Page 76 of Then Came You

“We were eating breakfast when you showed up,” Sam said.

“Oh, so nobody wants a cinnamon roll, then?”

“I’ll have one,” Gillian volunteered. In addition to pancakes, she was a huge fan of cinnamon rolls, and truthfully, she was still hungry from expending so much energy the night before. Not that Kristina needed to know that, although she might have figured it out by now.

“Great. I smell coffee too. That’ll go perfect with our pastries.”

“I’ll pour you some,” Gillian offered as they headed toward the kitchen. After taking a few steps, she realized Sam hadn’t followed them, and she turned to see him standing by the door.

“What’s wrong?” she whispered.

“She’s interrupting our morning.”

“She seems sweet.”

“She generally is, but I wanted you all to myself.”

Gillian heard Kristina moving around the kitchen, presumably getting out plates for their cinnamon rolls. Kristina obviously felt completely at home here, just like Gillian did.

“I’m sure she won’t stay long. Come on.”

He scrunched up his face, and she giggled. “She’s your sister. Be nice!” Then she took his hand and tugged him into the kitchen.

Kristina was standing at the patio door, watching the dogs chase each other around the yard. “Is that your dog?” she asked without turning.

“Yes. His name is Cocoa.”

“Great name.”

“Thanks.” Owen had named him, but Kristina didn’t need to know that.

Sam poured Kristina some coffee before Gillian had a chance to, and then the three of them sat down. Kristina had already placed a cinnamon roll on each of their plates, and now she smiled at Gillian from across the table.

“Sorry for interrupting your breakfast.” She’d directed her apology at Gillian instead of Sam.

“No problem. We were just finishing.”

“Sam mentioned that you own the bookstore downtown. I’ve been wanting to stop in, but I haven’t had a chance yet.”

Gillian welcomed the opportunity to talk about A Latte Books, not just because she owned it, but because anytime was a good time to talk books.

“I take it you’re a reader, then?”

“I try to be.”

Sam chuckled, and Kristina shot him a frown.

“She’s more of a book hoarder than a reader, right, sis?”

Kristina stuck out her tongue at him, and Gillian laughed.

“I admit I have a large stack of books waiting to be read, but there’s just not enough time.”

“There never is,” Gillian said, commiserating with her. It was the number one complaint among readers.

“Anyway, I’ll stop by soon and check it out.”

“Great.”