43
City Limits Café & Books — Late Morning
The bell above the door chimed as Izzy stepped inside behind Caitlin.
Warmth hit first—coffee, baked bread, something sweet in the air—and then the low hum of voices layered over soft music drifting from somewhere behind the counter. Sunlight spilled through the front windows, catching on the shelves of books and the chalkboard propped near the register.
TODAY’S SPECIALS
Chicken salad croissants
Tomato basil soup
Fresh blackberry scones
It felt… easy.
Normal.
“Look who finally made it back to us,” a voice called.
Willow stepped out from behind the counter, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her face lighting up.
“Well, I’ll be,” she said, smiling wide. “Izzy Moreno.”
Izzy barely had time to brace before Willow pulled her into a hug.
Behind her, Marylou from the visitor center was already coming across the room.
“We heard you were in town for that birthday bash Burke put on for this one,” Marylou said, nodding toward Caitlin. “And we were hoping—you’d come by.”
Izzy laughed softly, a little overwhelmed, a little caught off guard.
“It’s good to see you,” she said.
Marylou leaned back enough to look her over.
“Well, you look like a million bucks,” she said. “Last time we saw you was during that trial… that awful man. We worried about you. How are you doing, really?”
The question landed softer than it should have.
Izzy smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I’m okay,” she said.
Caitlin slid an arm through hers, steering her gently toward a table near the window.
“Coffee first,” Caitlin said. “Then we solve the world.”
Willow pointed toward the corner.
“Sit wherever you want, honey. It’s good to have you back.”
Back.
The word lingered.
They settled into their seats, sunlight warming the tabletop. Outside, cars rolled by slowly and steadily, another morning in town.
