Chapter 21 #2
When he didn’t say anything, she shot him a glance and quickly amended. “Not with a person but with the San Juan Mountains, and especially this quaint little town. I guess you could say it called to me.”
Fall River had beckoned her with its spiritual whispers.
They were a siren’s call too irresistible to ignore.
Besides that, she saw its hidden charm and the potential buried beneath layers of mining dust. The town had been in the early stages of rebirth, and she had smelled opportunity in its chilly mountain air.
“We went looking for coffee, but no stores offered it—well, not good coffee.” A convenience store on the outskirts of town with a watered-down, burnt version in one flavor didn’t count.
“I could already tell that to be successful here, a business had to be located on Bowen Street.” It was the town’s main drag and its only paved street.
When she had spotted the boarded-up storefront that would eventually become Mountain Coffee, it was a sign. She had been spurred to act.
“You were right. Good call. Goes to show what I was talking about earlier. You’re a savvy businesswoman, Amy.”
The praise filled her with a rush of warmth. She craved more. “Savvy?”
He opened a box of pastries that had just been dropped off and began arranging them in their display case the way she’d shown him.
“Yeah, you think of stuff the rest of us miss, like giving out free coffee during the Boarding Call. That was genius. Couple that with you always going out of your way for other people, and it’s no wonder your shop is so successful.
” He paused, parked a fist on his hip, and eyed her.
“You built this on your own, Amy, and you did it without screwing anyone—unlike some business owners around here. That’s why Charlie picked you to be on the town council. Don’t forget that.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you did. You’re the one who envisioned it and put in the blood, sweat, and tears.”
She pulled out the bin containing the jams and set it on the counter. “I guess naivety mixed with optimism sometimes works after all. I still struggle with impostor syndrome, though, like I somehow lucked into this.”
“We make our own luck.” He gave her another easy wink and went back to work, having no idea how his words lifted her. He’d sparked a glow inside her she would carry for the rest of the day.
Besides the praise he lavished on her, Shane also helped her get through the morning setup in record time. With leftover minutes to spare, she poured them each a mug of coffee, and he leaned against the counter, humming with contentment as he sipped the steaming brew. “What time do we close?”
She loved the sound of “we”—maybe a little too much. She reminded herself to keep her hopes and trust in check. “Already looking to punch out, huh?” she quipped.
“No, but the cameras are supposed to be in Durango this afternoon, and I thought I’d go pick them up while you get your new place fixed up.”
Her new apartment. A familiar dread chased off the good feels. “Oh, right.”
“Hey, you’re going to have to spend some time there sooner or later.”
“I know,” she sighed. Much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She was a big girl, and she needed to get used to the new place, despite her unease. Maybe Winona would let her get a dog for protection.
“I’ll stay with you until you get comfortable, if that helps,” he offered.
“What if I never get comfortable, though?”
He shrugged. “Then I guess I’ll be moving.” He gave her a boyish grin that had her stomach turning somersaults.
Her overactive brain wrenched her back to earth. “That would never work.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“What will people think?”
“What people? About what?”
“One minute, I’m living with Micky, and the next—”
“Who gives a fuck?” He pushed off the counter and came to stand inches from her.
One big hand cupped her face, and he looked at her with so much tenderness in his eyes that tears pricked her own.
“I get it. You give a fuck. But I think you’re overestimating people judging you.
The ones who do don’t count. Like I said, you’re always doing for everyone else, and guess what?
Folks want to do for you too. The people who care about you most want to see you happy. ”
“Even if I’m not one of you and I look a little funny?”
His forehead furrowed. “You’re every bit a Fall River local as anyone born here.
More so, in some cases. I get that there can be an ‘us versus them’ mentality sometimes, but you blew past that ridiculous mindset years ago by working your ass off and being good to everyone.
As for looking funny, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.
You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. ”
Her mind blanked. What had she been talking about? Whatever it was, it wasn’t important.
Smirking, he placed his finger under her chin and closed her mouth. “Fifteen minutes before you unlock the front door, beautiful. Will we be ready?”
“Sure. Yes. I think so. I don’t know.” She had to locate her blown mind before she could offer a coherent answer.