Page 60 of Espresso Your Love

Now, I know it’s not easy, but you can’t hide from things that make life worth living. And honey, love is always worth it.”

This morning, when I woke up, I felt ready. Ready to lay it all out there. Mom encouraged me to be honest and speak from the heart. So, I came here to Coffee Loft and waited. Waited until they opened the doors then went to the loft to wait some more. Two cups of coffee later, which is not helping my anxiety right now, I’m still waiting for her to walk through those doors.

I sit here, drumming my fingers on the arm of the couch. Every minute that passes feels like an eternity. I thought Max might like to run around the backyard on his morning off, but now, I wish he was here to help calm my nerves.

“Ryan?”

Her voice breaks through my thoughts, and I look up to see Cassie standing in front of me. Her blonde curls are pulled into a bun atop her head, and she’s bundled in her purple coat and scarf. Her computer bag hangs off her shoulder.

This is it.

“Hey, Cassie.” I manage a smile, but my nerves are causing my leg to bounce uncontrollably and my palms to sweat.

“You’re stealing my usual spot now, huh?” she quips, eyeing the couch where I’m sitting.

“I don’t see your name written here,” I tease back.

“And my coffee mug too? That’s my favorite one.”

“No theft committed.” I lift the mug in question. “I took the liberty of ordering for you.”

She seems taken aback and raises her eyebrow. “Ah, that would explain why Ashley shooed me away so quickly.”

Taking the mug from me, she settles down next to me.

“I was hoping to catch you this morning. I, uh, wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Sure, Ryan. What is it?” Cassie’s gaze holds mine, a calm blue sea that steadies my racing heart.

“I mentioned my father was a police officer, like me.”

She sets her mug down on the table, not saying anything. She looks back at me, nodding for me to continue.

I take a deep breath. “It was just a routine domestic disturbance call. But things quickly spiraled out of control, and when the suspect pulled out a gun on my dad’s partner, without hesitation, my dad stepped in front of him,” my voice trembles slightly at the raw emotions I still feel. “He sacrificed himself to save his partner’s life.”

“I’m so sorry, Ryan.” Cassie rests her hand on mine.

“It was a really tough time for my family. I was still in high school.” I take a gulp. “But my mom always reminded us that he loved what he did and protecting others was his calling.”

“He’s why you became an officer?”

“It was hard losing him, but he inspired me. The sacrifices made by first responders every day. And I wanted to carry on his legacy, to serve and protect.”

She gives my hand a comforting squeeze. “I’m sure your dad would be so proud of you.”

“Thank you.” I squeeze her hand. “So I joined. I started training to become a K9 officer, and I got Max. We worked hard, and we’ve had some tough calls; it’s part of the job. But one in particular was when Max and I were called to a concert to perform routine security checks. Max alerted a suspicious package, which was a bomb.

We called in the bomb squad, but time was running out. We started to evacuate as many people as possible. The bomb squad didn’t get there in time, and the bomb exploded. No one was injured, just property damage, but Max and I barely made it out of there. People were calling us heroes and celebrating us. But the fear of losing Max or not being able to protect those people…it was haunting.”

“Oh, Ryan…” Her voice is shaky. “I can’t imagine how scary that must have been. You and Max…you two really are heroes.”

I shake my head. “It could have easily gone the other way.”

“But it didn’t, and you saved all of those people.”

“When the job opportunity to start fresh in a small town came, I jumped on it. I needed time away from it all and thought a quieter place would bring some peace.”

She chuckles, lightening the mood. “Meadowbrook? Peaceful?”

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