Page 22 of A Cup of Autumn
Timmy placed an iced coffee with a straw in front of Brecken. “We can study as soon as Raine’s back.”
“Take your time. I’m catching up with Keaton.” Brecken sipped his drink. “So good, thanks.”
“If you guys need help with your classes, and it’s not a STEM subject, I’m happy to help.” Keaton would miss holding office hours.
“Cool.” Brecken glanced at Timmy. “Keaton’s a professor at a university the smart kids with high test scores go to.”
Timmy nodded. “I remember you working on a syllabus this summer.”
Keaton’s chest tightened. It took every ounce of strength to keep a smile on his face. “I did.”
The word came out stiffer than he’d wanted, but the two young men didn’t seem to notice.
The bell on the front door jingled.
“Need to take care of the customer.” Timmy raced toward the counter.
“Timmy’s a junior at Summit Ridge University.” Brecken took another sip. “He’s taken a couple of the courses I’m in, so he offered to help me. I’m not much use to him, but you would be.”
“Don’t say that about yourself. You can be helpful, too. A different perspective can be all that’s necessary to learn something new.”
“Even if I’m not in his classes?”
At the counter, Raine came out from the back and shooed Timmy away, even though the young man fought her.
That wasn’t much of a break. She still appeared tired, but her smile came easier. “Even then.”
Chapter Five
Keaton listened toBrecken and Timmy explain their homework. Timmy had a better grasp of his assignment. Brecken needed better study habits. The start of school was a challenging time for freshmen under the best of circumstances.
“You keep looking at the counter.” Timmy closed his textbook. “If you want another latte, I’ll get it for you.”
“I don’t, thanks.” Keaton had wanted to see if the line had died down so he could talk to Raine. It hadn’t. Not that he knew what he wanted to say.
Keaton had apologized.
Just words.
That was the problem.
How could Keaton show her that he was sorry for acting like a snobby jerk?
The question remained on his mind as he sat at Margot’s dining room table. If he’d come across as unapproachable with colleagues, it had been unintentional. He didn’t want to leave that impression in Silver Falls, especially not with Raine. He also couldn’t erase her look of relief when Timmy offered to help.
“Keaton.”
He jolted. “What?”
The five others at the table stared at him. Even Angus and Sadie, who sat close by, waiting to devour anything that dropped to the floor, had their eyes on Keaton.
He took a sip of wine to gather himself.
So what if he was daydreaming?
His family thought he lived too much in his head. Something he’d never denied. Margot, Brandt, and Taryn would figure that out soon enough if they hadn’t already.
Callie’s gaze narrowed. “You’re distracted tonight.”
