Page 1 of Second Chance with Seth

Chapter One

Everly

I turn around as the door opens and see Laurel Hanson walk into the coffee shop. Like mine, her long blonde hair is tied up in a ponytail, and she’s wearing gray pants and a pink sweater, with a pale gray coat over the top, which she pulls off as she glances around. I have to smile to myself, because I know she’s looking for Peony Hart. The two of them meet here at least every couple of weeks, although Peony must be running late, because she’s not here. Laurel clearly realizes that for herself and steps a little further inside, pulling her phone from her purse. She taps out a quick message, and then wanders to the counter, taking a seat, which is unusual for her.

“Hello,” she says, giving me a smile.

“Hi. Are you okay?”

She nods her head. “I’m supposed to be meeting Peony. I thought I’d sit here and wait for her, if that’s okay?”

“Of course it is. Can I get you anything while you’re waiting?”

“I’ll have a hot chocolate, please?”

“Let me get that,” Owen says from behind me, and I smile up at him, welcoming the help, just as Laurel’s phone beeps and she focuses on the screen, shaking her head.

“Is something wrong?” I ask.

“No. It’s just Peony. She’s been held up.”

“By Rory?” I ask, smiling as I think of Peony’s little boy, who must be about seven months old now, and utterly adorable.

“No, by a client,” she says, and I nod my head as Owen brings over Laurel’s drink, the rich hot chocolate topped with frothy cream and chocolate sprinkles. “Oh… thanks,” she says, her eyes sparkling as she hands him a ten dollar bill and he goes away to collect her change, returning within seconds before he disappears into the kitchen. “He’s nice.” Laurel tilts her head, giving me a knowing smile.

“He’s a godsend, that’s what he is,” I reply, and she smiles, taking a sip of her drink.

“So, there’s nothing going on? I mean, he’s been here a while, and…”

“There’s nothing going on,” I say firmly, and she nods her head.

“He makes a fabulous hot chocolate.” I chuckle and so does she. “Where did you find him?”

“I advertised, and he applied.”

“He’s not from Hart’s Creek, though, is he?”

I shake my head. “No. He lives in Willmont Vale. And to be honest, I don’t know how I’d have survived these last few months without him.” I glance over as Owen comes out of the kitchen, smiling as every other female eye in the room is drawn to his handsome face, and his tall, athletic build, although he’s focused on carrying a caesar salad and a hummus wrap to table three.

Laurel gives me an understanding smile, leaning forward slightly. “I don’t know how you managed any of it,” she says. “Working here when you were pregnant must have been a nightmare.”

“It wasn’t easy being on my feet all day,” I say, recalling how tired I used to get… how, each evening, I’d fall onto the couch upstairs, not even removing my black apron that I weardown here, and that I’d just sit there for hours and hours, too exhausted even to eat. It wasn’t good for me or the baby. I knew that, although doing something about it took me a while. I did it eventually, though. “That’s why I employed Owen,” I say, getting back to our conversation. “So I wouldn’t have to do it all myself.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Laurel says, shaking her head. “I was talking about the smell of coffee. Surely it made you feel sick, didn’t it?”

“No.” I lean on the counter. “I guess I got lucky. Either that, or I’m just immune to the smell after all these years.”

“I wish I could say the same thing,” she says, taking a deep breath, and I realize her meaning.

“A—Are you pregnant?” I ask, keeping my voice low, so no-one will overhear.

She nods, a smile spreading over her face and lighting up her eyes. “I am… and please don’t take offense, but I wish Peony and I had arranged to meet somewhere else. The nausea hasn’t been too bad until last weekend, but…”

She looks kinda pale, and I reach out and place my hand on her arm. “I’ve got an answer for that, which might help.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”

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