A Walk Along the Beach(81)

I’d been convinced I’d worked her to the point that she wouldn’t want to return. “You’re willing to come back?”

“You couldn’t keep me away,” she said, squeezing me again. “If I ever threaten to quit or retire, remind me what it’s like at home.”

Grinning, I knew she wanted me to ask. “What’s so bad about being at home?”

“It’s Randy.” She tossed her hand into the air. “He expects me to be his personal maid. Cook his breakfast, fix his lunch. Are his clothes washed? I swear, what do I look like? His servant?”

I struggled to hide a smile, knowing Randy well. He had recently retired from work with the city.

“He wants me to bake day and night, and not just for him,” she continued. “He promised his poker buddies that I’d provide homemade goodies every week. You’d think I had nothing better to do than see to his every wish.”

“I’ll be glad to have you back,” I said, grateful she was inclined to return.

“I never appreciated the fact that this job saved my marriage.”

She released me and I was able to breathe normally again.

“It’s good to be back,” she said, “but it’s even better to have you here with me.”

She was right. This was exactly where I needed to be.

    “Joelle said she’d be happy to fill in until you could hire a full-time barista,” Shirley continued. “I reached out to her after you called. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” My one hope was that we’d have enough business to keep the two of us busy.

“Should I let her know we’ll be up and running again come Thursday morning?”

“Please.”

Standing in the middle of my kitchen, I felt almost alive again. Walking around the room, I ran my hand over the counter and the front of the ovens, getting the feel of it back in my blood, stirring me awake.

Deciding to reopen Bean There felt right. It was where I belonged, where I was most comfortable, where I could forget the pain that threatened to rip me apart.



* * *



—

On Thursday morning, my stomach was a ball of nerves. I’d been up and baking for two hours before Joelle arrived. After she tied the apron around her waist, I asked if she’d unlock the front door and turn on the OPEN sign.

Harper’s friend shook her head. “This morning, that’s something you need to do yourself.”

Surprised that she’d refuse me, I noticed that she trailed along behind me when I unlocked the door. I didn’t have a chance to turn on the neon OPEN sign before a line of customers quickly filed into the shop. Most I recognized, and others I didn’t.

A very long line of customers.

Stunned, I looked outside and saw the queue stretched all the way down the block. The wonderful people of Oceanside were letting me know how much they’d loved Harper and how much they cared about me and my small coffee shop.





CHAPTER 31





Sean


I couldn’t stop thinking about Willa and her family. I felt at a loss as to how best to help, especially since she’d made it clear she’d rather I stayed out of her life. I knew I needed to be gentle and patient with her. In time, she’d come to understand that I wasn’t going away. As far as I was concerned, Willa Lakey was it for me. The yin to my yang, the sun to my moon, the woman I intended to love the rest of my life. All that I needed now was to convince her that we were meant to be together.

I was one of the first people in line the day she reopened her business. I made it my mission to return every day until she got the message. For the first four days, she didn’t acknowledge me other than to greet me and wish me a good day. It was the same treatment she gave every customer. As soon as she recognized me, she avoided eye contact, filled my order, and sent me on my way, ignoring any effort I made to engage her in conversation. My frustration mounted, although I didn’t allow it to show. I ended every transaction the same way. “See you tomorrow.”

    On the fifth day, I saw her dad sitting at a table, the very one where Harper once sat. He read the newspaper as he sipped his coffee. This was my chance to seek his advice. Braving it, I took my mocha and approached him.

“Would you mind if I join you?” I asked, pulling out the chair, determined not to take no for an answer.

He looked around and must have noticed that there were several vacant tables. “Sure.” He set aside the newspaper and leaned back in his chair to study me. “You’re Willa’s young man, aren’t you?”

“I’d like to think so.” I took a sip of my mocha to hide the pleasure his words gave me.

“I appreciated your help there at the grave site. Couldn’t have buried Harper alone, as much as I would have been willing to try, my back being what it is and all. You getting those other shovels was a big help.”

His appreciation embarrassed me. “I wanted to help…It’s hard to know what one can do in situations like that.”

“You love my girl?” he asked, staring me down.

I appreciated that he was direct. “With all my heart.” I held his look, hoping he heard the sincerity in my voice.

His brow folded into a frown, as if he wasn’t sure he should believe me. “I haven’t seen you around much.”