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The morning rush starts with the police chief coming through for a cinnamon roll, black coffee, and sharing the town gossip with Emerie. Those two go way back, growing up next door to each other. I smile as the chief tells her to go home after taking one look at her and I chuckle as they have an epic stare down over the counter.
Watching them has made me wistful for West. Would we be like that if things hadn’t soured between us? Probably.
A steady stream of customers come through, all familiar faces and most sharing the same news. Apparently a few new guys are in town, a bank owner or something, looking into opening a branch in the building across the street that’s been vacant for a couple years.
We hit a lull in traffic and I turn to Emerie. “Go home and rest. I can handle the rest of the day just fine.”
“I’ll be okay.” She turns as the door opens.
I look over to greet whoever is coming in and my eyes meet the friendly blue eyes belonging to Mitch. He’s wearing a navy Henley and has his blond hair covered by a beanie. A smile lights his face when he sets eyes on me.
“Hey ladies,” he greets us. “Something smells delicious.”
“Good morning, Mitch.” Emerie looks back and forth between us with a calculating gaze.
“How are you two doing?” he asks.
“I feel just awful today. I was just telling Violet how I could use the rest of the day off, but I don’t have anyone to give her a hand.”
“Oh?” He turns fully to her and gives his full attention.
That sneaky busy body.
I give her a look over his shoulder, telling her I know exactly what she’s doing. One minute she’s telling me she’s fine and now she’s practically trembling in front of him.
“Yeah,” she says as she presses the back of her hand to her forehead, “I think I’m feverish.”
“Well, go on home. I’ll help Violet out today.”
“I couldn’t impose on you like that.”
I can barely contain my eye roll at the gleam in her eye.
“It’s no imposition. I can pour coffee and take money. You just go get better.”
“If you’re sure.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me when he turns to face me.
“Yeah,” he smiles at me, “we’ll be fine, right Violet?”
“I would be fine on my own. You can go, Emerie.”
She gives me a little wave and disappears back into the kitchen. I watch her retreating back for a few seconds before turning my attention back to Mitch.
“You don’t have to stay. I can handle the shop on my own today.”
“I’ll stay just in case, I can do all the menial tasks.” He pushes his sleeves up his tattooed forearms and looks around. “Where should I start?”
“I think we’re almost out of napkins, you could load up the dispensers.” I point to the supply closet near the restrooms. “Everything you’ll need is back there and labeled.”
“No problem.” He hits me with a dimpled smile, irresistible enough that I end up smiling back at him.
“Thank you.”
Another steady stream of customers come through, all local so they all want to chit chat, especially when they see Mitch. Several of them make insinuations about the two of us. Some just take their pastries and coffee and leave. Those are my favorite.
As the day winds down, I task Mitch with taking the trash out to the dumpster. I’m clearing out the leftover pastries to take to the fire station when I hear the door chime and the sound of several people entering.
“I’ll be right with you,” I say from where I’m kneeling behind the counter.
