AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Huh?” He looked at his sister, his mind brought back to the present. “No. Sorry. I was just…”
“Oh, I think I know where your mind went. I’m just not sure what happened after that.”
The door of the bakery opened, and a young woman stuck her head out. “Hey, Eva. I’m sorry to bug you but we need your help with the computer.”
“I’ll be right there.” Eva stood. “That’s my cue. Sorry to cut today short.”
Chet stood and gave her a hug. “No worries. Thanks for the pastry and coffee.”
“I’ll check in with you later. Maybe we’ll do the family call together. Strength in numbers and all that…” She grabbed his empty plate and coffee mug.
“You got it.”
“Bye, Winnie.”
Chet cringed at her use of his childhood nickname. He only put up with it because he loved the sound of her laugh that always followed.
“Bye.”
He sat back down and patted Dottie’s head. She’d lain beside him the whole time, happy to be outside, near her people. “It’s time we get home, girl. We have messages to check, and I’ve got a pretty good three-step plan brewing on how to get to know the intriguing diner owner.”
Dottie looked up at him and licked his hand.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Let’s go.”
Chapter Four
Every table inJamie’s Java was full. It was as if the weather turned cool and all of Silver Bay flocked to pumpkin spice lattes while chatting over tables decorated with fake autumn leaves in green, orange, and gold.
It was Meg’s favorite time of year. She settled into a seat beside Baylee and wrapped her hands around a cup of hot black coffee. She raised it to her nose and took in a deep breath. The aroma of fresh ground coffee beans jolted her senses, as if the steam transferred the caffeine straight to her bloodstream.
“I think you’re supposed to drink that, not inhale it,” Baylee teased.
She laughed. “Mock if you will. There is nothing better than the smell of freshly made coffee.”
“I don’t disagree, but most people add something yummy like vanilla or caramel or pumpkin spice. Yours is as black as night.”
“That’s right. As the good Lord intended coffee to be.” She took a sip, savoring the flavor and bitterness as it slid down her throat and warmed her belly. “Mmmmmm.”
Baylee laughed.
Jazz music played over the sound system, and it mixed with the clanking of spoons against porcelain, as well as the hiss and groan of the espresso machine. Fall was in full swing in the Silver Bay coffee shop, and it sounded good to Meg.
Their friend Hannah Wagner walked up to the table, her large hot tea in one hand and the other cradling the backside of her three-month-old baby girl, Hope. The baby lay againstHannah’s chest all wrapped in one of those backward backpack things parents wore. Her little head peeked out from under a pink blanket with piglets on it that Hannah had draped over her, the child sleeping soundly against the warmth of her mother. Hannah’s long, auburn hair hung in waves down her back. Hope’s tuft of red hair stuck up from the blanket, the same shade as her mother’s.
It was Meg’s day off, and Hannah had asked her and Baylee to meet for coffee to go over some details for the Harvest Festival. Although Meg always felt the pressure to be working to keep the diner running, she did take one day off a week—mainly because Franklin threatened to lock the door and not let her in if she didn’t—and once she acclimated to the time away, she appreciated it. Just because she wasn’t super social didn’t mean she was an ogre. She had friends and enjoyed their company.
“Thank you for meeting me, you guys.” Hannah sat down, the baby’s legs spreading to either side of her lap, and pulled out her tablet. It was clear that having a baby hadn’t slowed Hannah down one bit. She and her husband, Paul, ran a successful real estate business and seemed to know everyone in town. They had another daughter as well, Abby, who was three years old.
“Mayor Townsend has asked me to plan the festival again this year. I’ve already got the same protocol in motion from the last few years, but we have some new businesses now, so we need to build a few more booths.
“This is so fun. Thanks so much for including me,” Baylee said. “I loved baking for it last year.”
Meg looked at her friend and smiled. It was hard to be in a bad mood when Baylee was around. With golden curls that brushed her shoulders, cheeks that were perpetually pink, and an optimistic attitude that gave sunshine a run for its money, she was a hug waiting to happen and a good mood guaranteed. She also worked harder than anyone Meg knew. Baylee made itsound like it had been easy to run her business and bake for the festival while also planning her wedding and honeymoon. Meg was a hard worker, too, but how Baylee did what she did and still stayed positive was a mystery to Meg.
“Put me down for whatever help you need,” Meg offered.
“Thanks.” Hannah smiled at her, then began tapping on her tablet screen again. “The main thing I want everyone to hear about is the Miles for Mental Health Run we are doing this year.”
