Daffodils and Danger Read Free Page A

“Forget it. Can we sit here?”
    “Sit wherever you’d like. I’ll be right back.” Kami crossed over to the serving counter to place the carafe back on the burner. Her heart did an annoying little two-step as she returned with a pair of menus and placed them on the polished table along with silverware wrapped in downy-white napkins. What on earth was wrong with her?
    “Kami, you’ve lost weight.” Hattie Cutler frowned. “How is that possible when you’re around Anthony’s cooking day in and day out?”
    “I stay busy here. Sometimes I guess I forget to eat.”
    “That’s awful, dear. And here we are…making more work for you.”
    “You are never work, Hattie.” Kami’s smile was genuine. “You’ve been so kind since Mama…”
    “Oh, you poor thing.” Hattie stood and drew her in for a hug and the scent of her perfume was soothing. “Too much hurt.”
    “I’ll be fine. It’s Dad I’m worried about. He’s been so sad lately. I can barely get him to leave the restaurant, even to sleep.”
    “If I know anything, I know Anthony Moretto is a strong and hardy man. He’ll be just fine in time. You’ll see.”
    “Thank you, Hattie. That helps.” Kami swiped the tears that spilled over as she swallowed hard and turned to Wyatt. “So, how long are you home for?”
    “I’m not—”
    “Oh, he’s home for good,” Hattie interrupted as she slipped into the booth. “He hasn’t figured it out yet, but mark my words, he is.”
    “Mom, please.” Wyatt joined her on the opposite side. “I never said—”
    “He’s going to help manage the nursery.”
    “Really? That’s…interesting. Welcome home, Wyatt.” Kami struggled for words as her belly did an odd little series of somersaults. For as long as she could remember, Wyatt had been waiting to leave the small town of Clover Cove. The nursery must be in dire straits for him to agree to return, even for a short length of time. To steady herself, she focused on Hattie. “What can I get you to drink?”
    “I’ll take sweet tea with lemon.” Hattie smiled at her, and Kami’s heart ached. Oh, how she missed her mother! Everything had seemed to fall apart since she was gone. She was the glue that had held the pizzeria—and their family—together. Kami sighed with longing. She’d give anything to sit with Mom and talk just one more time, to feel her gentle embrace. There was so much she longed to share. She tucked away the longing and drew a breath as she placed extra napkins on the table.
    “Tea it is.” With a slight hitch in her voice, Kami turned back to Wyatt. “And for you?”
    He flicked open a menu. “I’ll start with some coffee, if it’s fresh.”
    “It is.” Kami motioned toward the sputtering industrial-sized coffeemaker. “There seems to be a run on it tonight. I’ll bring over a cup right away.”
    “Good, and some creamer, too.” Wyatt flipped the menu to the back side. He scanned the dinner specials as he continued, “None of that fancy flavored stuff, either.”
    “FYI, we don’t carry the fancy, flavored stuff here.” She reached into her apron pocket for an order pad. “Just your basic steaming-hot cup of java. It gets the job done, though.”
    “That’ll work. Thanks.”
    “No problem. Would you like the usual, Hattie?”
    “That’s right…spaghetti and meatballs, extra sauce. Your dad makes the best.”
    “Thank you. I’ll pass along the compliment. And you, Wyatt?”
    “Hmm…” He closed his menu and sat back against the booth cushion. “A small, deep-dish pizza loaded with anchovies ought to do the trick. And, while I’m waiting, I’d like an order of those little parmesan-dusted, buttered—”
    “Garlic knots.” Kami finished for him as she jotted down the order. “I got it. Coming right up.”
    Kami turned, ripping the order sheet from the dwindling pad before tucking the cardboard sheaf back into the pocket of her apron. As she crossed the room, her pulse skittered with a disturbing