

  “But that’s only because we love this place so much that we want to protect it,” Jeff clarified. “And we want to see it grow in well-thought-out ways.”

  “What will you do for a living?” Olivia asked her.

  Again, Daphne had to be careful with how much information she disclosed. “Well, don’t laugh . . . but I think I’d like to try writing a novel.”

  “Good for you,” Ricardo told her.

  “Yes
,” Olivia said. “You were always a good writer. And you’ve been writing for The New York Times for ages.”

  “You write for The New York Times?” Jeff looked impressed.

  “Not anymore.” Daphne laughed nervously. “How about you? What do you do here in Appleton?”

  “Jeff has the kind of job he can do anywhere,” Olivia explained. “He designs software.”

  “And I help with the flower shop sometimes too,” he reminded his wife.

  Kellie returned with their orders, carefully setting them in place and taking time to smile warmly at her boss. But unless Daphne was imagining something, the look Kellie gave her was a trifle frosty. Still, Daphne simply smiled back, politely thanking the pretty waitress. Then as they all dug into their meals, the conversation lulled slightly.

  Daphne paused for a moment, glancing around the table and marveling at how these three people had made her feel more at home than she’d felt in years. Maybe forever. Perhaps Aunt Dee knew more about what she was doing in crafting that will than Daphne had assumed.

  After dinner, Ricardo insisted that everyone have dessert.

  “It’s his famous Appleton deep-dish pie,” Olivia told Daphne after Ricardo cleared their table and went inside.

  “With his killer handmade vanilla bean ice cream.” Jeff smacked his lips like he hadn’t just consumed a Reuben sandwich and sweet potato fries.

  “I guess I’ll have to take over the deliveries tomorrow,” Olivia confided to Daphne. “To bike off all these extra calories.”

  Jeff leaned forward. “So, tell me, what do you girls think of Kellie?” he asked quietly.

  Olivia rolled her eyes. “Jeff is just certain that this new waitress is crushing on Ricardo.”

  “She’s very pretty,” Daphne said.

  “But if you ask me, she’s not really the waitress type.” Olivia tossed Daphne a knowing look. “If you know what I mean.”

  “She seems intelligent and well spoken.” Daphne tried to act nonchalant, but she was surprisingly disappointed to think that Ricardo and Kellie were this close to becoming a couple. Not to mention a bit chafed at Dad for acting like Ricardo was unattached.

  “And Ricardo must like her or he wouldn’t have hired her,” Jeff pointed out.

  “She’s good at her job,” Daphne added with feigned enthusiasm.

  “That’s true.” Jeff nodded. “And you can tell she’s really into Ricardo.”

  “I thought I noticed that too,” Daphne admitted.

  “But she’s so not Ricardo’s type,” Olivia told Jeff. “And I don’t want to see you encouraging this. Seriously, you stay out of it.”

  “But it would do Ricardo good to have a girlfriend,” Jeff said. “He hasn’t dated once since Bernadette died.”

  “That’s because he’s putting all his energy into the diner. Just leave well enough alone.”

  “And here comes the man of the house now,” Daphne announced. “And that dessert looks lovely.”

  “Kellie is bringing our coffee.” Ricardo set a dish in front of each of them. “I had her brew a fresh pot of decaf.” He grinned at Olivia. “Because I know you don’t do caffeine at night.”

  She beamed at him. “Thank you.” Now she turned to Daphne. “I still pretend that Ricardo is my brother-in-law.”

  “And you keep on doing that.” Ricardo reached into the center of the table to light the votive candle. “You can’t go through what we did without becoming family.”

  Although she didn’t feel hungry, Daphne took a bite of dessert and couldn’t believe how delicious it tasted. “Oh, Ricardo. This dessert is fabulous. Honestly, this might be the best apple pie I’ve ever eaten.”

  “Really?” He looked hopefully at her. “I mean, you’re the New Yorker girl. I’m sure you’ve eaten at a lot of fine restaurants.”

  “I don’t know about that. But really, it’s fabulous.”

  “I’ve been telling Ricardo that for years,” Jeff said. “I’ve dined at some pretty posh LA restaurants but never had anything like this.”

  “And I’ve eaten at some of Omaha’s best,” Olivia chimed in. “This beats them all hands down.”

  Kellie came out with coffee, taking her time to arrange their cups and the sugar and cream. “I don’t believe I’ve met you,” she said as she filled Daphne’s cup with steaming dark brew.

  “I’m sorry, Kellie,” Ricardo said. “This is Daphne Ballinger. We went to school together. Her aunt and my mom are neighbors.”

  “I came home for my aunt’s funeral,” Daphne added.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss,” Kellie told her.

  “Thank you. She was quite elderly. But I still miss her.”

