Her Irresistible Troublemaker (A Town Named Eden Book 3) (25 page)

All Heart and Mischief

Sonia Parin

Copyright @ 2015 Sonia Parin

Chapter One

“Tom Cat has just entered the pub. Mini Mouse, the coast is clear. You’re good to go. I repeat, you’re good to go.”

Playing it safe, Joyce edged toward the front door of her café and peered down the street. A couple of cars drove by, another one stopped outside the bakery two doors down, the driver hopping out and making a dash inside, probably to pick up a Sunday morning treat. A young couple she recognized as regulars at Joyce’s Cafe rounded the corner and headed toward her. She already had a few customers digging into their breakfasts and more would pile in as the day progressed. If she didn’t take advantage of the quiet before the storm now, she’d miss her chance…

“Roger that. Has Bradford… I mean Tom Cat placed his order yet?” She needed a good half hour to rummage through Brilliant Baubles, with no interruptions.

Joyce missed the days when she used to sit in the old antique store sipping tea from an elegant cup and sharing stories with Bradford’s uncle.

The old guy had known how to spin a tale and he’d had a story or two to tell about every single piece in his store. A couple of times she’d wondered if he’d made them up on the spot, but over time, she’d come to realize he’d remained consistent if a little forgetful, often repeating himself. But she’d never tired of listening to him. His nephew, on the other hand…

Joyce gritted her back teeth together.

In the year since Bradford Mills had moved to Eden they’d probably said no more than a few dozen words to each other—all snappy exchanges.

“Abort. Abort. Tom Cat has changed his mind. I repeat. Abort.”

Crap. She jumped back inside the café.

“Wait… Hang on. False alarm.”

Joyce pushed out the breath that had slammed against her throat. “Please don’t do that. I’ll get a nervous twitch and then everyone will know I’ve been up to no good.”

“Sorry, I thought he was headed out the door again, but he just switched to another table. Theo’s going over now to have a chat with him. I gave him strict instructions to keep Bradford busy.”

Joyce nibbled the tip of her thumb. “He’s bound to know something’s up now.” While Eddie’s fiancé had become fast friends with Bradford Mills, it wouldn’t take a mathematical genius to figure out the coincidence had been orchestrated to keep him where he was until Joyce had had a chance to find her teacups. None of this would be necessary if he would just hand them over. They’d been one of the last purchases Bradford’s uncle had made on his last trip overseas…

“Theo is waving me over. Do you want to stay on the line?”

And eavesdrop on their conversation?

She tapped her chin and did a quick mental toss up of all the pros and cons. “Yes. But please try to be discreet.”

“What are you afraid I’ll do?”

With Eddie Faydon, she could never be sure. She’d been surprising her since the first day they’d met at kindergarten. Joyce had been new to Eden, packed off by social services to live with her elderly aunt and uncle. She hadn’t spoken a single word in months but that hadn’t stopped Eddie. Eddie had taken her by the hand, tugging her toward the back of the classroom to sit with her and had then rattled on non-stop about anyone and everyone who called Eden home and how they should become best friends because girls had to stick together and she needed an ally because she had three brothers and they had to be kept in line…

“Don’t worry. I’ve got your back. By the way, what are you wearing?”

“I’m paying homage to Audrey Hepburn’s Wait Until Dark. Black leggings, black boots, black turtleneck. And if Tom Cat didn’t live above the shop, I’d be waiting until dark to do this.”

“Okay, I’m making my way over to the table.”

“Find out what he’s having for breakfast. If he’s only there for a coffee, it won’t give me enough time.” She’d been trying to get inside the storage room at the antique store for ages now, but every time she got near it, Bradford appeared. Almost as if he had a sixth sense.

“Hang on, Mitch just took his order. I’ll ask him.”

Joyce rolled her eyes. With Mitch Faydon, it could go either way.

“Why do you want to know?” she heard him ask.

“Bradford’s single and... I’m concerned,” Eddie said. “Is he getting enough to eat?”

Joyce heard a grumble. That could only mean the elder Faydon brother, Markus, was nearby.

“You can tell Joyce he ordered the full breakfast. It normally takes me half an hour to get through it. I can buy her an extra ten minutes if I mix up the order but then she’ll owe me. You want to ask her?”

“Why would I want to ask her?”

“Because she’s listening to this conversation.”

Joyce pushed out a breath. “Just tell him yes.” The chuckling she heard told her Mitch had walked away.

“Okay. Let’s synchronize our watches,” Eddie said. “From here on end, we’re maintaining radio silence. Good luck and good hunting.”

Joyce trotted on the spot and, taking a deep breath, propelled herself toward Brilliant Baubles.

* * * *

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