He shakes his head. "If you speak with him, tell him to stop listening to her. And tell him I'll reimburse him for that order. Lou's has been in this town forever. That bakery is one of the main reasons people still go to that part of town. Maybe I should talk to him myself and straighten this out."
"That'd be great. I think it'd be better coming from you. But could you not mention me? I'm not sure he'd appreciate me telling you this."
"Certainly." He opens the door. "Thank you for bringing my attention to this. And as I said, I'll get you that permit as soon as I receive your paperwork."
"Thanks again." I shake his hand, then walk out of the office and down the hall to the exit.
When I get home, Callie comes out of her house and walks over to mine. It's a little after three, which is when she normally comes over here to work.
"Where have you been?" she asks, meeting me at the door.
"City hall." I unlock the door and hold it open for her. "I had to check on a permit."
Callie whips around to face me. "Did Katie do something? Did they deny your permit?"
"No. I should get it in a couple days." I smile and sling my arm around her shoulder and lead her to the kitchen.
"What are you doing? I have to get to work."
"Forget work. I gotta tell you what happened, and then we're going to celebrate."
We grab a drink and go out on the deck and I replay the scene at city hall.
"You really think she'll leave Lou alone?" Callie asks.
"I'm sure she'll still be her usual demanding self but he doesn't have to listen to her. Her threats are meaningless now."
"Did you call Lou and tell him?"
"No. I'm trying to stay out of it. Jonathan said he'd talk to him. I told him not to mention me."
She reaches over for my hand and smiles. "You're a good guy, Nash Wheeler."
We remain outside for another hour, then order some food and have dinner. We can work later. Tonight, I just want to relax. This has been a good day, and I want to keep it going by spending the rest of it relaxing with Callie.
At seven the next morning, I drive into town to get supplies at the hardware store, then stop at Lou's to get donuts and coffee. I'm not going to mention what happened at city hall but I hope Jonathan doesn't wait too long to talk to Lou. Princess Katie's control over Lou, and the rest of the town, needs to end, and soon.
"Hey, Lou," I say as I walk in the coffee shop.
"Morning, Nash." Lou waves at me from behind the counter. "What can I get you?"
"A dozen donuts and a large coffee." I take a seat at the counter.
He sets up a donut box. "Which kind do you want?" He points to the case.
"Just give me a mix of different kinds. And throw in a few of whatever Callie likes."
He smiles as he picks out the donuts. "Sounds like you two are spending a lot of time together."
"Yeah. She's over at my place every night for dinner and she's been a ton of help with the house. I might even finish early."
"You two still just friends?" He sets the box of donuts in front of me and closes the lid.
"For now we are. She's not ready to commit to being anything more than that."
"I didn't think she would be, but at least you're making progress with her." He takes a mug from under the counter. "You staying or going?"
"I need it to go."
He nods and puts the mug back. He gets a paper cup and fills it from the coffee pot that's behind him.
"What did you mean by that?" I ask.
He sets the coffee cup next to the box of donuts and points to the cup. "Cream and sugar?"
"I drink it black." I pull out my wallet and hand him a ten. "Is that enough?"
"More than enough." He goes to the register and deposits the cash.
"Just keep the change," I tell him when I see him counting it out.
He comes back in front of me, wiping down the counter. "Tell Callie she'll be making cookies all day. We got a big catering order to fill."
"Yeah, I will. So what were you saying about making progress with her? I don't understand."
He glances around us, then leans in and lowers his voice. "This past year, she hasn't been getting any better. I was getting so worried about her, I thought I might have to intervene and get her into counseling."
Counseling? For what? What's he talking about?
"But then you came along," he says, "and things started to change. I actually saw a real smile on her face instead of the fake one she always gives me so that I'll leave her alone. When I ask her about you, she lights up, almost like she did when I used to ask her about Ben."
"Ben?"
"Her brother," he says. "Callie's mom would sometimes send her down here to get donuts or pastries and Callie would always tell me a funny story about Ben." He shakes his head. "She loved that kid. And he loved her. Whenever I'd see them in town, he was glued to her side, holding her hand. He was a really sweet kid."
Was?
"I need to refill some coffees." He takes the pot and goes into the dining area.
I'm left trying to piece together what he said. His use of the past tense. Callie needing counseling.