CHAPTER 1
GINGER
The soft hum of the coffee machine is music to my ears as I wipe down the stainless steel counter. The rich aroma of dark roast mixed with the warm fragrance of pastries filling the air is comforting. If I could bottle that scent, I’d be a billionaire. But for now, I’m content being the proud owner of Laugh A Latte, the coziest coffee shop in Havenport, Maine.
Morning sunlight filters through the large front window, glowing with the promise of another beautiful day. I glance out at the endless blue-green expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, a wave of nostalgia settling over me. With fall fading fast and the long, cold winter stretching ahead, the month of November always causes a mix of sadness and excitement for me. But with it comes the magic of the holidays, the first snowfall, and the scents of gingerbread and pine.
I head to the kitchen in the back, pull two pans of freshly baked muffins from the oven, and set them on the counter to cool. When I return to the front, my friend Nina’s standing at the counter, her face lighting up when she sees me.
“Hey! I was wondering where you were.”
“Like I’d ever be somewhere else,” I tease. She knows this place is my heart and soul. “Do you want your usual?”
She shakes her head dramatically, widening her eyes. “It’s that time of year when I change up my order. I want a gingerbread coffee and a muffin too, please.”
“Oh, you’re a fan of special seasonal-flavored drinks?”
“Who isn’t?” she replies, then holds up a hand. “Actually, Travis isn’t a fan.”
I roll my eyes. “How shocking. The Thorne brothers would rather eat gravel than admit they like flavored coffee.”
She bursts out laughing. “Seriously. We should come up with a bet or something to force them to try it. One little sip and they’ll be hooked.”
“You haven’t even tried mine yet. What if it’s terrible?”
“Please,” she scoffs. “I’ve been having breakfast here months now. Everything you have is to die for.”
I shake my head and smile as I move over to prepare her coffee. “Well, I’m glad I haven’t let you down yet. Are you eating here?”
“Yep, I want some girl time.”
“Perfect.” I add a muffin to a plate and pass it over to Nina before setting her steaming coffee on the counter. “This one’s on me.”
She shakes her head before I can even finish speaking. “No, thanks. You should stop offering.”
“That’s not going to happen. One of these days you’ll accept,” I say, even though I know she won’t.
She slaps money down, her usual stubbornness in full swing. “Not gonna happen.” She flashes me a grin, takes her breakfast, and heads to her usual corner table near the window.
I turn to my employee, Alex, and ask, “You got this for a bit?”
“Yep, I’m all set,” she responds, offering a quick smile.
With a nod, I wander out from behind the counter and join Nina at her table. She’s already sipping the hot brew with her eyes half closed in bliss. “This is heaven in a cup,” she says witha sigh. She tears off a piece of the muffin and takes a bite, letting out a groan. “Oh my God. This is incredible. Where have you been all my life?”
“Are you speaking to me or the muffin?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
She waves her hand in the air like it’s a no brainer. “Both.”
I laugh, leaning back in my chair. “They don’t have good muffins in New York City?”
“No, they do. The food in the city is amazing, with so many options, but I still think yours are superior. This is next level.” She takes another bite, the enjoyment clear on her face.
“Wow, thank you. That’s high praise coming from you.” I smile.
“Don’t act like you don’t know you’re a baking goddess. Your muffins are one of the reasons I stayed in Havenport. Right below my grumpy harbormaster boyfriend.”
“Ah, yes. The grump who’s turning into a gooey marshmallow.”
