Chapter Three

E leven o'clock on the last Monday in September, and the morning rush at the coffee shop hadn't lessened at all. Raine wasn't complaining. Well, not exactly. More customers were good for her bottom line, but this month's increase wasn't due to an additional influx of coffee lovers in Silver Falls. At least, she didn't think so.

Stifling another yawn, Raine added three dots of milk foam to the mocha.

She had three theories to explain the additional traffic at Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans.

Raine squeezed a bottle of chocolate sauce to make circles around each of the foam dots.

The rumor mill was at the top on her list. If town folks heard she was in trouble, they would send business her way. A sweet thought, but the extra traffic was causing her more work with no time for breaks when she was the only one behind the counter.

She used the end of a thermometer to make a circle that cut through each of the foam dots. That left three hearts floating on the top of the mocha.

The second theory involved guilt. Not hers but members of the First Avenue Business Association. If they realized she shouldn't have been forced to coordinate the Boo Bash, they might bring in more business for her to make up for their mistake. Again, a nice gesture, but it only made working on the upcoming event impossible. Two and a half weeks had passed since Margot dropped off the Boo Bash box, and Raine hadn't had time to open it.

She carefully lifted the drink.

The design wasn't as fancy as others she'd created, but Raine did what she could on her own. Heather had called out yet again. She'd been there for two of seven shifts. Not exactly progress, but Raine hadn't found anyone to hire yet.

Her third theory relied on bad timing, as in the adage "when it rains it pours." Now that fall had arrived, a warm drink appealed to more people.

A fourth option might exist, but she didn't believe in curses. Though if one more interview fell through, she would reconsider their existence.

She placed the cup on the counter. "Taryn."

The next order—a vanilla steamer—wouldn't take long.

Taryn came to the counter in her bakery whites. A net covered her hair. Only her white cap was missing from what the baker wore each day at Lawson's Bakery. Her sparkling diamond engagement ring, the envy of most women and a few men in town, wasn't on her ring finger either. A simple gold wedding band graced her left hand today.

Since eloping with Garrett Andrews, Taryn's face glowed radiantly. But as she peered at her drink, her smile widened. "You made me hearts. Thank you."

"You're a newlywed."

Taryn shimmied her shoulders. "I love being married. Of course, I love my husband too."

A part of Raine envied Taryn and Callie for marrying their Mr. Rights. Both friends deserved happy endings, but Raine had been the one in a committed long-term relationship with Emmett Wilson until January and now… "He loves you so much."

Garrett—the definition of tall, dark, and handsome—wasn't the most attractive of the three Andrews brothers in Raine's opinion. But each man had been blessed with looks, intelligence, and a protective streak for Callie, their younger sister.

Garrett was intense with a capital I. His pointed gaze had once sent a shiver down Raine's spine. That intensity most likely made him a successful defense attorney.

On the flipside, he doted on Taryn and Callie. He'd shown such concern when Brecken, the bakery's then-youngest employee, disappeared in July, and asked his two brothers to find the teen so he could stay with Taryn, which they all, Raine included, appreciated.

She wasn't looking for someone like Garrett. Or Callie's Brandt for that matter.

What did a barista have in common with men whose jobs required college degrees and super-duper brain power?

Not much when picking what TV show to binge or what to fix for dinner required too much thinking for her.

Someday, Raine hoped to find a guy who not only loved her but also wanted the same things out of life that she did in the same place as her. If he had a couple tattoos and piercings like Emmett, even better. She'd never colored inside the lines. Why start now?

"Any luck hiring a new barista?" Taryn asked.

The question jolted Raine. "I've set up eight interviews. All the applicants ghosted me. I don't get it."

"I'm sorry. I hope you find the right employees soon. You can't keep up this pace."

Last night, Raine had fallen asleep on the couch. Thank goodness she'd set her alarm ahead of time, or she might have arrived late this morning. "I don't have a choice."

"I understand." Taryn's chin lifted. "When I lost half my staff to the bakery in Summit Ridge, I don't know what I would have done if Jayden, Carl, and Brecken had left too."

"Their loyalty paid off. Now, Brecken's sister works for you."

"I'm so lucky to have Mandy. And you will be too when you hire more people."

"Brecken has other siblings, right? Think I can hire one of them?"

"Unfortunately, the next oldest is only thirteen. You'll have to wait a couple of years."

Raine laughed. "Waiting has been the story of my life."

Waiting for Emmett to make up his mind about a long-distance relationship. Waiting to find out if they would survive as a couple living hours away from each other. Waiting for the right employees to cross her path.

Raine was tired of it.

Taryn picked up her drink. She added a lid to the cup. "I must get back to the bakery. It's bread baking time."

As Raine worked on the steamer, the scent from the sweet vanilla mixture made her mouth water. The consequence of skipping breakfast.

She added frothed milk to the top. Two dollops of whipped cream went on next. She set the cup on the counter. "Savannah."

Eight-year-old Savannah Baxter skipped toward the counter without a care in the world. The slumped shoulders of her mother, Robin, told another story.

