Chapter 5
Liam
Iexpected it to feel weird, being back in Meridel after two years away.
And while it did feel weird seeing how people and shops had changed, or hadn’t changed, it still felt comfortable. I could walk Main Street blindfolded and still know exactly where I was and how to get to any shop on the street. In fact, when we were kids, Emma and I had done just that. We had always challenged each other to ridiculous dares. At the thought of Emma, my lips curled into a smile.
Yeah, seeing her at the farm was a little rocky, but she couldn’t stay mad at me forever. We were too good of friends. Or we used to be anyway. I just needed to remind her of that and not get discouraged by her anger toward me. We’d been upset with each other plenty of times in the past—that was just part of friendship. The important part was not to give up on each other.
And I’d be danged if I gave up on Emma Beck.
She meant far too much to me.
The bell above the door dinged as I walked into The Roasted Bean, sighing in relief when the air conditioning cut off the heat outside. I glanced around the room, looking for a familiar brunette with hazel eyes, like I had been doing way too much the past few days, but Emma was nowhere to be found.
I couldn’t tell if it was relief or disappointment filling my gut.
It was just after nine in the morning, which meant the morning rush had already happened, and the coffee shop was relatively empty. All except for a man who stood at the counter ordering. He wore dress slacks and a polo shirt.
It wasn’t until he turned around that I realized I knew him—fairly well in fact—and a surge of hope filled my insides.
“Jameson,” I greeted, sticking my hand out toward him.
Emma’s brother smiled before giving me a firm handshake.
“Liam.” He seemed genuinely surprised to see me here. “I heard you were back in town, but with the rumors of this small town, I didn’t know if it was true.”
I wondered what rumors he was referring to or if the entire town knew the trouble I’d gotten into out in California. Did Jameson know? What did he think of me and the reputation I’d earned?
“It’s true. I’m back,” I replied, pasting a smile on my face.
“For how long?” he asked. The barista handed him a large cold brew, and he said a quiet thank you to her before fixing his full attention on me.
“I’m, uh, not sure yet.” It was the truth and I hated it. I didn’t enjoy feeling like my life was in limbo.
Jameson arched a brow. “So, this isn’t a permanent return then.”
I shrugged, shoving my hands into my pockets. “I’m not sure about that either.”
Jameson had always been like the big brother I never had. He had always been nice to me, attentive, unlike my real brothers. He had gotten Emma and me out of plenty of situations we probably shouldn’t have been in.
Like when we had decided to sneak out and drive outside of Meridel to watch a meteor shower in the middle of the night. But then my truck died on the way home, and it was below zero outside. Emma’s mom was battling cancer, and my family certainly wasn’t an option, so Jameson had come and picked us up, without a lecture. He drove me home and never spoke of it again.
I never knew what Emma told him about my family situation, but I always got the sense that Jameson under stood without ever having to speak a word.
“Hmm,” was all he said as he sipped his coffee. “Well, I know a lot of people that would be excited to have you back for good.” He clapped me on the shoulder.
Who is he talking about? Emma? Because I definitely didn’t get that impression from her.
“I need to get back to the clinic though. It was good to see you, Liam. We should catch up soon.”
“Sure, okay,” I replied with a wave, moving out of his way. I headed to order a coffee of my own and stepped up to the waiting barista.
“Hey, Liam?” Jameson called.
I turned to find him waiting at the door.
“You didn’t hear it from me, but Emma is back from the city. She’s staying at my house right now. I wasn’t the one to tell you, but I’m sure she’d love some coffee this morning.”
Before I could respond, he winked at me and slipped out the door.
My heart soared. Emma had disappeared after I ran into her at the wedding on my family farm, and I never saw her around town after, so I assumed she wasn’t living in Meridel. But now she was back?
Energy surged through my veins, despite the lack of caffeine in my body, and I stepped up to the counter and way too enthusiastically ordered a coffee for myself, and an iced mocha with a dash of cinnamon for Emma. It was her favorite.
I was certain I looked like a dork as the barista handed me the coffees and I bounced my way out of The Roasted Bean.
I was going to get Emma to forgive me. She couldn’t stay mad at me forever.
And if there was one thing I knew about Emma Beck…
Caffeine was the way to her heart.