One sandy eyebrow quirked.
“I’m not.” The words were firm, but I couldn’t hold his gaze. Instead, I glanced back at the coffeeshop. “I need to get back to work.” Twisting my arm, gently, I backed out of his grasp. My heart wanted to believe him, but my mind couldn’t help but wonder what a man like him, who could have a woman like Taylor Bray, would want with someone like me. I was no slouch in the looks department, but I was a far cry from the young, highly polished woman who just drove away.
“Mina.” He reached for me again, but I was already too far away. The call of his name from within the café building stopped him from moving forward. He glanced toward the door.
“You better go see what they need.” I nodded toward the windows. “I’ll see you later.” Not waiting for a reply, I spun around and hurried away.
CHAPTER 22
Mina
Idid not, in fact, see him later.
No sooner did I return to the café than two busloads of tourists disembarked in town and inundated the coffeeshop. By the time things settled down and I had a chance to think about what happened earlier, it was closing time.
Wiping down the final prep table in the kitchen, I tossed the dirty rag in the hamper, then headed for my office to get my purse and keys. I wasn’t quite sure what was on the agenda for this evening, but I planned for part of my night to include a hot bath. My muscles hurt.
Flipping off the lights and saying goodnight to my employees on the way out the door, I glanced around at the rear parking area.
A wrinkle formed between my brows as I realized something was amiss. It took several seconds for me to figure out that the “something” was Luke’s truck. It was gone.
My mouth twisted. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Part of me was glad. I wasn’t ready to unpack my feelings about Taylor and her familiarity with Luke, or about how I felt I came up short in several ways next to her. I knew I shouldn’t compare myself to her, but seeing the kind of woman Luke dated in the past mademe feel not only my age, but my lack of sophistication. I was just a small-town girl who liked her blue jeans and fuzzy winter boots. Claire was the one who liked the high heels and the silk scarves.
Blowing out a breath that ruffled the tendrils of hair around my face, I shook my head and headed for my car, annoyance creeping in. It wasn’t all directed at myself. He’d left without saying goodbye.
The car beeped as I unlocked it. Yanking on the handle, I got in, removing my phone from my back pocket to stick it in the cupholder for the drive home. When the screen lit up, I saw the banner for a text and lifted it to read the preview. It was from Luke.
Maybe he didn’t leave without saying goodbye, after all.
Tapping the screen, I read the message. Concern replaced my annoyance. He’d left because his dad had a setback on his road to recovery.
My fingers flew over the keyboard as I responded, asking him to keep me apprised of things and to let me know if he needed help.
With the message sent, I cranked the engine. For a brief moment, I considered heading into Juneau to be with Luke while he waited for news on his dad but then dismissed the notion. If he wanted me there, he’d have asked. I also didn’t feel like we were at that stage yet where we were involved with each other’s families.
Leaving the parking lot, I turned for home. My mind wandered as I drove, passing the marina on my way through town. Boats—both pleasure craft and commercial fishing vessels—dotted the water, making me smile. I loved summer here. People took full advantage of the warm weather and came out in droves. Not just the locals, either. Tourists flocked to the area. Some people around here didn’t care for the tourists, but I didn’tmind them—and not just because it brought business to my coffeeshop. I loved meeting all the people who came through and hearing their stories.
I turned away from the water. Ahead, the sign for the grocery store caught my eye. I should probably stop. The contents of my fridge and cupboards were lacking. I could order out for dinner, but even that seemed like too much effort.
Making the turn into the parking lot, I found a space near the door and got out, heading inside.
The doors swished closed behind me, and I scooped up a basket before heading into the produce section. Tonight called for girl dinner.
After picking a ripe pear from the pile, I headed down the pasta aisle. Mac and cheese sounded wonderful. Tossing a box of it in my basket, I moved on to dessert. Ice cream.
As I stepped back from the cooler, a quart of chocolate ice cream in hand, I paused, a small frown wrinkling my forehead, when I caught sight of a man at the end of the aisle.
If I wasn’t mistaken, that was Rich Stevenson.
He looked up, and I swiftly averted my eyes.
Should I go talk to him? Introduce myself and ask him about his relationship with Moira? Did he even know Moira had been found? Did Ozzie know Rich was back in town?
“Excuse me.”
I jumped, stifling a shriek of surprise. I’d been so engrossed in my thoughts, I didn’t hear him approach.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