The woman's designer clothes hadn't changed, but the mother of two no longer wore perfectly applied makeup. Her pale complexion, sunken eyes, and messy bun spoke volumes about her soon-to-be ex-husband's money and legal problems and the for-sale sign hanging in the front yard of their mansion.

"I fell at recess. Cut myself. There was so much blood. Got stitches." Savannah raised her chin to show them off. "Mommy said I got a treat on the way back to school."

"You were brave." Robin touched her daughter's thin shoulder. "You deserve something special."

Savannah picked up the cup and sipped. "Yummy."

"I hope you heal quickly." A few weeks, maybe a month, had passed since either had come into the shop or been out and about in town. "I hope the steamer helps you feel better."

Raine didn't believe in guilt by association. Robin was a friend, who'd been married to a jerk. Okay, she'd stood by Nick when he'd shown his true colors nearly seven years ago with his treatment of his so-called best friend Brandt Winslow. But after Nick tried to ruin Lawson's Bakery and Callie and Brandt's wedding, Robin had filed for divorce in July.

Raine had silently applauded the stay-at-home mom of two. She poured Robin a cup of the house blend, added a teaspoon of sugar, and a dash of cream, and placed it on the counter. "This coffee's for you, Robin."

Robin jolted to a stop. Her lips parted but no words came out. The whites of her eyes, however, reddened.

She picked up the coffee and sipped. An almost rapturous expression formed on her face. "Th-thanks."

The two walked away.

"Robin." The name sprung from Raine's lips like the spring runoff over Silver Falls. Something had compelled her to call out, but she didn't know what. Robin stopped and turned. "Yes?"

The uncertainty in the one word nearly broke Raine's heart. She hated to think how Robin might have been treated by Nick over the years…or lately. "If you hear of anyone looking for a job, could you please tell them I'm hiring?"

Something flashed in Robin's eyes.

Dare it be interest?

"I might know someone." Robin wet her lips. "What kind of experience are you looking for?"

"The ability to learn, a desire for hours, and patience would come in handy during the busy times, but that's not a requirement."

Robin half laughed. "Setting the bar high, huh?"

"You have no idea."

Robin glanced at Savannah who wore a milk-foam mustache. "Thanks for telling me about the position. I'll keep it in mind."

For herself or someone else?

Didn't matter. Raine had put the offer out there. That was all she could do.

Time to fill the next order. She glanced at the list.

Huh? Raine peered closer. Inhaled sharply.

Not one order remained.

All caught up! Finally.

She pumped her fist.

This was cause for celebration or to escape into the office to peek inside the Halloween bin.

The bell on the front door jingled.

Or maybe not.

Raine wiped her hands and stood behind the cash register with a cheerful smile. She glanced at the person approaching the counter and did a double take.

She hadn't expected to see Callie's brother Keaton walking toward her with a worn-leather laptop bag, something he'd carried with him each time he came into the coffee shop.

Raine had met him last Christmas. He'd returned to Silver Falls for six weeks this summer. Callie wasn't a fan of her brother's smarter-than-you attitude, but Keaton tipped well, didn't say much while he worked, and provided some nice eye candy while Raine worked.

"What are you doing in Silver Falls?" she asked.

"Visiting family." He strode to the counter with a grace more fitting of an athlete than an academic. He was taller than his brothers and thinner. His thick plastic glasses gave him a nerdy vibe. Nerdy, but geeky cute. Probably why Callie's nickname for him was the brainy professor.

He was the most attractive of the three Andrews brothers, but the antithesis of Raine's usual type. She had a thing for biker bad boys. Even if her exes only dressed the part, something about that look drew her in.

Today, Keaton's Henley and faded jeans made him look younger, more approachable than when he wore a bow tie, dress shirt, tweed pants, and suspenders. She liked the casual style on him.

As her muscles relaxed, her smile came naturally. "I didn't think you were coming back until Christmas."

His attention jerked to hers. He may have even shrugged. "Change of plans."

Surprising. He seemed more like a person whose plans had plans than an impromptu type. At least based on what Callie had mentioned.

Keaton stared at the menu.

Another surprise. "You're not ordering an Americano?"

He'd ordered those during every visit, even when Callie wanted to order Christmas cocoas for her family in December.

"Seeing what's new," he said.

"Fall's here, so I added pumpkin spice drinks to the menu."

"Guess you can't avoid that this time of year."

"Nope. It's a cup of autumn. People love it." Raine thought the flavor was overrated, but her customers drank it up, so she created more for them to order. "Anything call to your taste buds?"

"Something with pumpkin spice," he said finally. "Surprise me."

O-kay. That was strange, but he was the customer. She wrote his name on a cup. "Callie was in yesterday. She didn't mention you were in town."

"I arrived last night. I'm staying with Margot. Figured that would be better than staying with—"

"Newlyweds."

"Exactly."

Raine remembered conversations. That was how she knew what customers drank. She set the machine.

Something about his visit felt off. It wasn't his casual clothes or letting her pick his drink. And then she remembered.

"You're on the quarter system, right?" She wished Summit Ridge University wasn't on semesters or Timmy would be working his usual shifts.

"You're correct." He might not look like a professor, but he sounded like one. "Classes begin today. I'm not teaching this quarter."

