Chapter 28
Elisa rushed to the diner as Noah rushed to the bank. Delia hadn’t answered her phone, and now Elisa was worried she might have fallen with her walker. At least the waitstaff would be there by now. Still…
She hurried inside the packed café, nearly bumping into Trish, who crossed in front of the door with a tray full of pancakes. She barely saved the tray from tipping over. “Whoa, where’s the fire?”
“Don’t even joke about fire.” Elisa glanced around the crowded café. “Where’s Mama D?” There was so much to tell her, she thought she might burst.
“Table twelve. I just convinced her to sit down—she was in the kitchen, trying to ‘put love into the pancake batter.’” Trish smirked, shifting the tray to her other hand. “Where have you been?”
“That’s a long story.” Elisa sniffed the bacon-scented air. “Wait a second. I got everything set up earlier for breakfast, but who’s handling the hot orders?”
“Lucius, actually.”
“ What ?” Elisa started for the kitchen, her chest tight. “He came back? Did you call the cops?”
Trish followed with her tray. “He didn’t steal. Had an airtight alibi—the police confirmed it when they brought him in for questioning.”
Was anything as it seemed today? Elisa pushed through the swinging doors into the kitchen and there was Lucius, wearing an apron and happily flipping pancakes. What in the world…
“I’ve got to get these plates to table five.” Trish backed out of the kitchen. “I’m sure Mama D can explain everything.”
Good gravy, she’d almost forgotten why she’d rushed there in the first place. The wonder of the morning—and her new questions—drove Elisa’s feet to table twelve. Mama D sat with her back to the wall, her walker propped beside the booth as she sipped a glass of orange juice.
Elisa plopped onto the seat opposite her. “You have some explaining to do.”
“Lucius is a good boy.” Delia adjusted her necklace. “The only thing he’s guilty of is not locking up behind him when he rushed out of here last week. Someone else stole the pans while the diner was unlocked. I already talked to Sheriff Rubart, told him to reopen the case, but he said it’s unlikely we’ll get a lead at this point.”
“I don’t understand. If that’s true, then where did Lucius vanish to?”
“Apparently his mother had called—they live in Florida. His father was in the hospital, heart attack, I think he said. In his panic, he just left. His phone died, but he thought the text he sent me went through. It never did.” Delia shrugged. “He deserves another chance.”
“I feel so bad I assumed.” Elisa shook her head. “There seems to be a lot of that going around today.”
“You’ve been gone several hours—is Noah okay?” Delia moved her juice cup aside and rested her arms on the table. “Are you two okay?”
“Better than okay. We finished the hunt.” Her face flushed. “You should have seen the letter Gilbert wrote.”
“I’d love to read it one day.” Delia’s voice gentled. “Does Noah have what he needs now?”
“He does. He’s at the bank as we speak, trying to save the inn from his father. But there’s more.” Elisa sucked in a tight breath. Here went nothing. “I’m paying for your surgery.”
Delia blinked at her.
“I know you’re going to argue, but we don’t have time for all that. Remember, I can always go to the admin office at Magnolia Memorial and handle it while you’re sedated.” Elisa pointed at her. “I’m doing this.”
Delia raised her chin. “Gibberish. You young people don’t make sense anymore.”
“No, you’re just pretending you don’t understand because you don’t want me to do it. But I don’t care. I’ve come into some money and this is what I’m going to do.”
“From the treasure hunt?”
She hesitated. “Not just from the hunt. It’s a long story.
“Elisa Bergeron, if you robbed the bank, so help me I’ll?—”
“Of course not.” She held up one hand. “I should be able to cut you a check in a few weeks, max. The hospital will take that long to send you the first bill, anyway.”
“ Hmph . I don’t know about this.” Delia leaned back in the booth, her eyes assessing.
“Full disclosure—this was my plan all along. It’s why the hunt was so important to me.” Elisa lowered her voice as one of the busboys walked past with a tray. “I was going to use whatever inheritance Mr. Hebert left to help you. I just didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t take it.”
