Page 75 of Just Trouble

“Mike Cavendish here, Daphne.” He sounds embarrassed, which is odd.

“Hi Mike. Is there a problem?”

“No, no, not that. I was, um, wondering how things worked out in Havelock yesterday.”

I sit back, intrigued. “You mean with Luke?”

“Yes. That is exactly the situation I mean.”

How strange that he’s being obscure. “Is someone listening?”

“Absolutely,” he says heartily. “I’m glad you don’t mind me checking on this.”

“All’s well that ends well,” I say. “Since Patrick didn’t want to press charges.”

Mike coughs and puts a hand over the receiver. “Be right there!” he calls cheerfully to someone, then lowers his voice. “I didn’t pass the message along,” he confides. “I thought someone was due for a break.”

I spin a little in my chair. Curiouser and curiouser. The Cavendish boys are breaking rank with Patrick. Not a lot, but I never expected them to do that at all. “You sound like Jake.”

“Yeah, well, we had a talk over the weekend. No time like the present to make a change.”

“Patrick will find out.”

“Not in time to influence the result, clearly.”

I smile a little. “Is this a secret?”

“Probably smarter for it to be,” Mike agrees and I think I can hear a smile in his voice. “Thanks for all you’ve done, Daphne.”

“I didn’t do it for Cavendish Enterprises.”

“I know. It’s time someone had other interests in mind.” There’s a shout and he excuses himself, leaving me with something to think about.

I don’t have long to consider it because my phone gets a text.

From Rafe.

OMG! May 15

This is followed by an entire line of emojis, conveying great excitement.

What on earth is he talking about?

I call him and he answers right away

“I’m coming,” he says with heat. “You can’t stop me.”

“Bit of an intimate conversation opener, don’t you think? Maybe too much information?”

“Daphne!” Rafe chortles. (He actually chortles.) “The Carpe Diem Café opens on the 15thfor dinner. I have to be there. I have to have a table. You have to make us a reservation.”

“Can’t you do it?” I’m not Rafe’s secretary or anyone else’s, thank you very much.

“Of course, I can, but you have to go over there. You have to get the best table. I don’t know the layout of the place. I want to see the kitchen. I want to watch her.”

“Should I tell Merrie that she has a stalker?”

“I’m not a stalker. I’m afan.”

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