Coffee Sonata (16 page)

“Do you work, I mean write, on commission?”

“I haven’t so far. I’m employed by the
Chronicle
. Why do you ask?”

“Let me put it this way. Do you find the history of East Quay worth telling?”

“Of course. Being one of the earliest settlements in New England makes it special. I’m proud to be from here.”

“Did you know that my ancestor, William Dodd, helped found this town in 1699?”

“Yes. The library and the park are both named after him.”

“Well, I’m not so interested in William’s accomplishments—they’ve been well documented.” Marjorie nodded at the woman who returned with a large tray. “Thank you, Marie. But I need a talented author to write about the female Dodds, their endeavors and achievements. They did a lot of good for this town, but you wouldn’t know it from the way history’s been written.” Marjorie’s voice hardened. “Nine generations of Dodd women.”

“What makes you think I can pull that off?”

“You come highly recommended.” Marjorie shot an unmistakable glance of appreciation at Manon.

Eryn’s eyes narrowed. “I’m flattered, Marjorie, but I already have a job that takes up all my time.”

Manon wanted to groan.
Don’t let this opportunity slip by, Eryn.
You’re worth so much more than writing about council meetings and dog shows.

“I know, but surely you can take a leave of absence. How could they refuse? You’ve worked there for, what is it, fifteen years?”

“Yes. But you don’t know my boss. He can’t even spell ‘leave of absence,’ let alone give me one. And he doesn’t care much about East Quay’s history. He’s not from here.” Eryn grimaced. “Actually, sometimes I think he’s an alien.”

Marjorie slumped against the sofa back, her teacup clattering against the saucer. “I’d never ask you to resign.”

I would.
Manon thought vehemently.
It’s a dead end.

Eryn sipped her coffee, then reached for her long red braid, twisting it around her hand. Manon gazed at the long fingers, able to almost feel them against her own, like she had at the restaurant.
Say yes, Eryn.

Eryn suddenly glanced up at Manon, catching her off guard. “The ‘highly recommended’ part?”

Feeling naked, as if Eryn could see the surge of desire that now raced through her veins, Manon recoiled. “When Marjorie asked if I knew of a local writer she could trust with this commission, I thought of you.”

“Why? You have to know a million people. Surely some of them are better, more famous writers than I could ever hope to be?”

Manon had to smile at the exaggeration. “I know a couple of other writers. None of them are local, and the way you wrote about Vivian Harding proved that you might just be who Marjorie is looking for.”

“Do you think so little of your own skill, Eryn?” Marjorie asked.

“What do you mean? I’m just realistic. For a small-town local reporter to make it big in the publishing world is…not very rational. Having a job that pays the bills is, however.”

“Nothing wrong with being able to pay your bills,” Marjorie concurred. “But this job would easily cover your bills for a couple of years. I don’t have to tell you that there are a lot of journalists out there who’d sell their grandmother for a deal like this. My family is still prey for the media, and nobody’s ever written about them like this before.”

Eryn reached for a cup of coffee and took a large gulp. Swallowing repeatedly, she never took her eyes off Manon. “So, just for argument’s sake, is this an offer or a suggestion? I mean, would I have to prove myself further?”

“No, you’ve proved yourself enough. You just have to decide if you want the commission.”

Manon wondered what was going through Eryn’s mind. They hadn’t talked since the Saturday morning when Eryn had woken up on Manon’s couch.

“It’s beginning to sink in,” Eryn said. “How long do I have to decide? How much would you pay me? Would I be able to support myself? It’s an extensive project…”

Marjorie gestured for Manon to hand her a briefcase that sat next to the couch. Pulling out a bunch of papers, she handed Eryn a contract. “As you can see, you’d make enough to set aside money for two years after you finish the project. And, my dear, if you can’t take a leave of absence, and instead quit your job now, you won’t have any problems finding a new one. Especially since this book might be your ticket to the nonfiction best-seller lists.” She briefly smiled. “The women in my family were as illustrious and interesting as the Kennedys, so, they have never been written about, and you’d have plenty of information.”

