Chapter 39
Oakley
Lennox is getting discharged right now, and between Willow pacing the living room and my head going through every conceivable outcome with him, we’re both a ball of anxiety.
“I think I might try and open Grind Time.” I stand abruptly. Now that the idea has popped into my head, I actually think it’s a good one. Get back to my usual schedule, make coffee for the all the nosey townspeople.
Maybe that’s not such a good thing.
“Smart. Sitting around waiting to hear from Ledger isn’t doing either of us any favors. Need help?” she asks.
“Honestly, yeah. I told Brittany we’d open back up next week, so I won’t have help until then.” I like this plan. Not only because I really will need the help, but I’m also not ready to spend a lot of time away from Willow. The past week and a half have spoiled me, and I’m not sure I want to go back to spending our time apart.
“Done!” She speed-walks to her room to get dressed, and I slowly join her, pulling on a pair of jeans and a Henley that Arlo was kind enough to drop off after I realized I would need clothes at some point.
“So, fair warning, when I was in charge of the shop last time, I sucked at making coffee. So maybe I can just be on cashier duty or food duty,or something,” she rambles, and I know it’s because she’s nervous about Lennox.
“I’ll take any help you can give, Trouble.” I lean down, pressing a kiss to her lips. “Let’s go.”
I grab her hand and drag her to the door. The fresh air and normalcy at Ledger’s house last night have made me anxious to get back to that feeling and to give it to Willow.
Walking to Grind Time gives me the fresh air I was desperate for. The streets are quiet along Main Street, which is unusual for Bluebell Falls. It’s not shocking, though; Arlo told me everyone was giving reporters hell all week. They probably feel the opposite of me and want to just relax at home after the eventful week.
I unlock the front door when we finally get there and walk into the eerie silence. It’s mid-morning, and normally, this place would be packed.
“It’s weird being here in daylight and not having a line out the door,” Willow says as she looks around.
“I was just thinking the same thing. I’m not even sure how much food I should bring out. I mean, I didn’t even prepare any pastries, so I really only have stuff for paninis.” This was a stupid idea. No one is going to show up, and we’ll spend all day twiddling our thumbs here instead of at home.
“Somehow, I don’t think that’ll be an issue.” I look up at her and see she’s looking out the front windows that face Main Street.
I turn around and see at least ten people bustling across the street. Mabel, Alice, and Ainsley’s dad, Jim—which still makes me laugh, knowing he’s in league with the gossip queens—hurry their way acrossthe street.
“Shit,” I mutter, walking quickly behind the counter to start pulling out all the shit I’ll need to fuel the masses.
“Okay. I’ll take orders?” Willow says, keeping up with me. I’m impressed she knows exactly where everything is since the only real day she spent behind the counter is the day Lennox … the day that… When everything went down.
I shake my head of those thoughts. I don’t have time to think about that anyway since the bell above the door rings out.
“So good to see you open,” Jim calls in his booming voice.
I send a wave up but continue to pull out everything we’ll need and turn on the espresso machines.
“So, are the rumors true?”
“Did you really go down there by yourself?”
“How’s little Lenny doing?”
All the questions hit Willow at once when she takes her place at the register.
“Umm.” I hear her timid voice. She’s never timid, so I know she’s struggling. Not knowing how to answer is causing her to freeze up.
“When is he coming home?”
“Do you all need anything?”
“Now, Mabel, let the girl breathe,” Jim’s voice calls out over everyone.
