Chapter One

Emily Wilson roared into Faith Valley on her black motorcycle, the engine’s throaty growl drawing curious glances from passersby. Her heart pounded with excitement and nervousness as she pulled up to the curb outside the Brave Badge Coffee Shop, the sun glinting off her dark helmet. With a deep breath, she adjusted her leather jacket, trying to steady her nerves.

“Okay, Emily,” she muttered to herself, “you got this.”

She dismounted her motorcycle, the slight wobble in her legs betraying her anxiety. Emily took a moment to survey her surroundings, noting the quaint charm of Faith Valley, which was not so different from her former small town of Hero, Texas. Red brick buildings lined the cozy main street like a warm embrace, while vibrant flower baskets and white wooden benches brightened up the edges of the sidewalks. The town had a comforting air that made her feel welcome despite being the new face in town.

As she removed her helmet, Emily’s thoughts drifted briefly to the task ahead—training the potential batch of baristas for the newest Brave Badge Roasting Companylocation. She was determined to make a good impression on the staff and the owner, Mark Merlot, who she’d be meeting for the first time today.

If all went well, this could be the beginning of her new career as a barista trainer for the company. With her love of visiting new places, it would be her dream to travel across the country to all the new locations opening up over the next couple of years. For that to happen, though, she had to impress not only Mr. Merlot but also Joe Griffin, the creator of the company.

“You can do this,” she encouraged herself. It might be a new town and new people, but it was the same old job, she reminded herself as she shook her wavy black hair loose from its confines. “You’ve trained baristas before; just breathe. You can do this.”

With a final glance at her motorcycle, Emily straightened her posture and strode confidently toward the entrance of the Brave Badge, ready to tackle her newest challenge head-on.

The door of the newly painted and decorated coffee shop chimed as Emily stepped inside, the warm scent of freshly ground coffee enveloping her like a comforting hug. She inhaled deeply, letting the aroma calm her lingering nerves.

“Ah, there’s nothing quite like the smell of coffee,” she thought with a smile, her brown eyes taking in the cozy interior.

The walls were adorned with photographs and mementos of heroes—a firefighter’s helmet, a police officer’s badge, a paramedic’s ambulance—each piece telling a story of the bravery and sacrifice of first responders. A large chalkboard menu hung behind the counter, boasting a selection of specialty drinks named after various acts of heroism. It was clear that the Brave Badge’s mission to helpheroes start over was woven into every aspect of this shop, just like the location she left in Hero. Good, at least that part was in order. One less thing for her to have to worry about to get this place ready for its opening in a month.

“Excuse me, are you Emily Wilson?” a deep voice called out, startling her from her thoughts.

She turned to see a tall, muscular man approaching, his black hair slightly disheveled and his blue eyes crinkling with a welcoming smile.

“Uh, yeah, I am,” Emily stammered, offering a sheepish grin. “You must be Mark Merlot, right?”

“Guilty as charged,” he answered, extending a hand for her to shake. “Nice to meet you, Emily.”

“Nice to meet you, too, Mark.” Her handshake was firm but friendly, trying to convey both professionalism and warmth. She wanted to get off on a good foot with the coffee shop owner. “I’ve heard great things about what you’re doing here, and I’m excited to help you get ready for your opening.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you could join us to train my new staff,” he said, his tone earnest yet friendly. “I have to admit, I didn’t realize how hard this was going to be. Being a swift water rescue officer has nothing on opening a new business.”

“Well, I’m here to help out in any way I can,” she told him with genuine enthusiasm. She couldn’t help but notice his steely blue eyes and how they seemed to stare right into her soul. Trying to shrug off the odd effect his gaze had on her, she requested, “How about you show me around? I’m eager to familiarize myself with the place so I can get started.”

“Of course,” Mark agreed, gesturing for her to follow him as he began a tour of the coffee shop.

Mark led Emily past the counter, showcasing thegleaming espresso machine and rows of tempting baked goods behind the glass display case. “We have a local baker that delivers pastries every day. Eventually, I plan to hire my own in-house baker, but that won’t be for a while.”

Emily nodded, soaking in every detail. As she trailed behind him, she couldn’t help but notice how he moved with a slight limp, though he seemed to hide it well. The curiosity bubbled within her, but she refrained from asking about his injury directly. Instead, she probed, “So, why did you decide to open a Brave Badge location?”

“I like the company’s mission,” Mark admitted. Then, gesturing around the room, he added, “Joe’s committed to helping injured heroes. My employees are either injured or retired first responders or military personnel who’ve dedicated their lives to serving others, and this is a great way of giving them a second chance.”

Emily’s heart warmed at his words; she felt the same deep appreciation for the company. She observed that he didn’t bring up his own injury, but this omission wasn’t a surprise. Her former boss, Michelle, had also been reluctant to discuss the injury that had prematurely ended her career as a police officer, preferring to leave the past behind her.

As they continued through the shop, Emily took in the cozy blue and red seating areas designed for conversation and reflection, as well as the stage in the back set up for open mic nights. There were also two bookcases filled with stories to read and even an area set up with first responders costumes and props for photo opts.

“Wow,” she murmured, unable to contain her awe. “You’ve really created something special here, Mark. I’ve been to a lot of Brave Badges, but I have to say, your location is one of the best. I love how it honors the theme of the company but still has its own unique touches.”

“Thank you,” he replied with a modest smile. “It’s been a labor of love.”

While excitement surged through her veins, Emily couldn’t ignore the heavy responsibility pressing down on her shoulders. This wasn’t merely a job; it was an opportunity to truly impact people’s lives for the better, which made the prospect of failure loom even larger. She attempted to shake off the nagging doubts, but they lingered, pulling her attention away from Mark’s tour even as she tried to refocus.

“Over there is our community board,” Mark pointed out, directing her attention to a large corkboard covered in colorful flyers and announcements. “We’re going to encourage our patrons to share events, job postings, and other local happenings.”

“Great idea,” Emily agreed, appreciating the strong sense of community the shop fostered. She envisioned people sipping coffee while discussing the latest town events with new friends and couldn’t help but smile.

“Lastly, this is our training area,” Mark said, leading her to a section of the shop cordoned off for instruction. “It’s here that you’ll work your magic, helping our new baristas become the best they can be.”