Lib Novel Page 58
With Ciara and Millie in the office working on the computer, Maggie and Riley got in early to make breakfast for the working crew. Maggie would have preferred to sleep late the next morning after her girls’ night out, but with the workers showing up well before eight o’clock, sleeping in wasn’t an option.
At six o’clock she started baking her signature blueberry-lemon scones as well as Paolo’s favorite ham and cheese scones. Two large coffee canisters sat on the kitchen island, along with the baked items. Riley came in early to make scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages and hash brown potatoes.
She wasn’t sure that Chelsea would join her for breakfast this morning given the fact that her friend had a little too much to drink the night before and typically slept late whenever that happened. Maggie was shocked to see Chelsea at the back door at seven-thirty.
“I don’t believe what I’m seeing,” Maggie said.
“I don’t believe it either but here I am. I’m not the only crazy person here. Ciara, Riley and you are up early as well.”
“Yes, Chelsea, but we didn’t drink as much as you did,” Riley said.
“How’s Iris doing? Did I imagine this or did she get drunk on one glass?” Maggie asked.
“Nope, you didn’t imagine it. That’s Iris for you, not one to knock back more than half a glass most of the time,” Riley said.
Ciara came into the kitchen and got a coffee mug from the island.
“And a good morning to you, too,” Maggie said. “Are you and Millie finished?”
Ciara nodded. “Yes, I asked her to come in really early because I’ve got to get over to Powell Water Sports. It seems that Becca flew down yesterday. I wanted to say hello and see if she needs any help with wedding stuff.”
“Becca is here? Tell her to come see me when she has a minute. I want to show her how things are progressing. I bet she’s excited for the big day,” Maggie said.
“I’m sure she is. I wanted to get a scone and coffee before I head out, but I have news I have to share.”
Riley, Chelsea and Maggie moved closer to Ciara.
“Oh, wait, I’ve got to get something. Wait right there!” Ciara announced.
She came back to the kitchen holding the picture from the library. Pointing to a woman in the photo, Ciara looked at Maggie. “Do you know who this woman is?” she asked.
Maggie shook her head. “No. Who is she?”
“Kathleen O’Hara…Millie’s mother.”
“No way!” Maggie said. “Did Millie tell you this?”
“Yup. She was looking at the photo when I came in this morning. We talked about it and she confessed.”
“That’s odd. I wonder why she didn’t mention it to me. Did she explain?” Maggie asked.
Ciara shook her head. “No. Maybe she didn’t want you to hire her because of it. I have no idea.”
From the kitchen table, Chelsea, chomping on her breakfast scone, made a humming noise.
“You want to explain what ‘hmmm’ means?”
Chelsea put her coffee mug down on the table and looked at Maggie.
“It means there is more to Millicent Brenner than meets the eye.”
CHAPTER 21
Lauren turned her cell phone sideways to get a better view. Her grandmother, sitting on a pink donut pool float, sipping a blue drink with an umbrella in it, pushed her sunglasses up on her nose.
“Hey, honey. I thought I’d check in with you and see how you’re doing.”
“Hey, Grandma. I’m okay. I’ve been so busy, trying to get lots of work done before we head to Captiva. Right now, I’m baking chocolate chip cookies for Olivia’s Friendsgiving at school.”