Page 37 of An Unexpected Everything
I finished showering, and then got out, drying myself with my fluffy towel. Aston only liked the best things, and for that I was grateful. I knew I had to work today, to visit the actual town, but that wasn’t all. The other Cages would be joining me today, because tonight was the infamous Cage family dinner. I didn’t know exactly who would be showing up, but it was on the spreadsheet, and there would be enough of us. We weren’t going to let dear old Dad win. Yes, maybe following his will seemed like he was winning, but in the end that wasn’t it. We were not going to let this town down.
I finished getting ready and made my way to Main Street. It wasn’t a far drive, but because of the chill in the air and the rocky landscape, I hadn’t walked. Some people could easily walk to Main Street and Cage Street, and it was such an interesting concept to me. The town itself called to me in a way I didn’t understand. Each block had flower beds and topiaries that were made of native plants that alternated depending on the season. The front facing buildings had an old mountain town feel but were crisp and cream. Each building had its own unique feel, but there was a theme to it all—including art pieces by certain local residents and other artists the Cages brought in. I knew they’d built and decorated the resort on the outside of town to be the same. It was a small town yet inviting for tourists so they could keep the place running.
The first thing I did was walk into Caged Bean and got myself a coffee. The owner grinned at me, and I also went over a few paperwork things with them. There were items that they needed for the building itself, and while that wasn’t underneath my authority at all, it felt good to know that they trusted my familyto at least look at it. Because I knew that hadn’t always been the case with Dad.
Next, I went into Rise and Cage and grinned at two familiar faces. There was an older woman named Melody, and a woman a little younger than me who was the owner and manager of the place.
“Hi Isabella,” Harper said, a bright smile on her face. “I see you went to the Caged Bean for coffee, what’d you get?”
I looked down at my latte and felt a little odd. “Am I okay bringing other businesses in here? I realize you guys sell coffee as well.” I didn’t know if there were any business rivalries or competitiveness going on. This was something I was going to have to learn, even if I didn’t plan on living here for long. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Melody had gone to the back to work, so Harper just grinned at me. “Oh no. We don’t mind. We actually work together. They do more of the lattes and the fun drinks. They even have a flight of flavored themes.”
A smile spread over my face. “Blakely was telling me about that.”
“I love Blakely. She and Aston are so adorable together.”
“It’s so odd to think that you guys know everybody so well.” I shook my head. “That’s not what I’m used to.”
“We don’t know everybody that well, but I try. Plus, Aston did help me set up the business along with James. And Dorian of course,” she added quickly, a blush staining her cheeks.
I didn’t question that, and I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on there. Though I knew Harper was a few years younger than Dorian. And Dorian was in a serious relationship. Or maybe I was reading too much into it.
“Anyway, it’s a caramel brûlée latte with oat milk and some vanilla drizzle thing. But it’s as sugar-free as they could possibly make it for me.”
“That sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try it. We do have coffee here, because some people don’t need all the fixings, but we are mostly here for the baked goods. That’s why it helps that we try to be sister businesses.”
“I love it. You guys really know what you’re doing.”
“Honestly it was James’s idea, I think. Or one of the Cages. Once their dad died, they had more freedom to do things like that.” Her face paled, leaching of all color, and she put her hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry.”
I smiled and reached across the pastry case, gripping her hand softly. “It’s okay. Yes, he was my dad as well. But it’s been a while now, and complicated emotions doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling. It’s okay. I promise.”
“I still feel terrible even mentioning it so casually.”
“You don’t have to. I promise. Now, I have something for you to sign from James. And while most of it could be done electronically, we needed a notary for this.”
“Oh, do we need to go to municipal hall to make that happen?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, like James, I’m a notary. So, we can get things done quickly. And, that cheese Danish with apple filling looks to die for.”
“I’ve got you. Don’t worry.” We set up our paperwork in one of the corner tables as people walked in and out, and Harper didn’t stop moving. She was constantly talking to customers and coming back to sign whatever she could. I didn’t mind because I sipped my latte, did a few of my other jobs that I could do in public, and ate the best pastry I’d ever had in my life.
“Did you bake this?” I asked, as I nearly licked the crumbs off the plate.
Harper beamed. “I did. I love baking. And my brother Joshua is the one who really pushed me to do it. He’s the best. And that means he and Dorian can have all the food that they want.”
The second time she brought up Dorian. Interesting.
“Dorian is my brother’s best friend. He is always there to get free baked goods.” She rolled her eyes. “I keep trying to get Hudson in more often, but he only shows up to check on me usually.”
I laughed softly at that. “Hudson is one of the new brothers that I don’t know as well. He seems kind of quiet.”
“He is.” Something crossed her eyes that I wanted to ask about, but I didn’t think it was my place yet. “But you’re here now. Do you have any idea how long you’re going to stay?” she asked.
It was such an innocent question, but also a kick to the gut. “I’m not sure.”
Harper reached out and squeezed my hand. “With the whole small-town thing, we know a little of why you’re here. So I know we’re keeping an eye out for you, but there are a few rumors about you and Weston.”
