Heat rushed to Abby’s cheeks.She shouldn’t have indulged with the makeup.She didn’t want anyone thinking she was making a big deal out of her spending time with Mr.Grumpy Pants.
But she didn’t have time to wipe off the makeup, because just then her first customer entered the coffeeshop.It wasn’t usually busy on a Saturday morning, but with it being the holiday season, there would be a lot of shoppers out and about.
It felt good to fall into her usual rhythm.She did enjoy interacting with the public.She knew who was dating whom, who was having a baby, who was sick, and who was on vacation.Being a barista was a lot like being a bartender: people liked to share bits of their lives while they waited for their drinks.
After her current customer walked away, Abby smiled at the next person in line until she realized it was her mother standing there.Stella Clark was a couple inches shorter than Abby.Her long brown hair was now streaked with gray and pulled back in her usual bun.However, it was the serious look on her face that caught Abby’s attention.
“Mom, what are you doing here so early?”Her mother didn’t usually stop by until noon.“Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know.You tell me.”Her mother leaned over the counter and lowered her voice.“I heard you have a date this morning.”
Abby inwardly groaned.“I do not.”Her denial came out louder and faster than she’d intended.She swallowed and then slowed her words.“Where did you hear such a thing?”
“They were talking about it over at Mel’s.”
Abby rolled her eyes.Her mother was referring to the morning gossip roundup.“Mom, what were you doing at Mel’s for breakfast?”
“Ester Holmes called me.She said she had some really good gossip.How was I to know that it would be about my own daughter?You know you shouldn’t date out-of-towners.You know that didn’t work out for me.”
Abby had heard the story more than once.Her father had been a trucker whom her mother had met at the diner when her mother was waitressing there.It was a whirlwind romance, and then they eloped.The marriage lasted three years and produced one baby girl.And then her father bailed.He was never to be heard from again.
“I know, Mom.You don’t have to worry.It’s not like that.”Not even close.
“Well, a long-distance relationship won’t work for you either.”
“I know.”She didn’t have to be reminded.
Abby glanced past her mother, hoping someone else had entered the coffeeshop.There was no one there.
Her attention returned to her mother.“I’m only doing this as a favor for Sadie.This guy is a friend of Reed’s.It’s nothing more than that.”
Her mother studied her for a moment.“I’m just worried about you.”
“I know, Mom.But I’m an adult now.You don’t have to worry.I can take care of myself.”
Her mother smiled proudly.“I know.But it’s my job to worry about you.”
Jingle-jingle.
Both her mother and herself turned to the open doorway.As though ushered in by the wind, Brad appeared.He wore faded jeans and a royal-blue sweater beneath his black leather coat.He looked even more handsome than he had the evening before.How was that possible?
When his gaze met hers, he came to a stop.They stared at each other a moment too long—but it was long enough to make her pulse jump and her heart beat faster.She told herself it only happened because of the awkward conversation she’d been having with her mother.
Speaking of her mother, Abby glanced in her direction.Her mother’s attention rapidly shifted between Abby and Brad.There was a furrow in her mother’s brow, as though she were trying to figure something out.Maybe she could get her mother out the door without having to make an introduction.Could she be that lucky?
Abby looked directly at her mother.“Can I get you anything?I need to get back to work.”
Her mother was quiet for a moment.“That’s him, isn’t it?”
Heat swirled in Abby’s chest.As Brad stepped forward, the heat rushed up to Abby’s cheeks.His curious gaze moved between her and her mother.
He bestowed a brilliant smile on her mother.It was one of those smiles that could make the coldest of hearts swoon.“Hello.”He held out his hand to her mother.“My name is Brad Pearson.”
Her mother’s cheeks were tinged with pink as she smiled back at him and shook his hand.“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr.Pearson.I’m Abby’s mother, Stella Clark.”
“I can definitely see where she gets her beauty.”
As heat rushed back to her cheeks, Abby couldn’t believe Mr.Grumpy Pants was sweet-talking her mother.But why?What was his agenda?
