Page 80 of Christmas Wish
Chapter Twenty
Holiday music curledaround her as Savannah wove through the crowds. She pushed open the doors at the French Bistro and the aroma of freshly baked baguettes tantalized her as she entered the eatery. A quick scan around the small restaurant told her Cara hadn’t arrived yet. Deciding to secure a table, Savannah rushed over to one in the corner that had just become available.
On one of the chairs, she stacked her packages then sat down with a contented sigh to finally be off her feet. The café had a warm feel to it, and amid the brightly decorated trees and dangling strings of lights, oil paintings depicting street scenes of Parisian life decorated the yellow walls.
“Would you like anything to drink?” a young waitress asked as she handed Savannah a menu.
“A friend of mine will be coming,” she said and the waitress put down another menu. “I’ll have a hot chocolate and a glass of water with extra lemon, please.”
“I’ll be right back with your drinks.” The young girl rushed away.
The restaurant filled up, and soon there were no tables available for the line of people crowding the reception area. Savannah looked out the window, watching the shoppers as they clutched shopping bags and hurried down the bustling street. She saw Cara rushing across the road and she smiled. Cara had turned out to be a great friend to Savannah, and the family law attorney she’d recommended really knew her stuff. Savannah had met with Francine Roberts that morning then she’d dashed around buying last minute items and specialty foods for the dinner she planned to make that evening.
“Sorry I’m late,” Cara said as she slipped into the chair across from Savannah. “The probation revocation hearing went on longer than I thought.”
“That’s okay—I just got here about fifteen minutes ago. I finally finished up all my Christmas shopping. Are you done with yours?”
“Pretty much. You’re all coming tomorrow for our Christmas Eve party, right?” Cara asked.
“Yes. Ryder surprised me and said he’d changed his mind.” Savannah smiled at the waitress as she placed the hot chocolate in front of her.
“Would you like anything to drink?” the young lady asked Cara.
“What’re you having?” Cara said to Savannah.
“Hot chocolate—I’m obsessed with it. This one’s to die for—so chocolatey and decadent.”
“Sounds good, but I think I’ll stick to my usual café au lait with a dusting of nutmeg. We might as well order.”
After the waitress walked away, Cara propped her elbows on the table. “How’d you like Francine?”
“She’s awesome,” Savannah replied.
“I knew you’d like her. She’s a real fighter. What did she say?”
Savannah put her mug down. “I have to file for divorce in Boston since I’m not a resident of Colorado.”
“Yeah, you have to live in the state for six months to establish residency. Did she recommend an attorney in Boston?”
“She did. I already went to see one before I left, but I wasn’t too excited about him. I’m going to check out the one Francine gave me. I wish she could practice law in Massachusetts.”
“Yeah—she’s one of the best in the whole county. She does a lot of divorce work in Aspen, even Denver sometimes. Does she think you have a good chance of getting sole custody of Timmy?” Cara picked up her coffee and brought it to her lips.
“Yes. When she heard the recordings, she clapped her hands and said I’ve got more than a ninety-five percent chance of getting sole custody in spite of Bret’s money.”
“Ham and brie baguette?” the waitress asked.
“Uh … that’s me. That was fast,” Savannah said.
The young woman set the plate in front of her then placed a Croque Madame in front of Cara.
“Do you need anything else?”
“I’m good,” Savannah said.
“Me too,” Cara added.
“Enjoy your lunch.” The fresh-faced woman smiled then hurried away.
