Espresso Your Love (The Coffee Loft Series: Fall Collection)

4. Ryan

4

Ryan

“Yes, Aunt Clara. We wouldn’t want Ryan to feel…” Cassie gives Ms. Abrams an unpleasant look as she speaks through her teeth, “unwelcomed.”

“Oh, wonderful!” She throws her hands in the air. “Now, go along, you two.” She comes around the desk and starts pushing us out the door. “Have a wonderful evening. And Ryan,” she stops and loudly whispers to me, “remember what I told you.”

Ms. Abrams, or Aunt Clara as Cassie called her, winks at me and then closes the door.

“Well, she’s a ball of fun, isn't she?” I chuckle as I follow Cassie.

“Welcome to Meadowbrook, where very well-meaning people like to butt into your personal life.”

“It’s kinda sweet, actually. I’m liking the small town family feel so far.”

“Live here for thirty years, and then we’ll talk.”

“I might take you up on that.” She finally looks at me now, and her face softens to a smile. “Well, welcome wagon, where to now?”

“You really want a town tour, or are you just scared to go back in and face her?”

“I would like a tour from the girl who’s lived here…thirty years, was it?

She nods and seems to think about it for a moment. “Alright, Mr. Big City. Let’s go.” She waves her arm as she turns down the sidewalk.

“Ahhh so you did snoop through my wallet.”

Her mouth drops, and her hand flies to her chest. “I was not snooping!”

“Should I make sure all my cash is in here too?” I pretend to grab my wallet from my pocket.

“Hey, all I did was check your driver’s license. I’m jealous of how good your picture is, by the way.”

I’ll take that as a subtle note that she thinks I’m attractive. That’s a good sign. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yes, I look like a different person in mine.”

“Oh, it can’t be that bad. Let me see.”

“Absolutely not. The only people who will ever see it is if I get pulled over.”

“I guess I’ll have to make friends with the cops around here.”

She rolls her eyes at me then we turn a corner.

“Alright, Mr. Big City, let’s get on with the tour. This,” she spreads her arms wide and spins around, “is the heart of Meadowbrook, the town square.”

We walk towards a large patch of grass with a water fountain in the center. There’s a gazebo off to the side and benches sporadically put about. Upkept historical buildings surround us with various businesses. Trees with leaves turning colors and falling to the ground.

“It’s like Stars Hollow.” Oh no. I think I said that out loud.

“What did you say?” Cassie turns to me with her brows furrowed.

“Uh…You lead. I’ll follow?” I stumble on my words. I dart my eyes away looking at the town square.

From the corner of my eye, I can see her facial expression, and she doesn’t believe me one bit. Ugh. Sadie. It’s all your fault.

She starts walking around the town square, and I follow…because apparently that’s what I said.

“So there’s Sweet Sisters Bakery, which is where your donut was from this morning at Coffee Loft.”

“Absolutely delicious.”

“I agree.” She points across the square. “There’s Ander we just met this morning. But there’s something about her…and the desire I have to know everything about her—what she’s thinking, what makes her smile, what her dreams are, what her real laugh sounds like when she lets go. She’s already consuming my thoughts. I must be crazy for feeling this way so soon. But if this is crazy, I don’t want to be sane.

The sound of my alarm rings in my ear. I reach over to my phone and turn it off.

It’s morning.

I must have fallen asleep while debating my sanity. Thank goodness, I plugged my phone in before I did. I can’t be late on my first day. My first day! I jump out of bed and quickly get ready. I’ll get issued my gear and uniform today at the precinct so I throw on some joggers and a shirt then head out the door. I check the time as I’m walking down the stairs, and I have just enough time to stop by Coffee Loft before work.

Perfect.

Max trails behind me, and I zoom by the front desk and out the front door. If Clara Abrams stops me for a conversation, I won’t have time to grab coffee…and hopefully see the pretty blonde event planner.

I drive to Coffee Loft and pause as my hands grip the wheel. My heart is racing, and my stomach is turning. Am I getting sick? My palms are sweaty, and I repeatedly wipe them on my joggers.

Max whimpers from the back seat and nudges me with his nose.

“Just nerves, huh, Max?” I give him some head scratches. “Okay, I’m going in.”

I roll down the windows and turn off the engine. “Wish me luck, buddy.”

Max barks in return as I get out of the truck.

I walk directly to the counter. Surprisingly, there’s no line. A tall brunette takes my order, a lofty coffee and donut to go, as I scan the room. There’s hardly anyone here. It’s the same time as yesterday, but it was busy then.

“Surprised there’s not a line out the door this morning. It’s quiet today.”

“There was an emergency at the town square.”

My head shoots back to her. “An emergency?” My voice is filled with more worry than I expected to show.

“Well, the town's version of an emergency. They put some fall decorations in the town square last night, including a few scarecrows, and this morning, the mayor found a herd of goats eating said decorations.”

My body suddenly relaxes; I didn’t realize I became so tense. As relief washes over me, I have to hold in laughter as I picture Old Tiller’s goat squatters taking over the town.

“You can laugh. I know a city boy like you probably finds it silly,” the barista says.

I let out a chuckle. “Does everyone know I’m from the city now?”

“You’re in Meadowbrook now—word travels fast.” She turns around and grabs a to-go cup.

“Ah, I’ll remember that. I’ll be sure to spread the news about the goat-astrophe.”

“The Madame Cs probably beat you to it.” She pours the piping hot pot of coffee in.

“Madame Cs?”

“Clarabelle, Cecilia, and Catherine. The town's unofficial but official gossips. They’ll make you feel comfortable and get all the details and then proceed to share all those details with the rest of the town.” She picks up the donut out of the display and places it into a brown paper bag.

“Ahhh, I see. Thanks for the warning; I’ll be more careful then.”

“That’s wise.” She hands me my coffee and the pastry.

“Thank you; have a great day.” I smile as I turn to leave.

“You too!”

This town is going to keep me on my toes more than I anticipated. Are those the kinds of calls I’ll be getting on the job? I guess I better go find out. I drive over to the precinct and meet with my partner, Mitchell.

The first day is simple but a lot of information. It’s a lot of paperwork, procedures, and policies. Most of it is similar to what I'm already used to, but every town and precinct has its own way of running things. I met more of my fellow officers and civilian staff, like Cecilia. Luckily, I was too busy for her to get any details out of me. I’m sure Ms. Abrams already told her about Cassie and me last night. I don’t need anything else to spread about.

We go over some current cases and general information of the town, like its crime trends. High crime involving animals—goats, raccoons, and I’m sure the infestation of bunnies will start causing problems. Other than that, it's just the local teenagers acting out and the elderly trying to, according to them, “stay fresh.”

Oh, Meadowbrook, how you continue to surprise me.