“I wasn’t…” Madison pressed her lips together. “This is my apartment. I can stand around or do whatever I please whenever I want to. And by the way, you can tell Rita Mae that she gets paid by me. I expect to be treated accordingly.”

Not dignifying her words with an answer, Sherry stomped past her to Jake’s room. Holding the doorknob, she couldn’t keep her mouth shut any longer and turned back to her. “Before I knew you, I had no idea why anyone would have to pay someone to have a family. Now I get it.”

“Good for you.” Madison whirled around and marched to her bedroom.

“Now I get it,” Madison grumbled, echoing those stupid words while heading toward the Archer. Who cared what Sherry thought? A week ago, she’d called a run-down trailer her home. Barely getting by, working two jobs as a waitress and in a grocery store, she had been unable to care for her sick son.

Madison opened the door to the café and took the surprisingly full place in. Almost all seats were occupied, and a long table holding a breakfast buffet took up one wall. The aroma of coffee and fried food mixed with the scent of freshly baked goods.

That was all hers now. Well, at least half of it was.

Danielle smiled when Madison approached the bar. “Hi, favorite cousin.”

“I’m your only cousin.”

“Details, details.” Danielle pointed to the man who had served them a few days back. “Jack, do you remember Madison?”

“Sure.” He bent over the bar and stretched out his hand. “Nice meeting you, boss. Danielle’s told me a lot about you.”

Danielle? It wasn’t the Fielding way to be so informal with your employees. But it seemed to be how things were working here.

Madison took his hand. “Pleasure’s mine. You can call me Madison, if you want.”

He nodded. “What can I bring you?”

She took a seat in front of the bar. “I’m good.”

Danielle threw a dishtowel over her shoulder. “Please tell me you’re here to help.”

“Actually, I thought we could talk a little bit. Plan the party for your mother and organize a few things.”

Danielle blew a curl out of her face. “Did you take a look around? We’re packed and we’re still two staff short.”

“Then hire some.”

Danielle pursed her lips. “Wow, thanks for the great advice. Why haven’t I thought of that?”

Jack giggled while putting two caffe latte on a tray and running off with it.

Madison didn’t even have time to berate him for being so disrespectful.

“Either they’re not reliable,” Danielle said, breaking into Madison’s thoughts, “or they want more money that I—um, I mean we—can pay. Or they’re just bad.”

“Then call the job service.”

Danielle sipped on a glass of water. “You must think I’m a total moron. Right this moment, waitress number four sent from the job service should be here. Do you see her? Because I don’t.”