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“Let’s sit in a window booth,” Maggie said.
They ordered coffees and watched the hardware store while they waited.
“I’d better send Justin a text that I’m in town. Just in case. They’re not setting up the tent till four. I have no idea how the porta pottie is getting in if the road is impassable.”
“Pottie by boat?” Katrina asked. “Oh, look! There’s the Barbie Doll. Could she be Alphé’s wife?”
“Ex-wife,” Maggie said. “Wow, she’s pretty glamorous for Cypress Cove!”
“Capris and heels, yes, ma’am. They must have made a striking couple,” Katrina said, distraught. “I want the ex to be fat and unattractive.”
They looked at each other.
“Did I really just say that?” Katrina asked, mortified.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re shallow.”
Cackling, Katrina kept her eye on the attractive woman, who now appeared to be crossing the street, heading to the café.
“Oh, shit, no way.”
“She’s not going to know who we are,” Maggie hissed. “Just relax.”
Lola Beaumont came through the door, the bells on the door ringing and all heads turning in her direction. There might have been a low wolf-whistle, too.
“Hey, Lola,” a guy at the counter wearing a sweat-stained fishing hat called out.
“Magnus, what’s happening?” Lola replied, all smiles and boobs.
“I’m looking for work,” he said. “You know if Alphé got any room on his boat?”
“I don’t know that. You’d better head down to the dock and ask around instead of sitting in here, smelling the place up,” she said. “Del, do you have a king cake? I know I’m late.”
“I have some coming out of the oven in thirty minutes. Can you come back later this afternoon? Give it a chance to cool, and I’ll have it all frosted for you.”
“Perfect. I’ll pay you now in case I send one of the kids over to pick it up.”
They watched her open her expensive handbag. Did the boyfriend buy it for her? Or did a fisherman’s wife have the money to spend on a luxury item like that? Her shoes were expensive, too. With manicured nails and perfect hair, Lola Beaumont’s appearance made a statement.
“I’m wearing capris and heels tonight,” Katrina whispered, and Maggie tried not to laugh out loud.
When Lola left, she took a roomful of energy along with her.
“I feel like I’ve been holdin’ my breath,” Magnus said, and the people sitting around him laughed.
“Jeez, I know exactly what he means,” Katrina said. “She sure changes the atmosphere of a place.”
“Drink up,” Maggie said, grimacing. “I’m getting anxious to get back to the cottage now. She has a way of disturbing the peace.”
“Poor Alphé. I can’t imagine having that around me all the time. I feel like I need a nap.”
“How about Annie’s father-in-law? Ugh.”
“Right! I wonder if it energizes him.”
“It’s just the opposite for me,” Maggie whispered. “She’s an energy vampire. She sucked the air right out of the room. Maybe for a guy it has the opposite effect.”
Up at the counter, Katrina insisted on paying. The cashier took her money and counted back change. “Lola’s shackin’ up with Alphonso Casson,” the cashier said in a soft voice, nodding her head toward the window. “We’ve been watchin’ the comin’s and goin’s for a year. Not sure if Beverly is onto it or not. Everyone says she’s passed out by noon. I feel sorry for her.”
