Comments:
Jade Clark:Uh-oh, he’s officially lost it.
Dale Garrett:I’ve parked there for over a decade! Get out of my spot!
Tammy Jane:Dale, the one next to it is open.
Dale Garrett:THAT’S NOT THE POINT!!! GIVE ME MY SPOT.
Hu Gh:Has anyone told you to chill out? I hear the kids say it.
Jade Clark:One time you threatened Tammy over decaf coffee, Hugh.
Hu Gh:AND I’LL DO IT AGAIN.
Jade Clark:The old farts are crashing out again. Everyone watch out.
Dale Garrett:WHO ARE YOU CALLINGOLD?
As a business owner,it was good when I was busy. But as the day stretched to afternoon, I wanted it to slow down. Not for me, but for Piper.
She was already having a rough time the day before, but if she saw how busy it was, I had a feeling she wouldn’t come in. I shouldn’t care at all, but I found myself craving another quiet moment after close with her. I wanted to know how she liked the Facebook group, and I wanted to know what she thought of what she’d seen.
I didn’t like that I was sliding this much. I knew it wasn’t a good idea.
And I kept talking to Piper anyway.
I was lucky that no one had seen it. I was even luckier that she also didn’t seem to care that I didn’t want them to know.
There wasn’t one single thing about her to explain why she occupied so much of my mind. She just did. And I didn’t know how to stop it.
The line was to the door when I saw a flash of blonde. I wouldn’t blame her if she left, even if I wanted her to stay.
Piper didn’t leave. She waited in line, picking at the sleeve of her floral shirt. I tried not to look at her, I really did. But it was impossible because I knew she was upset.
“If you stare any harder, people are gonna pick up on that.” Kelsey muttered it as she set down a drink.
I tore my eyes away. “I’m just looking at the door.”
She rolled her eyes, but didn’t say anything else.
Her comment was enough to make me keep my eyes to myself as I focused on other customers. Most were regulars, like Atticus, the town vet, and Dale, the owner of Food ‘n’ Things. Some were people clearly here just to visit Strawberry Springs.
It took too long for Piper to get to me.
“Wow, busy today,” she said. She gave me a smile that didn’t reach her eyes and her hands never stilled.
“Yeah, sorry.”
“It’s fine. Might just take mine to go, though. Can I get my usual?”
I wanted to ask more about how she was doing, but under Kelsey’s watchful eye, I kept my mouth shut. I rang it up and took her payment before Kelsey had the cup ready. She gave Piper a smile and wave, chatting with her about how things were going.
That was when it all went wrong. Piper kept it short and sweet, but during their conversation, the door opened and in ran Jasmine, Mollie’s rambunctious toddler.
Jasmine ignored the line and the people and ran straight up to the counter.
Which was right where Piper was turning, her hot coffee in hand. Jasmine plowed into her, and she yelped.
