Page 183 of Valor

“It’s called the pinwheel. The filling is a special custard and, of course, whipped cream. We tend to use whipped cream a lot.” He grinned. Unlike Meghan, Oliver went straight for the filling. “This never gets old.” He licked his spoon as a server set two large lattes in front of them.

“Thank you,” Meghan looked up from her plate of treats, followed Oliver’s example, and spooned off a good helping of the custard. “Hmm.” Meghan licked the spoon. “Now I understand.”

“Glad you like it,” Oliver chuckled.

“I must say,” she said between bites, “you piqued my curiosity with your comment,” Meghan reached for the steaming cup.

“The story of the mill? I will tell you what I know, but let me warn you, it’s not exactly a children’s bedtime story.” He used the edge of his spoon to cut into his chocolate tort, topped with a layer of whipped cream.

Meghan did likewise.

Thankfully, I’m not lactose intolerant.

She licked her spoon. “Is there enough sugar on this table to compensate for what you about to tell me?”

His eyes met hers. “I teach history at the local high school.”

“I know.”

“You do?” His right eyebrow arched.

Cute

“How?” A soft frown clouded his forehead.

“My mother works for the CIA,” she said in a serious tone.

He knitted his eyebrows.

“Okay, the girl at the train station told me.”

“You almost got me there.”

“Almost?” Meghan laughed. “You must know from the movies that the agents are not allowed to disclose their affiliation under any circumstances.”

“So, you are telling me, there is a possibility that you are working for them too?”

Meghan spooned off another delicious helping of the pinwheel pastry. “I choose to neither confirm or deny.” She laughed.

He held her gaze as if wondering if she could be serious.

“I’m a Canadian. We don’t work for the CIA.” She felt the need to clarify.

“Not even part-time?” He lifted his cup and took a sip, his eyes pinned on her.

“Nope. Anyway, why don’t you tell me the story.”

“I love history, especially when it pertains to this town.”

“Okay.”

Is he stalling?

After a long pause, Oliver finally spoke.

“What do you know about your grandpa?” He finished the chocolate tort.

Meghan was a little taken aback. She was hoping for an intriguing narrative, not a series of questions.

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