Page 95 of The Harborer
Amy covered her mouth to hold back a choked cry. Happy tears pricked her eyes. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
“Well?” Shane prompted.
“Better let them in, Deputy, and do your best crowd control.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The place was packed with people eager to try the new blends or get their old favorites. The flow of customers was constant throughout the morning, and time flew by. Some were the same old regulars, and others were new—locals who’d never given her a try for one reason or another, or tourists experiencing a bygone era at the Grand Majestic or traveling down from Silver Summit where they’d sampled her offerings at the kiosk.
One of the locals who visited for the first time was Mrs. Danvers. “I came here to find Deputy O’Brien.” The old woman narrowed a beady-eyed glare on him.
He stepped from around the counter. “How can I help you, Mrs. Danvers?”
“That darn raccoon’s back, staring at me from a tree outside my window. And squirrels are running through my flower beds. Probably fixin’ to make more squirrels! What are you doing working here anyway? Shouldn’t you be in your office or patrolling my street for those danged critters?”
Shane coughed into his hand, and Amy was sure it was to hold back a laugh. “It’s my day off, and I’m helping Councilwoman Caufield with her grand re-opening. Have you tried her coffee yet?”
She eyed him with a heavy dose of suspicion. “What about taking care of all that wildlife in my yard?”
“You do know that’s why they’re called ‘wild,’ and that all of Fall River is their natural habitat, right?”
“Don’t get cheeky with me, young man.”
“Of course not.” His lips quirked the entire time he pulled out a chair for her at one of the bistro tables. “Why don’t you have a seat right here, and I’ll get you a cup of fresh coffee on the house? Meanwhile, I’ll write down the name of someone whoison duty today. His name is Holt Gunderson. He’s a park ranger, and he knows the wildlife around here like the back of his hand.”
“Handing off the baton. Very clever,” Amy whispered as he leaned in to grab the fresh cup of coffee she’d just poured for the old bat.
He sent her a wink and mouthed an “I love you.”
Oh Gaia, how she loved him too.
Closing time was approachingfast, and the coffee shop had settled into a quiet cadence with soft jazz playing in the background. Amy had started end-of-day cleanup, and Shane was in back taking care of the garbage when her entry bell jingled with its usual happy tinkle. She looked up, shocked to see Bruno Keating, hands in his pockets, looking around the store as if he’d never been inside before.
“May I help you?”
Ice-blue eyes in his fake-tanned face settled on the chalkboard behind her counter, and one side of his mouth curled up. “Exotic blends for an exotic owner. Very on-brand.”
She refrained from rolling her eyes. In her peripheral vision, Shane barged in from the back in time to hear Bruno’s snark. He lurched forward, ready to jump all over the guy in her defense. Not looking at him, she held up her hand. “This one’s mine.”
Eyes trained on Bruno, she crossed her arms over her chest, leaned back, and yawned. “Sorry, long day. Did you say ‘exotic’? You sound like a colonial travel brochure.”
He snorted. “Do you even have a health permit, or is that just part of the ‘boho charm’?”
“Interesting question, coming from a guy who’s failed health inspections multiple times. But maybe you’re here looking for pointers on what to do to pass next time since my shop has never failed an inspection. I’d be happy to guide you.”
Bruno was an ass who argued for a living, and she expected the insults to escalate. She was ready for him, though.Surprisingly, he cracked a smile instead. “This place smells like patchouli and ambition. Neither very strong.”
She leaned her palms on the counter. “I’m glad you could make it in to enjoy the aromas. With your ego, I thought it might be hard to fit through the door.” They stared at each other for a beat. “Now, can I get you a coffee? If not, you’re welcome to hang out, but I have a business to run, and it requires me to get back to work. I realize this might be aforeignconcept to you.”
He let out a hearty laugh and stepped to the counter. “Yeah. Give me your bitterest brew. My machine crapped out again.”
“In that case, I’ll make it a double shot. No extra charge.”
Shane watched Bruno with a hawk-eyed glare but stood by quietly while Amy conducted business with the jerk, and she loved him for respecting her wishes. She also loved him for what he said after Bruno left and they had locked up.
“You just put that asshole in his place, and I swear he went there with a smile.”
She pumped her fist. “I did, didn’t I? And it feltdamngood.”
