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Was it my imagination, or were folks friendlier than usual lately? Not that they weren’t always friendly. It was more that I felt…included. Strange. I wasn’t sure I should like it.

I checked my watch as I pushed open the door to Rise and Grind. I’d spent hours overseeing an export involving a fuckton of lumber that needed to be at our Albany location by five o’clock this afternoon and had just enough time to grab a quick midmorning pick-me-up. I spotted Kevin, one of the foremen who’d helped load the shipment, in the middle of the queue.

He waved, inviting me to cut the line. I shook my head, thinking that would be a good way to lose my new cred, but Kevin insisted and the logger behind him didn’t seem to mind.

“Good job, man. That was high stress, but we fuckin’ did it.”

I slapped his palm, then studied the chalkboard menu behind the register at Rise and Grind, noting the kitschy coffee-tude of the day: “When life gives you lemons, trade them for coffee.”

Rise and Grind was busy for a midmorning, but according to the women in front of me discussing upcoming autumn festivities, there was an influx of tourists in town, spillover from Fallbrook’s Harvest Festival who hoped to bump into a football player or take pics with a real-life lumberjack.

Like almost every other business on Main Street, the coffee shop was an inviting space. The brick walls decorated with coffee-themed oil paintings added a pop of color to the black-and-white flooring, marble countertops, and gleaming glass displays filled with pastries from Henderson’s Bakery in Elmwood. If you wanted a donut, Davey or another barista would point you to Dexter’s Donut Shop down the street. The queues were long, but customers didn’t seem to mind waiting for a chance to sample quirky donut concoctions.

“Good morning!” Davey, the flirty redheaded barista, greeted me with his signature Cheshire cat grin. “I was told to bill Cooper for your beverage of choice. He said you were Mill Depot’s version of a rock god. I have no idea what that means, but I’m happy to make your coffee wish come true. What’ll it be, Mountain Man?”

“Mountain Man?” I repeated.

Davey crinkled his nose. “I heard it’s your nickname. But if you hate it, I’ll put a stop to it. I have the coffee, I have the power.”

I chuckled at his He-Man affectation. “I’ll have a latte, please, with a double shot of espresso.”

“You got it.”

“Why does it seem like you’re always here? Do you have part ownership in this place?” I asked as he rang up my order.

“I wish. No, Rise and Grind is owned by a husband-and-husband team in Elmwood with hockey connections. I’ve worked at this location since it opened, but I have no intention of being a permanent coffee boy.” Davey motioned for another barista to take care of Kevin and his friend. “I’m studying to be a masseuse.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“I’ve been taking night classes for a year to get my certification. Now all I have to do is pass the exam. If I do—and of course, I will—I’ll set up my business, pronto. It’ll be the first of its kind! There’s a gross lack of massages happening in the Four Forest area and let me assure you, if anyone could use a good rubdown, it’s a lumberjack. I’ve been telling your fellow loggers all about it and oh, wow…the reactions have been hysterical!” Davey pulled a few funny faces, then pointed at the cup. “Did you say one pump or two?”

“Um…two, please.”

He winked. “Good choice. Caffeine is your friend.”

I chuckled and raised the latte in a mock toast. “Thank you, and good luck on your venture.”

“Don’t push me out the door yet. It may take a while to get established. I hope not, but I…” His voice trailed off as a new customer entered.

I pivoted to see who’d stolen Davey’s attention.

A pretty brunet in three-inch heels and a floral-print wrap dress that hugged her curves like a glove. She had the distracted air of a woman on the go, but she paused to greet the women I’d overheard talking about the autumnal tourists earlier.

“Who’s that?” I asked.

“Jess La Rue. She’s a real estate agent in Pinecrest now, and I’m really hoping she can hook me up with a nice studio. I want to stay in Wood Hollow, but I don’t know what’s available.” Davey fussed with his apron strings. “Wish me luck. I’m going to lure her into my line and charm her socks off.”

“Jess La Rue?”

“Mmhmm. She’s Chief’s ex. They’ve been divorced for years.” He shook his head in confusion. “And I do not get it.”

“What do you mean?”

I frowned, irritated that I’d fallen into his gossip trap so easily. Davey had a way of sparking interest, and I was definitely interested.

“Hunky husband, beautiful family. If I’d been walking in her Jimmy Choos, I’d have hung on to that man like Velcro on a wool jockstrap.”

I snorted. “That would itch.”