AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Today was a big day and she couldn’t wait to have all of her employees together at one time. Depending on how things went, they’d all train together again tomorrow and possibly Wednesday. Then on Thursday, she was allowed to have a soft grand opening. The shop wouldn’t be open for a full day, not until Friday, but rumors were already circulating around town. Everyone was anxious for their first cup of coffee.
She wished she could’ve stayed longer in Texas last month while she was training, but the company felt that three days was sufficient for her to learn the basics. She took some really good notes, though, and she couldn’t wait to share what she’d learned with her team. Their online support system was top-notch, so if she had any concerns, her questions were literally a click or phone call away.
Speaking of her team, she grabs the box of aprons from underneath the counter and counts out eight, one for each person she’d hired. She’d worked on making each of their name badges over the weekend, adding a cute coffee sticker to each one. She hopes her employees love the added touch as much as she does.
A sudden noise out back startles her and she hurries over to the door to see what’s going on. Opening the door just enough to peer out, she lets out a relieved sigh as soon as she sees the milk truck pulled up close to the building. It’s a good thing she’d gotten up when she did or else she’d still be wearing her PJs.
She can barely make out the driver inside the back of the trailer—it’s still dark out and he’s dressed from head to toe in winter gear—but he doesn’t let it stop him from sliding crates full of milk to the edge of the trailer. She had no idea there were so many types of milk used in coffee beverages until the first day she’d trained. And to think she was expected to keep them all on hand!
Well, not exactly. Once she figures out what her customers prefer, she can adjust her orders as needed, but for now, it’s important for her to keep a variety on hand.
While she waits for him to unload and bring everything inside, she pours herself a cup of fresh brewed coffee, adding just the right amount of sugar and cream. Recalling the phone call she had with Liz, she’d printed the email that told her what she would need to give to the driver as far as getting her account set up and wouldn’t you know she’d left everything sitting on her kitchen table.
She slips her arms inside her coat then picks up her coffee. “I’ll be right back,” she calls out to the driver and hurries up the stairs.
“No problem. Want me to go ahead and wheel these inside?” he asks without turning to look at her directly.
“Yes, that’ll be fine. I’ll only be a moment.”
She makes it all the way to the top of the stairs then reaches inside her front coat pocket to retrieve her keys. Except they’re not there. Nor are they in the inside pocket.
“I just had them,” she mumbles under her breath. Then it dawns on her she’d left them on the counter next to the phone. The driver is going to think she’s a little scatterbrained, seeing how she likes to go up and down the stairs in below freezing temperatures.
Just as she reaches the bottom step on her way back down, something dark and fuzzy dashes across her boot and into the snow, disappearing behind the set of trashcans the Waste Department had dropped off last week. “Ahh,” she screeches and brings her free hand up to her chest.
Hearing her sudden outburst, the driver rushes to the backdoor and pushes it open, startling her. “Are you okay, ma’am?”
The cup of coffee slips from her hand and splashes all over the two of them. “Ohhh, be careful. That coffee is hot. Something darted across my foot. I…I nearly stepped on it,” she says and bends over at the waist to catch her breath.
“Could’ve been a rat.” He can’t help snickering. It’s too bad the hood of his heavy coat partially covers his face or else he’d be able to see the not-so-nice expression on hers.
“I don’t think so,” she says, not bothering to hide the bit of scorn in her tone. How dare he imply that she has rats! The shop had been fully inspected once the contractor was finished, so if she had critters, it would’ve been remedied then. Besides, she’s pretty certain that it’s way too cold for varmints to be running around, especially out in the cold.
“Well, you never—” his voice trails off and he pushes the hood away from his face. “Deanna?”
Chapter Five
“What did you just call me?”
“Deanna, it’s me,” he says, taking a step closer. “Gavin. Gavin Winston. From high school. We dated… Never mind. For crying out loud, let’s get out of the cold.”
Deanna stares at him in disbelief. Gavin Winston. Of course she remembered him. How could she not?
His name had crossed her mind more than a few times over the years and when she decided she was moving back, she’d wondered if he was still living in the area. Not that she really thought he’d ever leave—considering their relationship had ended because of it—but some people do end up moving away eventually. Even if it’s only to the next town over.
“Ga—” Deanna struggles to say his name. “Gav—”
“Deanna, wow. You look incredible,” he says and extends his arms.
Deanna hesitates for a moment then leans in for a hug. His scent…it’s just as she remembers from all those years ago. Not wanting the situation to feel any more awkward than what it already does, she pulls away. “Gavin, you haven’t changed a bit.”
“Wait, is this place yours?” he asks then peers over his shoulder at the inside of the shop.
Rocking back on her heels, she can’t help but beam. “Grand opening day is this Friday.”
“So, what brings you back to Tahoe? Are your folks doing okay?”
“They’re both doing great. Dad’s just as ornery as ever and mom’s doing her best to keep him in line.”
