I kep
t digging, but it soon became apparent there was only one way to prove my switched-at-birth theory: get Macy's DNA.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
As promised, the Gallaghers' auto shops had my car fixed and waiting for me by noon. An hour later, I was headed back to Cainsville for my diner shift.
Patrick arrived around four, and the moment he walked through the door I was at his table, filling the mug. When Larry made banana nut muffins for the evening crowd, I brought Patrick one straight from the oven. Yes, I was not subtle about courting his favor. But Patrick doesn't need subtle. He practically purred under the attention.
The elders noticed, and they were not nearly so pleased. Some game was in play, and they were stuck on the sidelines.
At eight, as Patrick was preparing to leave, I sidled over to his table and pulled out a chair, leaning in to speak to him privately, while making sure everyone else saw me speaking to him privately.
"I need to talk to you," I whispered.
A satisfied smile. "I thought you might. Why don't I come back and walk you home after your shift?"
"Thank you."
As I moved away, I felt Ida's gaze on me. She sat with Walter and two of the other elders I knew less well--Minnie and Roger. When I headed for the kitchen, she waved me over, ostensibly for pie.
"How are things, Olivia?" she asked. "We really haven't had time to chat lately. You've been so busy."
"I have."
"Anything interesting?" Walter asked.
"Not really." I refilled their teapot with fresh hot water. "I met a girl with a connection to Ciara Conway that I'm trying to puzzle out. Someone mentioned she might have lived in Cainsville. Macy Shaw?"
"Doesn't sound familiar," Walter mused. "We may have had a family by that surname, but it's been years."
"Many years," said Ida.
The others nodded.
"I'll keep digging, then," I said.
"You'll let us know if you find anything?" Ida asked.
"Of course."
--
At eleven, Patrick was waiting outside the diner.
"I presume this chat will take longer than the five-minute walk to your apartment?" he said as I joined him.
"It will."
We headed for the park.
"The elders aren't happy with me," I said. "Seems I was paying a little too much attention to you."
He smiled. "Their old egos are so fragile."
"And you do love to see them dented."
The smile grew. "Perhaps."