Page 99 of At The Coffee Shop of Curiosities
“No, I just need a second. I wore myself out running over here. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this kind of humidity.”
“You won’t, trust me on that. But take as much time as you want. The longer I can put off mopping the better.”
I smiled at that and my gaze fell on the Curiosity Corner. I bought some time by saying, “Jolly called with hopeful news.” I quickly filled her in on what she’d told me. “Hannah might not have had the comfort of Junebear if you never gave me that thimble and Estrelle didn’t give me those carpetbags. I might never have rediscovered my love for sewing. I just wanted you to know how thankful I am.”
She smiled, big and bright. “I can’t tell you the kind of happiness hearing that brings me. It is strange, though. The thimble is the only curiosity I don’t remember collecting. I’m glad it found its proper home, though.”
My chest was still aching, so full of uncertainties. What to say to her, my health, where would I go now that I knew Dez was moving?
In such a short time, I’d come to love Driftwood. I was no longer a stranger in this charming land. I adored the peoplethat lived here. The coffee shop felt like a second home, and the people who frequented this shop had come to feel like family. It was a strange family, to be sure, but it was a happy one. I didn’t think I could leave this place, this coffee shop of curiosities.
It was all something to think about later on. Right now, I had to focus on Maggie.
I took a sip of water, then said, “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Oh my god, you’re dying.”
I nearly choked on the water I’d just swallowed. “What? No.”
She slumped back in her chair, collapsing in on herself. “Thank goodness! You had me worried there with your heartfelt thank-you and your health hasn’t been great lately…”
“I’m here about Dez.”
Her eyebrows went up, and her eyes rounded. “What did you find out? Tell me everything.”
I shook my head. “It really needs to come from him. Just push him. Tell him I overheard him talking to—” I didn’t want to rat Carmella out. “His little ghost.”
Maggie tensed. “Ava, no. You have to tell me. I’ve been worried sick for months.”
I had to trust my instincts that I was doing the right thing by sharing what was going on with him—at least part of it. “You need to talk to Dez for the whole story,” I said, “but I will tell you there’s no ghost and he’s not sick.”
“Then what in the world is going on with him?”
“He’s a man in love.”
CHAPTER 24MAGGIE
Love.
My father was in love.
I looked at Ava, at her pale, gaunt face, her big mossy worried eyes. “With who?” But as soon as I asked, I knew. Iknew. “It’s Carmella, isn’t it?”
I pictured the softness in her eyes when she talked about Dad. The smile when she shared his antics.
Ava said only, “You really need to talk with your father.”
Why hadn’t he told me? Why, when he knew I was worried about his health, mental and physical, had he let this charade go on? Why?
“Are you okay?” Ava asked. “I’m worried about you. Your blood pressure…”
It felt like there was a weight sitting on my chest. I couldn’t take a full breath. I couldn’t think. I needed air. Jumping up, I looked about wildly. “Can you finish closing up for me? I need— I need to go.”
“Definitely.”
I gave her a nod and headed for the back door. I needed to talk to my dad. Or Carmella. Or Noah.
No.
