Page 21 of The Good Luck Cafe
Well, Moira wasn’t tired. In fact, she was energized, fueled by frustration and anger and a need to protect what belonged to her family.
Moira blinked back hot tears as she stared up at her ceiling. It was time for sleep, but she wasn’t tired at all. On a sigh, she got up and walked into her kitchen to pour herself a glass of water. As she gulped it down, she began to construct a plan of action, eager for daylight so that she could fight hard enough for both her and her mom.
Chapter Seven
The following evening, Moira pulled her knees to her body as she sat on the leather couch in Lakeside Books.
Her friends had all arrived and were discussing how Trisha’s belly was so much larger than last Thursday. They weren’t wrong.
“This is the only time in my life that I won’t be offended by how much you-all are commenting on my stomach,” Trisha said, leaning forward awkwardly to get a piece of fudge off the coffee table.
“You’re the most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever worked with,” Lucy Hannigan said. Lucy was a midwife who owned and operated the Babymoon B&B in a prestigious neighborhood called The Village.
“You’re partial because I’m your friend.” Trisha rolled her eyes just slightly. “But thank you. I’m lucky to be under the care of the best midwife in town.”
“The only one,” Lucy said, “but thank you as well.”
Moira sighed, pulling her book from her bag. “Is this a lovefest or a book club?” she asked, not meaning it to sound as grumpy as it came out.
The women all turned their attention to her. Tess, Lucy, Trisha, Della, and the newest member, Lara.
“Okay, something’s up with you.” Tess leaned back into her leather recliner and crossed her long legs. “What’s going on?”
Moira hadn’t gotten a chance to fill any of her friends in on the town council’s decision. She was still in denial about it all, hoping it was just a bad dream. On a sigh, she said, “Mom sold the building that Sweetie’s is housed in a couple years ago when my dad was sick.”
“What?” Lucy’s mouth dropped. “I had no idea.”
Moira nodded. “She wanted to try some experimental therapies that insurance didn’t cover. So instead of asking me for help, which she’s too proud to do, she sold the building with the verbal agreement that she could still run her business here.”
“Unwritten agreement?” Lucy asked, obviously thinking like her lawyer husband.
“I would have told her to at least get that in writing,” Moira said. “But first I would have told her not to sell her building. The town has been champing at the bit for this piece of real estate for years.”
“Why?” Trisha asked.
Moira shrugged. “Because they own most of the downtown area. And now Gil and the town council are proposing a new parking lot for Hannigan Street.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” Lucy said reflexively. “That is a welcome change.”
Moira narrowed her eyes. “Where do you think they’ll put the parking lot, Luce?”
Lucy seemed to consider the question. She finally shook her head and shrugged. “I have no idea. If there was a good spot, they would have done it years ago.”
“Exactly. In order to put a parking lot here, they’ll need to tear something down.”
Lucy blinked, and then her mouth fell open. “You’re not serious.”
Moira reached for a piece of fudge. No amount of chocolate would make this news any better though. “I wish I weren’t.”
Tess reached out and rubbed Moira’s arm. “I’m sorry. I know how much Sweetie’s means to you. It means a lot to all of us.”
Moira sucked in a breath. “Well, I’m not going to let this happen.”
“What are you going to do?” Tess asked.
“I don’t know yet. I was thinking about starting a petition. I’ll get the whole town to sign it. Then the council has to listen, right?”
“I think the council would at least have to reconsider their decision,” Tess agreed. “It’s a good idea.”
