Page 36 of A Cup of Autumn
As she hurried to the counter, he watched her go. The barista didn’t fight fires like Jayden’s wife, Rachelle, who he’d seen on his way in, but both women were strong. Raine faced a rough time, but she wasn’t folding or asking to be rescued. She wanted help, but only the right help.
His type or not, that strength appealed to him at a gut level.
Thirty minutes later, Keaton carried the bin and computer bag to the counter. “I went through everything. I have ideas I’d like to go over with you. Are you free tonight?”
“That soon?”
“The most helpful info in the bin was about purchasing the candy. You can get a discount, but there’s a deadline to order.”
“The budget isn’t big so a discount would help. I can meet later tonight.”
She sounded hesitant.
Keaton didn’t want to add to her to-do list. “Sure?”
Raine nodded. “Timmy works tonight. I need to be here for some of his shift, but he won’t mind closing on his own.”
Keaton remembered she hadn’t been eating much. “Want me to bring food?”
“I’ll grab something for us. You’re the volunteer.”
Yeah, this wasn’t a date. Keaton wouldn’t date a woman like Raine, but… “You’re a conscripted volunteer.”
“More like the fool who keeps renewing her membership in the First Avenue Business Association. This is on me, Professor. I’ll be home around seven. Show up any time after that.”
“I need your address.” He handed her his phone. “Text it to yourself, so I have your phone number.”
She typed on his phone and handed it back. “Pizza, okay?”
“Just no anchovies or pineapple.”
“I can live with that.”
“I want to go through some of the checklists again.” Keaton raised the box. “Mind if I take it with me?”
“It’s all yours.” Her gaze bounced from the bin to him. “I’m sure this isn’t what you thought you’d be doing in Silver Falls…”
“No, but I’m happy to help. Callie and Garrett love Silver Falls. This is for them too.”
Raine didn’t say anything, but something flashed in her eyes.
Keaton didn’t know what. “The town means a lot to you too.”
“Yeah.” She glanced out the front window. “I searched all over for a place to open my coffee shop. As soon as I visited Silver Falls, I knew this was it.”
“It?”
“Home.”
Talk about déjà vu. “Callie said something similar after her first visit to Silver Falls.”
A wistful expression crossed Raine’s face, one so different than any Keaton had seen he wanted to take a picture. He blinked, and it was gone.
She nodded. “Most people who move here feel that way.”
“Not sure Garrett did.”
Another nod. “But Taryn’s here so…”
