CHAPTER 19

Maya poured freshly squeezed orange juice in a tall glass before handing it to Cassandra Cunningham Johnson, Jordan’s niece. The younger woman smiled at her thankfully and took a drink and placing it back down the counter.

“This is really delicious, Ms. Maya,” Cassandra commented after swallowing another bite of the Dutch pancakes. “Our chef back home is good but now that I’ve tasted your cooking, I prefer this one. Will you consider adopting me?”

She smiled at the teenager as she took a seat on the stool.

“I don’t think your parents will like it,” Maya remarked.

Cassandra remained silent for a while. “I’m pretty sure they won’t mind,” she finally answered. “Most especially my mother. She’s six feet under and my dad… well, I’m sure he’s out there somewhere, doing whatever crosses his mind.”

Maya looked at her in surprised.

“Are you telling me that you’re on your own?”

“Technically. But, Uncle Jord took me under his care when mom died while my father took off, clear that he doesn