10
Dani stirred a large pot of soup, humming a song from the radio. Time to open was looming, and she had finished filling the front case.
Cari and Luke arrived, each moving like a well-oiled machine. Opening the café was easy; it was at closing time that they did all the hard work.
A knock on the front door caught Luke’s attention. He flipped the lock.
“Not one but two officers as your escort this morning, Ellie?” he teased.
Ellie entered the shop arm in arm with Pad. “We have news and didn’t want you to hear it from someone else.”
“Do tell.”
“We’re engaged!”
Luke hugged Ellie and then shook Pad’s hand. “This is awesome news. I’m happy for you.”
“And before you ask,” Ellie laughed, “we don’t have a date.”
Paul broke in, “Yet.” Before Ellie could make contact, he stepped through
