Jules, the owner of the van, turned and smiled. “Addie, darling, good morning.”
Jules was a short lady in her fifties with shoulder-length honey-blond hair. The second Addie had met her, she’d felt an instant connection. The older woman was warm and nurturing and exactly who you wanted to greet you in the morning with a hot drink.
Addie smiled back at her. “Hi, Jules. All ready for tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. I have all the coffee beans, hot dogs, and tacos waiting and ready.”
“I hear those tacos have been pretty popular with the staff.”
Jules chuckled. “I’ve had to emergency order more supplies. Coffee has also been a big hit. I was told I’malmoston par with The Tea House.”
“That’s quite the compliment.” It was still shocking to Addie that the only place in Amber Ridge that sold decent coffee was a tea house. Although they could now add Jules’s van to the list.
“Hot chocolate?” Jules asked.
“I am dying for one.”
“Well, it just so happens I’ve ordered in some new salted caramel hot chocolate. Would you like to try it?”
Addie’s belly growled. It was unbelievable really—she’d just had chocolate in her office, and she could still down a quart of chocolate in liquid form. “You are like the sun to my morning.”
The older woman grinned as she heated the milk. “I’m still shocked you don’t drink coffee. I thought that was a precursor to being an adult.”
“Trust me, I know. My mother tells me that caffeine holds civilization together, and I must be an alien.”
“Your mother sounds like a smart woman. Does she live close?”
“Bozeman, so not far.”
“And your dad?”
“Same. Although, he’s very supportive of the absence of coffee in my life. According to him, I value functioning adrenals. He says this right in front of my mother while she drinks her third cup of the morning.”
The older woman threw back her head and laughed. “He sounds very pragmatic.”
“It’s the former Marine in him.”
“Just like the boys who run this place.”
Noah and Colt werenotboys. They were men. The kind who could chop wood, start a fire, and break your heart before lunch. “Yes, just like Noah and Colt.”
When Jules turned with the hot chocolate in hand, steam rolled into the air. “Would you like some whipped cream and caramel drizzle on top?”
Yes. Yes, she would. But she wouldn’t. Dammit. “No, thank you. I’m trying to be at least semi-low sugar before midday.”
She took her beverage, the cup warming her hands the second she held it. She had a tab with Jules and paid at the end of the week. Which was a bit dangerous, because it made stopping by for a drink or lunch far too easy.
“You’re better than I am.” Jules laughed. “I’m three coffees and a chocolate croissant down.”
“Oh, don’t temp me, Jules.” They both laughed. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, Alison.” Jules sighed and shook her head. “Sorry, Addie. You look like an Alison I know. Have a lovely day.”
“Don’t worry, my parents mix me up all the time and they have no other children, so I don’t know what’s going on there.” She grinned. “You have a good day too.”
As she headed down the path, she sipped her drink and immediately flinched.
God almighty, it was hot. But, man oh man, was it good. Sweet but also salty and kind of buttery.
