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“No he didn’t, honey,” Ted said to Grace. “He said fudge, it just sounds the same.” He then pushed the rest of his food in front of her. “Knock yourself out.”
Running out the door, he made it to Tea Total in a minute. Buster Griffin was there behind the counter, looking like he’d been there all his life.
“I thought you and the guys were doing stuff this afternoon?”
“We are, were, but I want to learn how to make the lemon and blueberry scones and just arrived for my lesson. Mandy’s aunt is hurt, and she’s freaking out, so I told her to go to the hospital now. I’ll cope and try not to ruin her business.”
“I came to help.”
“You?” Buster looked skeptical.
“Why not me?”
“This is a Tea Shop, not a lodge. And from what I hear, you’re all about numbers and not actual people contact.”
“I do people contact! I’ve worked in hotels and cafes on and off for years,” Ted said, heading to the kitchen. “And I’m not sure why I’m justifying myself to you,” he muttered.
Buster was whistling as he walked into the kitchen.
People were constantly winding him up these days.
“Mandy?”
She was staring down at a book on the counter before her. When she turned, he saw her face had zero color and she looked about ready to faint.
“What’s going on?” He moved closer. “How’s your aunt?”
“I-I don’t know. Aunt Sarah went home because she needed to get something. The handrail on the stairs had come loose and w-we hadn’t noticed. Aunt Marla fell. I-I need to go now and see.”
“Okay, so why are you looking at a recipe book?”
“I’m just waiting for someone to arrive to help Buster.”
“I’m here for that. But you can’t drive in this condition.” Pulling out his phone, he called Jake. As luck would have it, his aunt Jess answered.
“Aunt Jess, it’s Ted from the lodge.” He told her what had happened, and she said she’d come to Tea Total at once to watch the shop with Buster.
“Aunt Jess is coming. Let’s go, Buster will do okay until she gets here. He owns a cafe in New York, I’m sure Ryker Falls won’t challenge him too much.”
“But it’s the busy time.”
“He’s got it. Now move your feet.”
She did, holding the hand he held out to her. Gripping it actually.
“Buster, Joe and Jake Trainer’s aunt is coming in to help you out,” Ted said. “I’ll be in touch when we know what’s happening.”
The man was on a stool looking at something on a shelf.
“Sure, no problem. You okay there, sweet cheeks?”
Mandy managed a nod. “I should tell you things,” she said.
“Sure, but I know everything. You’ve seen one café, you’ve seen them all. You go on now and give my love to your aunt.”
“Thanks.”
“I may move a few things, Mandy. Nothing major. Just going on aesthetics here.”
