Cas claps him on the shoulder.“Appreciate you coming in on a Sunday.”
My heart stutters. He pulled this man in, today, for me.
When Cas opens my door again, I hesitate.“You didn’t have to go through all this trouble.”
“No trouble,” he winks.“He owes me favors.”
The town unfolds in front of us, old brick storefronts, a diner spilling with people, mountains holding the horizon. Everything feels wider, cleaner, like air I’ve never breathed before.
“We’ll stop here,” Cas says, pulling into a spot in front of a cozy shop with a sign that readsSugar & Spice.Warm light spills through the windows, pumpkins and autumn leaves clustered by the door.
He opens the door to the coffee shop for me.“Ladies first.”
“Thank you” I say as I walk in.
Inside, the air wraps warm around me. The aroma of coffee beans, cinnamon, and butter fills my lungs. Shelves of books fill a corner, mismatched chairs scatter the floor, and a pastry case gleams bright.
“Morning!” A woman beams from behind the counter. Long black hair, light-blue eyes, curves wrapped in an apron. Gorgeous, warm, easy.
Cas tips his hat.“Morning. Place smells incredible.”
“Thanks! Just opened this week,” she says.“Still getting settled.”
"I'mCas.” He gestures toward me.“This here’s Penny.”
Her eyes flick over my bruises, but there’s no pity, only soft understanding.“Nice to meet you both. I’m Summer.”
We take a seat at the counter.“Coffee sweet or strong?”
“Sweet,” I murmur.
“Perfect. Strong’s just for cowboys pretending they don’t like sugar.” Summer cuts Cas a playful glance.
“Guilty,” he rumbles.
I laugh, surprised at myself.
She sets down steaming mugs and a plate of pastries.“On the house. I need taste-testers.”
Cas takes a sip, then bites into an apple cinnamon bun and starts nodding.“Summer, you’ve got a gift. Lander needed this.”
Her cheeks flush.“Thank you. That means a lot.”
“Mommy!” A little girl barrels from the kitchen, dark hair flying, blue eyes bright.“Can I have a spooky brownie now?”
Summer laughs, passing her one.“Mia, this is Penny and Cas.”
“Hi,” Mia whispers shyly.
“Hi, sweetheart,” I smile.
“Do you want a spooky brownie too? My mommy makes‘em good. She got lots of pecipes.”
Summer kisses her head.“Recipes,pumpkin.”
I laugh, heart tugging.“She’s adorable.”
“She’s four,” Summer says proudly.