Weird. She remembered him excited about revamping the curriculum. He'd been so enthusiastic and mentioned a few foreign words. One had sounded like a superhero character. "Taking time off for research?"

His expression froze. It thawed two seconds later, but his eyes had dimmed. "Something like that."

Raine rang up the drink.

He paid with cash and tucked a dollar into the tip jar. "Thanks."

"Be glad you came in when you did, or you'd be waiting for a bit."

"Been crowded?"

She placed a cup under the nozzle and adjusted the knobs. "It was, and I'm on my own."

He glanced around. "Where's Timmy?"

"College. Full-time this semester. He's only working weekends and two evenings a week now."

"Good for him."

Raine nodded. "It is, but I need to find weekday replacements."

The coffee shop's phone rang. She glanced toward the office where she must have left the receiver when she spoke to a supplier.

"Go answer it." Keaton motioned for her to go. "I don't mind waiting."

"Thanks." She hurried and answered the phone. "Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans. This is Raine."

"It's Margot."

"What can I get for you?" Raine didn't want to be curt, but she didn't want to make Keaton wait too long.

"Two cappuccinos, one hot chocolate, a mocha, and a pumpkin spice latte. It's for my quilt workshop. My coffee isn't as good as yours."

Raine stood taller. "Thanks. I'll prepare your order, but I'm short-staffed again, so I can't deliver."

"No worries." Margot sounded as if she were brushing away a gnat. "I'll send someone over. We haven't been busy this morning."

"I wish I could say the same."

"Be careful what you wish for. Bye." Margot disconnected from the call.

Raine held on to the phone. She would put it underneath the counter where she could answer it more easily. She turned.

Keaton stood behind the counter and refilled a cup.

With a smile, he handed the cup to a customer, who wasn't a regular. "Have a nice day."

She walked toward him. "Bored?"

"Figured I'd lend a hand. I saw your daily blends on the back counter."

"Thank you. But be careful. I need to hire people. You're so good at this I'm tempted to hand you an apron, and put you to work."

"Yeah, right," he joked.

"Good help is impossible to find. An employee who is proactive like you would be a dream come true."

His chest puffed. "I would be, but can you see me as a barista?"

Yes, she wanted to shout.

"Don't you think I'm overqualified for the job?" he asked.

Ouch. Raine pressed her lips together. Heat pooled in her cheeks.

Forget brainy professor.

He sounded like an intellectual snob.

She stared down her nose at him. "Being a barista is an honorable job."

"Very. I couldn't survive without them. But the position would look odd on my CV."

Tension—thick and heavy—grew between them. CV stood for something in Latin, but she didn't know what. Didn't need to know. She'd worked full-time at coffee shops and barely finished getting her associate's degree.

"You mean, résumé? That's the word this community college graduate uses, Professor." The words spewed like a gallon of French roast had when a spigot on a coffeepot broke. Raine was tired of men who thought they were better than her.

An odd expression formed on his face. "Résumé works."

What else would he say? Raine should stop now. Except, she didn't want to. "I suppose there also might not be room for it with all those fancy degrees and initials after your name. Though master barista is a thing if you change your mind…"

He stared at her as if she'd grown horns.

Maybe she had.

Raine had only been half joking about hiring him. Not that she wouldn't follow through if he'd said yes. His attitude about what she did for a living, however, bugged her. A lot. "But you'd have to pass the food handler's test to get a card. That's required to work here."

He raised his chin. A vein pulsed at his jaw. "How hard could the test be?"

Not hard at all, but Raine would keep that to herself. She shouldn't try to annoy him. He'd helped her out. She owed him. But what was it with people who thought they were better than everyone else?

Well, her.

She made a smiley face on the foam and handed the drink to him. "This is a pumpkin spice latte. Enjoy."

He stared at the drink. "Never tried one of these."

Keaton didn't sound unsure, more…wary.

"You always order Americanos when I take your order. What made you change your mind?"

"What I've been doing hasn't been working so well. I decided I shouldn't keep doing the same things and should try new things instead."

"Many people need to do that." Herself, included. Maybe she wasn't too old to learn something from an actual professor. "So, how's it going?"

He took a sip. Grinned. "This is delicious, so I'd say it's going well."

Raine stood taller. "You paid for this drink, so your next one is on me. I appreciate you refilling the coffee cup for that customer."

"Not necessary, but thanks." He motioned to an empty table in the corner. "I'll be working over there if you need someone to refill cups. As you've seen, I've got mad pouring skills."

And a massive ego.

Having three older brothers who were a professor, lawyer, and surgeon must have driven Callie crazy. Raine had new respect for her friend, though her siblings might be why the doggy daycare owner preferred dogs to most people.

Raine laughed. "You do."

She wouldn't ask to use those skills of his again. Someone like Keaton Andrews would never lower himself to work in a coffee shop.

For the best.

She was finished with people who thought they were better than others or wanted more than what she loved.

For Emmett, it had been this town until he'd decided she no longer fit into his future. For Keaton, it was her profession.

Why couldn't people see the value in what others appreciated? Why did it have to be their priorities to the exclusion of everyone else's?

She didn't get it.