Granny Apples 05 - Ghost in the Guacamole Read Online Free PDF

surmised what the young man said wasn’t very pleasant. When he disappeared into the restaurant, Hector followed him. Emma wondered if Carlos had just given his notice.
    â€œExactly what did Mom tell you, Lucy?” Rikki asked her sister.
    Instead of answering, Lucy concentrated on sipping her coffee. Emma’s first impression of the older sister was that she was smug and imperious, totally opposite Rikki in more than just looks.
    Lucy put down her coffee. The cup hit the saucer with a sharpness that echoed her disapproval. “Mom told me that you were trying to contact the dead in order to change my mind about selling the company.”
    â€œNot the dead, Lucy, Dad and
Abuelito. It’s their company. They built it from nothing and I want to hear what they have to say about the sale. I’ll bet they wouldn’t be too happy with you right now.”
    Lucy tilted her head back and laughed. “You’ve been hanging around Olvera Street too long, little sister. You’ve got
Día de los Muertos
on the brain. All those ghoulish dolls have finally twisted your thinking.”
    Lucy turned her attention to Emma. “Or did you put this nonsense into her head?”
    â€œLeave Emma out of this,” Rikki told her sister. “It was actually our mother who suggested I have someone help me contact either Dad and Abuelito.”
    â€œWell, Mom’s nuts,” pronounced Lucy. “She’s always been a little off the rails, and you know that. We may not often see eye to eye, Rikki, but I’ve always thought of you as being stable and sensible.” She picked up her coffee and took a quick sip. “Now I’m not so sure.”
    Looking around, Lucy caught the eye of Ana and waved her over. She said something to the young woman in Spanish, and she left and disappeared into the restaurant.
    â€œOrdering food to go?” Rikki said, still simmering over her sister’s remark. “Not good enough to eat here with your crazy sister?”
    â€œIt looked to me like you’ve already eaten.” Lucy drained her cup and set it down, more gently this time. “Besides, I have to get back to the office. I have a company to run and a company to sell.”
    â€œYou can’t sell Roble Foods without my consent,” protested Rikki. “And I’ll never allow you to sell, especially to Crown. That big conglomerate would just suck the life out of it.”
    â€œLike I’ve told you, Rikki, Crown is not the only company attracted to Roble. In fact, they very recently withdrew their interest.” Lucy slapped a smirk on her face. “But Fiesta Time is very interested.”
    â€œFiesta Time?” Rikki was obviously not pleased with the news. She clenched her fists as she glared at her sister. “Selling to them would be like spitting on Dad’s grave.”
    Carlos came out with food packed to go and placed it on the table, leaving before anyone could say anything to him. Emma was glad to see that he hadn’t quit his job in a huff of anger. Maybe Hector had calmed him down. Maybe he could also work some magic with the Ricardo sisters.
    Lucy stood up and fished her car keys out of her purse. “At least if we sell to Fiesta Time, Roble Foods will stay in Mexican hands.”
    Lucy glanced at Emma and tilted her head so that she was looking down her nose at her. “I’d appreciate it, Ms. Whitecastle, if you’d keep your nose out of our business. This doesn’t concern you one bit.” She slung her bag over her arm, picked up her plastic bag of take-out food, and started to leave.
    Rikki jumped up from her seat and grabbed Lucy by both of her shoulders before she could take two steps. Spinning her around, Rikki stood on tiptoes to get nose to nose with her sister. “I won’t let you do this, Lucy. I won’t let you sell our family’s legacy to anyone. Mom and I will continue to stonewall you.”
    Lucy