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119 18 By the time Monday morning arrived, Sadie couldn’t figure out where the weekend had gone. As she drove the winding road between Eucha and Liberty, she thought about Lance. She’d truly enjoyed spending the day with him. He was a bit older than she had earlier thought, and a gentleman , unlike most of the men her own age. He kept a proper distance and that was a relief. Deep down, she hoped they would see more of each other. Her mind shifted to the café and all the events surrounding Goldie’s murder. Emma appeared to be coping well with the loss of her sister, but her strained relationship with her daughter Rosalee seemed to be taking a toll on her. Based on the stories Emma had recounted of Rosalee’s past, Sadie assumed it wouldn’t be long before Rosalee moved on. Sadie parked in front of the café at 5:45 a.m. Some of the regulars waved as they left the café and walked by. She shook her head, got out, and went inside. Red occupied his normal spot, and she could see Emma’s movements through the swinging doors that led into the kitchen. “Osiyo,” said Red. “’Siyo.” Sadie smiled. “It sounds like you’re Cherokee today instead of Creek.” “Oh, no. Just trying to be neighborly. ’Stonko?” he said, then winked at her. “We don’t really say hello in Creek,” he explained. “We say, Is all well with you? ’Stonko?” he repeated. Sadie nodded. “Yes, all is well with me. Thanks.” Sadie stored her purse in one of the drawers behind the counter, then walked into the kitchen and found Emma with her hands buried in a gooey flour substance. The aroma of fresh-baked bread filled the air. “My goodness, Emma, you’re at it early. It smells heavenly in here.” “I hope you don’t mind, honey.” Emma transferred floury debris from 120 her fingers to her white apron. “I know this is your place and I don’t want you to think I’m trying to take over, but I didn’t sleep very well last night and it felt good to get in the kitchen and do something. I found some of Goldie’s plum jelly. It will melt in your mouth.” “How could I complain about homemade biscuits, Emma?” Sadie found a warm biscuit and slathered it in butter. “Let’s sit down and talk about how we want to proceed. I know Goldie ran this place by herself, but frankly, I think it may be a while before I can do that.” “Oh, sure, honey. Goldie wasn’t that special. Anyone could have done what she did. I know I could have.” “I bet you could, too, Emma, and I would love to have your input. I can pay you by the hour or a flat salary.” Emma opened the refrigerator and handed her a jar of jelly. In a few short minutes both women were seated at a corner table near the kitchen devouring bacon, eggs, and biscuits, washing it down with hot coffee and scheming about how to run the café. Emma agreed to handle the kitchen while Sadie did everything else, and the deal was struck. “You know . . . ” Sadie poured cream and spooned sugar into her coffee . “I can’t eat like this every morning or I’ll start gaining weight.” “You can’t work all day on an empty stomach,” said Emma. “Besides that, you could use a little extra meat on your bones.” “Oh, yeah? And, what about my cholesterol?” Sadie had risen to retrieve the coffeepot when the front door opened and Rosalee walked in. She looked like a different person. She wore whitewashed jeans, a varsity tee shirt, and tennis shoes. Her dark roots had disappeared, and her golden hair framed her freshly scrubbed face, complimenting her hazel eyes and freckled cheeks. Her sadness had disappeared, replaced with a beautiful smile. “Good morning,” said Sadie. “Come join us for breakfast.” “I’ll get her something.” Emma took the last bite of a jelly-covered biscuit. “But I’ll take some more coffee if you’re coming this way with it.” Sadie nodded as she picked up another mug and delivered the coffee to their table. “Thanks.” Rosalee pulled out an empty chair, dropped her purse on the floor next to it, and sat down. She poured sugar into the hot coffee, stirred, and sipped. [18.221.187...
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