AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Slipping out from beneath the warm covers, I pad to the bathroom to take care of business before jumping in the shower. My stomach gurgles and groans as I quickly scrub down, eager to get to a bakery or café so I can stuff my face as last night’s effort to find food was unsuccessful.
By the time I reach the lobby, I’ve moved well beyond hungry to hangry. Jones, the middle-aged concierge I briefly met yesterday is standing at his station, so I approach quickly, asking, “Hey, man, where’s the closest place I can grab a bite?” My fingers tap out a rapid beat against the counter as he finishes whatever the hell he’s doing back there.
When he finally lifts his eyes, a kind smile greets me as he inclines his head. “Good morning, Mr. Blaine.” He flits through a small stack of pamphlets before picking one out and spreading it open on the counter between us.
He points to where we are on a map of Shiloh Springs, and then drags his finger along as he begins to speak. “Four blocks down you’ll find Main Street, where Jack’s Bar & Grill will be serving a hot breakfast. Or farther down on the opposite side of the street you have Miss Gertie’s Bakery. You can also find her treats stocked at Perky’s Books & Brews.” He points to another little shop on the map.
“Sweet, thanks. Mind if I keep this?” I ask, tapping at the map.
“Of course, sir, enjoy your breakfast.” He goes back to whatever he was doing before I interrupted him.
With a quick glance out the entry doors at the snow-laden sidewalk, the decision to walk or drive the four blocks is made for me. And not five minutes later I’m pulling into a parking spot on Main Street, a handful of spaces down from Jack’s Bar & Grill.
The moment I step inside, I’m met with a wall of warmth that makes me sigh in contentment. I tug off my beanie and shove it in my pocket before slipping off my jacket and hanging it on a stand by the door.
I’m met by a hostess with way too much pep in her step for me to handle before I’ve had coffee, but I give her a polite smile all the same. She beams at me as she asks, “Table for one?”
I nod. “Yeah, thanks.”
“Would you like to sit at the bar, or would you prefer a table?”
“Bar’s fine,” I tell her, and then I’m following her across the expansive dining area to a sleek timber bar that runs the length of the side wall. She leaves me with a menu and instructions to place my order with the server behind the bar when I’m ready.
A quick scan over what’s on offer and I know I’m going to like this place just fine. It’s got everything I want on this arctic winter morning, coffee, and bacon. I signal a burly lookin’ dude with tattoos covering both his forearms from the other end of the bar, and he gives me a quick chin lift then holds up a pot of coffee.
I nod vigorously, and he smiles as he snags a mug from under the counter then strides my way. The mug hits the bar in front of me with a thunk, then he fills it to the brim. “Shit! Should have asked if you wanted cream or sugar,” he mutters.
“No sweat, at this point I’ll take whatever I can get.”
He extends a hand toward me, and I accept the shake as he says, “Thanks, man. I don’t normally do breakfasts. But one of the girls called in, so you’re stuck with me. I’m Jase, by the way, and you’re either new in town or passing through.”
After taking a swig of my coffee—and relishing the sweet, sweet buzz of the caffeine hitting my system—I grin at Jase and introduce myself. “Arlo. I stand out that much, huh? I literally just moved here yesterday.”
“Welcome to Shiloh Springs then. And nah, I just know most of the locals. Call it a perk, or possibly a drawback, of the job. Now, what can I get you?”
“Everything,” I say with a slight chuckle. “I’m starving. Sausages, bacon, eggs, hash, and pancakes, please and thank you.”
Jase nods as he finishes scribbling everything down on a little notepad. “A man after my own heart. I’ll get you sorted. You need a top-up before I go?”
“Nah, but I might take some of that cream and sugar now, though.”
“Two seconds,” he murmurs, then hands off the slip of paper with my order through a window in the wall farther down the bar before returning with the fixings for my coffee.
I settle back into my seat and glance around the room, finally taking it all in beyond the warmth when I entered. Low lighting lends to the warm and cozy vibe this place has going on, and I’m especially loving the raging fireplace at the far end of the room. I’m guessing the open area in front of it is a dancefloor at night.
Opposite me, a row of booths run along the wall, and tall top tables fill the in-between space with small groups of people scattered throughout. I sip my coffee and people watch as I listen to the soft country rock playing in the background together with the low hum of chatter surrounding me.
* * *
An hourlater I’m sufficiently stuffed, caffeinated, and ready to take on the grocery store.
I’ve armed myself with a shopping cart since I’m going to need all the basics to stock the massive pantry in my new place. I’ve never done grocery shopping in my life. My mom bounced the moment I was born, and dad always had our housekeeper handle it. Then I kinda followed suit, hiring a grocery delivery service when I moved out for college. I’m not sure what to expect, but it can’t be that hard.
The fresh produce section is right at the entrance, so I make my way through it by grabbing whatever I think I might need. I’m reaching for a zucchini when an old lady practically shoulder barges me out of the way and snatches up the vegetable I was about to pick up.
I eye her as she gently places it in her basket, her cheeks flushing pink as she meets my gaze.
“I wanted that one,” she murmurs.
