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“I’ll drop this stuff at your place,” she called out to me, her words more of a threat than a kind gesture.
I should have gone back to retrieve my belongings then and there, but I was too focused on finding Carlotta to make things right before it was too late. I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.
Alice and Mabel blocked my path first. “Mayor Carson, we hope you enjoyed the brownies. They’re Mama’s favorite recipe.”
I smiled as best I could. “They were wonderful, and I’m sure everyone in town would happily pay for them.”
They flashed matching delighted smiles and Mabel set a hand on my arm. “We’ll see about that after next month’s bake sale.”
Another town activity I hadn’t thought of because it was more than a month away. If CJ really did quit, I’d have to replace her immediately, or risk upending my entire schedule. “You know I’m rooting for you. Both of you.” I had no idea if they would compete together as one entrant, or against one another.
“We won’t keep you,” Alice whispered. “Carlotta went that way.”
“Thanks.” My shoulders dropped in relief and I took off again, anxious to get to Carlotta because I knew it would take some convincing to get her to talk to me.
“Oh Chase, there you are.” Margot popped up in front of me, dressed in a pink dress that looked better suited to an office than a park. “We need to talk.”
I nodded. “Do we need to talk right now, or can it wait until Monday?”
Margot’s shoulders fell. “It would be better to speak about it now.”
I sighed and avoided the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose. “Okay, what is it?”
“You can’t let Carlotta use Grady’s Bar as an event space. It’s unseemly,” she said, unable to suppress a disgusted shiver.
“Okay. Why not?”
“Because,” she whined. “It reflects poorly on the town. You don’t want strangers coming to Carson Creek thinking that is all we have to offer. Do you? Do you?” She asked again, her voice growing more irritated by the second.
“Margot why is this any of your business in the first place?”
She spluttered, surprised at the question. “Because we do business together, and people will wonder what’s wrong with The Olde Country House if she’s using a filthy bar instead.” Arms folded, chin stuck high in the air, she stared at me, waiting for me to cave.
“It’s her business to do with as she pleases. The bar is a commercial space, and she has every right to use it if Grady agrees.”
“But Chase, this is a joint venture.”
“You aren’t her boss Margot.”
“No,” she sighed. “I’m not.”
“Then what is the problem?” I knew Margot and Grady didn’t get along, but this was something more than that. “You don’t have to attend events held at the bar.”
“I know,” she sighed and her shoulders fell. “If you’re not willing to help, I’ll figure something out on my own.” She stomped off and I made a mental note to talk to Grady this week, but right now my focus was on finding Carlotta.
By the time I arrived at the place where Pippa had parked, her car was gone and there was no trace of Carlotta. I could have doubled back through the park and past CJ to get my car, but it would be quicker to walk the few blocks to Carlotta’s place.
It wasn’t dark, dammit. It was too early for her to have gone to bed already, which meant she wasn’t home. My shoulders fell. I was defeated, but I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. There were a few places in town she could be, so I decided to search them.
All of them.
Chapter 25
Carlotta
“Here’s to sleeping in the middle of the bed again!” A round of loud cheers went up in the corner of Grady’s Bar where Sandee, the divorcee, made her toast.
“Here’s to never having to make acai bowls ever again!” One of her friends offered up another toast and the crowd went wild.
