Page 15 of Wounded Cowboy
Autumn laughed and went to say goodbye to the girls.
According to Grandma Abigail, Kelsey would be here first thing tomorrow. She’d watch the girls until dinnertime most days.
Spring frowned, wondering if he could stand three months of Kelsey’s relentless cheerfulness. And the distraction caused by those crop-tops and shorts she liked to wear…
It’s only for the summer. I can handle that… right?
Chapter 4
California Dreaming
Later that afternoon
The warm scent of freshly baked pastries and the rich aroma of coffee wafted through the air as Kelsey pushed open the door to Jenna’s Java.
It was located in downtown Snowberry Springs in a historic two-story beige brick building opposite Town Square Park from The Yummy Cowboy Diner. A sign embedded in the façade above the second-story windows said,E.F. Forster & Sons, 1913.
Signs painted over the large plate-glass windows advertisedJenna’s Java & Bakery - Locally Owned & Operated - Fresh Daily - All Natural.
Kelsey walked in and studied the large blackboard hanging from the ceiling behind the register. It advertised salads, soups, and sandwiches besides a long list of coffee drinks. On either side of the register, clean, lighted display cases held an extensive selection of tempting pastries.
Do I want a soup and salad combo or a ham-and-cheese croissant with my matcha latte?Kelsey asked herself.
The soup and salad special would be the more sensible choice, but her eyes kept straying to the large, flaky pastry displayed in the case.Just one croissant left…
“Hi, Kelsey! Welcome back!” Jenna Gomez, the café’s owner, said brightly, her voice carrying over the hum of conversation and the hiss of steaming milk from the big silver espresso machine behind her.
She was a pretty, dark-haired Latina who looked to be in her mid-to-late twenties. Her long black hair was tightly braided under a backwards baseball cap, and she wore a t-shirt, jeans, and a long apron adorned with the Jenna’s Java logo. She asked,“The usual? I savedun croissant au jambon et fromagefor you.”
Her French accent was a sight better than Kelsey’s, and Kelsey had actuallybeento France.
Kelsey chuckled.“Nice to know I’m so predictable. I’m really going to miss this place when I’m gone.” It was no lie.
“Wait—you’re leaving?” Jenna frowned at her and turned her head to address the tall young man working at the coffee bar,“Vince, iced matcha latte, two Splendas.”
“Nearly done. Started it the moment I saw Kelsey walk in,” he replied cockily.“Hey, Kels!” Jenna’s teenaged cousin turned to flash her a grin.“It’ll be just a minute.”
“Thanks, Vince.”
“Let me warm this up for you,” Jenna said, reaching into the display case to retrieve the croissant with a pair of shiny silver tongs.“And then I want to hear all about what’s going on. I heard you were going to be taking care of Spring’s kids for the summer.”
“Where did you hear that?” Kelsey asked, surprised.
After living here for a year and a half, she’d seen how fast news traveled in Snowberry Springs. But she’d never thought the people here would be interested inherlife.
She looked around the café. It was past lunchtime, but still surprisingly busy.
Towards the back of the café, several tables had been shoved together, creating a gathering spot for members of the town’s“Stitch and Bitch” knitting and crochet club. Animated conversation filled the air as needles clacked and hooks flashed, turning colorful yarns into warm winter sweaters and lacy summer shawls.
“So, what’s this about you leaving us?” Jenna asked, leaning her elbows on the quartz countertop next to the register. She frowned.“Did something happen?”
Kelsey shook her head.“Not really. Just making plans to move on now that Nick doesn’t need my help with Kegan anymore.” She smiled wistfully.“Kids grow up really fast.”
“Yeah, they do. I can’t believe my twins will start kindergarten in August,” Jenna said.“But what happened with you taking care of April and Abby? Someone saw you and Mrs. S. having lunch at The Yummy Cowboy the other day, and it sounded like a done deal?”
“Well, apparently everyone thought it was a good idea… except for their dad. I guess no one askedhimwhether he wanted a nanny.” Kelsey tried to keep her tone light, but the memory of Spring’s instant rejection of her services still stung.
She wasgoodat what she did. Dang it!
