Page 10 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
“A surprise?” I raise an eyebrow at him and lean on the counter. I am definitely intrigued.
“Yes, you let me choose the coffee and if you don’t love it, I’ll give you a full refund.”
I love all kinds of coffee—other than instant—so I doubt I’ll be asking for a refund.
“Sure. Why not?”
Tobias tilts his head, his eyes roaming all around my body. Not lingering on my body but the outline of it. I have no idea what he’s doing but after a moment of contemplation he enters something into his register. I pay the total, which is way less than any Starbucks, and circle to the pick-up counter. Everything in the shop is colorful and patterned and there’s a fun lightness to the atmosphere. Almost every table in the corner shop is full of people enjoying coffees in those strange mugs.
Tobias himself makes my coffee, brewing, pouring and mixing. I try to see everything he’s doing but the fancy coffee machines get in the way. Lurking closer I decide to take advantage of Tobias and the knowledge all baristas learn of small-town residents.
“So, Tobias, live here long?”
“A few years. I moved here with my husband so he could be closer to his family.” He says continuing to fiddle with the machine and making my magical coffee.
“So, he’s got family in town? They live here long?”
Tobias’s eyes glance my way briefly before turning back to his task. “I think they’ve been here awhile. He and his sister run the local flower nursery.”
“How old is…” I quickly recall the sign I saw when entering the town and hopefully my brief pause is brief enough not to garner suspicion. “Snowberry?”
“I think it was established in the early nineteen hundreds.”
Interesting. How has a town remained invisible to the outside world for over a hundred years?
“And do you like living here? Away from big cities and noise?”
“Oh yeah, we love it here.” He smiles and I can see the admiration in his expression. “Snowberry has everything we need.”
“Everything’s so clean and immaculate. I can see the appeal.”
“This your first time in town? I don’t recall seeing you before.”
“Yup.” I don’t embellish, it’s always best to give as little information as possible. Less likely to slip up that way.
“Are you here for the blood moon then?”
Blood moon. Does he mean the literal blood moon, a full lunar eclipse that happens every four to five years, or is it code for something else? I figure if he’s talking about it so casually it’s probably most likely the eclipse. Which also has to do with the full moon and by extension werewolves. Ha! Maybe I am in the right place.
“Yeah, figured I’d check it out.”
Tobias eyes me again as he tops my coffee with some sort of foam, it smells freaking divine. I have a feeling drinking this coffee is going to be a core memory moment that I highly anticipate. His expression goes from inquisitive to amused and he smirks at me before handing me the paper to-go cup, no lid, so I can see his decorative flourish in the foam. It looks like…a crescent moon. Pretty.
“Here you go. I think you’ll like this.”
“I think I will too.”
I gingerly sip the liquid and bask in the first hot taste of the best cup of coffee I’ve ever drank. There’s espresso of course with a hint of sweetness, creamy milk, and something fruity all topped with the whipped foam. I don’t know what he put in this but it’s perfection.
“Oh. My. God. This is delicious. Just what I needed.”
“I thought it might be. Come back any time and I’ll make you plenty more where that came from.”
“You have a gift sir. I will most definitely be back,” I promise. I would never leave this town if I could have coffee this good every day for the rest of my life.
I tip my cup in his direction and he chuckles, turning back to greet the next customer now waiting at the register. I don’t spot any of the physical characteristics thought to belong to a werewolf. So, I highly doubt he’s what I’m looking for, which means my future coffee orders are safe.
The heavenly aroma of theThe Ugly Mugis left behind as I make my way down the street, heading for the new delicious aroma of syrup and pancakes atThe Morning Star Cafe.
