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“Whatever you need.”
    â€œThank you.” He stepped closer. He was inches from my face. He smelled clean and fresh, like a sheet dried in the sun. He lifted his hand. “You got a little toothpaste on your chin,” he said, and wiped it away with his thumb.
    *   *   *
    The Day Lily was quiet, reminding me of a still-life oil painting. Shafts of light warmed the wood floors. Everything was neatly stored and stacked, ready for a new day. I looked from table to table, remembering the voices and faces from yesterday.
    I unlocked the front door and went out to sweep the steps. I stood on the sidewalk and gazed up at the largest window. Delicate gold letters that read T HE D AY L ILY C AFÉ arced on the glass. Beneath, in a smaller font, were the words W HOLESOME, L OCAL, O RGANIC F ARE .
    The window boxes were filled with herbs so their scents would lure customers inside. Unlike the herbs I grew at the farm, I allowed these to flower. Once an herb has flowered, the leaves taste bitter. But in my window boxes, the chives hosted puffs of purples and the thyme had burst into delicate yellow flowers. As I pinched off the tops of the basil, a peppery anise-like aroma met my nose.
    The day was warming up quickly, the air thick with moisture. Cicadas hummed in a nearby tree. I began to sweep but stopped when I noticed Doris headed toward me.
    â€œMorning,” I called to her.
    She held out a sheet of paper. “Lori made a list of people who might have had it in for CJ.”
    â€œOh, good,” I said, and looked down at it. The names had been written by an unsteady hand in a felt pen that had smeared in spots. “Do you know any of these people?”
    â€œA few.” She crossed her arms. “You’ll find most of them at the tavern. They’re regulars.”
    I read through the names. My head shot back up. “Sheriff Wilgus?”
    She stared down at the papers. “I don’t know why she wrote his name down. Joe may be a pill, but he isn’t about to go killing someone, no matter how mad he gets.”
    â€œSo I wonder why she put his name on the list.”
    Doris shrugged her shoulders. “He’s always hated CJ, but that goes way back. And maybe Lori is mad at him for keeping her at the jail so long.” Doris sunk her hands into the pockets of her cotton dress.
    â€œI’ll do some Googling as soon as I get a chance. Would you like some coffee? I can put it in a to-go cup again.”
    â€œNo thanks. I’ve been away from the store enough lately. And you can’t make money if you aren’t there to take it. But thank you just the same.” She shielded her eyes and gazed up at the window. “I knew this café was what you were meant to do.” She looked back at me. “If you don’t mind me saying so, I think I knew it before you did.”
    I laughed. “I don’t think, I know it. And thank you. I am very happy doing what I love.”
    â€œMiss Rosalie, Lori and I are going to try and scrape some money together for you. We talked about it yesterday.”
    â€œOh, Doris, my goodness gracious. I would no sooner take your money than jump off the Bay Bridge.” I placed my hand over my stomach. “Just saying that makes me woozy. But listen, I don’t even know if I can help you, but I’m going to try. My reward will be knowing your sister is safe.” I gave her a warm smile. “I appreciate the opportunity to return the favor. I’ve felt indebted to you for quite some time.”
    She hesitated. “All right. At least for now.”
    Glenn strolled down the sidewalk. “Well, if it isn’t the two loveliest ladies I’ve seen today.”
    Doris rolled her eyes. “We’re probably the only ladies you’ve seen today, and you know it.”
    Glenn chuckled. “How is your sister holding up, Doris?”
    â€œBetter now that we have Rosalie on the