  “I can imagine.” Kellie finished filling Olivia’s cup. “So I assume you won’t be around for long?” Kellie moved on to Jeff.

  “Daphne just told us she’s planning to relocate here,” Ricardo informed her. “Moving from New York. She plans to live in her aunt’s house and write the great American novel.” He grinned at Daphne. “Can’t wait to hear more about that.”

  Kellie looked surprised—or was it displeased—as she stepped next to Ricardo. Then placing what seemed a possessive hand on his shoulder, she slowly filled his cup. “I hope you enjoy our quiet little town, Daphne. I’m sure it will seem like small potatoes compared to the big city lights you must be used to.”

  “Actually, I grew up here,” Daphne said. “But it’s not nearly as quiet as it used to be. Our little town seems to be coming along quite nicely.”

  Without responding to her, Kellie turned to Ricardo and smiled prettily. “Can I get you anything else?”

  “No, this is fine, Kellie. Perfect. Thank you.” He smiled warmly, and with the coffee carafe in her hand and a confident smile on her pretty pink lips, Kellie strutted back inside.

  Daphne was certain Olivia and Jeff were right. That girl was definitely crushing on Ricardo. And it wouldn’t surprise her if Ricardo was enjoying it. What did surprise Daphne was that she felt jealous . . . and a little territorial.

  Chapter 8

  By the time Daphne got home, she had convinced herself that her unexpected reaction to Kellie and Ricardo was all just a figment of her overactive imagination. Good grief, she simply enjoyed dinner with old friends and the next thing she knew she was hearing wedding bells? Perfectly ridiculous.

  As she closed and locked the garage door, thankful that she hadn’t put any new scrapes or scratches on Bonnie, she told herself that she had simply been caught up in Aunt Dee’s last will and testament. Which reminded her, she wanted to read through it tonight.

  She considered going into Aunt Dee’s study to sit at the big desk to read it, but for some reason—probably because that had always been her aunt’s private “do-not-disturb” space—Daphne was reluctant to trespass there now. Instead she made herself comfortable in the big front room, reading the pages carefully, one by one, and spreading them all around her. She was no legal expert, but it did seem that Aunt Dee had carefully covered everything. And Jake would have no reason to convince her that the will was airtight if it wasn’t.

  “All right, Lucy,” she nudged the cat off of a pile of papers, “find someplace else to sleep.” She gathered all the papers, stacked them neatly, then shoved them back into the envelope. What was done was done. And she had a year to figure it all out.

  As Daphne got ready for bed, she thought about Ricardo again. He was so sweet and thoughtful and generous. She could imagine being happy with a guy like that. Plus he wasn’t too hard on the eyes. Of course, that could be a challenge in itself. A guy as handsome as Ricardo, working around pretty waitresses like Kellie . . . was that a formula for disaster? What would Dear Daphne say? While brushing her teeth, she began penning a letter in her head.

  Dear Daphne,

  I’m i
nterested in a man who is a great guy but very attractive. In fact, he’s attracted the attention of one of his employees. And that scares me. Would I be foolish to get involved with a guy like that? What if he broke my heart?

  Afraid in Appleton

  She turned off the tap and stuck her toothbrush back in the glass. This was silly and futile. Even so, she was curious as to how Dear Daphne would respond. As she washed her face and applied moisturizer, she constructed a response.

  Dear Afraid,

  Just because a guy is attractive doesn’t mean he will break your heart. Have you taken time to get acquainted with the true character of this man? Before you get your heart involved, why not get to know him better? Before you give him up, why not give him a chance to show you what he’s really made of? You might be surprised.

  Daphne

  She briskly rubbed lotion into her hands. Why was she even thinking about Ricardo like this? Just so she could secure her aunt’s inheritance? What kind of character did that reveal in her? And how would Ricardo feel if he knew she was considering him all because of Aunt Dee’s will? And what about Jake? She’d been obsessing over him just a few hours ago, fretting over who the mysterious Jenna was, when she was only his daughter. Seriously, Aunt Dee had created a real quagmire for Daphne. In a way, she had turned Daphne into an ironic sort of gold digger.

  But instead of fretting over all these questions, Daphne played one of her favorite biofeedback audios on her iPod. And when that didn’t work to put her to sleep, she went downstairs and drank a glass of milk. And finally, she was back in her bed.

  God, please lead me safely through the year ahead. She knew she would sign the paperwork that allowed her twelve months of playing the heiress. What happened at the end of that time was still a mystery.

  The next morning, she got up with the sun. This was her first official day of knowing that she truly was mistress of the house. At least for a year—but she was not going to think about that now. She happily tended to the cats, chatting cheerfully with them. Then she returned to the kitchen and ground the Red River blend coffee beans and made some delicious-smelling coffee.