There’s Trouble Brewing (Badges & Baristas #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Emily Wilson roared into Faith Valley on her black motorcycle, the engine’s throaty growl drawing curious glances from passersby. Her heart pounded with excitement and nervousness as she pulled up to the curb outside the Brave Badge Coffee Shop, the sun glinting off her dark helmet. With a deep breath, she adjusted her leather jacket, trying to steady her nerves.

“Okay, Emily,” she muttered to herself, “you got this.”

She dismounted her motorcycle, the slight wobble in her legs betraying her anxiety. Emily took a moment to survey her surroundings, noting the quaint charm of Faith Valley, which was not so different from her former small town of Hero, Texas. Red brick buildings lined the cozy main street like a warm embrace, while vibrant flower baskets and white wooden benches brightened up the edges of the sidewalks. The town had a comforting air that made her feel welcome despite being the new face in town.

As she removed her helmet, Emily’s thoughts drifted briefly to the task ahead—training the potential batch of baristas for the newest Brave Badge Roasting Company location. She was determined to make a good impression on the staff and the owner, Mark Merlot, who she’d be meeting for the first time today.

If all went well, this could be the beginning of her new career as a barista trainer for the company. With her love of visiting new places, it would be her dream to travel across the country to all the new locations opening up over the next couple of years. For that to happen, though, she had to impress not only Mr. Merlot but also Joe Griffin, the creator of the company.

“You can do this,” she encouraged herself. It might be a new town and new people, but it was the same old job, she reminded herself as she shook her wavy black hair loose from its confines. “You’ve trained baristas before; just breathe. You can do this.”

With a final glance at her motorcycle, Emily straightened her posture and strode confidently toward the entrance of the Brave Badge, ready to tackle her newest challenge head-on.

The door of the newly painted and decorated coffee shop chimed as Emily stepped inside, the warm scent of freshly ground coffee enveloping her like a comforting hug. She inhaled deeply, letting the aroma calm her lingering nerves.

“Ah, there’s nothing quite like the smell of coffee,” she thought with a smile, her brown eyes taking in the cozy interior.

The walls were adorned with photographs and mementos of heroes—a firefighter’s helmet, a police officer’s badge, a paramedic’s ambulance—each piece telling a story of the bravery and sacrifice of first responders. A large chalkboard menu hung behind the counter, boasting a selection of specialty drinks named after various acts of heroism. It was clear that the Brave Badge’s mission to help heroes start over was woven into every aspect of this shop, just like the location she left in Hero. Good, at least that part was in order. One less thing for her to have to worry about to get this place ready for its opening in a month.

“Excuse me, are you Emily Wilson?” a deep voice called out, startling her from her thoughts.

She turned to see a tall, muscular man approaching, his black hair slightly disheveled and his blue eyes crinkling with a welcoming smile.

“Uh, yeah, I am,” Emily stammered, offering a sheepish grin. “You must be Mark Merlot, right?”

“Guilty as charged,” he answered, extending a hand for her to shake. “Nice to meet you, Emily.”

“Nice to meet you, too, Mark.” Her handshake was firm but friendly, trying to convey both professionalism and warmth. She wanted to get off on a good foot with the coffee shop owner. “I’ve heard great things about what you’re doing here, and I’m excited to help you get ready for your opening.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you could join us to train my new staff,” he said, his tone earnest yet friendly. “I have to admit, I didn’t realize how hard this was going to be. Being a swift water rescue officer has nothing on opening a new business.”

“Well, I’m here to help out in any way I can,” she told him with genuine enthusiasm. She couldn’t help but notice his steely blue eyes and how they seemed to stare right into her soul. Trying to shrug off the odd effect his gaze had on her, she requested, “How about you show me around? I’m eager to familiarize myself with the place so I can get started.”

“Of course,” Mark agreed, gesturing for her to follow him as he began a tour of the coffee shop.

Mark led Emily past the counter, showcasing the gleaming espresso machine and rows of tempting baked goods behind the glass display case. “We have a local baker that delivers pastries every day. Eventually, I plan to hire my own in-house baker, but that won’t be for a while.”

Emily nodded, soaking in every detail. As she trailed behind him, she couldn’t help but notice how he moved with a slight limp, though he seemed to hide it well. The curiosity bubbled within her, but she refrained from asking about his injury directly. Instead, she probed, “So, why did you decide to open a Brave Badge location?”

“I like the company’s mission,” Mark admitted. Then, gesturing around the room, he added, “Joe’s committed to helping injured heroes. My employees are either injured or retired first responders or military personnel who’ve dedicated their lives to serving others, and this is a great way of giving them a second chance.”

Emily’s heart warmed at his words; she felt the same deep appreciation for the company. She observed that he didn’t bring up his own injury, but this omission wasn’t a surprise. Her former boss, Michelle, had also been reluctant to discuss the injury that had prematurely ended her career as a police officer, preferring to leave the past behind her.

As they continued through the shop, Emily took in the cozy blue and red seating areas designed for conversation and reflection, as well as the stage in the back set up for open mic nights. There were also two bookcases filled with stories to read and even an area set up with first responders costumes and props for photo opts.

