Page 21 of There’s Trouble Brewing

Slowly, Bryan nodded, his expression softening slightly under her reassurance.

“You can take a break if you need to and come back when you’re ready,” she told him with a smile that seemed to ease some of his tension.

Bryan nodded again before stepping away to cool down.

When Emily looked over at Mark after handling the situation, there was an approving glint in his eyes. After the shop settled down and they found a moment alone by the freshly stocked shelves of coffee bags, he leaned closer and said quietly, “You handled that situation with Bryan really well.”

His compliment warmed her more than any cup of coffee could. Emily flashed him a grateful smile, feeling unexpectedly light despite the morning’s drama. “Thanks. It means a lot to hear that from you.”

As she stepped outside to take out the garbage, the contrast was immediate. The air outside was a wall of sticky heat, swallowing Emily whole as she dragged the trash to the alley not exactly how she’d pictured her glamorous coffee career.

Voices rose from the corner, sharp and loud enough to cut through the oppressive air. “Belinda’s going to love me for this,” Emily heard Birdie snicker unmistakably.

Emily paused, the trash bag swinging like a pendulum in her grip.

“Don’t know why you got to meddle, hon,” Mason grumbled.

“I called the health department because I was concerned about the welfare of Faith Valley,” Birdie stated pridefully. “They agreed that a second inspection was in order after I told them what I saw at the taste-testing.”

“You didn’t see anything, Birdie,” Mason chastised. “You just want to cause trouble.”

“I did so,” the older woman challenged. “I swear I saw one of those new baristas wiping the machine with a dirty rag. The health inspector said that’s enough to come out on Thursday.”

Emily felt her stomach drop, the words slicing into her. She didn’t wait to hear more, her feet already carrying her back inside to Mark.

The shop was a blur as she stormed through the door, dodging staff and boxes. Mark looked up from a stack of order forms, his expression shifting to concern as she approached.

“Emily, what’s wrong?” he questioned, reaching out to steady her.

She stood there with her hands on her hips, breathless and angry. “We’ve been setup,” she blurted, the words tumbling out. “There’s going to be a second inspection in two days. Birdie and Mason are out there, and she’s bragging about reporting the coffee shop for uncleanliness.”

Mark’s face hardened with a mix of frustration and resolve. “Because she’s still angry that were competing with Belinda’s cafe?” he asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

“She’s proud of it,” Emily stated in frustration, “proud of trying to destroy this place.”

It felt like betrayal, like someone had pulled the rug out from under them just when they were finding their footing.

Mark took a deep breath, and she could almost see the gears turning in his head. She couldn’t help but appreciate the way he always went straight into problem-solving mode. “Okay,” he said finally. “Then we show them we’re ready. We’ll make this the cleanest shop they’ve ever seen, and there won’t be one thing they can shut us down for.” His confidence was infectious, like a lifeline she didn’t realize she was needing.

Emily nodded, a flicker of hope breaking through the knot in her stomach. “Let’s do it,” she agreed with a determination.

Mark pulled her into a quick huddle with the staff, hiswords clear and precise. “We just found out that we have a second inspection coming on Thursday,” he announced, scanning the room. “I need everyone to hustle. We’re going to pass this one with flying colors.”

Emily watched as the team sprang into action, a flurry of movement and purpose. She caught Nancy’s eye, the girl looking both terrified and excited, and gave her a reassuring nod.

“What do you want me to do?” Emily asked, turning back to Mark. The chaos was strangely exhilarating, the challenge pulling them closer instead of apart.

He made a quick checklist and handed it to her. “Divide and conquer?” he suggested, the hint of a grin breaking through the tension.

“Thought you’d never ask,” she replied, feeling the fire return to her veins. She went to work directing the baristas to scrub and organize, her voice cutting through the noise with quick instructions. They cleared countertops, polished machines, and removed dirty items, making the place shine with the kind of precision that would make Birdie eat her words.

Despite the pressure, Emily felt a strange sense of calm, as if the storm had brought everything into focus. Mark was on the other side of the shop, leading the charge with the same intensity and focus that had first drawn her to him. Their eyes met across the room, a silent exchange that spoke volumes.

With each task they completed, the mood shifted from frantic to determined, a team effort fueled by a collective sense of defiance. They’d show this town what they were made of, no matter who tried to undermine them.

Emily wiped her brow, and left a streak of coffee grinds smudging across her forehead and smiled at the bustlingcrew. They were in the final stretch, and everything was coming together like clockwork.

She felt Mark’s presence before she saw him, his steady, calming energy a constant through the whirlwind. “How’s it looking?”

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