Chapter 1
Nina
Everyone at Grannie’s is family. I’d heard it a million times, only I wasn’t a Sheppard. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if I was a Novak, despite it being the only name I’d ever known.
I wasn’t family, but Grannie’s was a family business and Mary, the owner, had welcomed me with open arms.
Being Chase’s favorite babysitter helped everyone accept me into the fold, and I found they invited me to more extended family events.
I’m so grateful for getting hired at Grannie’s so soon after losing my previous job.
Getting fired sucked, and in a moment of weakness I’d confided in Beth that I could use more hours while I looked for another job. Babysitting didn’t pay well, but I was desperate. Not a lot of employers would work around my class schedule, or tolerate my grandmother’s cancer treatment schedule. They didn’t understand that just because I attended classes online didn’t mean I could control my schedule.Any more than I can control my grandmother’s.
After I’d apologized for blubbering, Beth encouraged me to apply at Grannie’s Coffee Saloon, where she was the manager. Beth was also the owner’s best friend; between her reference and Chase’s glowing letter of recommendation, written in blue crayon, I was pretty much a shoo-in.
Mary hired me on the spot, offering me a full-time position with benefits and a flexible schedule. I didn’t even care what the job paid—it was generous—because I could add my sick grandmother to my health insurance.
Getting hired at Grannie’s was like winning the job lottery, giving me the ability to help my grandmother with the expenses her fixed income didn’t cover.
“Nina, can you help me bring in the decorations?” Mary asked. She’d closed the shop early, not worried about missing the income from the Sunday afternoon crowd.
“The money I’ll lose is less than the cost of renting a hall, so it works in my favor,” Mary’d explained after I asked. “And people are understanding when you say you’re closed for a family celebration.”
Family comes first.
“Of course.” I’d be happy to help even if she hadn’t invited me to Madi’s engagement party.
The doorbell above the glass coffee shop door rang as John Sheppard, Mary’s husband, walked in. He kissed Mary on thecheek before saying, “Their flight was delayed, so we have an extra sixty minutes.”
“Is Jay still picking them up?” Mary asked.
“Yes, and before you ask, Jay and Cate know to bring them here.”
“What if they want to go straight home?”
“Jay will think of something.”
“Matt’s still on vacation, so it’s not like Jay can play the boss card,” Mary argued.
“Don’t worry, he’ll get them here.” He hugged her and kissed her temple. “Now put me to work.”
I want what they have.
“I’ll let you lug in the boxes so Nina and I can start decorating.”
“Keys.”
Mary and I hung purple, silver, and white streamers and then decorated the dark wood tabletops with purple and silver tablecloths.
“Madi will love it, but I’m not so sure about Matt,” Mary said, surveying the dining area of Grannie’s.
The bell jingled, and Mary’s youngest son, Jay, and his wife, Cate, walked in.
“Jay, shouldn’t you be on the road?”
“Hi Ma. I’m fine. How are you?” I couldn’t imagine talking to my mother,late mother, with so much sarcasm.
“Sorry, I’m just surprised to see you.”