“I’m sure I would.” Eryn looked at Manon. “How did you know that Harold would send me here instead of Hernandez?”

“We asked him.” Manon struggled to sound casual.
I bet her boss is dying to know what’s going on, but it’ll be up to Eryn to tell him.
If
she tells him.

Eryn didn’t comment. She put down her coffee cup, reached for another one of her bags, and pulled out a camera. “I need a few shots for the
Chronicle
. Is that all right? My photographer is on another assignment.”

“Certainly,” Marjorie agreed. “Go ahead. Make sure Manon is in the picture.”

Manon didn’t like to have her picture taken, but didn’t want to disappoint Marjorie. She watched Eryn snap several shots of Marjorie. As Eryn moved around the room, Manon gazed into a floor-to-ceiling mirror where she secretly devoured every angle of Eryn. She noticed how Eryn’s slacks enhanced her narrow waist and nicely shaped hips, embarrassed by her guilty pleasure. The thick braid danced across Eryn’s back, and Manon remembered how those silky red masses had looked when spread across the pillow on her couch.

“Manon?” Eryn motioned for her to move in closer, so she hid her discomfort and managed a smile for Marjorie’s benefit as Eryn kept clicking.

Eryn took three more photos, then put her camera away. “Thank you, ladies. When will you need my final decision?”

“I’d like to announce it during the festivities Friday,” Marjorie said.

“Then I’ll let you know by Thursday.”

“That’s cutting it a bit close.” Manon got up as well. “It’s Monday. Could you notify us—”

“On Thursday.” Eryn’s eyes reminded Manon of the green ice she’d once seen during a cruise in the Arctic Ocean. “I don’t like being manipulated.”

Oh, this is going well.
“All right. Thursday.”

“Thank you for the coffee, Marjorie. Manon.” Eryn nodded stiffly and pulled the shoulder strap of her leather bag over her head, securing it on her hip. “I’ll see myself out.”

A stunned silence followed, then Marjorie turned to Manon, a frown on her thin face. “Not quite the enthusiasm I’d hoped for.”

“I did warn you that she might be cautious.”

“Yes, but I detected something else. She seemed more apprehensive about you, my dear, than me. Shouldn’t it be the other way around since she’s your neighbor?”

“Perhaps.” Manon felt her cheeks warm. “We got off to a rocky start. And being assaulted by Archibald Rex last week has probably made her distrust everyone more.”

“But you trust her?” Marjorie tilted her head.

“Yes. I do.” Manon shrugged. “Despite everything else, Eryn shows a lot of integrity.”

“Everything else?” Marjorie held up her hands. “Strike that. None of my business. I do hope she’ll say yes. All my instincts, and you know they’ve always served me well, tell me she’d be perfect for the job.”

“I’d never doubt the famous Dodd instincts.” Manon smiled.

“And a few of them insist there’s more than meets the eye between the two of you.” Marjorie gave a regal nod. “But as I said, none of my business.”

Only Manon’s impeccable manners prevented her from rolling her eyes.
Sneaky.
“There’s no business either to examine or to leave alone.”

Marjorie gave a surprisingly resounding laugh. She didn’t look at all convinced.

Mike flinched as the bell on the café door chimed. She half hoped it was Vivian and half dreaded seeing her. The three days of silence after their heated kisses on her couch made her feel as if cold fingers were digging holes in her heart.

Instead she watched Eryn enter the almost-empty café, rain dripping from her leather coat. “Hi, there. God, it’s pouring.”

“Hello. Latte?”

“Please. I just had some awful coffee at the Dodd Mansion.”

Surprised, Mike glanced over at Eryn, who sat at the bar. “Dodd Mansion? You’re moving up in the world.”

“Not likely.” Eryn grinned. “Purely business. Marjorie Dodd turns a century old Friday.”

“Wow, that’s not bad. She’s still going strong, isn’t she?”

