Irene folded her hands on the table, then crooked a finger at her.
Lila walked over. “Yes, Irene? Can I get you some coffee?”
Irene squinted at her. “When are you and Mr. England going to admit you’re sweet on each other?”
Lila gasped. “We’re not! I mean… there’s nothing to…”
“Oh, nonsense,” Paddy said, waving her off. “The whole town saw the two of ye dancing at yer booth!”
“That wasn’t dancing. That was… tripping politely. In my case anyway. I’ve got two left feet.”
Polly grinned. “I heard it was his way of showing he holds you in great regard.”
“Great regard,” Paddy echoed. “Anyone can see he’s sweet on the lass.”
Lila groaned. “He’sleaving, you guys. He’s got work somewhere else, maybe even New Zealand.”
Four pairs of eyebrows shot up in unison.
“Well,” Grandma said. “That’s a long way to go for coffee.”
“Exactly!” Lila crossed her arms. “So let’s not forget that, shall we?”
Polly, Irene, and Grandma exchanged that silent, telepathic look only lifelong friends could manage. Irene cleared her throat. “You could always write to each other.”
“Yeah,” Grandma agreed. “Unless, of course, he stays here for some reason.” She eyed Lila up and down and winked.
Paddy leaned forward. “The point is, lass, sometimes men need a little reminding of what they’d miss if they left.”
Lila rubbed her face. “And what exactly am I supposed to do? Tie a note to his coffee cup?”
“Not a bad idea,” Polly chimed.
Lila stared at them, torn between laughing and crying. “You’re all impossible.”
Grandma patted her hand. “Yes, but we’re usually right. We’ve done this sort of thing before.”
Before Lila could askwhat sort of thing,the bell jingled again as new customers came in. She gratefully escaped behind the counter to take their orders and make their drinks.
From across the room, she could still hear the soft clucking of her self-appointed matchmakers.
She tried to ignore them, but a reluctant smile tugged at her lips. They might be impossible, but maybe they were right.
TJ shifted the crate of half-and-half against his hip as he stepped back inside. He’d been helping the delivery driver unload, and the cold air from the back door followed him, mingling with the warm scent of roasted beans and cinnamon. Irene and the others must’ve arrived and dropped off more goodies, or maybe he’d only just noticed the smell.
He was headed up front when Lila’s voice caught him off guard.
“I just don’t see the point in getting attached,” she was saying to Grandma, her back to him. Her voice was low but edged with frustration. “He’s leaving, Grandma. I’ve told you this a thousand times. Will you stop badgering me? Besides, why would he stay here?”
TJ froze, then slowly backed down the hall so as not to disturb them.
“You might ask him that yourself, child, instead of deciding for him,” Grandma said gently.
“There’s no need,” Lila sighed. “He’s already made up his mind.”
The words landed like a punch to the gut. So that was it. Lila decided he was temporary, just passing through.
He swallowed hard and backed all the way to the storeroom, setting the crate on a shelf before rubbing the back of his neck. Okay, he deserved that. Hewastemporary. Still, hearing it aloud hurt more than he wanted to admit. But it also meant Lila had feelings for him… didn’t it?
