Cinnamon and Spice Conundrum (Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice)

Chapter 6

Sadie

“I’ve got good news and bad news,” I say as I plunk down across from Jack in the break room. Julio, my afternoon barista, and Nancy, my afternoon café attendant, are out front, giving Jack and me a few minutes for lunch. I told Jack he could have complimentary breakfast and lunches because he insisted on working for free. He justified me not paying him because Sam’s paying his regular salary while Jack uses what he called “tons of accrued vacation.” Does the guy never take a day off?

Jack glances up from his sausage and spinach quiche. “Oh? Let me guess. Wilbur hates me, and the plumber can’t fix the water heater,” he mutters.

Which one of those does he think is the good news? My eyes widen, and I laugh. “Who got up on the wrong side of the bed?” I tease. “As far as I know, everything you just said qualifies as bad news and bad news.” A contemplative expression crosses my face. “And Wilbur doesn’t hate you. He was very grateful for the extra 5 percent discount you gave him.”

Sighing loudly, Jack smacks his forehead with his palm. “Senior discount is 10 percent?”

I nod. “Yep.”

“Do you have discounts listed anywhere?”

“They’re on a paper in the drawer under the cash register,” I reply with an apologetic grin. Poor Jack, he looks like he’s been run through the wringer. I should have given him more training before setting him free with the locals. They can be quite a challenge. Especially Wilbur .

It hits me how lucky I am that Jack amassed all this time off so he was available to help me in a pinch. My older brother is always looking out for me, trying to ease my financial burden despite my refusal to take his billionaire money. Sending Jack to help me out is just another example of the creative lengths he goes to help me. I’m grateful, but with my growing feelings for Jack, I wish Sam didn’t know the guy.

After chewing another bite of his egg dish, Jack says, “Hit me with that good and bad news of yours.”

Sitting up straighter, I say, “Good news: they can fix the water heater by end of the week, so Jolt and I can get out of your hair!”

He shrugs. “You two haven’t exactly been in my hair. I was too tired to even notice your presence last night.”

Bummer. Guess he’s not attracted to me, because I could hardly sleep with him sleeping just down the hall. Story of my life.

“And the bad news?” he prods.

“Wilbur threatened to leave a one-star review if I didn’t start offering plain coffee. He can be a real curmudgeon sometimes.”

Jack grunts. “Seriously, Sadie, that’s blackmail. The old coot is too lazy to brew his own plain coffee.”

I shrug. “True. But he has a point. Not everyone wants flavored coffee. Even Starbucks offers a basic black brew. With so many of my customers being over sixty-five, I should listen to his feedback.”

Jack’s eyes bore into mine as he chews another bite, his somewhat skeptical expression telling me he doesn’t buy my argument—or rather Wilbur’s argument—for offering plain coffee. Regardless, I’ll add it to the menu and see how it performs.

“By the way, we need to talk about your prices,” Jack says after he’s polished off his meal. He points his fork towards the now empty plate. “This quiche was delicious. As good as any I’ve had back home. You know how much they’d charge for this in the Denver area? ”

I hold up my hand. Sam and I have already gone round and round about this same topic. “No talk about my prices. I’ve set them to compete with the local rates.”

Jack’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t push the subject further. I can almost hear the gears turning inside his head, figuring out how to get a handle on the local rates so he can build a spreadsheet that will convince me to raise my prices. I raised my rates once and it didn’t turn out so good—the seniors boycotted my business until I lowered them again.

Jack slides his chair back, stands, and starts to pick up his used plate and utensils.

“Leave them. I’ll load them into the dishwasher. You need to get some fishing time in! The weather looks perfect for it.” The guy worked hard this morning and didn’t complain one time. Well, other than the little bit of grumbling about his encounter with Wilbur.

He glances towards the window where clear blue skies beckon. “Thanks for lunch, Sadie. I’ll see you and Jolt back at the cabin. What time do you get off?”

“I close at seven o’clock, so I’ll be back around eight.”

A look of concern flits across Jack’s face when I mention the late hour. “How about I cook dinner? That’s the least I can do since you worked all day.”

I wave a dismissive hand. “Won’t you get hungry before eight? Just go ahead without me.”

A grin lights his face as he points to a white sack sitting beside his jacket. “I’ve bought some of your chocolate chip cookies and a few extra scones to snack on. They’ll tide me over.”

“No wonder we sold out of the scones so quickly!” I tease.

Jack clearly ignored my dismissal of his offer to cook dinner, as he says in a firm voice, “Dinner at eight. Do you have any food allergies I need to be aware of? ”

I giggle. “I’m allergic to Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and beets. Otherwise, I’m good.”

My new barista barks out a laugh. “Sounds like my two-year-old nephew,” he says with a wink.

Jack departs as I finish my quiche. The sausage and spinach is a tasty combination, and it’s the first time I’ve tried it. My regulars and the seniors can be rather picky, so I usually don’t stray too far from plain cheese or mushroom quiche. I guess having Jack here spurred me into trying something new.

Smiling, I bask in his offer to cook dinner for me. That was so sweet of him. After a couple beats, it hits me as to all the things about Jack that I’m attracted to, even though I’ve only known him for twenty-four hours.

He’s smart, catching on to the brewing system and cash register in no time. His inherent thoughtfulness (cooking dinner just one example) and hidden masculine charm draw me in like metal to a magnet. Even though his outfit screams “Gramps,” his aura screams “Hottie.” I’m in trouble. No way I’m going to be able to resist my brother’s assistant while he’s here, especially living together under one roof.

What would Sam think if I wanted to date his assistant?