Delia leveled her with a stare. “You knew right.”
“But you’re the one who has always encouraged me to stand up for myself. To be honest about what I want, to communicate. So…” Elisa wiggled her hands in the air like a magician. “Ta-da.”
Delia didn’t move, just watched, her lips twitching. Her silence was more unnerving than her protests.
Elisa let her hands fall to the table. “Don’t you get it? I can pay for your surgery. You don’t have to sell the diner now.”
“I’m afraid I still do.” Delia ran one finger around the rim of her juice glass, avoiding Elisa’s gaze.
“Why?” Her chest tightened. After all that...why had she gotten her hopes up? She’d finally come to terms with losing the Blossom, just for Noah to present it back to her on a silver platter. Now this.
Elisa swallowed the string of protests she knew would be futile. “To who?”
Delia lifted her gaze and met Elisa’s eyes. A tiny smirk crossed her lips. “I’m looking at her.”
“Me?” Elisa jabbed her finger into her chest so hard it hurt. She rubbed the offended spot. “What are you talking about?”
Delia’s wise old eyes sharpened. “What do you say we work out a trade? This money you say you’ve got, for the title to the Blossom?”
“But Mama D?—”
“I’m old, honey. I didn’t want to lose the Blossom any more than you did, but I’m kidding myself if I think I’m going to come back to cook full time after a hip replacement. Even if it wasn’t for the money issue, I’d have been thinking about letting it go.”
Her words washed over Elisa. She was right. Of course she was right. But the Blossom without Delia…
“I’d like the downtime. Maybe I could start a new hobby, or finally have some time to read. Been wanting to check out this Charles Martin fellow I keep hearing about.” She squeezed Elisa’s hand. “If you own the diner, I’m not losing a single thing. It’s a win-win.”
“But I can’t afford the Blossom. I’m sure you would have gotten a lot more from a real buyer than the money I’m proposing.”
“Honey, I’ve never wanted to be rich a day in my life. I’ve got plenty of retirement set back. If you cover this surgery, I’ll be golden.” Delia gripped her hand harder. “The least I can do in return is give you the deed to the place you helped create. You and your sweet mama.”
Tears throbbed behind Elisa’s eyes. She pressed her fingers to her lips, holding back the wave of emotion. Earlier that morning, she had slowly come to terms with not only losing the diner, but potentially losing her job. Now…the Blossom could be hers?
Talk about a midnight miracle.
“I accept.” She drew in a shaky breath. “On one condition.”
Amusement sparked in Delia’s eyes. “Look at you, being a shrewd business owner already.”
“I accept if you’re on payroll.”
Delia waved one hand in the air. “Again, with the gibberish.”
“You might not be cooking full time or even up here every day, but the Blossom will still need you.” Elisa reached over and took Delia’s weathered hands. “I still need you.”
Delia squeezed her fingers. “The feeling is mutual, my dear.”
She casually let go and brushed her hair back. “Besides, you’ll have to teach me and Lucius more about how to put love into your recipes.”
“You and Lucius?” Delia tilted her head. “But you haven’t wanted to cook in years!”
“Now Delia, I thought we said we weren’t going to keep assuming.” Elisa shot her a wink, then sobered. “I think it’s time I put some of me and mom’s recipes to good use.”
“She’d be so proud. Almost as much as me.” Delia started sliding out of the bench seat. “Get over here so I can hug you properly. Are you going to make a crippled old lady walk to you?”
Elisa grinned as Delia lumbered to her feet. She met her beside the table, and Delia wrapped Elisa in an embrace that smelled like syrup and baby powder and all things home. She’d lost her mother young, but God had provided love where she needed it most. Just like Noah—he’d not had a father growing up, but Grandpa Gilbert had been there to fill in the gaps.
Love abounding. Miracles abounding. What had the letter said? Faith. Family. Forgiveness. They went all together. And it was truly the greatest treasure of all.
