“Mac likes to organize things alphabetically, not by like items,” Eliza explained when she finally caught her breath.
At Cassie’s horrified expression, Eliza grinned. “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it.”
Cassie doubted it but kept the thought to herself. “What Ican’tget used to is being without good coffee.”
Eliza’s features softened in sympathy. “Wish I could help you, but Poppy Creek is a little behind the times when it comes to coffee.”
“Only coffee?” Cassie raised her eyebrows, her green eyes twinkling playfully.
“Okay, we’re behind in a lot of things,” Eliza admitted with a giggle, adding, “There’s only one place in town to get coffee that isn’t”—she wrinkled her nose as she pointed toward the can—“that stuff.”
Cassie’s pulse quickened with an inkling of hope. “And where’s that?”
“Oh, trust me. You don’t want to go there.”
Clearly, Eliza didn’t understand how seriously Cassie took her coffee. “Please. I’m desperate. I only have half a pound left.”
Eliza tilted her head, studying her a moment. “Okay,” she said slowly. “I have the day off, so I can take you. If you’resureyou want to go. I just have to drop this sack of flour at Maggie’s first.”
Cassie exhaled in relief. “Thank you. I owe you one.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Eliza said mysteriously, sweeping past her toward the single register.
Wavering only an instant, Cassie followed, relishing the tiny twinge of excitement setting her nerves on edge. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d experienced a true adventure. Now, nearly every day was filled with something new and unexplored.
* * *
When Eliza parked in a patch of dirt off the main road and pointed toward a driveway crowded by overgrown weeds, Cassie’s bravery faltered. Deciduous trees clothed in mistletoe drooped over the eerie entrance like ghouls guarding an evil sorcerer’s castle.
“Welcome to Frank Barrie’s place. Home to Poppy Creek’s very own Grinch.” Eliza drew out each syllable for dramatic emphasis.
“When you said his place was creepy, you weren’t exaggerating.” Cassie shivered even though they were cocooned in the warmth of Eliza’s car.
“We used to come out here as kids, daring each other to get as close to the house as possible. Luke’s brother, Colt, made it the furthest. That’s when he saw Frank roasting coffee in his barn.”
“Did Luke’s brother get caught?”
Eliza’s lips quirked at the memory. “Almost. I’d never seen Colt run so fast in his life. And he was Poppy Creek High’s star athlete!” Leaning across the console, Eliza lowered her voice just above a whisper. “Rumor has it, Frank used to be in the military and still has a stockpile of rifles. Back here in the woods, the only trespassing law isshoot on sight.”
Cassie’s heart pounded in her ears, but she forced a shaky smile. “You’re teasing.”
Eliza shrugged. “Believe that if it makes you feel better.” Pushing the door open, she glanced over her shoulder and asked, “Are yousureyou want to do this?”
Cassie nodded, ignoring her clammy palms as she struggled with the release button on her seat belt. “You don’t have to come with me.”
“Are you kidding? I’m the Black Widow to your Captain Marvel.” Eliza climbed out of the driver’s seat and stretched her five-foot-four frame as tall as it would reach. “How should we do this? I take the front, and you go around the back?”
Cassie shook her head in bemusement. “We’re not ambushing the man. Think of us as reverse Girl Scouts. Instead of selling something, we’re looking to buy.”
Eliza’s shoulders drooped with a disappointed sigh. “Fine, but I was already channeling Scarlett Johansson.”
Cassie giggled, her footsteps feeling lighter as they made their way down the gravel drive, sidestepping potholes.
As Frank’s home came into view, Cassie’s breath caught in her throat. The weather-beaten farmhouse had seen better days. Moss-green paint, now chipped and peeling, hid behind invasive ivy that seemed to swallow the house whole. Crooked shutters dangled from window frames haphazardly, and the palatial front porch looked so barren and forlorn with only a single rocking chair to fill the expansive space, Cassie’s heart nearly broke.
“Yikes.” Eliza whistled under her breath. “I haven’t been out here in years, but I don’t remember it lookingthisbad. I’d suggest knocking on the front door, but it might fall over.”
As Cassie deliberated their next move, a familiar aroma flooded her senses—the thick, heady fragrance of freshly roasted coffee. She looked past the roofline to see puffy billows of smoke rising from somewhere behind the house.
