Page 16 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

“May I make a suggestion?”

He looked up at Bennett, seeing a glint of commiseration in his eyes. “Sure.” He could use all the help he could get.

“Via grew up in Pecan Corner, and she knows Earl and Second Chapter better than anyone. She could be a good resource for you.”

“We didn’t exactly hit it off.”

“Well, I can help a little too. Not with the books or the quiz, but I can recommend the Corner Eatery, especially for breakfast. They have some scrumptious specials.”

Great. Just what he needed, a breakfast joint when he didn’t do breakfast.

Bennett stood and shook his hand. “I’ll see you in thirty days then. Probably sooner, actually. Pecan Corner is a tight-knit town. If you need anything else, I’m always available.”

“Thanks.” Not much else left to say. He was stuck, and his only option was to move forward.

Chapter 4

As Leo left Bennett’s office and walked outside, a brisk breeze kicked up the fallen leaves on the sidewalk and in the street. He looked at the huge square in the middle of downtown. A massive pecan tree was at the center, hence the town name, Leo assumed. Park benches were placed in different areas of the square and several people were occupying them. Some were reading or looking on their phones while they sipped coffee. Others were just sitting, as if in quiet contemplation. The scene was peaceful. Not a palm tree in sight and there was no salty ocean air to breathe in, but even in his current state of mind and circumstances, he could appreciate it.

He could also do anything for thirty days. He’d have to call Robert and tell him he was taking the vacation his admin had been urging him to take, even though the timing was atrocious. He’d call the head of Arcadia Financial and reschedule their meeting personally. Maybe they could do a quick virtual one to discuss preliminaries. He preferred face-to-face meetings when making deals.

Yes, he could handle this. It was just a bunch of old books, a junk-filled apartment, and...

He would be living next to Via.

That had him halting in his tracks. Only a few feet divided the two apartments. Even if they tried to avoid each other—and he was sure Via would be more than happy to do so—they would cross paths. Once he got settled and had a plan to fulfill the stipulations, his emotions would be on their usual even keel, and this odd attraction he had to her would disappear. He would stake his job on it.

They would have to come to some kind of truce, though. Somehow.

But before he could do anything, he had to get some supplies. A cursory look through Earl’s apartment showed that he had next to nothing, and that included toiletries. In his haste, Leo had only packed a towel and his tennis shoes in his gym bag.

Spying the Corner Store across the street, he figured he could find a few things there, including some food. He’d deal with his wardrobe later.

When he entered, he saw a man in his early twenties stocking candy bars on a large rack next to an old-fashioned cash register. Leo grabbed one of the baskets next to the door.

“Morning,” the guy said with a grin. His brown hair was cut short in the back and on the sides, the top a mussy mop of curls. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Toiletries,” Leo said. “Shampoo, soap, etcetera.”

“Aisle six, right past the baby stuff.”

There were a few customers in the store, and they nodded their hellos to Leo as he made his way to the aisle, although he wondered if they were noticing him because of his suit. He was definitely overdressed for a grocery trip.

Once he was in front of the shelf with bottles and bars, it didn’t take long to pick out what he wanted. Then he went through the store and filled the basket with staples—bread, three cans of soup, crackers, milk, and a few other things to tide him over. He wentto the deli in the back of the store and searched the case. He rarely ate lunch meat, but a sandwich would be an easy meal and he was getting really hungry. The Cocoa Puffs were appreciated but not filling.

He tapped the small silver bell on the counter twice.

An older woman with silver hair covered by a hairnet appeared. From the curls flattened against her head, he deduced she and the clerk who greeted him were related somehow. Leo glanced at her name tag. “Hi, Addie. I’d like a quarter pound of the Trail bologna.” He’d never heard of it before, but it looked good.

“Sure thing.” She opened the case. “Where are you visiting from?” At his surprised look, she said, “I know everyone who lives in Pecan Corner.”

“California. Los Angeles, specifically.”

She pulled out a long tube of meat and put it on the slicer. “First time in Ohio?”

“Yes.” His gaze was back on the case again. “Could I get some of that cheese too?”

When she handed him the paper-wrapped packages, she said, “Enjoy your stay. And don’t be a stranger.”