Page 2 of Playing it Country

I like the hustle and bustle of the city and the crisp air of the mountains, but beggars can’t be choosers and when my parents up and sold my childhood home once I graduated college, I needed a new plan.

They wanted to travel Europe, and while I’ve been happy for them out there living their dream, it’s been hard to want to put roots down when nowhere feels like home. I have my suspicions that Aunt Holly’s need for a bartender has less to do with an actual job and more to do with her just knowing I need to recharge.

“Heads Carolina, Tails California” By Jo Dee Messina plays on the radio, and it feels like she’s singing to me. Deciding I need a pick-me-up, I pull into the parking lot of the Poppy Seed and turn off my car.

The teal building with the bright yellow door calls to me. It’s happy and warm and I just love the vibe.

Pulling open the door, I’m hit by the sweet scent of chocolate and cinnamon and concede that I’ll also need whatever Rhea has made this morning. She smiles as I walk in and I wave.

She’s beautiful with shoulder-length dark hair and navy-blue eyes. Today her apron has unicorns all over it and it’s glorious.

“Mornin’, girl, what can I get you?”

“A coffee and whatever I smelled when I walked in.” She chuckles as she fills my order.

“So sorry I’m late, Rhea,” a girl in her early twenties says as she hurries into the bakery. Her dark hair is pulled into a haphazard knot on the top of her head, a few curls framing her pretty face. “My car needs a new battery and I just haven’t had time and I—”

“Don’t even worry about it.” Rhea waves her off, and her shoulders visibly relax as she moves around the counter and gets to work.

“Hannah, do you have a minute to sit? I just need a break,” Rhea asks, and I nod. We settle on an insanely comfortable couch, and her eyes fall closed as she holds her coffee in both hands and takes a sip. She looks serene like she’s meditating or something.

Meditation via caffeine? That’s something I could get behind.

“Okay, so tell me how everything’s going? Are you still looking for a place to live?”

“Yeah, I love my aunt and uncle, but I think I want my own space if I’m going to be here for a couple of months. I looked at a place in Blackstone Falls this morning but it wasn’t for me.”

“I wish the cottage was available, but the last storm that ripped through here dropped a tree limb through the living room.”

She grumbles and I shiver, and now I’m wondering why I decided placing temporary roots here is a good idea.

The bell over the door chimes, and my jaw drops open at the gorgeous man that walks in. He looks oddly familiar but I can’t place what it is about him. Between his cheekbones and his stubble-covered jaw, I’m practically a puddle in my seat.

“Hey Rhea.” He comes over and drops a kiss on the top of her head and then turns to me. “I’m Waylon, Rhea’s brother—the good-looking one.” Rhea rolls her eyes with a smile as he holds out his hand.

Good-looking indeed.

“Hannah Spence,” I reply as we shake.

His face lights up. “You’re Holly’s niece. Mama said she wanted to have everyone over this weekend since you should be settled now. I think she’s gonna call your aunt, but make sure Rhea gets ahold of you too. No doubt Marlee will wanna meet you too.”

“Marlee?”

His face brightens and the light glints off his wedding band, and oh my is he precious. “My wife, but those two,”—he hitches his thumb at Rhea—“are thick as thieves. All the girls are.”

I smile politely because even though I like Rhea, I’m not great at making friends, so adding more people into the mix isn’t my jam.

“I know you’re new here, but we’re all one big family, so if you need something just ask, okay?”

“Oh, um, thank you,” I say.

He nods and gives a short wave before heading to the counter. It only takes him a couple of minutes before he’s heading out with a coffee in one hand and a white paper bag in the other.

“I didn’t know Mama was planning a dinner. I’ll have to get the details for you.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I’m not—”

Rhea snorts. “Yeah, you can tell Flora Thayer you’re all set with family dinner.” She looks up from her phone. “Good luck with that.”

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