Chapter 41
One month later, Matilda had finished her shift at the cafe when Rita arrived. She’d recently had her surgery and had recovered well. Matilda was managing the cafe while she was out of action. Rita walked into the empty cafe looking a little pale but otherwise well.
“I have good news!” she said, eyes bright.
Matilda wiped down an empty table, then turned to greet her with a kiss on the cheek. “You’re looking good today. What’s the news?”
“My cousin, Cathy, has given up the legal challenge to the ownership of the cafe.”
“She has?”
Rita nodded. “We came to an agreement.”
“What’s the agreement?” Matilda asked with trepidation. She hated to think of Cathy owning part of the cafe. It was Rita’s. Everything about it spoke of her taste, her work ethic, her passion for the place.
“I agreed to let her help manage the place for half of each week. With the condition that if it didn’t work, she could be fired.”
Matilda gaped. “You’re going to let Cathy into the Honeysuckle Cafe? She’ll ruin it.”
“We had a good conversation. I think she’ll behave herself. Anyway, if she doesn’t, she knows what the consequences will be. And she gets no ownership stake in the place. At least, not yet, anyway.”
Matilda decided not to ask about that. “It’s your call. If that’s what you want, I support you.”
Rita huffed. “I don’t want you stuck here. You’re young and in love. You have a career. You’ve been so helpful to me while I’ve needed it, but you should forge a life of your own.”
“I like it here,” Matilda protested.
“I know you do.” Rita smiled at her. “And you’re a doll for saying that. But I don’t want to tie you down. Cathy seems determined to be part of the cafe. And who am I to stop her? She has a point—her father was part owner. And let’s be honest, I’m struggling to keep this place going on my own with all the health scares I’ve had lately. It might be nice to have some more help.”
“I’m worried she’ll just bring more stress into your life.”
“Pshaw! I can handle Cathy. I’ve dealt with her my whole life. What I really want to talk about is what’s going on with you and Ryan?”
The two of them sat down. Matilda dropped the cleaning cloth on the table. “Well, I’m not sure what to say. Things are great. As you know—I live with you.” She laughed.
Rita shrugged. “I know you’re out on dates with him several nights a week, and you visit his house every other night. But I want to know—is it serious?”
“That’s a little personal, isn’t it?”
Rita grunted. “I’m beyond that, honey. I’ve had a major surgery, my ticker is acting up, and I don’t know how long I’ll be around. You’ve got to give me something to live for.”
Matilda rolled her eyes. “You sure are milking this thing…”
“For all it’s worth.” Rita’s eyes sparkled.
Matilda sighed. “Okay, yes, we’re serious.”
“You’re in love?”
“Absolutely.” Matilda sighed again, this time in resignation. She could no longer ignore her heart. It’d taken her somewhere she hadn’t expected. She’d fully believed she’d be back home in Brisbane by now, but between Rita’s health issues and dating Ryan, it looked as though she wouldn’t be back there for a while.
Rita clapped her hands together. “Awesome. I love me some romance. And I’ve been hoping someone would scoop Ryan up for years. He’s such a good man.”
“I agree, he is. And I’m glad no one else scooped him.”
“So, you’re staying here in Georgia?”
“For now.”
“Doesn’t your family miss you?”
“They do, but they understand. It’s time for me to have my own adventure.”
“Well, honey, I’m glad your adventure brought you here. And I hope you stay a while.”
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