“I’ve only got a minute, because things are crazy busy this morning as you can see, so I can’t chat too long. What’s up with y’all?” Daisy leaned over Tessa’s shoulder, keeping her voice low. “Anything interesting happening I should know about? It’s been so nuts around here, I feel like I’m missing out on all the good gossip.”
Jill Monroe shook her head. “Same old, same old with me. Work’s driving me bonkers. Boss is an idiot. I swear, it’s a miracle he can tie his own shoes.” Glancing down at her plate, she stabbed at the sausage patty, and Serena cringed at the poor, unfortunate soul who’d inspired Jill’s ire. They’d better watch out. Jill might be small in stature, but she was fierce when pissed off, and apparently her boss was stepping on her last nerve.
Beth Stewart, Tessa’s sister, smiled shyly. Beth wasn’t a Shiloh Springs local; instead she was visiting her sister for a much-needed break. Tessa had urged the other ladies at the table to befriend Beth, because she was still suffering from the aftershocks of her now ex-husband’s actions. Serena couldn’t imagine the anguish Beth suffered, knowing the man she’d married, the father of her child, tried to kill her sister, and had planned to kill her too.
“I’ve got nothing.” Serena picked up her juice. “Thought I had a big fish on the hook, but he decided Shiloh Springs’ small town charm wasn’t ‘right’ for their new store. Sometimes you can’t teach idiots, especially when they’re wrong.”
Daisy shrugged. “Their loss. We are awesome.” Her words were accompanied with a cheeky grin and a waggle of her eyebrows.
Serena glanced at Tessa then, since she was the last woman and hadn’t chimed in. Oh, yeah, she was definitely hiding something, though she didn’t seem upset, more like—excited. “Okay, Miss Schoolmarm, spill it. You’re vibrating with the need to talk. Go for it.”
Tessa rolled her eyes, then stuck out her tongue, and Serena made a playful swat at her. “Wow, talk about stealing my thunder. I planned on waiting until we’d finished breakfast, but here goes.” Lifting her hand from under the edge of the table, she turned it, spotlighting the diamond on her left ring finger. “Rafe asked me to marry him.”
Loud squeals erupted from the women seated at the table, and Daisy grabbed Tessa in a hug, since she was closest to her. “Oh, sugar, congratulations!” she beamed. “I guess this means you’re staying in Shiloh Springs permanently.”
Tessa chuckled. “I guess it does.”
“Congratulations, Tessa! I’m happy for you.” Serena meant her heartfelt words. She remembered the day she’d met the feisty redhead. On the day Tessa moved to Shiloh Springs, as her realtor, Serena had an appointment to meet her at the house Tessa had rented, to drop off the keys and copies of the lease. Running late and without a number to contact her, instead Rafe Boudreau caught Tessa climbing through the window in the now infamous bathroom break-in story, which he took great glee in repeating to anybody who’d listen. Instantaneous and undeniable chemistry between the two exploded and hadn’t dimmed one iota since, and Serena remained convinced they’d be happy together. How could they not, they were perfect for each other.
Several minutes were spent examining the beautiful sapphire and diamond engagement ring on Tessa’s left hand, and Serena had to admit it suited Tessa perfectly. Rafe had made a good choice.
“If y’all need anything, gimme a holler. I’ve got to get back to taking orders and serving grub.” Daisy hugged Tessa again and headed back toward the kitchen. Serena’s gaze met Beth’s and she couldn’t help but read the sadness in the other woman’s eyes. Although several months had passed since her husband had gone to prison, Serena couldn’t imagine how stressful Beth’s life had become, especially having to raise her young daughter alone. Jamie was a bundle of joy, energetic and happy. She seemed to be handling her father’s absence better than her mother.
“How are things going with you, Beth? Have you considered moving to Shiloh Springs full time?” The last time Beth had visited Tessa, she’d toyed around with the idea of relocating from North Carolina, making a brand new start away from the memories of her ex-husband and being closer to the only family she had left.
“I was planning to talk to you and Ms. Patti.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve contacted a realtor in North Carolina, and I’m putting the house up for sale.”
Tessa reached over and pulled her sister in close for a hug. “I’m so happy. I swear, you’re going to love Shiloh Springs. Plus, you already know practically everybody, so it’s not like you’re uprooting your life and moving to a town full of strangers.” She grinned. “You’ve got us!” Tessa gestured toward the other women at the table.
“Anything I can help with, you know I’m there.” Serena smiled at Beth. “But you seem a little, I don’t know…sad this morning. Can I help?”
Beth shook her head. “It’s nothing. Well, it’s not nothing, but I’m trying not to dwelling on it. I—got a letter from Evan a couple of days ago.”
“What? How’d he know you were here?” Outrage tinged Tessa’s voice. “I’ll call Rafe, and have him talk to the warden. Evan shouldn’t be allowed to harass you—”
“Stop! He’s not harrassing me. He mailed the letter to the North Carolina address. The Millers have been forwarding everything to me once a week, after tossing out all the junk. The letter was in the stuff I got from them.”
Tessa flopped back in her chair, muttering under her breath. Evan Stewart wasn’t her favorite person, Serena knew, since the man had tried to kill her when she’d first moved to Shiloh Springs. He’d been trying to steal a county bond, one which had been in Tessa and Beth’s family for over a hundred years, and was worth millions. He and his partner-in-crime, who happened to be
