Page 120 of The Birthday List (Maysen Jar 1)

“Yeah.”

I sighed. “Good. I’m going to go make the noodles for the soup so they can dry for a while. When she’s close to done, come and get me.”

Helen nodded. “You got it.”

I’d never made noodles so fast in my life. Nervous energy poured from my fingertips as I kneaded the dough, and by the time Helen came back to get me from the kitchen, I had the noodles all rolled and cut.

With a towel in my hand, I walked back to the girl’s table and smiled. She’d finished everything except for the vanilla latte, which had gone untouched. “What did you think?”

“It was really good.”

“Great!” I cheered and sat down. “I’ll keep those changes then. Did you not like the coffee?”

She dropped her eyes to her lap. “I, um . . . can’t have coffee.”

“Are you allergic?”

It was a stupid question. The minute I asked, my eyes wandered to her stomach.

Her coat, which she’d always kept closed, was now unbuttoned. Underneath she was wearing a fitted black shirt that molded to her rounded belly.

“Oh!” I smiled wider, hoping to hide my shock that this young girl was pregnant. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. How about a hot chocolate instead?”

“That’s okay.”

The girl spoke so quietly, I leaned my arms on the table to hear her better. “Are you sure? I make the cocoa mix from scratch. I’d be happy to make you one . . . I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”

She pulled her coat tight around her shoulders without an answer or eye contact.

Was she afraid of me? Or was she worried she was in trouble? I didn’t want to scare her away from coming back, but I also didn’t want her to leave before I got some answers. This girl might not be asking for help, but she needed it.

“You’re not in trouble.” I gently placed my hand on the table. “You’re welcome here anytime. If all you want are cookies and water, that’s fine with me. Take as much as you’d like and stay as long as you’d like. I’ll even mark this table reserved for you.”

Her head was still ducked, but I caught a faint nod.

“And if you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. I’ll leave you alone, but I’d like to get to know you. I like to know all of my regular customers.”

I waited. And waited. But she still didn’t move. I was about to give up when her face lifted and she gave me a shy smile.

“Belle.”

“Belle. That’s a beautiful name.” I held out my hand. “I’m Poppy Maysen.”

She took my hand and looked around the room. “Maysen. Spelled like the restaurant?”

“Yep.” I rubbed my hands over my arms, pretending to be cold. “It’s kind of chilly in here. I think I’m going to make one of those hot chocolates for me. Sit tight, I’ll whip one up for you too.”

Before she could protest, I stood from my chair and grabbed her tray, taking it back to the kitchen. Then I went behind the counter and got out the whole milk. I didn’t need the added fat, but Belle did.

Helen came to my side as I started the steamer. “How’s it going?”

“Progress, I think. Did you notice she was pregnant?”

She shook her head.

“Would you pack up some stuff to go? I don’t know if she’ll take it, but I can try. Maybe do stuff that will last a couple of days or is easy to reheat, like stew and a mac ’n’ cheese.”

“Got it. I’ll throw in a salad too for some vitamins.”