Page 60 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“Elope?” Lark repeated, stepping into the hallway, her caftan billowing about her. “If you have to get married, the least you can do is let your mother be there. Even your sisters did that.”

“No can do, Lark,” Fisher said. “We’re under a time constraint.”

“But I can’t just leave the shop,” Annie protested. “I can’t leave it unattended.”

“Swift and Lark will watch it. Won’t you?”

“You betcha,” Swift agreed.

“I do have a mean recipe for tofu burgers,” Lark said.

“Oh no,” Annie started to argue.

Fisher cut her off. “There. It’s all settled. Go pack.”

“But—“

Fisher opened her door and pushed her through it.

“We’ll be gone overnight so pack your toothbrush.”

“But—“

Fisher shut the door on her.

“Good night, Annie-girl,” he said.

At five the next morning, Fisher knocked on her door.

“Annie, get a wiggle on,” he yelled.

Annie opened the door with a frown. “Do you have any idea what time it is? Who’s going to marry us this early in the morning?”

“I’ve got it covered,” he said. “You go hit the shower and dress for a wedding. We leave in a half hour.”

“What about Henry?”

“I’ll tell my mother to give him some of her seven grain muffins.”

“Seven grain?” Annie sighed. “I’d better have a business to come back to.”

“Don’t worry. You will.”

They rolled out of the driveway at five forty-five. Annie saw Henry at the back door. He was frowning in confusion. Whether it was at her or the seven grain muffins she couldn’t tell.

Swift and Lark stood beside their Volkswagen bus, which was covered in fluorescent pink and green flowers. Lark flashed them a peace sign as they passed. Annie waved.

When Fisher headed north out of the city, Annie began to get suspicious.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“We’re going to get married,” he said.

“I know, but where?” she asked.

“Vegas.”

“Vegas?!” she shrieked. “That’s a five-hour drive. We don’t have time to go to Vegas.”

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