“No, but we intend to split them,” he explained. “Meet my friend, Natalie.”
“We are definitely splitting them,” Natalie chimed in. “Can you believe he’s torturing me like this? Not even one nibble yet.”
“That is just wrong,” Courtnie scolded him playfully. “What is wrong with you, man?”
“Hey, I was trying to turn the snack into a nice little meal with some ambiance.”
Courtnie laughed. “You’ve got to give him points for that,” she said to Natalie. “Giddy-Up and Go does have a special ambiance all its own.”
“That is true. We stopped by when you were over by the police station a couple weeks ago.”
“I remember. I’m Courtnie, by the way.”
“I love the Giddy-Up and Go concept. This is such an innovative idea. I can see why it’s Randy’s favorite.”
“Did he mention that I also happen to be his sister?”
“He did.” Natalie laughed. “Not the first time, but just now.”
She leaned forward. “I have all the inside scoop on him if you have any questions.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Natalie said. She and Courtnie exchanged a glance.
Randy waffled. “I feel like I might be in trouble with the two of you putting your heads together.”
Natalie smiled. “Is your tea as good as your coffee, Courtnie?”
“You will not be disappointed. I can assure you of that.” Courtnie didn’t seem to mind the challenge. “Why don’t the two of you take the table with the blue tablecloth, and I’ll work up something perfect to go with hot glazed doughnuts for two.”
“We’re starting without you,” Natalie said, then turned and led the way to the table.
She and Randy sat, and Natalie opened the box, not even offering him a doughnut before taking one and biting into it.
“Okay, Randy. You’re officially forgiven. They are still hot, plus I just love this bistro on the go.”
“Mmhmm.” He lifted a doughnut from the box and then tilted the box back in front of her. “Go ahead. Get another.”
She leaned in and took a big bite of his doughnut instead. “Oh my gosh. So good.”
He snatched it back and took an even bigger bite of it. “Yeah, you eat your own.”
They’d already downed a couple by the time Courtnie made her way to their table carrying a blue tray with matching blue teacups and teapot, cream, sugar, lemon, and honey nestled around a perfect peony in a short flower vase. “Here you go. This is my personal favorite. It’s a strong, bold, black Assam tea. It’ll balance the sugar rush you’re probably experiencing right about now.” She poured two cups for them.
“Tell Natalie your story about Giddy-Up and Go and how you started it,” he said.
“Sure, I love to tell that story.” Courtnie held the empty tray. “I owned a bakery over on Fifth. I was known for wedding cakes, and specialty sweets. I even sold to most of the restaurants in the area.”
“I remember that place.” Natalie’s eyes widened. “It caught on fire.”
“It sure did. I lost everything.”
Natalie’s mouth dropped open. “I’m so sorry. Sounds kind of like my story.”
Randy nodded.
Natalie said, “I know how that feels. To have to start from scratch. It looks like you’re doing great.”
Randy put both hands on the table, tempted to reach for her. “You’re going to be fine too. You know that, right?”
