She turned back to the box.There was a picture on the side.The espresso machine looked like it had all of the bells and whistles that anyone could want.That could only mean one thing—it was expensive.The more she looked at the box, the more she was convinced that it was outside her modest budget.
“Who would send this?”She uttered it more to herself than anyone else.
“Maybe this will help.”Mia handed her a white envelope.
Abby took it and noticed her name on it.“Where did this come from?”
Mia pointed at the box.“It was taped on the side.”
Curiosity had Abby ripping open the envelope.She pulled out a piece of paper.
I didn’t think my bandage would hold up for long, so I thought this might come in handy.After all, I’m going to want a good cup of coffee when I visit again.
B
“Who is B?”Kate had been reading over her shoulder.A moment passed, and then she uttered, “It’s Brad.”
“Shh...”Abby glanced over, but it was too late.
Esther and Marla already had their phones out.One was busy typing, and did Marla just take a photo of her standing next to the box.Really?
“What should we do with it?”Mia asked.
Abby’s first instinct was to return it.After all, she couldn’t accept such an extravagant gift from Brad.What was he thinking?
“I’m returning it.”It was the only reasonable thing to do.
“What?No,” Esther said.
“You can’t,” Marla said.
“We need it,” Mia said.
Her other regular customers threw out their protests as did her other employee.
Kate leaned over.“From what I hear, you do need a new machine.Would it be so bad to keep it?”
She thought about Brad and the kiss they’d shared.It wasn’t like they werejustfriends.Still, it was just a kiss.Maybe she was making too much of it.
And everyone was right.She needed a new machine as soon as possible.Her thoughts see-sawed back and forth.
A thought came to her.“I’ll be back.”
“But what about the espresso machine?”Mia asked.“Can we unpack it?”
“No.Push it off to the side—out of the way.I’ll be back.”
Once she was in her office, she read the note again.Why would Brad send her something so extravagant?
She pulled up his number on her phone and dialed.
On the second ring, Brad picked up.“Good morning.”
Skipping over the pleasantries, she said, “Why was there an espresso machine delivered to my coffeeshop?”
There was a deep, rich chuckle on the other end of the phone that caused her heart to flutter.“Is this the way you thank everyone who sends you a gift?”
“No.Just from people who have no business sending me gifts.”
