Page 10 of A Cup of Autumn
Like any small town, rumors ran rampant, but this one was one hundred percent true based on the updates to Emmett’s social media accounts. Raine still followed him and vice versa. Though seeing him with another woman had stung worse than the hornet she’d come across at the old mill. “It’s not only Emmett I need to replace. I need at least two more baristas.”
“I’m not talking about work.”
Oh.
Oh, no.
A heaviness pressed against Raine’s shoulder. This was bad. Not in charge of the Boo Bash bad, but a close second.
Margot fancied herself the town matchmaker. Okay, she’d brought together her nephew, Brandt, and Callie in December. And this summer, she’d managed to get Taryn together with Callie’s brother, Garrett.
Whether luck or coincidence, Raine wanted no part of any matchmaking in her life. She wasn’t ready to take another shot at love. She might never be ready for that, even if she was over Emmett. The mixture of hurt and disappointment had been too much. It was as if she’d relived losing her parents again. She didn’t want to go through that again.
Raine crossed her arms over her chest. “My focus is Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans. With my crazy work hours and the Boo Bash to plan, dating won’t be happening for a long time. Please go play matchmaker elsewhere.”
“Of course,” Margot replied quickly. A little too quickly, which suggested trouble. “Did I imply otherwise?”
“No.”
Margot’s reputation, however, preceded her. And now, her blue eyes danced. A bad sign that put Raine’s sanity at stake, but her relationship status wasn’t changing. No matter what Margot had in mind.
Time to shut this down. “Just want to be clear where I stand.”
“I hear you.” Margot perked up. “And you’re in luck.”
Yeah, bad luck.Raine’s shoulders drooped. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not only a matchmaker. I’m also a headhunter.” Margot winked and sipped her iced tea. “No one makes tea blends like you. Now…tell me what you’re looking for in a barista?”
Maybe Raine overreacted with her worst-case-scenario-matchmaking thinking. But with two friends saying “I do” recently, she couldn’t help herself.
“Reliable with a strong work ethic and breathing. But I don’t need a headhunter to find baristas.” What Raine needed was a miracle. She hoped her ads did the trick. “I’ll figure it out.”
“You do that, but I’ll keep my ears and eyes open too.”
“Thank you.” Raine’s eyes would be open. She wouldn’t be sleeping much with the Boo Bash to organize at night. That was the only time planning the event could happen until she hired more staff. “Enjoy your iced tea.”
She placed the Boo Bash’s rubber bin behind the counter.
Doable, right?
Raine crossed her fingers again, hoping it would be.
*
Only four dayshad passed since Keaton had lost his job, but it felt like a lifetime. He paced across the floor of his parents’ living room in Beverly Hills. He’d grown up there and knew every inch. If he didn’t stop walking, he’d wear a path on the wood floors, but sitting would only make him fidget.
“You must be getting tired.” The concern in Mom’s voice made him slow down.
“I’m…” Saying okay would be ridiculous. It was a weekday and not his day off. He wore shorts, a T-shirt, and bare feet, not his usual tweed jacket, bow tie, suspenders, dress pants, plaid socks, and leather shoes. His world had turned upside down and inside out. He hated the out-of-control feeling. “I’ll sit later.”
Everyone was there. Well, those related to him by blood. His new in-laws Brandt Winslow and Taryn Lawson Andrews had stayed in Silver Falls. Rex and Lawson’s Bakery most likely the reasons, but Keaton hadn’t asked. Not when he was trying to salvage the life he’d so meticulously planned.
Flynn sat on the couch next to Mom. “You’ll wear yourself out.”
Talk about being a hypocrite. The circles under Flynn’s eyes appeared worse than the last time Keaton had seen his oldest brother. “You’re one to talk.”
Flynn’s face hardened. “I’m fine.”
