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Maybe he found nothing. Maybe she was seeing things that weren’t really there. She changed the dumb towel without remembering and that was that.
Theresa popped into the back. “Tables are cleared and clean. I rearranged the displays, though not much is left. No one is out there right now, but you know the few stragglers that come in right before closing.” She grabbed her purse, a slight frown marring her face. “Do you want me to stay until closing?”
While she appreciated everyone’s concern—since they all knew the lawyer was in town—she didn’t want to be coddled. She could handle this. Shehadto handle this.
“I’m good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With no choice now, she waved good-bye to Theresa, who left via the back door and went up front. As Theresa predicted, the few stragglers—some regulars, some tourists—stopped in and depleted most of the sandwiches. She even managed to finish the soup of the day—tomato bisque. There were a few Danishes and croissants left, along with some sweet treats that the shelter would appreciate tonight.
She had fifteen minutes left to go when the bell above the door jingled. Looking up from the display she had been messing with, her body froze.
“Ms. Carrington, finally, alone at last,” Mr. Torrenson said with a wicked smile.
Darrian’s lawyer was as smarmy as Darrian himself. She had never liked the way he looked at her, as if she were prime meat ready to devour. Though the man had never actually tried anything with her, she could be thankful for that.
“I have nothing to say to you. Please leave.”
“You have no idea what you’re doing.” He stopped at the counter. “How long do you think you can play this little charade before you see the truth?”
The only truth she knew was if her brother got near her, he’d kill her. That’s the only truth that mattered.
“If you’re not going to purchase anything, you will have to leave.” She tried to make herself sound confident and in control, but even she heard the tremble in her tone.
He laid a manilla folder on the counter. “We’ll see you in court. You might think you’re going to win, but you won’t. Why don’t you make things easier on yourself and return home with me?”
Over her dead body. Literally. She would never step foot out of town with this man.
“Get out.”
He stared at her long and hard, not moving an inch. A throat clearing behind him had his bravado jerking for a second, though he covered his surprise quickly. Turning, giving her a view of who stood behind him, had her heart slowing down its erratic pace. Duke stood with his hand on the butt of his gun and a fierce expression. She had expected Griffin to be standing there since he always seemed to come to her rescue, but she’d take Duke as well.
“She told you to leave. You step foot in this cafe again, you’ll be arrested.”
“It’s a public establishment,” Bryan spat.
“One that says you’re not welcome, which would mean you’re trespassing. The owner herself, Juliet, told the police department you’re not welcome in here. This is your only warning. Next time I’ll grab my cuffs without speaking.”
“My business here is done.” Bryan turned to her, striking her with an arrogant look. “I’ll see you Friday.”
Then he passed Duke as if he hadn’t threatened to arrest him. Duke walked to the counter, his eyes filled with concern.
“You okay?”
She nodded, even though nothing was okay.
Duke’s gaze trailed to the folder on the counter. “What’s that, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Eve shrugged. “Court papers or something.” Her hand trembled as she picked it up. Part of her wanted to ask Duke to look, even though it wasn’t his business.
Most of it held legal jargon that she was too wired up to decipher. But the bottom line: Darrian was contesting the order of protection. The court date on Friday would decide whether it would continue.
The good thing: it would occur here in town. On her turf.
The bad thing: Darrian would be in attendance. She had to face her brother.
“Judge Rider isn’t going to side with him.”
She looked up, realizing Duke had glanced at the papers as well. Not that she had tried to hide them from his prying eyes. What did it matter if he knew? She figured the whole town would know by the time she stepped out of the cafe because that’s how this town operated. News traveled at the speed of light.
