Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Not to mention, my new friend, Millie Wild, works with me. Actually, she worked there first and helped me get the job. We became fast friends, and now I can’t imagine my life without her. We’re roughly the same age, and it’s as if we’ve been friends forever.
I tip my head back and take a deep breath, pulling in the crisp spring air, and smile.
Yeah, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Before long, I’ve crossed the imaginary line from residential to downtown blocks, and I walk into the warmth of the café. The smell of freshly ground coffee meets me, along with a wave from Millie.
“Good morning.” I grin at her and walk behind the counter, hurrying to the back to stow away my things. Once I’ve grabbed an apron and tied my hair back, I return to the counter and take in the number of people already sipping coffee, having conversations, or typing away on their computers all over the space. “It’s busy in here for a Thursday morning.”
“I know,” she replies with a sigh and wipes her forehead with the back of her hand. “I should have asked you to come in earlier.”
“I totally would have. Why didn’t you?”
She turns and gives me a grin. “I know how much you like to sleep in. Besides, it’s not normally like this, especially in the middle of the week. Anyway, there seems to be a lull now. How are you?”
“I’m great.” I tell her about the population sign change, and she laughs, shaking her head at me. “What? It’s a big deal.”
“You’re just so cute. I love how much you love living here, Erin. It reminds me to be thankful for it, too. I guess I forget, since my family has been here for more than a hundred years.”
“It’s my home.” I shrug a shoulder, but I mean it with every fiber of my being. The bell over the door jingles, and Millie grins.
“What do you want?” she demands, her voice full of humor.
“An oil change,” her brother, Chase, says with a grin as he saunters in. “And maybe a haircut.”
“You won’t get either of those things here,” Millie replies, rolling her eyes. She reaches for a to-go cup to start making her brother’s favorite coffee.
“How’s it going, Erin?”
“I’m great, thanks. And you?”
Chase smiles and leans on the counter. I’ve met two of Millie’s brothers so far, and they’re both gorgeous. Chase has a smile that could likely melt all the snow on the ski mountain. Not to mention, he’s a cop, and that uniform is hot.
“I can’t complain.”
“Have you arrested anyone today?”
Chase shakes his head mournfully. “So far, everyone has been law-abiding. Well, except for Mrs. Wilburn, who refuses to drive the speed limit on her way into town.”
“Is she a speeder?” I ask.
“No, she won’t drive above twenty-five,” he says with a pained expression. “Anywhere. So, she backs up traffic and they call me.”
I press my lips together, trying not to laugh, but I can’t help it.
“It gives you something to do,” Millie says as she passes her brother his coffee. “Do you want a muffin? Jackie Harmon brought some fresh huckleberry-lemon ones in this morning.”
“I don’t pass up Jackie’s muffins,” Chase says with a nod. “I’ll take two.”
“I’ve got this,” I assure Millie and, with tongs in hand, gently place the enormous muffins into a bag for Chase. When I pass the bag to him, his fingers brush mine, but there’s no spark there.
Too bad. Chase is definitely a sexy guy.
“Well, ladies, it’s been real. Call if you need anything. I’m walking down the block to check out the new restaurant going in.”
“What kind is it?” Millie wants to know.
“Italian,” I reply before Chase can. “I walked by last night and spoke to the owner. It’s called Ciao. I guess it’s a sister restaurant to one of the same name in Cunningham Falls.”
“That’s kind of cool,” Millie decides. “Do you know when it’s opening?”
“I didn’t ask. Do you know, Chase?”
“Next month,” he confirms with a nod and sips his coffee. “It’s always good to have something new come in. Well, I’m out of here to keep order in our little town. Have a good day.”
Chase walks out, and I grab a rag to wipe down the espresso machine.
“Do you have a crush on my brother?” Millie asks without hesitation. “If you do, it’s okay, but I saw the way you two kind of flirted and smiled at each other, and I just need to know so I don’t roll my eyes incessantly whenever you flirt with him.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “No, definitely not. Don’t get me wrong, he’s really handsome, and who doesn’t love a man in uniform?”
“I mean, usually, yeah. But he’s my brother.”
I laugh again. “No, there’s no spark there. But it’s fun to flirt a little, you know?”