He’d always known he was lucky to have the mother he had, but seeing Karen in action today just cemented that. And it made him want to share his family with Aspen. She deserved that kind of love.
Aspen returned to the table, setting a mug of hot liquid in front of him and a cup of tea in front of herself as she slid into the booth. “I had the best idea while talking to Mrs. Gerald.”
The smile on her face was radiant. “Tell me.”
“You know how she’s close to closing this place because business has been so bad?”
“Yeah.” Not that he was surprised. He’d been born in this small town and didn’t even know it existed. Plus, he didn’t know one tea drinker.
“Well, I don’t want that to happen. She loves this place. She said she wouldn’t know what to do with herself without it, so I suggested a big reopening party.”
He frowned. “A reopening party?”
“Yes! I’ll do posters and get the word out around town, and she’ll give free samples of her pies and scones. They probably think she only serves tea, but when people try her pie, they’re going to die.”
“I don’t mean to state the obvious, but her coffee isn’t the best.”
“I know, which is why I suggested—in the nicest possible way—that her coffee machine is due for an upgrade. And when you buy a new coffee machine, they show you how to use it…hence, free coffee-making lesson. And I’ve told her all about my favorite coffee beans. Trust me, there is no bad coffee with these beans.”
“That will be a big investment for her.”
“I know. But it could also save her business.” She cocked her head. “Perfect plan, isn’t it?”
After the shitstorm that was the visit with her mother, anything that put that smile on her face was perfect. “It sounds great.”
The smile slipped slightly from her face. “I hope so. I need something good to focus on.”
He reached across the table and gave her hand a small squeeze. “I’m happy to help in any way.” He lifted the coffee, only to cringe on the first sip.
Jesus, had it gotten worse since he’d last come here? The corners of Aspen’s lips lifted again. It almost made the acid-tasting coffee worth it.
“Why did you order that?” she asked.
“Because after the twenty-four hours we’ve had, I needed coffee.” Really, he needed something stronger than coffee. A shot of whiskey wouldn’t hurt.
“I told you, we could have gone to the diner. The instant coffee there’s slightly better.”
“Not really. And you like this place.”
“Two pieces of pie.”
Jesse looked up at Mrs. Gerald. “Thank you.”
Aspen took one bite and closed her eyes. “It’s heaven in a bite.”
The older woman beamed at Aspen. “Thank you, dear. I would hope they’re good after fifty years of perfecting the recipe. Call out if you need anything else.”
As she left their table, he cut a piece of his own. While the coffee had been worse than he remembered, the pie was better. God, it was good.
“See,” Aspen said, scooping more pie onto her fork. “The second locals taste this stuff, they won’t be able to stay away.”
She was right. The pie was addictive.
His voice softened. “I’m sorry about your mom.”
Aspen frowned down at her pie. “I don’t know why anything about her surprises me anymore. After a lifetime of her, I should be used to it, but for some reason, I just keep expecting more.”
“It’s not a bad thing to expect more from the people we love.”
