went back to writing in the mysterious notebook.
Jane and Ashley had to squint as they stepped outside. The sun felt extra hot today, there wasn't any breeze at all and it was still only early—10:30 a.m.
“Do you need your car back? I was going to go to the cafe and visit Bryan. He wanted me to come and check out the new renovations,” Ashley said.
“No, I have to go and meet Martin at the hardware store. He's picking up a few things to get the garden in order for this weekend. I'll see you whenever you get home.” Jane kissed Ashley on the cheek again and began walking down the street towards the hardware store.
Ashley decided to walk, as it was only around the block. Normally there would be plenty of available parking, but with the Jamboree coming up this weekend the parking spaces along the street were few and far between.
Ashley barely recognised the cafe when she stepped inside. Bryan was behind the counter busily preparing two plates of food at the same time. He looked relieved when he spotted her.
“Ashley!” he beamed. “I was about to call you.” He looked stressed—frantic even.
“What's wrong?” she asked.
“Amanda, one of my waitresses, didn't come in today and we're flat out!.” He motioned with his hand to the tables around the cafe, all occupied. “I'm desperate—I need your help. Pleeease.” He pressed his palms together as though he were praying.
“Umm, sure, I can try. But I haven't waitressed in years.”
“That's fine, that's totally fine. Thank you—you’re my favorite sister!”
“I'm your only sister.” She cocked one eyebrow.
“Oh, yeah.” He handed her a plain black apron and before she had even finished tying it up behind her back he was handing her the meals he had been plating up.
“These are for table four,” he said, flashing her a grin.
Ashley couldn't believe it when she finally stopped to check the time. It was almost 5 p.m. and the constant flow of customers all day had finally died down, leaving only a few stragglers sipping cappuccinos and enjoying Bryan’s organic, gluten-free cakes and slices.
Bryan appeared in the kitchen doorway, walking towards Ashley while drying his hands on the tea towel he had draped over his shoulder.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said, grasping her shoulders. “I literally could not have gotten through today without you—did you see the Hammonds earlier? Remember them?”
Ashley nodded and laughed. “Yes, I remember the Hammonds. More specifically, I remember when you and Will Hammond threw that massive party at their house and then his parents banned you from ever going there again!”
Bryan laughed and ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, that was a good party. They eventually forgave me. Anyway, I didn't give you a proper tour earlier—what do you think of the new renovation’s?”
“Yeah, it looks excellent. So much more space in here now. And I love the whole black chalkboard wall—such a great idea for the menu, and you can always update the chalk artwork whenever you feel like having a change.”
“That was Jay's idea, actually. He put in the new counter and completely rebuilt the kitchen and removed that wall that was dividing the room—you remember that?” Bryan asked.
Ashley nodded. She had a sudden unwelcome flashback to Saturday night.
“His business is booming, not just in Sweet Home, but the whole district. He's getting jobs as far away as Portland.”
Bryan checked his watch. “That reminds me, I need you to do me one more favor. What time do you need to be back at Mom's?”
Ashley shrugged. “She said any time is fine.”
“Great, because I need to pick up the food van for Friday at 5:30 today and I promised Jay I’d drop off his final check for the work he did. I was hoping you could drop it out to him.”
Ashley’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious? Please tell me you're kidding.”
“I don't have any other option. Any other
Jane and Ashley had to squint as they stepped outside. The sun felt extra hot today, there wasn't any breeze at all and it was still only early—10:30 a.m.
“Do you need your car back? I was going to go to the cafe and visit Bryan. He wanted me to come and check out the new renovations,” Ashley said.
“No, I have to go and meet Martin at the hardware store. He's picking up a few things to get the garden in order for this weekend. I'll see you whenever you get home.” Jane kissed Ashley on the cheek again and began walking down the street towards the hardware store.
Ashley decided to walk, as it was only around the block. Normally there would be plenty of available parking, but with the Jamboree coming up this weekend the parking spaces along the street were few and far between.
Ashley barely recognised the cafe when she stepped inside. Bryan was behind the counter busily preparing two plates of food at the same time. He looked relieved when he spotted her.
“Ashley!” he beamed. “I was about to call you.” He looked stressed—frantic even.
“What's wrong?” she asked.
“Amanda, one of my waitresses, didn't come in today and we're flat out!.” He motioned with his hand to the tables around the cafe, all occupied. “I'm desperate—I need your help. Pleeease.” He pressed his palms together as though he were praying.
“Umm, sure, I can try. But I haven't waitressed in years.”
“That's fine, that's totally fine. Thank you—you’re my favorite sister!”
“I'm your only sister.” She cocked one eyebrow.
“Oh, yeah.” He handed her a plain black apron and before she had even finished tying it up behind her back he was handing her the meals he had been plating up.
“These are for table four,” he said, flashing her a grin.
Ashley couldn't believe it when she finally stopped to check the time. It was almost 5 p.m. and the constant flow of customers all day had finally died down, leaving only a few stragglers sipping cappuccinos and enjoying Bryan’s organic, gluten-free cakes and slices.
Bryan appeared in the kitchen doorway, walking towards Ashley while drying his hands on the tea towel he had draped over his shoulder.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said, grasping her shoulders. “I literally could not have gotten through today without you—did you see the Hammonds earlier? Remember them?”
Ashley nodded and laughed. “Yes, I remember the Hammonds. More specifically, I remember when you and Will Hammond threw that massive party at their house and then his parents banned you from ever going there again!”
Bryan laughed and ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, that was a good party. They eventually forgave me. Anyway, I didn't give you a proper tour earlier—what do you think of the new renovation’s?”
“Yeah, it looks excellent. So much more space in here now. And I love the whole black chalkboard wall—such a great idea for the menu, and you can always update the chalk artwork whenever you feel like having a change.”
“That was Jay's idea, actually. He put in the new counter and completely rebuilt the kitchen and removed that wall that was dividing the room—you remember that?” Bryan asked.
Ashley nodded. She had a sudden unwelcome flashback to Saturday night.
“His business is booming, not just in Sweet Home, but the whole district. He's getting jobs as far away as Portland.”
Bryan checked his watch. “That reminds me, I need you to do me one more favor. What time do you need to be back at Mom's?”
Ashley shrugged. “She said any time is fine.”
“Great, because I need to pick up the food van for Friday at 5:30 today and I promised Jay I’d drop off his final check for the work he did. I was hoping you could drop it out to him.”
Ashley’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious? Please tell me you're kidding.”
“I don't have any other option. Any other
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