The T-shirt had “The Tea House” across the top, with a teapot graphic beneath, and on the back was Aspen’s name.
Aspen beamed. “Thank you. I’m here to help, so put me to work.”
“But just for an hour,” Jesse added quickly.
They’d told The Tea House owner that they had a last-minute appointment they couldn’t get out of. It was a shitty excuse for a Sunday night, but it was all they had.
“One hour,” Aspen confirmed, reaching up and kissing him before following the older woman.
He was still watching them, following at a discreet distance, when his phone rang.
Becket.
He answered the call. “Hey. You close?”
A car engine sounded over the line. “I’m sorry, man. I was on my way, but I’ve been called into work. There’s a huge fire in Bozeman, and they’ve called us in for backup.”
Jesse’s chest tightened, the sudden urge to whisk Aspen out of there almost overwhelming. He wanted his brother there, but he was the fire chief; if he was needed at work, there was nothing he could do. “Stay safe.”
“Will do. Don’t let Aspen out of your sight.”
“Wasn’t planning on it.”
He hung up and was still watching Aspen when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to see Luke.
“Hey.” Jesse frowned. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
Luke lifted a shoulder. “You said there was good coffee. Thought I should get out of the house for something other than work.”
Good. Luke definitely needed to get out. Since Margot, he hadn’t been his normal self at all. But then, no one at the station had.
Luke lifted his chin, gesturing toward Aspen, who was now holding a tray of pie slices. “I’m surprised you let her come.”
“Just for an hour.”
“I’ll help keep an eye on her.”
“I appreciate it.” There were so many people in this shop, he could use all the help he could get.
Aspen could not wipethe smile from her face. It was busy. People-everywhere, could-barely-move kind of busy. And locals werelovingthe coffee and pie. But she’d known they would.Both were amazing, and so were the scones and little finger sandwiches Mrs. Gerald had made.
She set another empty tray behind the counter and turned to see Mrs. Gerald in front of her, mug of coffee in hand. The older woman was smiling from ear to ear. “Thank you.”
Aspen shook her head. “All I did was make a coffee bean suggestion and hand out a few fliers.”
“No, you did a lot more than that. You cared enough to help.” She pulled Aspen into a one-armed hug. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for letting me occupy one of your booths for hours on end.” No,dayson end.
“You may occupy a booth whenever you want, for as long as you need.” She pulled back and handed Aspen the mug of coffee. “Now, this is for you. I added the creamer you like. You have ten minutes before you have to go, so inhale that coffee and have fun.”
“But—”
“No buts. You’ve volunteered enough of your time.” Then Mrs. Gerald gave her a little push around the counter.
Aspen chuckled as she slipped into the crowd. Someone brushed her shoulder, knocking her drink and almost spilling it. “Whoops, sorry.”
The woman didn’t look back or stop, just kept walking.
