Page 19 of Espresso Your Love
“I heard Pippi snuck out again,” the man says.
“That’s alright, Earl,” Mitchell says, keeping his eyes on Pippi. “We got her cornered. Want to bring that crate over here?”
Earl brings the crate, scoops up Pippi, and closes the gate.
“Sorry, fellas. She’s an ornery one and likes to go on adventures, a mischievous one she is. Guess I should be more careful when naming my animals. This one took her name too literally.”
“No problem, Earl.” Mitchell slaps him on the shoulder. “Glad you showed up when you did.”
Earl looks around to see the frosting covering the counters, cabinets, and floors.
“Oh, sweet heavens. I’ve got to clean up that mess.”
“We’ll take care of it. Just get Pippi home.”
“Thanks, fellas.” Earl leaves with the crate in his hand and waves apologetically to Charity.
“Ready for the part of being an officer in Meadowbrook you probably also didn’t expect?” Mitchell asks.
“Icing duty?”
“Let’s help Charity by cleaning this up.”
After Mitchell and I clean up most of the mess, Charity comes in to finish up. She insists that we’ve done enough and sends us on our way with an apple turnover.
As we get to the cruiser, Mitchell answers his phone. I open the trunk and get some water for Max.
“Great, I’ll let him know,” Mitchell says, then hangs up the phone.
“Was that the chief?”
“It was someone I called about a place for you to stay. I knew they were going to have something soon but didn’t know when. The house is available now if you still need a place.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“It’s in great condition. A lot is still original, but they remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms recently. They were going to sell it but decided to rent it out instead. It includes a good size backyard for Max to run around in.”
“Sounds fantastic,” I reply with a smile. “I’m in.”
“I’ll let them know. I think it’ll be a good house for you, Hayes.”
“Awesome, thanks for looking out.”
Perfect. While the Cozy Nook Inn is nice and well, cozy, I'm looking forward to having more privacy. As for Aunt Clara, who now has insisted I call her that, I’m also ready for her to not question everything and bring up Cassie every time I get back in.
7
Cassie
It’s been a few days since I saw Ryan at Coffee Loft. I was working away when I heard a noise. I looked down from the loft and saw Ryan, dressed in his uniform, with Max by his side. I’ll admit—I watched him longer than I should. It was definitely because of the what (noise) that made my curiosity get the better of me…not because of the who (Ryan). Okay, itwasbecause of the who.
But it was only a momentary loss of thinking. I don’t have time for any distractions because I have a looming deadline. Yesterday, two vendors called out for the festival. Meaning I have two vendor spots to fill, in a short amount of time, among a long list of other tasks.
I glance down from the loft towards the entrance remembering his green eyes, the smile on his face as he talked with Ethan, and the way he would pat Max’s head.
No. It’s game time. I can’t have my attention anywhere but here, on the Autumn Festival. So Ryan Hayes and his cute sidekick? They are just part of my security team. We meet,talk business, and that’s it. No flirting. No lingering glances. Nothing. I can, and will, be starry-eyed free when I see him. I am Cassandra Mae Thompson, and I can do anything I set my mind to!
“Hey, Cass. Got a second?” Ashley sits in the chair across from me.