“Very strong. Very convincing too, if you ask me.”

“What do you mean?”

“They offered me a job.”

“They?”

“Manon Belmont was there too. Turns out they’re good friends.”

“No surprise there.” Mike began steaming the milk. After the noise quieted, she said, “They’re bound to move in the same circles.”

“I suppose. Thanks.” Eryn reached for the steaming glass. “It was just so sudden, you know. What if it’s not right for me?”

“But you hate your boss. Would Mrs. Dodd be worse?”

“No way.” Eryn squirmed. “But you know, I have to pay my bills, and this commission would just last two years—”

“Two years?” Mike couldn’t understand why Eryn hesitated. “That’s not bad. A lot of people don’t know what they’ll be doing in two
days
.”

Eryn’s cheeks turned pink. “I’m having a rather luxurious problem, I know.”

“Sorry, Eryn.” Mike wanted to take her words back. She knew how important Eryn’s independence was to her. With a mother like Eryn’s, she had to support herself. Mike had never met the woman, and she didn’t particularly want to.
In fact, Mike hated to think what she would say if she ever saw how Mrs. Goddard treated her daughter. “I didn’t mean to sound holier-than-thou.”

“You didn’t. Don’t worry about it.”

Mike studied Eryn. She looked pale, which emphasized her bruises. “Sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. Well. No, not really.” Eryn sighed and sipped her latte. “I may be in trouble.”

“What?” Mike grabbed the stool she kept behind the counter and sat down. “Surely a job offer isn’t—”

“I’m not talking about that. It’s something else. Something a lot more likely to screw up my life.” She rested her chin against her palm. “God, my head hurts.”

“I’ve got aspirin.”

“Thanks, but my stomach won’t tolerate it. I better get some Tylenol on the way home. I can’t keep taking the pills the doctor gave me. They make me act weird.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Eryn met Mike’s gaze. “Too loose-lipped. I told Manon that I found her attractive even before I hit my head. After I started taking medication, it got worse.”

“What did she say? What did
you
say?”

“She was the perfect lady. She took me in when I was hurt and took care of me.”

“But no…response?”

“No, not really.” Eryn pulled her eyebrows together. “But something about her, something I couldn’t put my finger on, made me wonder…I don’t mean to gossip. It’s just that thinking about her is driving me crazy. And now she’s recommended me to Marjorie Dodd to write a book!”

For a minute, Mike’s own worries felt manageable. “So?”

“It’s an exciting project, and normally I’d give my eyeteeth for it.”

“But?”

“But…I don’t know.” Eryn’s eyes glimmered with unshed tears. “Damn, just look at me! I don’t know what to do, and I have this stupid headache and…”

Mike knew Eryn was never weepy. She rounded the desk and put a protective arm around her, making sure the few customers couldn’t see Eryn’s distress. “You don’t have to decide on any of it right now. Just breathe.” She gently tightened her grip. “Why don’t you come behind the counter? I keep a comfy chair and a computer behind this curtain. You can put your feet up and…I may have some Tylenol. Come on.”

Eryn followed Mike. “Thanks. You’re being so thoughtful.”

“Hey, what are friends for? You wrote that piece about the Sea Stone Café and didn’t drag up my sordid past.” Mike deliberately exaggerated her relief. In fact, just thinking about her first publicity campaign for the café made her stomach churn.

“You don’t have a sordid past. You did the best with what you had. Nothing to be ashamed of.”

You still don’t know all of it. You don’t know how much I’ve hidden.
Mike forced a smile and reached for the medicine cabinet underneath the counter. Pulling out an unopened box of Tylenol, she waved it in the air. “We’re in luck.”

“Thanks again.” Eryn accepted two capsules and a bottle of water.

Two large gulps later, Eryn sat down in the “office” behind the curtain. Mike took care of two new customers in the meantime, but kept a close watch on Eryn to make sure she didn’t look any worse off. When she finished, she dragged a stool up next to Eryn, making sure she could still check on the café.