Page 100 of A Cup of Autumn
It would never work. She wouldn’t want to even try.
She’d learned that with Emmett. When she’d tried with him, and kept on trying, she only ended up being hurt more.
Keaton had his dreams, and so did she.
That was life.
Lonely or not, Raine was living her dream. Mom and Dad would have wanted this for her. She kept telling herself that. One of these times, the words had to sink in, right?
And someday, she would meet a guy who wanted the same things as her. Anna was correct. A person couldn’t force a relationship, and Raine wouldn’t. Lesson learned, times two.
Whatever guy was out there for her, she only hoped he didn’t show up soon. She needed to get over Keaton first.
The bell on the door jingled.
Margot sashayed inside with a magazine in hand and a big grin on her face. “You won’t believe it!”
Raine wiped her hands. “What?”
“Our Boo Bash Scavenger Hunt was listed as one of the top-ten Halloween events in the state of Washington.” Margot opened the magazine. “Look. We’re number seven.”
Raine scanned the article. The photos of kids wearing their costumes, making cards for residents of senior living centers, and stuffing one of the scarecrows brought a rush of memories of Keaton.
Margot smiled. “This is fabulous. Excellent publicity for Silver Falls.”
Raine forced a smile. “It is.”
“You should be proud of yourself.”
“I am, but I didn’t put on the event alone.”
“No, you didn’t.” Margot waved the magazine in the air. “But don’t let things not working out with Keaton ruin this accomplishment. I owe you an apology for interfering and trying to matchmake when you told me you weren’t interested. But this article ranks up there with the kind of press the Christmas decorating contest gets. You should be celebrating. Not moping.”
Am I moping?Raine hoped not.
“It is a big deal.” She tried to sound enthusiastic, but she wasn’t sure if she succeeded. “I hope it brings new visitors to town for the Harvest Festival. And now that we have a new policy on events for the association, no one will be saddled with an event the way I was.”
That had been decided at the October meeting. And Pippa, the organizer of the Harvest Festival, was making it easy this year. Raine only had to put a few decorations in her front window and add another autumn drink to the menu temporarily. Speaking of which…
“I created a new tea blend. Would you like a sample on the house? You’ll be the second taster after me.”
Margot grinned. “I’d be delighted. I’ll sit at a table where I can read the article again.”
Margot meant she wanted to share it with every person who entered the coffee shop. “Enjoy yourself. I’ll bring over the tea when it’s ready.”
Once, the tea had steeped long enough Raine delivered the cup to Margot. “I didn’t add sugar because I wanted your opinion on the flavors alone. You can add some after the first sip.”
Margot’s blue eyes twinkled. She raised the cup to her mouth and blew. “Old habit of mine after I burned my tongue once.”
She took a sip. Tilted her head. Closed her eyes.
Raine held her breath.
Margot took another sip and swallowed. “Simply divine. All the best things of autumn in this cup.”
A thrill shot through Raine. “That’s why I named it Autumn Blessings.”
“Perfect name. You’re a blessing to this town, Raine Hanover.” Margot took another sip. “This is my new favorite of yours. I thought of your pumpkin spice drinks as the quintessential autumn taste, but this one puts the others to shame.”
