Chapter 18 [Talon—Five Minutes Later]

Lana wiped the counter down and checked the baked goods. Muffins, scones and croissants went early that morning. Tarts, bagels and some corn muffins remained. She bit her lip. We barely have enough to get through the rest of the day much less the special welcome! She released a deep sigh. She eyed the phone. Maybe we can get an emergency run this afternoon. If we knew last night, I might ask that we can get pastries down from New York.

The budget line and expense elicited an eyeroll from her.

Maybe Mrs. Kent can bake something at the farm? She tapped her fingers on the counter. 11:00. Time for that lunch crowd anyhow. She glanced over toward the corner booth.

There Miranda talked with her aunt and uncle. Lex would interject a few things. For the most part, however, he sat and contented himself to watch. He'd get a word in edgewise but otherwise savored the interaction.

Good for you, Miri! Lana grinned at her friend's good fortune. She recalled her friend's sadness over her stepfather's…no kidnapper's beatings and claims. What happens if he finds them together? Do I even want to know? She ground her teeth.

Clark barged through the door. He hustled up to the front counter. "Hey, Lana!"

"Oh…hey, Clark!" She felt herself relax in that moment. Her eyes sparkled. "Want a coffee or is there something a little fancier?"

"Coffee's great. Thanks." He looked toward Lex. "Are those his friends?"

"They sure are. They've been there for three hours." Lana looked toward the visitors. "You should have seen it. The lights flickered. Then they walked in. Some guy was talking on the phone. Seemed really nice and all. Then he started talking about Lex and them to Lionel." She shuddered. "Mr. Dubois went all pit bull." She shook her head. "Weird. Looking at him, I just think we've met. Kind of strange."

"It's not. My Mom said that we met them right after the meteor shower." Lana poured his coffee. "When he got all mad, the lights flickered. It got really cold. My hand's been burning too. I don't get that."

"Kind of weird." He stuffed two dollars in the tip jar. Her account lined up with Jor-El's advisory. "When's set up committee start up?"

"Two or so. Hey, Clark, I need to speak to Lex. We've got to make a pastry run to Granville. Rachel and Sherry are due in here about 11:30. Want to go with me?" Hopefulness beckoned in a smile to her Plaid Knight.

"I need to check with Mom first. Give me a minute." He pressed the speed dial for Martha's number.

"Clark, is everything all right there?" Martha checked the slow cooking ham. The aroma tickled her nose.

"Lana sold out almost half of her pastry case. She asked me to go with her to Granville. Do we need anything from there?" He kept his eye on his barista fair.

"We're fine. Thank you though. Just make sure you're back by 2 to set up there. Have fun but be safe." She hung up and went back to work on the simmering meal.

Be safe. Yeah right. Clark mulled over Jor-El's advisory. He disconnected the call and stuffed the phone into his pocket. He sipped on his coffee. Jor-El and Mom both say to trust him. Why do I feel uneasy? He meandered over toward the others. "Mom's all set. Any requests?"

"Get a good variety, Clark. We're hoping for a good crowd tonight." Lex gulped his coffee. "Clark, these are two of our guests, Dave and Angie Dubois. Dave and Angie, Clark Kent. He's Martha and Jonathan Kent's son."

"The boy found in the field," Angie recalled.

Clark squirmed. He felt as if his secrets were being pulled apart much like the ham in his mother's crock pot.

Relax, Clark. We know what happened, Dave smiled and nodded. "I'm sure your Mom's cooking is still the best in three counties."

"I think so." Clark smirked and offered a playful shrug. "She said it's one of your recipes though."

"My money's on either cider pork or the Dijon ham, Chief," Angie sassed her husband.

"Whichever she picks, in Martha Kent my taste buds and stomach trust. Need that inspiration before the service work kicks into high gear," Dave assessed. "Miri, we can finish catching up. Why don't you relieve Lana so she can get her supplies?"

"Okay. We are a team here." Miranda kissed her relatives' cheeks. "See you in a bit, Boss." She tied her apron back on and headed for the counter.

"She's really excited about you two being here. It's really cool." Lana motioned to Chloe. "That's a friend of ours, Chloe Sullivan. She's the editor-in-chief of our school paper."

"Go ahead, Lana. We'll be glad to talk to her." Dave agreed.

"That's our cue." Clark nudged Chloe. "Go easy. We need them in one piece for Monday."

Chloe smirked. "I promise. No blood letting this time through. You two better restock that case."

"We're on it. Come on, Clark." Lana ushered him out the door and toward the parking lot.

They wanted to know more but Priority called first….