Read Online Cara O'Shea's Return by Mackenzie Crowne - Free Book Online

older woman’s smile.
    “I also heard you bought the old book store. That must have made Finn crazy! He’s been after Maive to sell it to him for years.”
    Cara blinked. She’d forgotten how few secrets there were in Palmerton. “He’ll get over it.” She bared her teeth in a sly grin and Mrs. Hawkins laughed. “There’s another interesting bit of gossip going around town,” Cara introduced. “Rumor is you want to retire to spend more time with your grandkids.”
    If Mrs. Hawkins was surprised people knew her private business, she didn’t show it. She smiled serenely, and nodded. “I’ve been in business for twenty-six years. It’s time I remove my apron and take my grandbabies to Disneyworld.”
    “Have you had any offers on the place?” Cara ignored the questioning stare Erin shot at her.
    “As I haven’t actually put it on the market yet, no, I haven’t. Why? I thought you were an artist not a restaurateur.”
    Cara laughed. “Oh, painting is my forte. The only thing I know how to do with food is eat it.”
    Mrs. Hawkins chuckled and moved aside when the waitress appeared with their breakfasts. “Well then, I’ll leave you to enjoy your meals.”
    “What was that all about?” Erin asked the moment Mrs. Hawkins walked away.
    Cara salted her omelet. “How do you think Shan would feel about becoming the owner of her own restaurant?”
    Erin leaned back in her chair. “Are you serious?”
    “I don’t know. That depends on Shan, and Meggy. Between the two of them they could give the other three restaurants in town a run for their money, don’t you think?”
    Erin tapped her fork on the table, as if considering the idea. “I think Shan would love it, but you know she’ll balk at the idea of you lending her the money.”
    Cara shrugged. “Maybe not. Meggy has some money put aside. She’s interested in a partnership with Shan. With Meggy putting up half the money, Shan could consider me a silent investor. It really depends on what Mrs. Hawkins wants for the place.”
    Erin scooted back her chair. “Let’s go ask Shan.”
    Cara pointed her fork at Erin’s full plate. “There’s no rush. Eat your breakfast, Mrs. Espizitto.”

Chapter Nine
    Shan balked at the idea, just as Erin predicted, but her eyes were full of the same cautious excitement Cara had seen in Meggy’s. And Cara knew her sister. The seed was planted. Shan would mull it over. All Cara had to do was sit back and let her.
    For what seemed like the millionth time, she sent a silent thanks to Evan Malone. His friendship eased the loneliness during her eight years of self-exile, and his belief in her as an artist had brought her success beyond her dreams.
    The memory of his grin the day he handed her that first, stunning commission check made her laugh aloud. God, she loved having a healthy bank account! Give her a beard and a belly and she’d give Santa a run for his money.
    A wide smile tipped her lips as she rang Maive’s doorbell.
    “You look like the cat that swallowed the canary.” Maive pushed open door. “Did you find a lost Rembrandt behind a wall in that building you stole from me?”
    Cara laughed and followed her into the parlor. Maive moved to an open curio cabinet and resumed dusting the delicate figurines filling every shelf.
    “I didn’t steal a thing from you, if I can believe my accountant. It sent him into convulsions having to write you that check.”
    Maive harrumphed and swiped at a porcelain southern belle with the feather duster in her hand.
    “Your carpenter may disagree with that opinion though. The stealing part.” Cara ran her fingers over the back of the settee. “He seems pretty possessive of my new home.”
    “It’s not good for a man to always get everything he wants.” Maive waived the duster dismissively. “Disappointment builds character. Missing out on the place will be good for the boy.”
    “And you think Michael Finnegan needs his character built?”
    Maive turned, studying her.