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“Your jokes are getting old, Santiago.”
“I’m still laughing.”
Just then, his phone rings. He pulls it out, checking the screen and letting out a long sigh. “Duty calls.”
He gets up, pulling his wallet out of his pocket, but I wave him off. “It’s on me.”
“You sure?”
“Just go already. Put out the fires.”
“Okay, talk soon? We can go and grab drinks at The Hut one night.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
With a lift of his hand, he answers his phone as he goes for the door. I sit there for a moment longer, finishing my meal. Pulling out a few bills, I place them on the table as I, too, get up.
Mrs. Letty glares at me all the way to the door, so I make sure my smile is extra wide as I push the door open and slide into the hot Texan afternoon.
I know I should probably go back to the ranch, but I wasn’t ready for another round with my dad. Not just yet.
Maybe I could find a place to sit and get some work done.
Stopping by my car, I grab my backpack from the passenger seat before I walk down the street. A few people who are brave enough to step outside under the now scorching heat nod their heads in recognition. I return the gesture but don’t stop to chat with them. Instead, I take in the mix of old and new shops on Main Street until my gaze falls on the newly opened coffee shop.
Reading Nook.
Perfect.
I swear I can still feel the sugar Letty put in my coffee on my tongue. I wouldn’t mind changing that.Crossing the street, I push open the door. The AC blasts in my face the moment I step inside, a softchimespreading through the space as the woman behind the counter turns her head toward me.
“Hell—”
The words die on her lips as she blinks, surprise, and a flicker of pain flashes in those familiar hazel eyes as they settle on mine.
The eyes that used to stare at me with so much love.
“Rebecca.”
CHAPTER SIX
REBECCA
“Hey, I’m done for today.” Jessica’s dark head peeks into the kitchen, and she looks around, taking in the mess. “Will you be okay on your own? I can stay if yo—”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” I dust my hands off. “Just give me five to finish here?”
“I can do that.” She tips her chin toward the freshly baked peanut butter cookies. “You will want to bring those with you. Maybe even the muffins. We’re running low on everything.”
Why was I not surprised?
“Will do.”
With a nod, Jessica lets the door close as she returns to the front of the café. The place has been buzzing with customers since the moment I opened it. It feels like half of Bluebonnet needed either coffee or treats today, and I had an inkling suspicion it had less to do with their desire for sweets and more to do with the latest gossip.
God bless little Jessica Richards for stepping up like a pro after I called her and for allowing me to hide in the kitchen and focus my frustration on baking.
Jessica was a year younger than Matthew, and while my younger brother chose to go to college on the other side of thecountry, Jessica stayed in Bluebonnet and attended the same community college I did.
