“The look of a woman waiting on a man to do something foolish.”
Irene snorted. “That wouldn’t take long.”
Lila pretended not to hear them. She stared out the front windows.
The last of the autumn leaves skittered along Main Street, collecting in corners and gutters. The Harvest Festival banners were gone now, replaced by turkeys and other Thanksgiving decorations. Soon enough, the town would hang Christmas garlands, and the turkeys would disappear too.
The season was shifting, and with every passing day, the silence stretched further.
The only sound she noticed anymore was the bell over the door. Each time it jingled, her heart jumped, and every time, it wasn’t him.
Come Friday morning, Lila brewed the first pot of the day, opened the shop, and told herself it was time to stop hoping.
The bell jingled, and she turned with a practiced smile. “Morning, folks! Welcome to…” Her words caught.
Standing just inside the door were Caleb, Luke, and Ethan Jones. All three smiled politely, brushing the light snow off their jackets. The first of the year.
“Good morning, Miss Comfort,” Caleb said. “Coffee smells good as ever. Are Tilly and Jack going to be home soon?”
“Hey there,” Ethan added with an easy grin.
Lila didn’t have time to open her mouth before Luke chimed in. “We were in town picking up feed. Thought we’d stop in before heading back.”
“Oh, I… I see…” Good grief, could she sound any more pathetic?
Grandma glanced up from her crossword but didn’t say a word. Irene stopped mid-stitch. Polly’s knitting needles slowed to a halt, as did everyone else’s. Paddy left the table and moved behind the counter, pretending to tidy the pastry case.
Every soul in Pleasant Beans was suddenly very, very attentive.
Lila poured their coffees, her hands trembling just enough that she had to steady the mugs with her other hand. “So,” she began lightly, her voice cracking. “How’s your mom doing?”
“Oh, you know Mom,” Ethan said, resting an elbow on the counter. “She’s planning to make enough food to feed the whole county for Thanksgiving.”
“She’s doing fine,” Caleb added. “Keeps us all in line.”
Lila forced a smile. “That sounds about right.” None of them mentioned TJ.
It was Irene, of course, who couldn’t stand the suspense. “So, boys,” she called from the table. “How’s that handsome brother of yours? Haven’t seen him around lately.”
The three exchanged a glance. Silent but meaningful. They knew exactly where he was. Lila could tell.
She braced herself as Caleb set his mug down gently. “He’s back in Cornwall.”
Even though she knew it was coming, the words hit like a brick across Lila’s ribs. “Cornwall,” she repeated softly.
“Yeah,” Luke said, rubbing the back of his neck. “He had to take care of a few things, so he left early. Work, mostly.” He cleared his throat and looked guilty.
Ethan, on the other hand, just looked plain uncomfortable. “He said to tell everyone it was good being home for a while.”
Lila slowly nodded. “Oh. Yeah. I bet.”
The shop went utterly still. Even the espresso machine seemed to hush.
Grandma’s face softened, the lines deepening with sympathy as she looked at Lila. Polly reached across the table and gave Grandma’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Lila focused on the brothers again, trying to keep her expression neutral. “Well, that’s nice,” she said. “I’m glad he got to visit.”
Caleb met her eyes. There was kindness there. “He’ll write when he’s ready,” he said gently.
