Unfortunately, no matter how many times he scrolled, it didn’t appear.
This was his fault. He’d gotten too swept up in festival planning, in dreading the upcoming campaign, in Rosalyn, that he’d let the confirmation slide—despite multiple sticky-note reminders scattered across his desk.
Which begged the question—what else had he forgotten?
He pocketed his phone, ready to try to appease Mrs. Peters. But she’d already headed toward the stage as if she might remove the risers herself, arthritic knees and all. Meanwhile, Madame Paulette flirted through the service window of the nearby taco truck.
At least they were both entertaining themselves. Cade just needed to think.
Dad would know what to do.
The thought landed like a chigger, irritating and itchy. Cade walked back toward the vendor booths where he’d left Zoey and the others. Dad would have a connection with someone that could get this resolved—or at least, get a rush order prioritized. He always came up with solutions.
Not that he’d have messed up in the first place—Dad was a true Landry.
Would Cade ever have what it took?
nineteen
Cade was going to be so relieved.
Wherever he was.
“Thank you so much. You’re a life saver.” Rosalyn hung up with the manager of Southern Jewelry Co. and grinned at Zoey, who sat in a lawn chair behind her Bayou Beignets table. The smell of powdered sugar and cinnamon hung heavy in the air under the tent. “Southern is in for bathroom traffic.”
Then Rosalyn did a double take. “Wow, did you sell all those while I was on the phone?” Zoey’s sample platter of treats was half-empty, and there were significantly fewer boxes than there’d been half an hour ago. To that point, the festival grounds already bustled with activity and they’d only been open a short time.
Zoey marked her hand-drawn spreadsheet, bangs draping in front of her eyes. “Yep. Business is booming.”
“How many volunteers now, counting Southern?” Rosalyn sank into the lawn chair next to her.
“Let’s see…” Zoey counted down the list with her finger. “Bayou Beignets, Southern Jewelry, Chug a Mug, Magnolia Blossom, and Magnolia Grace Church. That’s five establishments in walking distance willing to let attendees use their restrooms.”
“Make that six!” Sadie waved from her booth down the row. “My part-time girl is working at Second Story today and has been instructed to let anyone in who needs the bathroom.”
“Great! Thanks Sadie.” Rosalyn turned to Zoey. “I almost had the bank manager convinced too, but they only have a single stall for public use, and he sounded like he regretted having eventhatpolicy in place.”
“That’s fair. And I’m sure Lettie would have let us, but her studio is farther away.” Zoey tapped her pencil against the list.
“I’ll put the studio on an overflow list—in case Cade can’t get the porta-potties here tonight.” Rosalyn drew a star next to the studio. “We’ll need all toilets on deck.” It felt good to help. Kept her mind off her own upcoming performance. She checked her phone, but Cade hadn’t read her text asking where he’d gone.
“Oh, Pastor Dubois called me back and volunteered his golf cart for anyone who doesn’t want to walk all the way to Village Lane for restrooms.”
“Of course he did.” Zoey laughed as she set her clipboard on the table. “I love that guy.”
“He’s very generous.”
“You should check out a church service with us.” Zoey’s smile faded. “Wait. I keep forgetting you won’t be here much longer.”
“I know.” Every day put her one closer to being back in under Blaine’s watchful eye. Had he gotten wind of the paperwork Cade filed on her behalf? Would he be notified? Cade hadn’t updated her on anything with her accounts, so she assumed everything was on the up and up.
Unless he hadn’t had time to investigate yet.
She leaned forward in her chair. “I could probably come to church this Sunday before I leave town.” It’d be a good opportunity to see everyone before she left Monday.
Including Cade.
“You’re such a natural part of Magnolia Bay…I’m sorry we didn’t know each other back in school.” Zoey reached for one of the few sample beignets left on the plate. “You could have taught me aerial.”
