Page 6 of All You Need Is Macchiato

"Need a hand?" I ask as one book starts to slip.

"Thanks!" She readjusts her grip. "I get carried away sometimes. Sara Miller." At my blank look, she adds, "From the bakery?"

"Kathryn Taylor. From the Coffee Loft." I watch her expression change. "And I was hoping to talk to you about rebuilding our partnership."

"You mean the one Mr. Prescott killed because our prices weren't 'competitive' enough?"

"I mean the one Coffee Loft never should have lost. We're supposed to be part of our communities, not working against them."

She studies me for a moment. "You sound different from Cam Prescott."

"Because I've seen what works. In Wilmington, our local partnerships aren't just good community relations. They're good business."

"Stop by the bakery tomorrow morning," she says finally. "We'll talk."

The sun is setting by the time I make it back to the lodge. The great room glows with warm lamplight, and a fire crackles in the massive stone fireplace despite the mild evening.

"Productive day?" Evie looks up from her knitting as I sink into the chair across from her.

"Interesting one." I kick off my heels, curling my feet under me. "Your town has so many amazing local businesses."

"Mmm." She sets her knitting aside. "And how does Coffee Loft corporate feel about local partnerships these days?"

"They're our priority. It's why they sent me." I meet her knowing gaze. "Cam's been running this location like a generic chain. It's everything Coffee Loft tries not to be."

"Is that so?" There's something careful in her tone.

"The Wishing Wall at my location in Wilmington? It transformed our shop. Created real connections. The kind that can't be measured in daily sales reports."

"The kind my family used to have with the old owner."

Through the window, I spot a familiar figure crossing the parking lot. Nolan's carrying supplies to the activity center, his movements sure in the gathering dusk.

"He used to work there too, you know," Evie says, following my gaze. "Helped create some of their most popular drinks."

The specialty menu I've been fighting to preserve. "Sounds like exactly what Coffee Loft is about."

"It was." Evie's needles click softly. "Before Cam decided he knew better than the brand he bought into."

I think of my notes, my plans, my determination to restore what should never have been lost. "I want to make it right," I say finally. "I want to make it special again."

"Good." Evie stands, gathering her knitting. "Though you might find some people need convincing that corporate and community can coexist."

She's right. I have partnerships to rebuild, trust to earn. Starting with the man I can still see through the window, whose walls I'll have to find a way past before I can help restore what Coffee Loft should have been all along.

Chapter Four

Nolan

"Mind if I borrow that?" I nod toward the wrench in Aunt Evie's hand. She's been trying to fix a loose railing on the front porch for the last ten minutes, while guests stream past her on their way to Connor's morning hiking tour.

"Be my guest." She steps back, wiping her brow. "Though I almost had it."

"Sure you did." I take her place, tightening the bolt with probably more force than necessary. "Like you almost fixed the kitchen sink last month. And the shower in Cabin Four. And the?—"

"That sink had a mind of its own." She settles into a nearby rocking chair, watching me work. "Kind of like that scowl you've been wearing since yesterday. The one that sent poor Jameson running when he asked for help with the activity schedule."

I focus on the railing. "Don't know what you're talking about."

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