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Sid and I were quiet on the way to the coffee shop. The only sounds were our shoes slapping on the pavement and Shiloh’s tags jingling. I wasn’t sure what to say, but the silence didn’t feel awkward. It felt comfortable. Like we did this all the time.
“How are you feeling today?” Sid asked.
“Good. You?”
He shrugged. “Okay. I wanted to make sure you were doing all right after the weekend with our parents.”
It was really sweet of him to check on me. “I’m good. Even though the night was shitty, I think we sold it.”
He nodded.
There was a slight nip in the air that had me wishing I’d grabbed a coat. The sun was coming up through the trees and casting a warm glow on Main Street and the park. I loved sunny days no matter what the temperature was outside.
Sid opened the door to the coffee shop, and I smiled. The smell of baked goods and coffee filled my nose. Grateful Cup lived up to its name. It was sunshine and warmth in a cup. I loved it so much. The sight of baked goods made my stomach growl, and I put a hand over it. Sid chuckled as he followed me farther inside. Shiloh was at his side.
“She’s allowed in here?” I asked, pointing at the dog.
He smiled and put a finger to his lips. “Shh. Maybe they won’t notice.”
“Sid, you can’t bring a dog into a coffee shop.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“There’s my girl,” Elouise said. “I was wondering when you were going to bring her to me. I have lots of treats for her to try.”
“You spoil her,” Sid said. He let go of the leash, and Shiloh ran around the counter and into Elouise’s waiting arms. She laughed and hugged the black lab.
“Elouise and her husband used to breed their black lab, Bella. She had four litters, and Shiloh was from the last one. Bella passed a few years ago, so I make it a point to bring Shiloh here often so Elouise can love on her.”
A tear trickled out of my eye at the beautiful story and man. Sid had a good heart. The more time we spent together, the more I could see that, but for some reason, he hid it from everyone. My stomach growled again. Sid and I both laughed.
“Sounds like you could use a muffin,” he said. The lazy smile on his face, coupled with the warmth in his brown eyes, had me swooning. He was handsome, but when I got to see the playful, relaxed side to him, he was downright gorgeous. Not to mention when he showed how big his heart was. Oh, man. I was in trouble.
“What are you having?” Elouise asked me.
“I’ll have a cranberry-orange muffin, a box of donuts, and coffee. Lots of coffee.”
She gave me a knowing smile. “Frank?”
I chuckled. “Yes, and Charlie, Mindy, and Skip.”
“Laney and Jacob too?”
I shrugged. “Not sure. They can get their own coffee, though.”
She laughed. “Have a seat and I’ll get it ready. Assortment of donuts okay?”
“As long as there are at least two chocolate glazed.”
I took a seat near the counter so I could hop up when she called my name.
“What’ll you have, Sheriff?”
“A chocolate muffin, an everything bagel with cream cheese on the side, and a large dark roast. Black, please.”
“You got it. Have a seat.”
Sid sat across from me at the small table. Shiloh walked over and lay down at his feet. I looked around the coffee shop and froze. Four pairs of eyes were staring at Sid and me from the corner of the room.
