Page 78 of A Cup of Autumn
“What?”
“Just a sec.” He placed the drink on the counter. “Mayor Sellwood.”
The mayor in a track suit and ponytail came to the counter. She picked up her drink. “Looking forward to the Boo Bash, Raine.”
“Should be fun.” That had become Raine’s stock answer. Saying it would be awesome might raise expectations, so people ended up disappointed. Fun seemed the best adjective to use.
“Mr. Hurley,” Timmy called out.
The tree farmer grabbed his drink. “See you at the Boo Bash.”
Raine waved.
The lull in customers gave her a chance to drink her own coffee.
“So back to what I was saying.” Timmy took a swig from a water bottle. “Ever since Heather left and Robin and Parker started, you look better. Happier. More rested. I don’t want you to go back to being overworked and exhausted.”
“One Saturday won’t change anything. I promise.”
His nose scrunched. “Aren’t you supposed to work with Keaton today?”
“Yes, but we can do it tomorrow.” She’d texted him last night to give him a heads-up that she wouldn’t be home. “Sometimes people need to call out. This is nothing like Heather.”
Timmy shivered. “We should call her she-who-can’t-be-named.”
“She was that bad, wasn’t she?”
He nodded. “The worst.”
They both laughed.
Timmy winked. “Be glad you have me.”
He was too much, but what he said was true. “I count my blessings each and every day.”
The bell on the door jingled.
“And our impromptu break’s over,” Timmy whispered.
She smiled, only her smile got bigger when she saw Keaton and Garrett. “Hey.”
“Good morning.” The way Keaton gazed into her eyes, making her feel like the only person in his world, told her it would be a great day. “I wanted to see if it was okay if Garrett came with me to your house to finish the buckets today.”
“You’re working on them.”
“Yes,” Garrett answered for Keaton. He motioned to his brother. “This guy woke me up early but said we had to stop here first for your permission.”
Keaton rolled his eyes. “You don’t invite someone into another person’s house without permission.”
“As if I’ll steal something or make a mess.”
“Asking is the right thing to do.” Keaton focused on Raine again. “Do you mind?”
Her heart melted. “I don’t. Help yourself to what’s in the kitchen.”
Garrett raised a box. “My wife is providing breakfast.”
“I can provide coffee,” Raine offered. “What would you like?”
