Page 11 of The One that Got Away

It wasn't just about serving food and drinks but about fostering a team, a family almost, within the wooden walls that held their dreams. Each interaction, each shared victory with her staff, rekindled the fire in Lisa's chest, warming her against the chill of uncertainty that lingered just outside her reach.

A lull between orders granted Lisa a moment of respite. She retreated to the small office at the back, a sanctuary of paperwork and plans. No sooner had she taken a seat when her phone vibrated insistently against the desk. Oliver's name flashed on the screen, sending a jolt through her heart.

"Hey," she answered, bracing herself for whatever news might follow.

"Lisa, hi. We're doing okay here," Oliver's voice came through, tinged with an optimism she wished she could fully share. "Daniel is quite the character; he's got this laugh that's… well, it's something else."

She pictured Oliver's face, the way his eyes softened when joy touched his lips, and allowed herself a half-smile.

"I'm glad to hear that. How's Ava?" She regretted the question as soon as it left her lips.

"She’s fine," he replied with a chuckle that sounded almost like affection—she could hear it. "We're slowly making headway. It's a lot to process for all of us."

She wanted to ask what kind of headway and what was a lot to process. Your love for Ava? Are your feelings coming back?

But she didn’t. Of course not.

"Take your time, Ollie. You're doing great," Lisa encouraged, the words steady though her insides churned with a cocktail of emotions. Her support was unwavering, even if it meant navigating the stormy waters of the unknown.

"Thanks, Lisa. I'll be home after I drop them off at the inn. We'll talk more then?" The question hung in the air, an invisible thread connecting them.

"Of course. See you tonight," she said, the call ending with a click that resonated louder than she expected.

Lisa sat for a moment longer, her thoughts swirling like the leaves outside the window caught in an autumn gust. But the café beckoned her back, its pulse alive with the day's rhythm. With a deep breath, she stood, smoothing the front of her apron.

"Let's keep moving," she whispered to herself, the mantra a silent echo of the one that had carried her through the morning.

The pulse of excitement for what she had built never waned, nor did the thrill of the unknown that awaited her. It was a delicate dance along the edge of suspense, each step forward a testament to the heartwarming life she was determined to cultivate and defend.

Lisa's fingers danced across the cash register, the familiar melody of buttons and beeps playing along with the hum of conversation filling the cafe. A steaming mug of coffee clutched in her hand offered a momentary respite from the endless list of tasks. With each sip, she felt the warmth seep through her, but it did little to still the fluttering in her stomach—the constant reminder of Oliver's call.

We’re making headway. It’s a lot to process.

Ugh.

The chime above the door signaled another customer's entrance, snapping Lisa back into the present. She greeted them with her practiced smile, the one that said all was well in her world even when doubt shadowed her heart. The whispers about Oliver and Ava had been like tiny thorns in her side since morning, and as the sun traced its arc across the sky, the shadows grew longer, as did her contemplation of their past.

We all remember how heartbroken Oliver was.

"Is he still in love with her? Can they step back into old rhythms? And where does that leave us?" she mused silently while refilling the sugar containers. Her love for Oliver was like the woodwork adorning the café, carved deeply and with care, yet now she feared it might splinter under the strain of secrets long buried, of longings never met.

"Mom!" The voice of her son, Ethan, yanked her from her thoughts. He stood there with Abigail, their faces flushed from the brisk walk home from school.

"Hey, you two! How was school today?" Lisa bent down to wrap them both in a hug, feeling the tension ease just slightly at their touch. Their innocence was her balm, their presence her anchor.

"Good! But…" Ethan hesitated, his green eyes searching Lisa's. "Is it true about Oliver and… Ava?"

Abigail's small hand found Lisa's, her curious gaze mirroring her brother's concern.

Lisa straightened, steadying herself against the counter. "There are things from the past that are complicated, sweetie," she admitted, tucking a loose curl behind Abigail’s ear. "But what matters is that we're a family. No matter what happens, we stick together."

"Is Daniel going to be our brother now?" Abigail asked, her voice a mix of hope and confusion.

"Let's take it one day at a time." Lisa bent down, bringing herself eye-to-eye with her children. "Right now, let's focus on being friends with them, okay? Welcoming them to the town. Families come in all shapes and sizes, but the love we have is what makes us strong."

Ethan nodded, a serious expression crossing his youthful face as he accepted the weight of his mother's words. Abigail smiled, squeezing Lisa's hand tighter as if to reinforce the bond between them.

"Can we help around the shop?" Ethan offered, and Lisa's heart swelled with pride.

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