Chapter Twelve #2
“Here you are, sir.” She offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry about the wait.”
“Not a problem,” Burke said, easing his coffee out of the way to make space for the plate.
Denise’s sculpted brows scrunched together. “I thought you wanted to ask me questions about your aunt and uncle?”
Burke offered his most charming grin. “That’s absolutely what I want to speak with you about. Forgive me for the rabbit hole. How would you describe my aunt Lois in her final days?”
A wistful expression flitted across Denise’s face. “She was sweet. Mostly. Spent a lot of time talking about her life. She and your uncle lived a few places before they settled down here.”
“With the military, right?”
Denise nodded. “Have you dug through any of the boxes out in the shed? Charlie and I moved almost all their personal belongings out there.”
“Right. The shed. I haven’t had a chance to poke around in there yet.
Charlie gave me the key. I just need to clear a path through the snow.
Anything else you can think of that I should know?
” Burke took a bite of his bagel, enjoying the creamy texture paired with the warm, crunchy bread.
Maybe if he let her talk, she’d unwittingly share something useful.
Hesitating, she glanced around the coffee shop, as if making sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation.
Then she leaned in closer to Burke. “You know, it’s interesting that you asked about feuds.
I don’t recall there being a connection between the Montgomerys, the Harrisons, and your family.
But your aunt was real bitter about whatever went down between her and the Wrights. ”
Now they were getting somewhere. “Do you know what happened?”
Denise shook her head. “I wish I did. Unfortunately, she wasn’t specific. The only reason I know about their…conflict is because I brought her a box of chocolates from the Evergreen Candy Company, and she started to cry. Insisted I throw it away.”
Burke’s scalp prickled. He leaned in, unable to hide his intrigue. “Did she say why?”
“She was crying too hard to make out anything coherent, but I got the sense that it had something to do with grudges and not being able to let go.” Denise wrinkled her nose. “Not much to work with, right? Like I said, I wish I knew, because she really was hurting.”
Poor Aunt Lois. And to think she might’ve carried that heartache with her for the rest of her days. “Thank you for sharing that.”
It wasn’t much, but it was something. The kind of solid information he needed to help uncover the truth.
* * *
What a disaster.
Jovi stood alone in the workroom at the candy company, the remnants of the holiday rush still scattered around her.
She turned in a slow circle. Why had they left the place in such a mess?
Discarded flat cardboard boxes, stray ribbon imprinted with the trademark logo and empty cardboard tubes from used-up packaging-tape dispensers littered the normally pristine workspace.
A few empty soda cans and wrappers that once held trail mix and protein bars sat forgotten on the counter.
Two plants drooped in their clay pots on the windowsill.
Even the plants seemed to have given up, their leaves wilting and brown at the edges.
She draped her coat over a folding chair and plopped her bag down.
Amped up on sugar and caffeine, she kept moving to maintain her momentum, even though she sensed exhaustion creeping in.
Sighing, Jovi retrieved her phone, opened a music app, and scrolled until she found an upbeat pop playlist that might spark some motivation.
She jabbed the Play icon with her finger and balanced her phone on a stack of books.
Isabel wasn’t in and hadn’t responded to Jovi’s text either, so this method would have to do since she couldn’t get into her sister’s office to borrow a portable speaker.
She just needed something to distract her, to keep her body in motion.
Her coffee date with Danielle had been refreshing.
A balm to her soul, really. Until Burke had shown up.
Not that she didn’t expect to run into him.
They were neighbors, after all, and Evergreen was a small town.
But when he’d sat down at a table with Denise Schumacher—the beautiful, single, and lovely Denise, who’d only become more attractive since she’d been a popular cheerleader in high school—Jovi had struggled to stay engaged in her conversation.
Why did Burke want to hang out with Denise?
Stop. Just stop. She braced her hands on her hips and surveyed the scene. Where to begin? Movement out in the hallway pulled her attention toward the door. Mom strode in, her pink jacket draped over her arm and a stylish handbag in her other hand.
Mom’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Hi there. I didn’t expect to see you here, sweetie.”
“I felt bad for leaving the place like this.” She gestured to the mess. “It’s not fair for whoever has to process the next round of orders.”
Mom set her purse and coat on the counter. “That’s thoughtful of you. Easter is right around the corner.”
Jovi’s chest tightened at the mention of Easter.
It was still weeks away, but it felt too soon.
She rubbed her fingers against the ache in her chest. She wasn’t ready.
Not for another round of seasonal candy orders, the end of her projected stay, or the thought of saying goodbye to Burke and Darby Jane.