More tears—how did she have any left at this point?—slipped down Elisa’s cheeks. “Love you, Mama D,” she whispered.
“And you, dear one.” Delia pulled back and patted her cheek, then sniffed. “Now. Hand me that blasted walker, and let’s get to the bank. We need to see how your boy is doing.”
* * *
Noah leaned against the exterior wall of the bank, slurping his second coffee of the day. Apparently Miley had cheered up during the morning, because this batch was almost undrinkable. But the bitter taste did little to ruin his mood. The spring sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the deed to the Blue Pirogue burned a hole in his back pocket.
Humming, Noah propped one leg up behind him and checked his watch. 9:05 a.m. Any minute now…He took another sip, then debated pouring the coffee into the grass. Nah. He needed the caffeine.
A sleek sports car pulled up and parked on the curb. His father got out, wearing a fitted sports jacket and whistling. Then he gave Noah a double-take as he stepped toward the bank. “What are you doing here?”
Noah took another slow sip. “I live here.” Those words tasted much better than the coffee. He said them again, trying them out. He lived in Magnolia Bay.
Yep, absolutely delicious.
Russell rolled his eyes. “If you’re here hoping to change my mind, you might as well start the tantrum now. I’ve got business to handle.”
Not anymore. Noah smiled. “For the record, you were wrong.”
“Doubtful.” Russell reached past Noah for the door handle. “If you’ll excuse me…”
Noah kept talking. “The balance owed on the mortgage wasn’t thirty grand. It was twenty-eight five.” He offered a casual shrug. “I was given change.”
Russell’s hand dropped from the door and he stared at Noah. “What are you talking about?”
“Told you I was going to beat you here.” Noah stepped forward, pulling the paperwork from his pocket. He tapped Russell on the shoulder with it. “You lose.”
Russell scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. You can’t just assume ownership of a property by paying?—”
“When there’s a will stating otherwise, I can. Worst case, it’ll come down to a judge. The Hebert name might not be golden in this town, but that’s because of you .” He tapped him again. “Not me. So I think I know which way the judge would lean.”
Russell shoved the paperwork away and squared his shoulders. “There’s no way I’m going to let?—”
“Also, Grandpa’s lawyer knows a probate attorney in the next parish over who owes him a favor. The guy already said he’d be happy to take the case if you want to start a suit to stop me.” Noah grinned. “But I’ve heard that’s expensive.”
Russell’s eyes narrowed to slits. “This isn’t over.”
“You’re right.” Noah tucked the document back into his pocket and crossed his arms. “It’s not over—but it can be different.” He gentled his tone. “Better.”
“What are you talking about?” Russell glanced over his shoulder at a sudden din of voices drifting toward them down the sidewalk.
“I’m talking about giving you another chance. You can stay in town if you want, help me out at the inn for awhile.” The idea had hit him about ten minutes ago while signing the papers with Owen, and it still surprised him. But it was the right thing to do. Faith. Family. Forgiveness. The last part didn’t come naturally, but if Grandpa could do it, so could Noah.
“You’re delusional if you think I’m going to work for you. Don’t you know what I do for a living?” Russell spat on the sidewalk, then looked behind him again as the rush of voices grew louder. “What the heck?”
Noah followed Russell’s stare to the crowd heading their way down the sidewalk. Was that—he blinked. Yep, it was Elisa, beaming, as she walked beside Mama D, who moved her walker with surprising speed. Half the waitstaff from the diner paraded around them, still wearing aprons.
They drew closer. Sheriff Rubart was with them, too, not scowling for once. And Linc, who was. Cade, wearing an electric blue tie that could be seen a mile away. Then there was Zoey, who toted a pastry box from her shop, walking beside Pastor Dubois and Isaac Bergeron. Even Farmer Branson ambled along, a bacon strip poking out of his front pocket.
