Hannah rolled her eyes as she went around the counter and grabbed an apron. “Class ran long and traffic was bad in Boulder.” She looked pointedly at the speaker playing what sounded like smooth jazz. “Papa, did you win the coin toss again?”
“I did.”
“Suspicious,” Hannah said. “I think you’re using a weighted coin.”
“Prove it.”
Hannah laughed and turned to Maren. “Please be the best customer ever and request something that is not Kenny G. My father won’t listen to his employees.”
“Kenny G’s a classic,” Sonny protested. “And you ain’t employees, you’re co-owners.”
“Nope,” Maren said, putting her hands up. “I’m not getting between a man and his music.”
“Rochelle…” Hannah batted her eyes at her friend. “Pleeeease?”
“Don’t look at me. I’m just furniture.”
“Prettyfurniture, I told you,” April said.
“Not even gonna ask,” Hannah said. “A refill on the iced vanilla latte for thefurniture, coming up.” She flashed a smile at them. “April’s not the only one who has everyone’s favorites memorized.”
“You guys go sit down. Sandwiches will be up in a minute,” April told them.
“What do I owe—” Maren started.
“Nada. Nobody’s money is good here today.”
“Are…are you sure?”
April laughed. “Yeah, I think we can cover it.” She winked at Charlie. “Now go sit down.”
“Come sit with me,” Rochelle said. She led them to her table with the window seat. She closed a couple of notebooks and her laptop and put them in her tote to make room on the table.
The panini press beeped. April pulled out Maren’s sandwich, plated it with a bag of kettle chips, and brought it over along with the drinks.
“I’ll be back with the rest of the sandwiches in a sec. Here,” she said, setting the food down in front of Maren. “Eat. You look like you need it.”
Maren did. She was suddenly ravenous. The first bite was perfect—turkey, cranberry sauce, melted cheese, on sourdough that was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
“Good?” April asked.
“Amazing.” Maren took another bite.
April beamed. Then she squatted beside Maren. Her expression shifted, and turned gentler.
“Shane told me a little about what you’re dealing with,” she said softly. “Not details—just that things are complicated right now.”
Maren swallowed. Nodded.
“Just so you know,” April said quietly. “You’re safe here. Both of you, I mean. This town—we take care of our own. And Sean’s family is our family. I grew up with him, too.”
Maren’s vision blurred. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Just come back, okay? Bring Juni. Let us—” April’s voice caught. “Let us know Sean’s daughter.”
“I will,” Maren whispered. “I promise.”
April stood, squeezed Maren’s shoulder once, then went back to the counter where Sonny was building a complicated drink order.
