“Let’s splurge on some dessert. Did you see those cakes in the case when we came in? That one looked like a banana cake with the vanilla wafers on the side.”
“Works for me. Want to split a piece?”
“No, I do not. What I can’t eat I’ll take back for breakfast with my coffee in the morning.” Anna slapped the menu closed again. “I’ll have decaf tonight.” She grabbed her purse and dug for her phone. “I’d better call the inn and let them know I’ll be later than I’d planned, and get some directions. I tried to find it on my GPS, but it didn’t come up.”
Lisa came over and took the order while Anna spoke on the phone.
“Right now,” Anna said, “I’m having dessert with my cousin on Main Street at the Blue Bicycle Bistro.” She pulled an ink pen from the front pocket in her purse. “Route 29?” She shrugged toward Vanessa. “I don’t think I came in on 29. I came in from the south. From Atlanta, up 85 and then west on 321.”
Vanessa could only hear Anna’s side of the conversation, but something seemed wrong.
“Yes, Georgia.” She pulled her hand to her mouth. “No. North Carolina. Really? I’m so disappointed.”
Vanessa tried to get Anna’s attention to ask what was wrong, but Anna wasn’t making eye contact.
Lisa brought the two pieces of cake and coffee over to the table.
“This looks amazing,” Vanessa said to Lisa.
“Wait until you taste it. Let me warn you, once you try my cakes, you will crave them forever. You’ve been forewarned. I can’t be held responsible.”
“Oh great. I’ll be two sizes bigger before I leave town if I’mnot careful.” Vanessa was still laughing with Lisa when Anna hung up the phone.
“All set?” she asked Anna.
“You won’t believe this.” Anna started doctoring her coffee. “I made an Airbnb reservation in this cute house that even had a Christmas tree set up already.”
“How lucky was that?”
“Not quite as lucky as I’d hoped.” She stabbed the banana cake like it was an unwelcome guest. “Apparently, it’s in Fraser Hills, Vermont, not North Carolina. I can’t believe I did that. I was so proud of myself for figuring that website out. It was a great deal too.”
“Oh, no.”
“They’ve been really nice about it. Refunded me and everything. I’m really sorry. I thought it looked like the perfect place for some fun and relaxation, and I know you already said there’s no space for me at the little apartment they put you up in. Now look what a mess I’ve made.”
“Don’t be silly. Surely there’s somewhere else in town.”
Lisa grimaced. “Not really.”
Anna shoveled a bite of cake into her mouth and moaned.
“Didn’t I tell you? That cake is the best, isn’t it? My great granny’s old recipe. It’s addictive,” Lisa said.
Vanessa took a bite too. “I may eat this every day.”
Lisa laughed and turned to Anna. “I already warned your friend here.”
“We’re cousins,” Anna explained. “We’re spending the holidays together for the first time in years, only my reservation got messed up. Do you know of any place to stay around here?”
“We’re always booked up from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. As far as I know, there’s no room anywhere.”
“I’m so sorry, Vanessa. I’ll look for something in the next town.”
“Don’t be silly. We’ll make it work.” From over Vanessa’s shoulder she heard, “I couldn’t help but overhear you ladies.”
It was Buck. Again. She turned around in the booth. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I’m stealthy like that.” He smiled toward Anna and flipped his hand up in a wave. “Hi, ma’am.”
