Aiden’s body shakes with laughter. “Maybe I should come.”
“Carter can protect you from Mom, don’t worry. And I’ll bring you a to-go coffee when I come back? I won’t be gone long.”
His whole face lights up. “You just shut me down.”
“No, that’s not-”
“Don’t you dare take it back or apologize. I want to wallow in your rejection.” He squeezes my waist once, then lets me go with visible effort. “Text me when you get there.”
I tamp down the impulse to apologize, even though he’s not mad. If anything, he’s weirdly delighted.
My husband is strange but wonderful.
“I’ll text you when I leave,” I promise.
And the second he lets me go, I head for my coat and step out the door. Mostly because I’m scared of my mother, but also because the longer I stand there with him, the harder it is to walk away.
Since we agreed to stay through New Year’s, because Phoebe begged for more time with my parents, I might as well make the most of it.
I hate coffee alone more than I hate going to the dentist. But if I’m going to step outside my comfort zone, at least I’ll be caffeinated while doing it.
Once Upon a Brew sits on the northeast corner of the square. Almost every small-town downtown in Texas is a square, usually with a courthouse in the middle. Enchanted Hollow has a fountain and a wishing well.
There are windows on both sides of the coffeehouse, which not only fill the space with gorgeous natural light but also offer views of the surrounding area. It makes it perfect for people watching. And honestly, there’s no better place to people-watch than in a town that celebrates every holiday imaginable and has tourists flock for a chance at a happily ever after with magic.
The bell above the door jingles as I open the heavy wooden door, a cute little snowman centered in the stained glass design. I love Storywood Ridge for a plethora of reasons, including the mountain scenery we only wish we had here in Texas.
But as soon as I step inside, warm magic and espresso wrap around me like muscle memory. Enchanted Hollow will always be my first home.
A light flashes off to the right, and I glance over, only to see Evelyn sitting at a table by the window.
She waves her hand in greeting, and I realize I’m stuck. I can’t pretend I didn’t see her. And it’s not that I have a problem with Evelyn; I just wanted to come here and… sit.
No conversations, no small talk.
No one who might need anything from me.
I order a coffee, then wait before I cross the building to her table.
“About time,” she says. “How’s your dad?”
I slide into the plum-colored velvet booth, careful to keep my mug from slushing.
“Good, considering. He’s stuck with Mom, fawning over him non-stop.” I smile at the way he grumbled at her early this morning.
She nods, quietly.
“I know it’s a surprise to see me.”
Understatement of the century.
“It seems pretty random,” I say carefully. “I don’t think you were waiting on me to ask about my dad.”
“You get more comfortable, and my brother will have his hands full. I think there’s a spitfire hiding in there somewhere. Should be entertaining by next Christmas.” She smiles as she takes a sip of her drink.
For a moment, it’s only us and the cacophony of the coffeehouse—steam hissing from the espresso machine, quietlaughter, and the low hum of a town that never really sleeps. Or it could be the magic.
Mom says not everyone can hear it, but I don’t know how anyone can miss it.
