Page 12 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

Where is her birthmark exactly?

Chapter 3

Via tried to calm her nerves as she walked inside Bennett’s office, Leo following right behind her. Although she’d known Bennett Pipkin most of her life, she’d only dealt with him once in a professional capacity, and that was when she moved to downtown Pecan Corner and opened Pawsitive Vibes a year after breaking up with Trevor. Bennett and Earl had been good friends, and they had a standing lunch appointment every other Tuesday at the Corner Eatery. He was also present at Earl’s funeral and said the eulogy. Most of the Pecan Corner regulars had attended.

Had Earl told him about possibly combining Pawsitive Vibes and Second Chapter? She had no idea, and when she’d asked Bennett about Second Chapter’s future, he’d only mentioned probate. The man was always smiling and kind, but there was a sharp legal mind underneath that head of receding gray hair.

Marge Davenport was seated behind her reception desk as she and Leo approached. She slipped off her purple reading glasses and smiled.

“Good morning, Via...” Her gaze turned to Leo, and her short fingers were suddenly adjusting the chunky, red-bead necklacearound her plump neck. “And hello again, Mr. Brewster. Were you able to get into Earl’s apartment?”

Good grief, the woman sounded almost breathless.

“Eventually,” he said.

Via glanced at him. Calm, suave, and completely besotting sixty-four-year-old married Marge. The only inkling of impatience was in his eyes, the ones Marge couldn’t stop staring at.

“Can you tell Mr. Bennett I’m here?” he asked.

“I’ll be more than happy to show you to his office.” She started to rise from her chair.

Via stepped forward. “I can show him.”

Marge shot her a curt look. “I don’t mind, Via. You can wait here until Bennett and Mr. Brewster have finished their meeting.”

“But I’m attending the meeting.”

Marge looked to Leo for confirmation and he gave her a brusque nod. She sat back down, clearly disappointed.

As he headed down the hallway, she said to Via in a not-so-low voice, “Who knew Earl had such a dreamy nephew?”

“I guess.”

“So you think he’s dreamy too?”

“No, that’s not—I’ve got to go.” Before Marge could say anything else, Via skedaddled down the hall and stopped in front of Bennett’s door. Leo had found his own way and was already sitting in one of two chairs right across from the lawyer.

“Via.” A smiling Bennett stood up from his chair behind the large desk. “Leo just told me you were joining us.” He smoothed down his pale blue tie. Unlike Leo’s expensive dark suit, Bennett’s was tan and rumpled. “Have a seat.” He gestured unnecessarily to the only empty chair, right next to Leo.

She sat, and Leo kept staring straight ahead. Good, she wanted to get down to business too.

Bennett returned to his chair and folded his hands, resting them on the folder in front of him and looking at Leo. “It was quite the challenge finding you.”

“I’m here now,” he said, his tone flat.

Via couldn’t help but glance at him. He’d smoothed down his hair after she’d mussed it, and that had her thinking about how thick, soft, and sublime it had felt in her hands.

As if he sensed her watching him, he turned her way, arching a perfect, gorgeous eyebrow.

Cheeks flaming, she whipped her head around and looked at Bennett. Grasping for a diversion, she blurted, “Did Earl tell you about our plan to combine our businesses?”

She could almost feel Leo’s eyes burning into her right now. But she had to know.

Bennett’s slight frown was almost completely covered by his gray, bushy mustache. “He mentioned it,” Bennett said.

Yes! Via moved to the edge of her seat.

Leo frowned. “You told me I inherited the shop and the apartment.”