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“He looks crazy,” Audrey said as she looked over Morgan’s shoulder.
“But it shows, and it didn’t. It didn’t.”
“I’d like to see.” Olivia held out a hand. “So there he is. He knows the camera’s on him.” She glanced up at Jake. “We have security cameras in the shop. I’ve seen some think about a little shoplifting, look at the cameras, pretend they aren’t looking, aren’t checking.”
“I agree.”
“He’s lost a lot of the style, and again I don’t just mean the hair, the weight. He had style, confidence, charm. And I know now he used those as weapons. But he doesn’t seem to have them anymore.”
“Beck and Morrison agree with that. And like any addict, he’s jonesing for a fix. He’s not coming after you when he’s in this shape. That’s their take, and one I agree with. But we’re going to keep a close watch. That’s a promise.”
He rose. “If you have any questions. If you want to talk to me about anything, you call me. Any time of the day or night.”
“Thanks.” Morgan looked at Miles. “Are you staying or do you have to get back?”
“I’ll stay awhile. Thanks for the lift, Jake.”
“Anytime.”
When Jake left, Audrey shifted to Miles. “We had a contest to pick the fall specialty drink.” She kept her smile bright, her eyes direct. “Not an easy choice, and we’ve taken our task seriously. Morgan, why don’t you go in and make Miles a glass of the winner. He has a vested interest, after all.”
“I do.” Understanding, he looked at Morgan. “That’d be great. I’ve heard about your planned desecration of coffee, so that’s a pass for me. But I’ll take the drink. And don’t forget your phone.”
“Sure. Just give me a couple minutes.”
She looked off, he thought, between the alcohol and the update, just a little off. But she got up, went inside.
“What do you want to tell me?” Miles asked when Morgan was out of earshot.
“Not tell, ask. Take her home with you, Miles. She needs to get this out of her head. If she stays here, she’ll end up in her room with this preying on her mind. Mom?”
“Take her for a walk with the dog, take her to bed. Distract her.”
Though he hadn’t planned to, Miles took the ring out of his pocket. “I have a distraction in mind.”
As Audrey pressed a hand to her lips, Olivia’s eyes narrowed on the ring. “That’s Lydia’s engagement ring.”
“Good eye. It’ll be Morgan’s if she’ll have it.”
“Oh no, you don’t.” She pointed at Audrey. “Don’t you start, and make me start. She’ll see and misinterpret, and he’s sure as hell not going to give her that here and now. Suck those tears up, Audrey Nash, and we’ll have a good, happy weep when she leaves.”
“Okay. Okay. I’m so happy. Miles, I couldn’t be happier.”
“We’ll see what she has to say.”
“Audrey, put those sunglasses back on. We had three contenders,” Olivia began. “Here she comes now, so you can judge for yourself.”
He took the glass Morgan offered, studied it. “It’s got visual appeal. What’s in it?”
She managed a smile. “Try it, then guess.”
Because he thought she needed it, he played along. “Bourbon,” he said after he sampled. “Bourbon, ginger, and the pear comes through. Honey?”
“Very good, and some lime. What do you think?”
“I didn’t make the cut to judge the other two, but it’s good. Says fall or winter. What are you calling it?”
“It’s basically a Prickly Pear—not the fruit, in fact it doesn’t use prickly pears. Some slight adjustments to that, and I’m thinking maybe Pear It Down.”