Besides, they hadn’t found the recipe. Or convinced Mom and Dad not to sell.
This wasn’t how her trip home was supposed to go.
“I’m here for pretty much the same reason.” Mom swept some crumbs on the counter into a neat pile with the side of her hand. “Well, that and Isabel sent me a text saying she wasn’t coming in today.”
“Is she okay?”
Mom hesitated. “She didn’t mention anything specific, but you know how she is. The girl goes a million miles an hour. Wouldn’t hurt to take a day off.”
True. Jovi bit her lip. Something felt off, though. Had she and Mason had another argument? She’d check in on her sister later. “So I thought I’d start with picking up the garbage. Sound good?”
Mom nodded. “The trash bags are under the counter, lower cabinet on the far right. We sort the recycle and trash ourselves, so keep that in mind, please.”
“Got it. Thanks.” Jovi retrieved a bag and then shook it open.
“How was your coffee date with Danielle?”
The bag slipped from Jovi’s hands. She bent and scooped it up, grateful her mother couldn’t see her face.
The heat climbing her neck would give away her complicated feelings about seeing Burke.
Then she’d have to explain why the mention of coffee with her old high school friend made her blush.
Ugh. Why did one impulsive kiss wreak so much havoc?
“Jovi?” Mom’s voice carried a hint of concern. “Is Danielle all right?”
Jovi stood and forced a bright smile. “Yes, she’s great. We had a wonderful time catching up. Have you heard anything from the people at Grammie’s new place? Is the flu outbreak over?”
“Good question.” Mom pulled her phone from her bag. “Gretchen sent me a text, but I didn’t have a chance to read it yet.”
Jovi paused, an empty aluminum can in her hand, and shot her a look. Grammie was Mom’s mother-in-law, so not technically her responsibility, but Mom had always been the one to keep up with family logistics, appointments, doctor’s visits, etc. Wasn’t she worried?
Mom fumbled with her reading glasses, then slid them into place and tapped her phone screen.
“Let’s see… Gretchen says this is the fourth day that none of the residents have had any symptoms, fever, etc.
If they can go five days with no one symptomatic, then visitors will be allowed back in.
She recommends we call ahead and double-check before we make the drive. ”
“I’m glad things are improving.” Jovi added three more cans and two plastic bottles to her collection. “I would really like to see Grammie again.”
“I’m sure she would like to see you too.”
“I can wait if you and Dad want to go first.” Jovi stopped short of mentioning she had several questions to ask her grandmother and didn’t necessarily want an audience.
Mom pressed her lips into a thin line, then shook her head.
Oh. Mom and Grammie had always had a very kind and loving relationship. “You don’t want to visit her at all?”
Mom avoided eye contact. “I—I can’t.”
“Because…”
Sighing, Mom leaned against the counter and crossed her arms over her chest. “Because if she’s lucid, then we’re going to have to confess that we’re selling the company, and I don’t think she’ll ever forgive us.”
“It’s her legacy,” Jovi said quietly. “I wouldn’t blame her for feeling betrayed. But don’t you think she deserves to know the truth?”
Her mother’s eyes filled with tears, and she looked away. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but your father and I still believe selling is the best decision for our family.”
Mom’s words nearly gutted her. She tried to hold back the wave of anger and disappointment that surged through her. “How can you do this? How can you disregard the legacy, our own family’s history, for the sake of profit?”
Mom’s spine straightened. She swiped at her cheeks. “It’s not just about money, Jovi. Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions for the sake of our future.”
“But what about all the memories? Everything Grammie and Grandpa built?” Jovi’s voice wavered. She gestured to the scattered mess around them. “We’re just going to throw it all away?”
Anger flitted across her mother’s features. “We’re not throwing anything away.”
“No, you’re handing it all over to a global conglomerate that doesn’t care about Evergreen or understand what it means to be a small-business owner. Please. Help me understand how that’s different.”
Mom turned and plucked her coat and her bag from the counter, then pinned Jovi with a long look. “Your fierce loyalty to a company you’ve barely been around to help run is admirable. Really, it is. But a comfortable retirement and financial security means something too.”
Jovi gasped. Before she could come up with a response, her mom left.
Her mind reeled. What had just happened?
She drew a deep breath, then finished cleaning up the mess.
Memories of the hours she’d spent helping her grandparents, working alongside Grammie in the kitchen, tasting her delicious recipes and witnessing the joy it brought to customers’ faces renewed Jovi’s determination.
This was more than just a company. It represented family, tradition and love.
If her parents wouldn’t listen to reason, and they were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of a comfortable retirement, then she’d have to double down on her quest to preserve her grandparents’ legacy.