Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)(50)

Talk about fanciful, she told herself. Where had that come from?

Shelby looked up as they approached the table. While she smiled, her gaze was wary.

“Hi,” Bailey said as she took a seat opposite. “I’m Bailey Voss and this is Larissa Owens. Thanks for meeting us.”

“You’re welcome.”

Bailey glanced at the small table between them. “We need coffee. I’m thinking a latte. What about you, Shelby?”

“Sure. A latte would be nice. Thank you.”

Larissa nodded her agreement and Bailey went off to place the orders. There was no one else in line, so she was back in a matter of a minute or so.

She sat down and sighed. “Patience is bringing over pastries with the order. That will be fine for those of you who are annoyingly skinny, but I don’t need the temptation.”

Larissa shook her head. “Yeah, right. Who wouldn’t want those curves of yours?” If she had Bailey’s figure, she would have a much easier time of getting Jack’s attention.

Bailey smiled. “If only that were true.” She looked at Shelby. “So, you’re wondering who we are and why we’re here.”

“A little,” Shelby admitted.

“We want to welcome you to Fool’s Gold. You’re new here. I moved here only a few years ago, so I know what it’s like to be a stranger in a small town where it seems like everyone knows everyone else.”

“That would be tough,” Larissa said, thinking when she’d moved to Fool’s Gold in the spring, she’d been with her Score family. So she didn’t have to feel by herself. But Shelby might not know anyone.

Shelby glanced between them. “I’m doing okay. I have a job at the bakery.”

Patience, the owner of Brew-haha walked up with a large tray. She put down three lattes and a plate of pastries. “You work for Amber, right? You’re the new baker? That’s great.” She pointed at the pastries. “I’ve been eating too many of those. You’re doing a really good job and you need to stop. I mean it.”

Shelby smiled. “Thanks. I like my job. Amber is really easy to work for.”

“She’s just lovely,” Patience said. “All right, I’ll leave you three to your afternoon treats. Yell if you need anything.”

Each of them took a latte. Shelby ignored the pastries, but Larissa reached for the cheese-and-blueberry one and took a bite.

“Heaven,” she said when she’d chewed and swallowed. “One of yours?”

Shelby nodded.

Bailey eyed the high-calorie snack before pushing the plate away. “So, Shelby, how are you enjoying the town?”

“It’s fine.”

Larissa sensed the other woman wasn’t comfortable with their meeting. “Have you been to any of the festivals? They’re pretty fun. I loved the books festival. I met several of my favorite authors and got books signed as birthday and Christmas gifts for family. I grew up in Los Angeles. Killer weather, but there’s not much of a small-town feel.”

“Fool’s Gold would be a change,” Shelby said. “I’m from Colorado. I’m used to smaller towns but nothing like this.”

“Fool’s Gold is unique,” Bailey said.

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. Bailey glanced at Larissa, her expression desperate. Larissa struggled for something to say.

“Um, Bailey works for Mayor Marsha,” she blurted. “She’s the longest-serving mayor in California, by the way. She knows your brother.”

Shelby turned her attention to Bailey. “When did she meet Kip?”

“Earlier this year. Right after his accident. She was in New Zealand.” Bailey paused. “I’m not sure exactly how she met him, what with him being in a hospital and all.”

Shelby’s wariness faded. “Then it was her!”

“What was her?”

“The old lady my brother told me about. After...” She swallowed. “My mom died a couple of months ago. She had cancer and it wasn’t unexpected, but it was still hard.”

Larissa instinctively reached for Shelby’s hand. Bailey was already touching her arm.

“I’m sorry,” Bailey said. “About your mom. When you lose a family member, it’s awful.” She swallowed. “I lost my husband last year.”

“Then you know,” Shelby said quietly. “Thank you both for meeting me. I’m sorry if I seem a little standoffish. It’s just things were hard with my mom and my dad...well, there’s no need to talk about him.” She managed a slight smile. “Let’s just say that right after Kip’s accident, two men showed up out of nowhere and took care of me and my mom.”

“Do you know their names?” Larissa asked, wondering if there was a town connection.

“Ford and Angel.”

“Those are our guys,” Bailey said. “They’re both at the bodyguard school. Interesting that they came and found you.” She looked at Larissa. “It has to be Mayor Marsha.”

Larissa nodded. “Everyone says she knows things there’s no way to know. It’s kind of mystical. I like it.”

Shelby nodded. “Me, too. I owe her.” She glanced at her watch. “I have to get back to work, but it was great to meet you both. Maybe we could do this again.”