They all came to a stop, surrounding Noah. He took in all their faces, an overwhelming sense of belonging welling in his chest. “What are you guys doing?”
Elisa slipped her arm through his. “I wasn’t sure how this meeting was going to go, so Mama D and I brought backup.”
“We’re here for you.” Delia scooted her walker closer to Noah. “You’re one of us, you know. Always have been.”
His throat knotted. Noah wrapped his arm around Elisa and pulled her in close. “You got everyone here—for me?”
“Of course.” She smiled up at him before twisting her head toward Russell, who had been forced back toward the curb. “Lucky for you, we didn’t have time to grab pitchforks.” She glared.
Zoey popped her head out from behind Farmer Branson. “For the record, I saw what was going on between you and Elisa before Elisa did.” She grinned and held out her pastry box. “Beignet?”
Farmer Branson immediately turned to take one.
“So you’re staying, right?” Cade pushed his way through the group. “You got the deed? Ohhh, beignets.” He helped himself.
Russell glared. “This town is crazy.” He cursed under his breath. “I’ll take my chances in California. But I said what I said—this isn’t over.”
“I’m pretty sure it is.” Sheriff rose to his full height as he started toward Russell. “You can join up and shape up, or you can get lost. Choice is yours.”
“Fine.” Russell lifted both hands as he eased toward his car. “I don’t want that money pit of an inn, anyway. Keep it.” Then he got in and peeled off, tires squealing. The group around him cheered.
Noah watched his father leave, until the only evidence he’d ever been there was the tread marks on the road. He looked down at Elisa and clutched her a little tighter. “I guess some things never change.”
Isaac appeared beside Noah and clamped his hand on his shoulder. “And some things do.” He held his gaze. “Man to man, I’m sorry. My brilliant daughter here helped me see some things I’d been blinded to, and—well, I’d like to buy you some coffee. Talk about it further.”
Apparently things did change. But not the important things.
Faith. Family. Forgiveness.
Noah’s gaze darted over the group. At Farmer Branson, who’d sprinkled his beignet with crumbled pieces of bacon. At Linc, who swatted away Zoey’s attempts to brush powdered sugar off his shirt. At Cade, who had snatched Mama D’s walker and now hobbled circles around her.
At the beautiful woman beaming up at him, love pouring from her eyes.
He locked gazes with Elisa and smiled. Maybe this wasn’t the family he’d been hoping to make amends with, but it was a family. His family.
He tore his eyes from Elisa to answer her dad. “You’ve got a deal. Coffee it is.” Noah shook Isaac’s outstretched hand, then grinned. “As long as it’s not today. It’s much too sunny over at Chug a Mug.”
Isaac laughed as he backed away. “Fair.” He pointed at Elisa. “I’ll see you later, honey.”
She nodded. “Dinner tonight?”
“Yep. Bring Noah. We’ll celebrate the Blue Pirogue…and its rightful ownership.” Isaac’s smile lingered on Noah. “See you then.”
Grandpa had done it. The feud was over.
The crowd slowly began to disperse. Noah thanked everyone for their support as Elisa snagged one last beignet from Zoey’s box.
They were finally alone on the sidewalk. Elisa bit into the dessert, leaving a touch of sugar on her lip. She licked it off.
“You’re a messy eater. First with the pizza, now this.” Noah wrapped his arms around her, tugging her to his side. Thankfully Sheriff Rubart was gone, because Noah fully intended to kiss this woman in public again.
“I’m not worried. You’re a pro treasure hunter now.” She dipped her finger on top of the remaining beignet, then with a sassy grin, drew on her cheek with the powder. “X marks the spot, right, sugar ?”
He pressed a kiss onto the powdered target. “You missed.” Then he lowered his head until his lips grazed hers. She kissed him back, her sugary fingers coming up to wind around his neck. He didn’t mind at all.
He was finally home.
* * *
Thank you for reading Where I Found You ! Return to Magnolia Bay in book 2, No Place Like Home …