Page 26 of All You Need Is Macchiato

Before I can respond, Kathryn's laugh drifts through the wall. Clear and genuine, like everything else about her. Which is exactly the problem.

"I thought you two were working well together," Connor says. "The Wishing Wall is bringing people back to the coffee shop."

"The Wishing Wall is doing fine without my help." I start actually reading the reports, needing something concrete to focus on. "She knows what she's doing."

"Do you?"

I think of Cam's proprietary air as he worked the crowd yesterday, the way he and Kathryn looked like the perfect corporate team. Some stories follow predictable patterns.

A soft knock interrupts my thoughts. Kathryn stands in the doorway, professional but with an edge of determination that would be admirable if it wasn't so inconvenient.

"Sorry to interrupt," she says, though her tone suggests otherwise. "I needed to check some details about the festival layout."

"Connor can handle it." I keep my voice neutral, my eyes on my work. "I've got reports to finish."

"Right." Something flashes in her expression—not hurt, but challenge. "Because quarterly numbers can't wait another ten minutes."

Connor wisely steps back, but I notice he doesn't leave completely.

"The festival planning is in good hands," I say. "You and Cam seemed to have everything under control yesterday."

Understanding dawns in her eyes. "Ah. So that's what this is about."

"This is about me having work to do."

"No." She takes a step into the office. "This is about you jumping to conclusions."

"I don't need explanations, Kathryn." I meet her gaze directly. "What you do with Cam is your business."

"You're right." Her voice is cool. "It is my business. And if you're interested in actually knowing what that business is, you know where to find me. When you're done hiding behind quarterly reports."

She turns on her heel, leaving me with the distinct feeling that I've miscalculated something.

"Well," Connor says from the doorway. "That was masterfully handled. If by masterfully, you mean not at all."

"Don't you have tours to organize?"

"Don't you have assumptions to reconsider?"

I watch through the window as Kathryn stops to admire the mountain laurel blooms, her shoulders straight and proud. No hint of the corporate climber I'm trying to convince myself she must be.

"You're being ridiculous," Aunt Evie announces from the doorway.

"Did everyone in this family forget how to knock?"

"Did you forget everything you know about that girl?" She moves to the window. "Since when does Kathryn play corporate politics?"

"People change."

"They do." She gives me a pointed look. "Usually for the worse when they let fear make their decisions."

"I'm not afraid." But the words taste false. "I'm being practical."

"No, you're being stubborn. And letting old wounds cloud your judgment." She heads for the door but pauses. "You know what your mother used to say about assumptions?"

"Please, not now."

"She said they're like mountain storms. By the time you realize you're wrong, you've already missed the sunshine."

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