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“It’s nice to meet you,” Clara said. “This is my friend, Charlie, and my son, Zeke.”
“Let me show you around,” Frank said.
Clara was impressed by the ovens and other equipment in the kitchen that would be used to make the baked goodies, soups, and sandwiches that the café served. The coffee and expresso machines were practically brand new as the owners had done a complete overhaul a couple of years ago.
Frank and Greta introduced them to the staff, who was cordial, but wary of Clara.
“Will the staff be willing to stick around and work for me?” Clara asked.
“They will. They are a good group of people. You treat them right and they will be loyal to you.”
“Why have you decided to sell?” Clara asked. “You’ve obviously put a lot of time, effort, money, and love into this place recently.”
“We’re getting older. The winters in Colorado are cold and rough on our bones. We want to move down south, to Florida, where it is nice and warm all year around,” Frank explained.
“I can understand that,” Clara said, with a smile.
Clara was immediately smitten with the place and made an offer the next day, which was accepted. She and Zeke made another trip up to Ivy Springs a week later so that Greta and Frank could explain everything about vendors, payroll, and all of the other things that she needed to know to run the business. She was a little intimidated by all of it at first, but Greta assured her that she would get the hang of it soon enough.
“Do you have a place to live yet?” Frank asked.
“Not yet,” Clara said. “I haven’t found a house that I liked yet.”
“We are going to put our house on the market. Are you interested in looking at it?”
“Sure,” Clara said.
The little cottage style house was very close to the café, which Clara appreciated. It had three bedrooms, two baths, and an updated kitchen.
“This is perfect,” Clara announced.
Frank and Greta were very relieved that they already had a buyer and called their realtor to handle all of the details.
Clara was very satisfied. Everything was coming together nicely.
A couple of weeks later, Clara and Zeke were back in Ivy Springs, getting more tutorials from Greta and Frank. They were showing her how to run the equipment so that she could make all the different types of drinks that the café offered.
Clara looked at Greta and heaved a huge sigh.
“This is a little overwhelming,” she said.
Greta patted her on the back and smiled.
“Don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of everything. You’re doing great.”
Clara gave her a weak smile and said, “Thank you for taking the time to teach me all of this.”
“We want to see you succeed. We’ve worked hard for thirty years to keep this place successful. We are glad that you are willing to keep our legacy going,” Greta said.
About an hour later the little bell on the door jingled.
“Dillon,” Greta exclaimed. “It’s good to see you. How are you doing?”
“I’m tired this morning,” he said. “It was a long night doing inventory. I’m hoping that you have some coffee with my name on it. I ran out over there.”
“Of course, dear,” Greta said. “You’re here at the perfect time. The new owner and her son are here, trying to learn the ropes before we leave.”
“Clara, this is Dillon Adams. He runs the general store next door. Dillon, this is Clara Montgomery and her son, Zeke.”
