But it didn’t.
He was a changed man.
“I don’t know, girl.” Elsie, eyes forward and alert, wagged her tail. “This isn’t supposed to be so hard. It was always my path, but I don’t want it anymore.” But with Sarra accepting another job with the company’s major competitor, he didn’t want the company Dad founded to be sold outside the family. It didn’t feel right. Running it himself and leaving Alaska behind didn’t either. “What do I do, huh?”
He parked his truck outside the coffee shop, opting to go inside instead of through the backed-up drive-thru line. Maybe he’d bring Harold a cup along with his supplies list for his next project. He didn’t mind Elsie in the store once in a while, and the two were overdue for a chat.
“Back again so soon?” Charlene, the owner of Black Bear, greeted him, her smile welcoming. “You better be careful. You just might become a regular.”
“Not my fault you make some pretty amazing coffee.” Another yawn tried to escape, but he stifled this one.
“What would you like?”
Brayden studied the menu and chose a couple of lattes with peppermint accents. Harold pretended to drink his coffee black, but he never snubbed a coffee with a little added flavor as long as there was a lid to hide the whipped cream. It was their secret.
“One for the girlfriend, then?”
Without caffeine already coursing through his veins, Brayden wasn’t prepared for the question. He stumbled through an answer. “Uh, no. Not this morning. Maybe later, though.” One thing he’d learned about Sunset Ridge was that everyone knew everyone else’s business. Or thought they did. It took some getting used to, and made it impossibly hard to remain off the radar. He was thankful he’d been able to keep his wealth under wraps for so long. That no one had found him out, which would’ve been fairly effortless with a LinkedIn search.
Sunset Ridge was filled with good, trusting people. Their nosiness often meant they genuinely cared.
“You two make a great couple,” Charlene said over the plastic partition as he moved down the line and let the woman behind him order. “Didn’t think it’d take this long with you two being neighbors and all. Better late than never, you know.”
He looked over his shoulder at the truck, hoping to divert the conversation away from topics he couldn’t handle without a full cup of coffee consumed.How late did I work last night?Elsie’s front paws rested on the dashboard as she stared in. “You have any of those dog treats?” he asked, already knowing the answer since he’d asked a barista a couple of weeks ago. “Like the ones they have at the Forget Me Not?”
“No,” Charlene answered as she worked. “But you know, that’s a great idea. People keep asking. Guess I’ll have to call up Ava and get some here to hand out. In the meantime, I can offer a pup cup.”
Brayden took the coffees and declined the offer. “Too much sugar and she’ll be barking at trees that look at her funny all day long,” he said with a wink. “Have a nice day, now.” He pushed open the door and nearly took out Ava.
She stumbled backward just in time to keep from being flattened against the salt-covered pavement. “You’re awake,” she said, stopping in the open doorway. With only a single sip of coffee in him, he couldn’t be certain of the twinkle in her eyes. The one that suggested she was happy to see him. Maybe even missed him last night. “I was concerned when Elsie didn’t show up for her morning treat.”
“Slept in on accident. Still a little groggy, but Elsie woke me up.” Realizing the door was wide open and cold air was rushing in, he let it fall closed. Staring at the two cups in hand, guilt overcame him that one wasn’t for Ava. “I need some supplies from the hardware store,” he explained before she could ask. “Thought I’d butter Harold up with some coffee. Rumor has it this morning’s crossword is a doozy.”
“Good call.” She stuffed her hands into her pockets, gloves no doubt forgotten again. Maybe the desk he was making her was too much. A simple pair of gloves might be the perfect gift for a woman who couldn’t seem to remember to bring them anywhere she went.
“Any word from your mom?” he asked, prolonging his news as long as possible. He didn’t want to spoil her morning with a stuffy dinner invite a minute sooner than he had to.
“She’s doing some shopping in Anchorage this morning. I secretly hope she shops until she drops and decides to stay in a hotel tonight. One more day before battle would be nice.” Ava’s soft smile drew his gaze to her lips, pulling him in under a spell he was having a harder time breaking. He could fall in love with Ava. He always knew he could, if only he allowed it. But now was the worst time to let that happen.
“I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”
Ava nodded. “You better get that coffee to Harold before it gets cold.”
“Right.” Brayden took two steps and stopped. “Ava?”
“Yeah?”
“We have dinner with my mom tonight. At four.”
“Dinner atfour?”
“Well, she’s used to the Central Time Zone.”
Ava nodded. “Four. Okay. Warren’s?”
“Whitmore Patio, inside. I don’t think you could pay my mom to eat at Warren’s,” he added with a laugh. “It’s a littletoosmall town for her taste. I’ll pick you up. We can ride together.”
The color drained a bit from Ava’s face. “Do I have to wear a cocktail dress or something?”
