Chapter 2
Kaylee
“Your customer’s a hottie,” Violet says the moment I return to the kitchen. Mom glares at me from across the baking counter where she’s cutting out donuts from rolled dough. I’m the reason she’s having to bake another batch.
Another typical day at the Coffee Loft. I spill, break, or ruin something all while trying to please my fussy mother. As Mom would say, I’m more of a liability than an asset. Anyone else would fire me, so I feel fortunate to have a job, regardless of how bad I am at it and how little I enjoy it.
Grabbing Violet’s arm, I steer her into the break area, away from my nosy parent. We settle at the small café table, each armed with a mug of fresh coffee from the warming carafe sitting on the back counter. This is the employee coffee supply, and we keep it freshly brewed, the temperature scalding to the tongue, all day long.
After taking a fortifying sip, I say, “He was very attractive. ”
My co-worker snorts. “That’s like saying Brad Pitt is merely good-looking. Your customer is a hottie mountain man from his hiking boots to the baseball cap on his head,” she says. Blowing on the tips of her fingers, she adds, “He’s smoking! And that beard really tops off the mountain man vibe.”
I immediately wish I hadn’t lost all control of my limbs around him. I acted like a gawky teenager serving her rockstar crush. My only solace is that I didn’t spill hot coffee in his lap.
Pursing my lips, I say glumly, “He must think I’m a klutz.”
Barking out a laugh, Violet says, “Honey, when aren’t you a klutz?”
I shrug, not able to deny the truth.
“If I read his expression correctly, he thought you were adorable, despite your every attempt to destroy his breakfast.”
We look at each other, then burst out laughing for several beats .
“Do you suppose he’ll stop by again?” I say wistfully after our laughter subsides, realizing that I probably blew my one chance to get to know him.
“He said he was camping at Moraine, right? How about reserving a spot there and seeing what happens?”
“Isn’t that a bit stalkerish? Besides which, there’s a glaring flaw with that plan,” I say.
Raising her eyebrows, Violet says, “What’s that?”
I glance toward the door to the kitchen and lower my voice. “I have zero camping experience. Mom said it was too risky to have me anywhere within ten feet of a campfire.”
My friend howls with laughter. “Even better!” she says between laughs. “You can enlist his help in all things camping. Guys love to help a damsel in distress.”
“I wouldn’t be a damsel in distress. I’d be a rookie. I’m sure I could figure it out myself,” I huff.
She pats my upper arm. “Calm down, Helen Reddy. I wasn’t suggesting you couldn’t figure things out, but won’t it be a lot more fun if the hottie assists? ”
Helen Reddy? My older colleague is always referencing names I’ve never heard of, expecting me to understand what she’s talking about. Knowing Violet, this Helen is probably some feminist from the 70s.
“I guess so,” I mumble, ignoring the fact that my heart leaps when I think about camping next to him .
This is midweek, so I might be able to snag a campsite. One of my best friends works at RMNP, so if I have to, I could see if she can finagle me a camping spot.
“Trust me, you won’t regret this! Relax, burn some s’mores, and get to know Mr. Hottie Mountain Man. Plus, your mom has been at you to take a vacation. Here’s your chance!”
Mom just wants me to take my vacation time so I don’t spill, break, or ruin anything else. But maybe a break will do me good. It will give me a little time to contemplate my life. I’m not sure The Coffee Loft can survive if I’m the one running it after Mom retires in a few years. Isn’t there something else I could do instead of being a bad waitress/barista? Are there even any other options for a college dropout? Wish I hadn’t given up at CU Denver. That criminology degree might have been helpful.
With my mind made up, I secure a campsite and set the crazy camping scheme into action, mentally ticking off items I need for the adventure.
Don’t Mom and Dad own a tent and a couple sleeping bags?