“Good mornin’,” he said in a slight Kirkmuir lilt and gave us a lopsided, but extremely charming smile. “What can I get ye?”
“I’ll have the Family Business and a Big Squeeze. That’s a lemonade with basil and cucumber and I love it,” she added for my benefit.
“I’ll have the same, thanks,” I said, glad to be spared making the choice myself. I always had the hardest time picking something at a new-to-me place. That’s why I had a rotation of10 dishes, always bought the same emotional support crisps, and owned multiples of each piece of clothing I liked. I knew that I would never order anything else here than that sandwich and the lemonade.
I took a deep breath. I needed a moment to compose myself. The speed with which Maeve moved was too fast for my brain.
“Thank you for meeting me at such short notice, Ross.” She beamed over the table at me.
“Sure,” I mumbled. Just then, Gavin arrived with our drinks. We thanked him and both took a sip.
“Taran always says I’m too impatient, and he’s absolutely right.” She snorted. “But when I have an idea, I need to put it into action straight away.”
“Okay?” I still didn’t know why I was here.
Maeve seemed to read my mind. She clapped a hand to her forehead. “Of course, I didn’t tell you why I asked you to meet me.”
Wait. Are Dragonborn psychic? Don’t think of Autumn. Stop!
Her wide smile and pretty face flashed before my inner eye.
“Taran and I acquired a cafe in Kincardie a while ago and we’ve just closed on premises in Carranbrae, too. Do you think you’d have capacity to supply not just Scales & Steam but also Beans & Breeze and Gust & Grind, and Froth & Flurry”—Maeve pointed out of the window and up to the construction site on top of the Frostfire building across the small square—“which will be our new location here in Gillam Park, and yes, the team and I have a thing for alliterations,” she added with a charming grin.
I gaped at her.
“I understand if you need time to think about it—”
“No, actually I don’t,” I interrupted her. “I would love to supply all your locations with coffee.” I barely suppressed my disbelieving laugh. It still wouldn’t be enough and I’d need more customers, but it was a start.
“I’d be super thankful if you could deliver here directly when we open? It’ll take some time, but, yeah, as I said, I am pretty impatient.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’d be…wow. I’m honoured, yeah, of course I can deliver directly. Do you want me to deliver to Kincardie and Carranbrae, too?” I asked.
It would be nice to have a bi-weekly or monthly tour over to Carranbrae on the west coast. It might even give me more opportunity for customers all across Scotland. The cogs in my brain turned and new ideas popped up. For a moment, I imagined Autumn coming along for the ride and how beautiful she’d look on the beach and with the sea breeze in her dark red curls.
The sandwiches our server brought were the best I’d ever tasted, and over them we discussed the deliveries and quantities, and somehow it was easy with Maeve. She, just like Autumn, made it so simple to talk—even for someone like me.
An hour later, Maeve paid and she led the way to the door. I breathed a lot easier; the scent of fresh bread and olive oil had got more intense the closer it got to lunchtime.
Two Wolfmen and two human women entered by the time we’d finished our food and I’d helped Maeve back into her coat. They greeted her and picked a table in a corner.
“You should get in touch with them and ask if they’d be interested in your coffee,” Maeve said as we were about to leave the restaurant. She took one of their business cards from a table by the door and pushed it into my hand. “They could do with better beans.” The sun caught on the light purple scales smattered across her cheeks like freckles as we stepped out.
Maeve hugged me goodbye and this time I returned the gesture.
“Oh, one more thing, Ross. We have a stall at the Autumn Market next month. Do you want to share the stall with us?We’re selling coffee, but I bet people would love taking the beans home.”
It was only the thought of her Dragon mate that held me back or I would have kissed Maeve straight on the lips in gratitude.
“I’d love that. Thanks, lass.”
“You deserve it, Ross.” Maeve squeezed my arm before she walked back towards the brick building. “I’ll be in touch about the stall soon!” she called from the door, waved one last time, and disappeared inside.
I turned and staggered back to my van, torn between elation about the opportunity and apprehension about seeing Autumn in a few short hours for our first lesson.
Chapter Seven
Autumn
