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"What's on your mind, big brother?" Grady swayed to the rhythm of Ulysses.
"Just thinking of Dad and our times together. Riding out to the flock. Stuff like that."
Grady grunted, a grin splitting his face. "Remember when I raced you and made the sheep scatter?"
Kaleb laughed. "Yeah. Dad was so mad."
"I had to sheer the sheep that spring." Grady joined in the laughter. "Thank God we didn't have as many as we do now."
"True." Silence stretched between them.
"Anything else?" Grady pressed.
Kaleb wasn't one for sharing much of his feelings, but Grady seemed to pull it out of him, whether or not Kaleb wanted to talk. Today, he wasn't going to give in. He still needed to process having Cinnamon so close, day in and day out.
Kaleb shook his head. "Nothin' else I wanna share."
"Fair enough." Grady dipped his head. "I'm here when you're ready."
"I know."
And Kaleb did. Grady always gave him time to process his thoughts. As long as Kaleb shared them. He didn't when he broke up with Cinnamon. If he’d been honest with his little brother then, Kaleb had a feeling his life would be far different now.
Chapter Four
Cinnamon parked her car in front of A Whole Latte of Love and shut off the engine. She needed to grab a few things from the grocery store for the lunch she would prepare that day, but first, a good cup of coffee from her favorite shop in town.
Mayson Ingram, owner of the shop, stood outside and waved.
Cinnamon wiggled her fingers and got out of the car. "Good morning."
The six-foot-seven giant towered over her, which said a lot since she hovered around five-foot-eight inches.
"They let you out from behind the counter, huh?"
Mayson laughed and spread his arms out. "How could I be stuck indoors when we have such gorgeous weather?"
Cinnamon snickered. "A sure sign you were driving your employeescrazy, and they begged you to come out here."
"Guilty as charged." Mayson's dark eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "What're you doing in town? I thought you were staying at Linden Farms."
"I need a few items from the market, but I wanted a cup of coffee first." Cinnamon moved to the door. "Besides, I'm only staying there when there are guests. I get two days off a week."
"Good. I'm glad they're not going to overwork you." Mayson held the door open for her. "What'll it be? On the house today."
Cinnamon shook her head. "I can't let you do that."
"Please. What's the point of owning my own shop if I can't give a drink away every now and again?" Mayson leaned close. "Besides, I'd like to talk to you about something."
Cinnamon relayed her order and sat at a table near the back of the coffee shop. The smell of burnt beans mixed with vanilla tickled her senses. She loved the scent of A Whole Latte of Love.
Mayson set her iced mocha in front of her and sat across from her. "Those orange rolls you made yesterday were to die for." Mayson stirred sugar into his mug. "They sold out like that." He snapped his fingers. "I barely got to taste one."
"You took one for yourself?" Pleasure filled her.
The sunglasses on top of Mayson's head moved with his nod. "Of course. You're the best baker in town. I'd be remiss if I didn't take one for myself." He tapped his fingers on the table. "Seriously, Cinnamon, every time I purchase baked goods from Kris Kringle, as long as I know you're the chef, I eat one."
Warmth heated her face. "Thanks. I'm glad you appreciate them."
