“Coffee and cake, a big mistake!”
Startled, it took Eliza a moment to register the dark silhouettes marching down the street toward her, waving handmade signs.
As they drew closer, the leader of the group materialized beneath the glow of the lampposts, stealing a gasp from Eliza’s throat.
It was Harriet Parker.
* * *
Grant slammed his car door and took a deep breath. While he was thankful his dad had informed him of his mother’s ludicrous plan, he hated having to confront her. They’d been on icy terms since their argument yesterday, and Grant couldn’t believe she’d stooped so low. Being upset was one thing, but protesting Eliza’s grand opening was beyond petty. Not to mention she’d roped a few of her friends into her juvenile scheme.
As he strode toward the small group of women, he could hear them chanting, “The Calendar Café should go away!” while they waved their hand-painted signs in the air like pitchforks. To add to the menacing effect, the light from the street lamps cast an eerie glow across the glitter paint letters.
“Mom, what are you doing?” Grant took in Harriet’s sign, which read Caffeine Kills. “Really? Don’t you think that’s a bit extreme?”
Harriet lifted her chin. “Did you come here to stop me?”
“Of course I did. You’re behaving like a crazy person.”
“I’m doing this for you.”
“Are you sure about that?” Grant crossed his arms, one eyebrow raised. “What exactly do you hope to accomplish, anyway?”
Overhearing him, Clara Grossman, one of Harriet’s knitting club friends, chimed in. “Harriet says they’re trying to get our kids addicted to caffeine by sneaking coffee into their milk and chocolate chip cookies.”
Grant flashed his mother a disapproving glare before directing his attention back to Clara, trying to calm his fury. “You’ve known Eliza her entire life. Do you really think that’s what’s going on here? Do any of you?” He let his gaze rest on each woman individually as they guiltily lowered their signs. “I’m sorry, but you’ve allowed yourself to get roped into a personal vendetta that, I assure you, has nothing to do with coffee.”
The women murmured among themselves a few moments, appearing rightfully embarrassed.
Finally, Clara said meekly, “I heard they’re serving free cheesecake….”
“And Cassie’s making everyone a personalized latte,” another woman added.
After a quick affirmative glance, the women stuffed their signs in the nearest trash can and headed for The Calendar Café while Grant marveled at how easily they were swayed.
“Traitors,” Harriet mumbled, watching them desert her cause with a venomous scowl.
“Not as dedicated as your New York friends?” Grant asked, recalling an occasion where his mother and her cohorts protested a dry cleaner for twenty-four hours straight because they’d left a stain on her one-of-a-kind Valentino gown.
“I know you’re mocking me. But what that girl did to you was unforgivable.”
Grant winced at the harsh, dispassionate use ofthat girl.No matter what Eliza had done, she deserved to be treated with more respect. “Mom, can we please not argue about this here?”
“Then where?” Harriet gave a desperate sweep of her hands. “You won’t talk to me at home. Can’t you see I’m trying to help you?”
“I’m sure you believe that… in your own strange way. But I’m asking you to stophelping.” Grant could barely resist putting air quotes around the word. “I need time to think and figure things out on my own.”
Harriet wavered a moment before retrieving her car keys from inside her purse. Clutching the cold metal in her hand, she met Grant’s gaze, her eyes shimmering with unexpected emotion. “I do love you, you know.”
Grant opened his mouth to respond, but Harriet clicked the sensor on her key fob, the BMW’s distinct beep cutting him off. As she retreated down the sidewalk, she cast one last glance over her shoulder before climbing inside the driver’s seat.
Grant stood on the curb, watching his mother back out of her parking spot before pivoting slowly, heading to his own car.
A few days ago, he’d looked forward to this evening more than anything, eagerly awaiting the moment he’d unveil the website to Eliza. He’d also planned to tell her how much he loved her. And confess his intentions to stay in Poppy Creek.
But now…
He’d do almost anything to avoid catching even a glimpse of her.
