"She made him coffee this morning!" Kevin reported. "The good stuff in the purple bag."
April wanted to sink through the floor.
Sonny chuckled, the tension breaking like a snapped rubber band. "That's how you know you're in good standing around here, Shane. The good coffee in the purple bag’s reserved for family."
The word hung in the air—family—and April watched Shane's throat work as he swallowed.
"I brought donuts," Shane said finally, holding up the box like a peace offering.
"Then you're forgiven for giving me a heart attack." Sonny gestured to the small table near the back. "Come on. Let's see what you got."
April turned on the sound system, queued up the coffee shop channel, and the first song that came on randomly was “Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop” because of course it did. They settled around the table—coffee steaming in mismatched mugs, Kevin already elbow-deep in the donut box, Pete lying at Shane's feet with his chin on his paws. April sat between her father and Shane, hyperaware of both of them, feeling like she was seventeen again and trying to hide a secret in plain sight.
"So," Sonny said, wrapping both hands around his mug. "You gonna sit around here all day and stare at my daughter while she works?”
“No, Grandpapa. We’re going on a hike,” Kevin said through a mouthful of donut, his lips white with powdered sugar. “But I’ve gotta finish my homework first.”
“A hike, huh?" Sonny’s gaze hadn’t shifted from Shane’s.
"Yes, sir,” Shane said as he dipped a piece of chocolate cake donut into his coffee. “Eldorado Canyon. Kevin was asking about learning some wilderness skills."
Sonny nodded slowly. "And you're going too, April?" He continued to stare at Shane.
"Yup.” She popped the ‘P.’ “If I can keep up. It’s been a while since I went on a hike, but it’ll be a great way to work off this donut.”
Shane's eyes traveled over her—just a flicker, but enough to make her skin warm. "You look perfect."
Sonny cleared his throat loudly.
"I mean—you’re dressed appropriately. For hiking." Shane took a long drink of coffee.
Kevin, mercifully, was too busy picking out another donut to notice the adults being weird.
"Kevin, honey, why don't you go get set up in the office?" April said. “The sooner you start, the sooner you’re done.”
"Okay!" Kevin grabbed one more donut and headed for the back, Pete trailing him like a furry shadow hoping for a bite of donut.
Once he was gone, Shane turned to Sonny. "Sir, I wanted to ask your permission for something."
Sonny's eyebrows rose. "Go on."
"April mentioned that the espresso machine was still acting up. I called a friend of mine this morning—Ben Massey. He's a blacksmith, does a lot of custom metalwork.”
“I know him.”
“Yeah, of course.” Shane ducked his head, which April found amusing. He might be grown up, but her father had a way of sending him right back to high school. “I told him about the situation and he said he might be able to machine some parts, buy you some more time before you have to replace the whole unit."
April's heart did something complicated in her chest. Shane was trying to help without making it about money or charity, just... problem-solving.
Sonny was quiet for a moment. "Ben Massey’s a good man. Made a heat exchanger for my elderly neighbor last winter, wouldn't take a dime." Sonny nodded slowly. "If Ben thinks he can help, I'd be grateful. When's he coming by?"
"I can call him now. Said he could be here around eight-thirty, if that works for you."
"It works." Sonny stood and collected empty mugs. "I appreciate you thinking of us, Shane."
Theuslanded differently thanfamilyhad, turning Shane back into an outsider. April winced just a little bit inside on Shane’s behalf. He’d looked so happy, so pleased when her father made the family comment.
Ben arrivedat eight-thirty on the dot. April heard his truck before she saw it—the distinctive rumble-purr of an engine that had been maintained with the kind of care Ben brought to everything he touched. April went to the entrance to unlock the door.
