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I look around to find the burgundy velvet oversized chair in the corner by the window. There’s a little bookshelf behind it, tattered and worn. I can’t even begin to count the times I sat there as a girl studying my life away. Sofia would bring me free refills and usually force me to eat her “leftover” food. I knew it wasn’t really leftovers and she just loved feeding me. She took care of me here.
When I turn back to face her, I can’t hide the devastation on my face.
“But… why?”
Noticing my shock, Kee wraps a hand around my arm.
“Ah.” She waves her hand in front of her. “No sense in fussing over it. Just time to let go is all.”
I’m not convinced. This is more than her café; it’s her life. It always has been. It’s been in her family for years and she’s so… talented. This town isn’t the same without this cozy little breakfast stop. I can’t even picture it.
Of course, my first instinct is to step in and help however I can to save it. It’s what I do. I take care of others, especially when it means something to me.
“I see your thoughts spinning,” she soothes. “Don’t do that, sweet girl. I’ll be just fine.” She pats me on the hand and offers a sympathetic smile. I can see right through it though. She’s hurting.
My fingers grip the reclaimed wood countertop and I force a smile back to her. The last thing she needs is me barging in here and demanding details or making a scene.
So we order one of everything off the menu.
I happen to know a few guys who wouldn’t turn down a hot breakfast.
Not before I discreetly quiz everyone I know in the café about why Sofia’s is about to be six feet under though.
Chapter 22
Gage
Iwalk into the bunkhouse after a busy day to see Tripp and Warren sprawled out on the couch watching football. In front of them, Keanna is lying on a huge bean bag with a notepad and a textbook in her hands. Heston is standing with his hip leaned against the kitchen counter shoveling chips and dip into his mouth, and Blythe is at the table typing away on a pink laptop covered in stickers.
She’s wearing the most adorable glasses I’ve ever seen. A strand of dark golden hair falls over her eye and she blows it off of her face out of the corner of her mouth.
I kick my boots off and walk over to stand across from where she’s sitting. I lean forward on the back of the dining chair, folding my arms over the top of it.
“Whatcha workin’ on?”
Her head snaps up and her dimples pop out in full force.
“I’ve got it all worked out,” she says.
“Oh yeah? What’s that?” I smirk. There’s a sparkle in her eye and she’s obviously happy about something. It puts me in a good mood.
“Just a business plan for Sofia. For the café. It’s closing down, did you know that?”
“No, I didn’t know that,” my brow furrows. I heard some rumors about it a while back. I don’t make a habit out of asking questions though, so I didn’t know whether or not it was true.
I don’t drive into town for breakfast most of the time. On the rare occasion that I do though, I always stop in at the café. Her coffee and homemade food are as good as it gets around here. And any interaction however minimal that I’ve had with Sofia was always warm and welcoming.
“I think it’s the profit margin. Look at this,” she turns the laptop to face me and I see the detailed spreadsheet. “Her prices are way too low. She hasn’t changed them in years, not even to consider inflation. I adjusted the numbers to something more realistic and doable.”
I slide the laptop closer toward me and scroll down studying the charts and numbers.
“She could implement these changes don’t you think? She could show this plan to potential investors or—”
“You did this?” I look up at her.
“Yes, I worked on it all day after I left there this morning. What do you think?”
I think her intelligence and selflessness make me want to rip my heart straight out of my own chest. I knew she graduated from medical school, and that alone impressed me. But she has business sense too? Is there anything she can’t do?
