Page 14 of Promises on the Mountain

Then he impressed me with his love-making skills again, before cooking me dinner on the stove, and then we made love one more time before we finally packed up and headed back to town.

I wasn't prepared to stay the night at his place, so he dropped me off at mine-- and didn't leave until my alarm went off at three thirty in the morning. Then made me late for opening the cafe.

Fortunately, Moonshine Ridge works on its own sense of time and it's not unusual for the small businesses here to keep "ish" hours. No one blinked an eye at me when I didn't turn the sign over to the side that reads "open" until five thirty-seven.

Deputy Hawkins came in at his usual time, this time smiling ear to ear.

Then Terra Diaz walked over from her daycare center and shocked everyone by greeting the deputy with a kiss.

Like...a kiss. The "this man is mine and no bitches better forget it" kind that had the small-town gossip mill on fire less than fifteen minutes later.

That was great for business though. I think everyone in Moonshine Ridge has come through the cafe today to confirm the rumors.

Raine said he'd be by before closing today but he's running late. Cell service is spotty enough here in the heart of the town, but up at the camp where he spends most of his days, it's non-existent. So, of course, I haven't heard from him.

It works out well anyway, since I decided to stay open a little later to make up for the late start this morning and to accommodate any late afternoon gossip mongers looking for little town intel...and an afternoon caffeine boost.

I have a couple of bags packed, things Raine suggested I should bring with me up to his place so I'll have what I need to stay with him for several days at a time.

He's already making plans to move me in with him and I haven't even been to his house yet.

I giggle while I work, doing end of day cleaning with the front door propped open. It's a warm day despite the early February date and with the coffee makers running full blast all day, the cool air making its way inside feels good.

"Are you really still open?"

Maggie McAllister stands on the threshold, peering inside longingly.

"Yup, got a late start this morning so I figured I stay open a little later." I laugh at her visible sigh of relief as she steps inside, then turns around to motion at someone still waiting outside.

Her husband, Birch, fills the doorway, blocking the light as he moves inside.

"Can I interest you in a gossip-monger special? Or just your usual?"

Maggie and I share a laugh but Birch just stands behind his wife and glowers stoically.

I haven't seen much of Birch McAllister; he runs the local sawmill that's on the edge of town so he's not around much during my usual business hours. His brothers and their wives own the sporting goods store across the street from the cafe and the tavern just another block over. I've gotten to know Hyacinth and Chamomile pretty well but the men keep their distance-- something about their grandmother's feud with Raine's grandmother, who also happens to be my landlord.

Maggie only makes it in a couple times a week since she's up on their property doing the stay-at-home mom thing most of the time, but she comes in often enough that I have her tall, full-fat, double espresso maple pecan latte memorized.

"Do tell me what a gossip-monger special is first," Maggie asks, a hint of southern accent peeking through the words.

"It's just a standard vanilla latte." I hate to disappoint her, "It's been the default order of pretty much everyone who's stopped by to ask questions about the newest couple on the mountain."

"I'll stick with the usual," Maggie tells me, then looks up at her husband who leans down to place a soft kiss on her lips. "He'll have an Americano," she adds even though Birch hasn't muttered more than a grunt since coming inside with her.

I know he'd prefer a cup of hot, black, house brew, but the regular pots are already off and cleaned up for tomorrow.

"So, speaking of new couple gossip," Maggie hedges as she stands at the counter, off to one side so she can watch me pull the espresso shots, "Hyacinth says she saw you leaving the cafe yesterday in a certain classic Ford truck?"

The blush heats my face far more than the steam coming of the milk in the pitcher as I prepare her latte.

"You seeing Raine Hart?"

Birch's deep voice startles me. It's got a disapproving thing going on that makes it clear that he's questioning my taste in men.

"Um, actually, yeah I am."

I top Maggie's lattes with the thick, steamed milk and finish the pour with a tulip design before handing the drinks over.

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