Page 3 of Coffee and Christmas Kisses
“Well… I mean, only for a few more minutes, I think. They’re about to discharge me.”
“Why in heaven’s name are you working if you’re in the hospital?”
I tried to explain that I was fine, just a little heartburn, and that I’d be back on my feet in no time, literally, that I was coming back to the office as soon as I was discharged, but my boss was having none of it.
“Absolutely not. I don’t want to see your face back in the office until after the holidays.”
“Tim, come on.”
“You have the vacation days.Usethem. We’re not in the business of running people into their graves.”
“Can I work remotely, at least?”
He hesitated for a moment. “Only if you promise to work no more than eight hours in a day.”
I considered it. I could probably make that work. I just wouldn’t take breaks or stop for lunch. Everything would be fine. “Deal,” I said finally.
Chapter Two
West
The bell above thedoor to my coffee shop had been ringing practically nonstop for the past hour and a half as customers came and went. It was a week before Christmas in Silver Creek and that meant people were everywhere—especially at Brewed Awakening, the coffee shop I’d owned for the past two years. That morning the shop had been a zoo for a longer than usual morning rush. Despite the fact that it was a weekday and there was still time before Christmas, people in Silver Creek took their holidays seriously. Finally, though, the rush had died down and I had a little time to breathe. I brushed the sales counter off before grabbing a small bucket and a clean dishrag to go wash down tables.
“Hey West,” called a woman’s voice in a thick southern drawl the minute my back was turned to the door.
I knew the owner of the voice well. It was April Holt, the mayor’s daughter, and one of my biggest admirers in town—much to mychagrin. “Hi April,” I said, plastering on a smile as I turned to face her.
April swooped in and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, pressing her chest to me and wiggling as she did, as if she was going to be able to convince me that I wanted to sleep with her using sheer willpower. She smelled of mint and something warm, and I grunted as she crushed herself against me. “How are you?”
I gave her a quick nod, distancing myself from her a bit. “Great, I—” The bell jingled again, signaling a new customer.Saved.“Sorry, I need to take this.”
She sighed, putting on a heavy air of disappointment. “Fine, have it your way. I’ll be over there if you need me.” She gestured toward an armchair in the corner of the room before leaving me to do my job.
I hurried back to my place behind the sales counter to greet the newcomer, tucking the dishrag into the waistband of my apron as I walked. “How can I—” I glanced up from where I’d been focused on my waist and stuttered to a stop when my gaze met his. He was stunning—tall, soft-looking chestnut hair, hazel eyes with a sparkle in them, and a leather laptop bag slung over his shoulder. I cleared my throat, blinking a few times. “Sorry. What can I get you?”
He let out a soft breath before shaking his head slightly as if he were shaking something off and then peering into the bakery case. “What do you recommend?”
Me.I managed to swallow the thought without speaking it aloud, which was a Herculean feat in itself. “The cheddar bacon scones are good today, if you’re looking for something savory. If it’s sweets you’re after, the snickerdoodles are amazing.”
“They both sound great. I’ll take a sconeandtwo cookies.”
“Coming right up.” As I grabbed his goodies from the case, my mind reeled, eager to keep him talking. My brain worked on autopilot as I kept going. “Anything else?”
April chimed in from the corner. “He makes a mean cup of coffee. My mama always said ‘A man who can make coffee is worth keeping around.’ I couldn’t agree more.”
The stranger smiled in a way that looked more regretful than amused. “No coffee. Not allowed. Doctor’s orders and all.” He knocked on the counter once. “Just the baked goods. And maybe a bottle of water.”
“Sure thing.” I served the customer and as he paid, I realized I didn’t know his name, where he was from, how long he was going to be in town… and I wanted to know it all. He was way too hot to let slip by without my clumsy attempt at flirting aimed at him at least once. “You just passing through or are you new in town?”
“Both, sorta. I’m Cole Martin.”
“As in Doctor Andy?” April called from the corner. She leaned forward as if she were ready to get the latest gossip. “Does that mean your mom’s Lenore Martin?”
“One and the same.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Cole.” April stood and approached us. “I’m so glad to meet you. I bet West here is, too.”
All I knew was that Doctor Andy had a gay brother and Lenore, a frequent flier at Brewed Awakening, mentioned her handsome marketing executive son to me with great frequency, knowing I was one of the only out gay men in town. I guess April figured if she wasn’t going to get her hands on me, she’d find someone else who would. Then again, ifthiswas who April wanted me to hook up with… well, I wouldn’t mind, that’s all I was saying.
