Page 8 of Espresso Your Love
“Bye, Molly!” She gives me a hug and a kiss on the top of my head, and I walk out the door.
My house is within walking distance, but Aunt Clara’s bed-and-breakfast is in the opposite direction. I was going to just go home and read my cozy mystery novel, but I guess I’ll hunt down this Ryan Hayes.
The town is always so beautiful around this time of year. The sun is just starting to set, and with autumn coming, the weather is cooling down. I love fall, everything about it. It makesme feel like I’m in a rom-com. But with less rom and more com, especially with Ash around. There’s not much romantically happening now, or ever.
I’ve never been in a serious relationship. I’ve dated a few guys in town here and there, but nothing has turned into more than a few dates. And I’ve never been kissed, so there’s that too. Thirty, not-flirty, and never been kissed. I bet that’ll be the real selling point when I find the one.
But I have my work, for now at least. Eventually, I want to find love, get married, and have babies. I want someone who will look at me and see forever, see his future in me. I want to love with everything I am, everything I have. And to share the rest of my life with that man.
I turn down the road and see the Cozy Nook Inn’s sign. It’s old and needs some love itself. As I go up the steps, I hear the creak across the floorboards of the porch. Maybe more than just some love, it needs a lot of love.
I step inside and ring the bell sitting on the front desk. I peek around the wall into the living room to see the fireplace roaring. As old as the Cozy Nook Inn is, it’s so charming on the inside. I’d love to cozy up to that fire with a good book and a warm cup of cocoa. I start to walk through to the kitchen when Aunt Clara pops her head out the kitchen door.
“Cassie! My, you look wonderful today.” She steps out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron.
“Thank you, Aunt Clara.”
She’s not actually anyone’s aunt around here. All her family lives far away, but she’s always insisted on me and my friends calling her that.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you here?”
“I, uh, I wanted to see if you had a certain someone staying here.”
“Oh?”
“I ran into him this morning at Coffee Loft, and when I was leaving just now, I saw his wallet on the chair. I’m not sure if he’s in town visiting or if he just came for the coffee, but Molly suggested I check here before going to the station.”
“Oh, yes, of course. We wouldn’t want anyone running around without their wallet.” She waves her hand at me. “Come here, dear, and let’s take a look, shall we?”
We walk back to the front desk, and she grabs her check-in book.
“What was his name?” she asks.
“It’s a…Ryan Hayes.”
“That would be me.” I jump as a man’s voice startles me from the stairs. “Twice in one day, huh?” He smiles, which for the record, is way better than Jake’s smile ever was.
He continues down the stairs and walks to the side of the desk.
“You, uh,” I clear my throat. “You left this at Coffee Loft.” I stretch my arm out to hand him his wallet.
“Oh, man. I was wondering where I might have left it. Thank you.” He grabs his wallet from me, his fingers brushing against mine, and electricity shoots through my hand down to my toes. My eyes shoot up, looking right into his mossy-green eyes.Did he feel that too?
“Beautiful and a kind soul.” Aunt Clara’s voice breaks my eye contact with him, and I pull my hand back to my side. “Something a man looks for in a woman. Isn’t that right, Ryan?”
His eyes are still locked on mine. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Ryan here is new to town and needs a tour guide. I’m sure you’d love to help welcome Ryan to our wonderful town. Wouldn’t you, Cassie?”
Growing up in this small town, I’m used to the townspeople gossiping and giving their two cents. But now I have Molly and Aunt Clara playing matchmaker? It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Molly knew he was here and gave Aunt Clara a callwhile I walked over here. That’s just the kind of thing that would happen here in Meadowbrook.
4
Ryan
“Yes, Aunt Clara. We wouldn’t want Ryan to feel…” Cassie gives Ms. Abrams an unpleasant look as she speaks through her teeth, “unwelcomed.”
“Oh, wonderful!” She throws her hands in the air. “Now, go along, you two.” She comes around the desk and starts pushing us out the door. “Have a wonderful evening. And Ryan,” she stops and loudly whispers to me, “remember what I told you.”
