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He huffed.“I get it.Family members aren't all they're cracked up to be.”
Stephanie thought of how her family had rallied and dealt with unbearable pain.Her parents, two brothers, and her sister Jessica were closer to one another than ever before.They had a strong bond that could never be broken.
"Mine were wonderful, but when I turned twenty-nine my mother told me to go, find my own life, follow my dreams and have adventures.That was all the push I needed, so off I went and found myself here."
"Not much of an adventure I'd say.Although you're lucky to have a good family.Most don't."
Charlie rubbed his wet nose against her pant leg.Stephanie bent to give the lab a good scratch and was sure the sound coming from his throat was pure pleasure."You want more, don't you, Charlie?"His tail thumped in answer.
"Quit spoiling the dang dog. I'm waiting for my coffee."
Henry needed coddling more than the dog."Sorry, Charlie."Standing, she brushed her hands together.“Your coffee will be ready in two minutes.”
Henry glanced at his watch."I'll be timing you."
"Not yet!"This timing business was Henry's fun, and she didn't mind playing along.Stephanie grabbed the cardboard boxes from the floor and dropped them in the storage room—out of sight from Henry and the customers.Returning quickly, she wagged a finger at him."The clock is still on hold.Do you have a special coffee in mind for today?"
"Naw, and stop stalling."
Stephanie removed a few golden dog hairs from her pants."Want a strong Brazilian blend?"
"Heck if I know.You young folks like to buy all these specialty coffees with fancy names.Expensive too.Long as it's strong and black, it's fine by me."
"Okay.I'm ready."
"The clock started thirty seconds ago."
Stephanie gave him a perky salute and took off between the shelves.At the counter near the large picture window, she hit the brew button on the stainless-steel machine.The coffee had been prepared the moment she'd finished dragging the tree into the shop.Decorating took time; coffee she could make under a minute.Thirty seconds to grind the beans, twenty to fill the ten-cup container with water—another ten to check that the creamer and sugar packages were fully stocked.
"Smells good.”Henry stayed near the register counter.“That one of your fancy brands?"
"Yup.How many seconds left?"She filled his favorite mug with java and carefully carried it without spilling a drop."Here you go, Ebenezer."
"Why do you call me that?"
"Because he's one of my favorite characters in a book."
"Good enough."His dark brown eyes flickered as he inhaled the scents of the Brazilian Dark Roast.Rich in color and flavor it carried a hint of nuts and sweet chocolate without marring the taste of pure coffee.
"Not bad," Henry told her after the first cautious drink, "but you were twenty seconds late.Might have to dock your pay."
Stephanie scoffed."Not going to happen.I'm making minimum wage, and not even someone as ornery as you can fight the law."With a toss of her head and a big grin, she returned to the side counter to get one for herself.
She grabbed her special mug and added a dash of half and half, then poured the delicious coffee to the top.The travel mug was personalized with her book covers.She was a strong believer in free advertising.
Stephanie glanced at the clock.Nine-fifteen.Henry removed a few doggie treats from his pants’ pocket, giving Charlie a treat.The lab licked them up then followed Henry toward the door where he'd perch on a chair, drink his coffee, and wait until the exact moment to open his shop.
He had his routine and she had hers.Stephanie, mug in hand, walked to the register counter which needed a little rearranging.The limited space was the only tool she had to maximize sales.The jar of candy canes belonged on the side of the cash register, making room for brightly colored page markers and tiny boxes of chocolate.Promo items such as pens and sticky notes by local authors were to be handed out with each sale.
Nine-thirty.Henry unlocked the door like an automaton, cracked it open, then turned the OPEN sign to face the window.He stood there for a few minutes until the cold air drove him farther into the shop.
"No one around?"she asked, pouring him a refill.
"Dang neighbors aren't as friendly as they once were.Walking on the other side of the street, by-passing my shop."
"I'm sorry."She bit back a smile.He’d overplayed his cards and the locals were on to him.
"Never happened when Mary was alive.She'd bake a little something each morning and as people tried to hurry past, she'd have that door open in a jiffy, a plate of warm cookies in her hands."His mouth turned up into a reluctant smile."Ah, those were good times, when kindly folks would take a few minutes out of their busy day to come in and browse."
