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"It's a bit mind-boggling"
Genny tried to ignore her nervous stomach. It was a quick coffee with Brady, the man she’d known for over thirty years. There was nothing to be nervous about. She parked her SUV on the street down the block from the Coffee shop.
Cathy’s Coffee Shop was right next to The Corner Bar, so at night, parking near the entrance could be tricky. Cathy had been running the coffee shop for fifteen years, ever since she bought the place from Frank Cooper. When he owned it, it was called Cooper’s. Some of the older generation in town still refer to it as Coopers. Cathy didn’t mind too much. As long as they kept coming in to eat.
Genny walked down the street, passing by the entrance to the bar. It was still early, but the place was busy already. No doubtthe out-of-towners were enjoying themselves. She continued to the coffee shop and went inside.
Brady was already there at a booth by the window, and he waved at her. She gave him a nod and went to the table.
“Genevieve. You made it. I was afraid you might not come.”
Genny sat across the table from him. “I’m here, Brady.”
“Good. Thank you.”
Carla, the waitress, came to the table with a pot of coffee in her hand. “Evening. Can I pour you some coffee?” Brady and Genny both turned over their cups and Carla filled them. “Do you need menus?”
Genny looked at Brady. “I think we’ll start with coffee.”
“Okay. I’ll check back with you in a while.”
There were only a few other people in the coffee shop, and Genny didn’t know any of them. She was relieved by that, but she wasn’t sure why. It was just coffee with a friend. Everyone in town knew they were friends. No one would think it odd that they were having a cup of coffee together.
She put a packet of sugar in her coffee and stirred it.
Brady smiled at her. “So, what’s new out at the Three Oaks?”
“Not much. Tomorrow I’ll be getting things ready for the family fishing trip and picnic on Monday. Followed by a barbeque.”
“Sounds fun. Do the boys like to fish as much as Jacob and Jake do?”
“J.T. does. And Sage is quite good with the fly rod. Sawyer gets a little impatient.”
“That boy always had one foot out the door, didn’t he?”
“Yes. But after this year, between Dad’s stroke and the ordeal with Jake, I think he’s having second thoughts about being so far away.”
“Really? That should make you all happy. Get that wayward son back home.”
“We just want him to be happy. He loves boxing. It’d be hard for him to walk away from it. But of course, we’d love to have him back on the ranch.”
He smiled at her. “Those kids are like your own, aren’t they?”
“Yes. They are. And I wouldn’t be surprised if there was another O’Connell or two in the near future.”
“From Jake and his new wife?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s great. Bless them.”
She took a sip of coffee, then looked at him. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“How come you never settled down and had a family?”
He leaned back in the booth. “I guess I never found the right woman.” He smiled again. “Actually, I did, but her heart was elsewhere.”
