She realized Jules was watching her, so Angela turned her attention to her tray. “What’s this? This isn’t my usual breakfast.”
“I spoke to Doc Bolton yesterday when he came to the Moonlight for a hot tea and he sent me a list of heart-healthy foods.” Jules frowned. “I wish you’d let me have your records sent to him. He’s not a specialist, but—”
Angela threw up a hand. “We’ve been through this before. I saw all the doctors I’m willing to see in New York. I refuse to see another.”
“That’s very fatalistic of you. Doc Bolton’s very good at—”
“No. Now I’ve said all I’m going to say about it. At least for today.”
Jules looked stubbornly unconvinced, but after a stiff moment she shrugged. “Until you’re ready to see a doctor, the least I can do is get you to eat healthier. But I’m afraid most of our usual breakfast items are on the ‘heck no’ list.”
“So you made me porridge.” Angela looked at the oatmeal, which was livened up with a small scattering of walnuts. Not even a teaspoon of brown sugar. “What did Doc Bolton suggest, other than tasteless brown porridge and”—she peered at the dish next to her oatmeal—“barely-call-them-eggs?”
“Less meat, salt, and sugar, and more fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, plant-based protein, whole grains—”
“No. I’m not giving up flavor. I’d rather die first.” Angela instantly regretted her protest when Jules stiffened. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so picky this morning. I didn’t sleep well.”
Jules frowned. “Is the mattress too firm? I can pick up a mattress topper while I’m out.”
She loves me. Oh, Jules, that’s all I want from you. I want you to love me as much as I love you. Angela was instantly glad she hadn’t succumbed to the temptation to put on that hint of blush. “The bed is fine. And thank you for making me breakfast. It was very kind of you.”
Jules’s gaze softened.
Angela drank in the sight like she’d just crossed a brutally hot, dry desert and Jules’s smile was the coolest, freshest water on the planet.
Jules nodded toward the eggs. “Try those. They’re just egg whites, but I fixed them up.”
Angela picked up her fork and took a bite. She closed her eyes as she chewed so the flavors lifted. “Chives, a dash of red pepper, and… thyme. You have a very talented hand with spices.”
“I learned it from Dad. He always says that even simple dishes need flavor.”
Angela glanced up at Jules. “How is Don? I haven’t spoken to him since he and Lisa moved to Florida.” Lisa was Don’s second wife. He’d married her a good ten years ago, and from what little Mark and Gray had let slip to Angela, their step-grandmother was a talkative, cheerful sort who was always telling everyone how wonderful Don was. I bet he loves that.
“They like it there. He’s thinking about opening a restaurant because he can’t find anywhere that serves fish the way he likes it.”
Angela snorted. “He’s too old to open a new restaurant. That’s a young person’s game.” But she wouldn’t put it past him to try. By the time she had left Don, it had been clear that he’d loved the Moonlight far more than he’d loved her, which was one of a myriad of reasons their marriage had fallen apart. “I don’t know why he’d put himself through that when he could be relaxing on a beach.”
Jules turned away, straightening up the room as she said in a cool tone, “Dad would find a way to do it if he really wanted to.”
Angela instantly regretted that she’d mentioned Don. Jules was very protective where her father was concerned. Hopefully, one day soon, we’ll be able to honestly discuss your dad. “He was right to hand the Moonlight over to you when he retired. You’ve improved it immensely.”
Which was a simple truth. Jules had an innate business sense when it came to the café, and her excellent cooking, as well as Mark’s, had cemented the Moonlight Café as the place to eat out in Dove Pond. Angela wanted to tell Jules how proud she was of her, but Jules’s expression was still cool and distant.
Angela sighed. They still had a ways to go. When Angela had divorced Don, Jules had taken it in the worst possible way, blaming her mother for everything. I never meant to upset her so much. Maybe I was selfish to want happiness for myself. Guilt pressed in on Angela, making it hard to breathe.
“Mom?” Jules’s gaze had dropped to Angela’s chest.
Angela looked down and realized she was pressing her hand against her chest. She dropped it. I have got to stop rubbing my chest when I think. “It’s nothing. I just need my morning coffee.”
Jules slid the cup of coffee on the breakfast tray closer. “Mark just ground it. It’s Colombian.”
Angela lifted the cream pitcher and grimaced when the milk that poured out was so thin, she could see through it. “Skim milk?”
“Doc Bolton said—” Jules caught Angela’s expression and held up her hands. “Fine. I’ll quit repeating what he said. But skim milk and decaf it’s going to be.”
Decaf? What was the point, then? She started to demand regular coffee, but the hint of worry in Jules’s gaze stopped her. She’s taking care of me. A month ago, I couldn’t even get her to return a phone call. Forcing a smile, Angela took a sip of the coffee. “Mm. Delicious.”
“The decaf is in the pantry, so you can have a cup whenever—” Jules’s gaze had wandered to the window and now locked on the driveway. She scowled. “Not today.”
“What is it?” Angela lowered her coffee cup and leaned to one side, trying to see around Jules.
“I’ll be right back.” Jules spun on her heel and left.
The second the front door closed, Angela got out of bed to peek outside, standing at the edge of the window so she couldn’t be seen. She instantly recognized the curvy woman standing in the driveway in a pretty pink dress, her dark blond hair hanging in a braid over one shoulder.
“Ella Dove,” Angela muttered. “Go away.” Several years ago, Angela had run into Ella in New York and invited her to spend the weekend, and then every weekend after, at the family house in the Hamptons. To this day, Angela wasn’t sure why she’d done it. Perhaps it was because Ella was about the same age as Angela’s grandsons—a year older than Gray, and a year younger than Mark. Or maybe it had been because, for one split second, Ella had reminded Angela of herself, excited and ambitious and alone in a big city. Whatever it was, Angela never regretted an invitation more.
Angela watched Jules step outside and walk over to Ella, arms crossed tightly over her chest. She spoke, not giving Ella a chance to do more than open her mouth. Try as she would, Angela couldn’t catch more than a word here and there. She wondered if she dared to open a window but knew that would draw unwanted attention. Pity.
Whatever Jules had to say, she didn’t wait for an answer, but turned on her heel and headed back up the drive. Ella watched Jules go with obvious consternation before heading back to her car. A moment later, Jules closed the front door with a decided bang, which sent Angela hurrying back to bed.