Page 12 of Espresso Your Love
I must have fallen asleep while debating my sanity. Thank goodness, I plugged my phone in before I did. I can’t be late on my first day. My first day! I jump out of bed and quickly get ready. I’ll get issued my gear and uniform today at the precinct so I throw on some joggers and a shirt then head out the door. I check the time as I’m walking down the stairs, and I have just enough time to stop by Coffee Loft before work.
Perfect.
Max trails behind me, and I zoom by the front desk and out the front door. If Clara Abrams stops me for a conversation, I won’t have time to grab coffee…and hopefully see the pretty blonde event planner.
I drive to Coffee Loft and pause as my hands grip the wheel. My heart is racing, and my stomach is turning. Am I getting sick? My palms are sweaty, and I repeatedly wipe them on my joggers.
Max whimpers from the back seat and nudges me with his nose.
“Just nerves, huh, Max?” I give him some head scratches. “Okay, I’m going in.”
I roll down the windows and turn off the engine. “Wish me luck, buddy.”
Max barks in return as I get out of the truck.
I walk directly to the counter. Surprisingly, there’s no line. A tall brunette takes my order, a lofty coffee and donut to go, as I scan the room. There’s hardly anyone here. It’s the same time as yesterday, but it was busy then.
“Surprised there’s not a line out the door this morning. It’s quiet today.”
“There was an emergency at the town square.”
My head shoots back to her. “An emergency?” My voice is filled with more worry than I expected to show.
“Well, the town's version of an emergency. They put some fall decorations in the town square last night, including a few scarecrows, and this morning, the mayor found a herd of goats eating said decorations.”
My body suddenly relaxes; I didn’t realize I became so tense. As relief washes over me, I have to hold in laughter as I picture Old Tiller’s goat squatters taking over the town.
“You can laugh. I know a city boy like you probably finds it silly,” the barista says.
I let out a chuckle. “Does everyone know I’m from the city now?”
“You’re in Meadowbrook now—word travels fast.” She turns around and grabs a to-go cup.
“Ah, I’ll remember that. I’ll be sure to spread the news about the goat-astrophe.”
“The Madame Cs probably beat you to it.” She pours the piping hot pot of coffee in.
“Madame Cs?”
“Clarabelle, Cecilia, and Catherine. The town's unofficial but official gossips. They’ll make you feel comfortable and get all the details and then proceed to share all those details with the rest of the town.” She picks up the donut out of the display and places it into a brown paper bag.
“Ahhh, I see. Thanks for the warning; I’ll be more careful then.”
“That’s wise.” She hands me my coffee and the pastry.
“Thank you; have a great day.” I smile as I turn to leave.
“You too!”
This town is going to keep me on my toes more than I anticipated. Are those the kinds of calls I’ll be getting on the job? I guess I better go find out. I drive over to the precinct and meet with my partner, Mitchell.
The first day is simple but a lot of information. It’s a lot of paperwork, procedures, and policies. Most of it is similar to what I'm already used to, but every town and precinct has its own way of running things. I met more of my fellow officers and civilian staff, like Cecilia. Luckily, I was too busy for her to get any details out of me. I’m sure Ms. Abrams already told her about Cassie and me last night. I don’t need anything else to spread about.
We go over some current cases and general information of the town, like its crime trends. High crime involving animals—goats, raccoons, and I’m sure the infestation of bunnies will start causing problems. Other than that, it's just the local teenagers acting out and the elderly trying to, according to them, “stay fresh.”
Oh, Meadowbrook, how you continue to surprise me.
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