“Wow,” she murmured, unable to contain her awe. “You’ve really created something special here, Mark. I’ve been to a lot of Brave Badges, but I have to say, your location is one of the best. I love how it honors the theme of the company but still has its own unique touches. ”

“Thank you,” he replied with a modest smile. “It’s been a labor of love.”

While excitement surged through her veins, Emily couldn’t ignore the heavy responsibility pressing down on her shoulders. This wasn’t merely a job; it was an opportunity to truly impact people’s lives for the better, which made the prospect of failure loom even larger. She attempted to shake off the nagging doubts, but they lingered, pulling her attention away from Mark’s tour even as she tried to refocus.

“Over there is our community board,” Mark pointed out, directing her attention to a large corkboard covered in colorful flyers and announcements. “We’re going to encourage our patrons to share events, job postings, and other local happenings.”

“Great idea,” Emily agreed, appreciating the strong sense of community the shop fostered. She envisioned people sipping coffee while discussing the latest town events with new friends and couldn’t help but smile.

“Lastly, this is our training area,” Mark said, leading her to a section of the shop cordoned off for instruction. “It’s here that you’ll work your magic, helping our new baristas become the best they can be.”

She nodded determinedly. “Can’t wait.” Her eyes scanned the space, already formulating plans.

“Neither can I. I have no doubt you’ll do an amazing job here,” he said warmly, his confidence in her abilities soothing her lingering concerns.

“Thanks, Mark,” she smiled, appreciating his support. “I won’t let you down.”

As they finished the tour and Emily prepared to dive into her work, her thoughts churned with equal parts excitement and apprehension. She knew there would be challenges ahead, but she reminded herself that she was great at finding a way to connect and motivate others, even when she met resistance to her methods.

“Your role here is crucial, Emily,” he said, meeting her gaze. “You’ll be shaping our team, ensuring they have the skills necessary to provide excellent service and quality beverages.”

She flashed a confident smile though her stomach fluttered with nerves. “I’m up for the challenge. And honestly, I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

“Good. I trust your expertise completely,” Mark replied, his sincerity shining through. His confidence in her abilities was contagious, and she felt her own resolve strengthen.

Emily made a mental list of observations and questions she needed answered about the shop and its operations. She wanted to be well-prepared and knowledgeable going into her new role and decided to seize the opportunity to learn more.

“I noticed you don’t have a sign up about where the beans come from. I think you need to post that somewhere on the counter," she told him. “Brave Badge Roasting Company sources their beans from all over the world, with a focus on fair trade and sustainability,” she explained, her passion evident in her voice. “I think your patrons will be pleased to know that you’re not only serving great coffee but also making a difference.”

“That’s a great idea,” he told her with an approving smile.

“And what’s your equipment maintenance schedule like?” Emily inquired, glancing at the gleaming espresso machines.

“Every machine is serviced regularly by a certified technician, and I want you to train the baristas to perform daily cleaning routines to ensure optimal performance,” Mark assured her. “I take this aspect of my business very seriously.”

“Good,” Emily nodded, already making mental notes for her training sessions.

“Any other questions?” Mark asked as he leaned against the counter and tilted his head to the side as if he were assessing her.

“Actually, yes,” Emily hesitated, then pressed on. “Do you have any specific goals or challenges that you want me to focus on during the training? Anything particular about this local community that I should keep in mind?”

Mark considered her question for a moment before responding, “Well, Faith Valley is close-knit. We value our traditions and our community ties deeply here. It’s important that the baristas not only serve coffee but are friendly to the locals. Engagement is key. Maybe you could integrate some local history or trivia into the training sessions?”

Emily’s eyes lit up with the idea. “That sounds fantastic. It’ll not only make the baristas more relatable but also deepen their connection with the customers. I’ll start researching right away.”

“Excellent,” Mark said, his eyes reflecting genuine appreciation for her enthusiasm.

Their conversation flowed naturally, a blend of professionalism and friendliness that made the daunting task ahead seem manageable. She appreciated Mark’s openness and honesty, which only served to deepen her respect for him. With the coffee shop owner’s support and her own determination, she knew they could make the Brave Badge in Faith Valley a success.

The front door chimed, and a young woman who looked to be in her twenties, a middle-aged woman, and a man who looked about thirty scurried into the coffee shop. Mark made introductions with the young woman first. Sue was twenty-four and a former paramedic who was injured when her ambulance flipped over. Nancy retired after serving twenty years in the Air Force, and Bryan was an ex-firefighter who had PTSD due to responding to a series of life-threatening calls.

Emily watched as Mark animatedly detailed the training plans to the new baristas. It was clear to her that he was passionate about the Brave Badge’s mission, and she couldn’t help but admire his dedication to helping heroes start over. Despite his reserved demeanor, there was a fire in his eyes that spoke volumes about his commitment to making a difference.

“All right,” Emily said with a lighthearted grin, “let’s get this show on the road. What kind of coffee ninjas are we looking to train here?”

Mark chuckled at her choice of words as Sue, the tall blonde with a bob, spoke up first. “Well, we want to be skilled in all aspects of coffee-making, but most importantly, we want to do that while connecting with our customers. After all, what makes the Brave Badge special is that it’s more than just a coffee shop; it’s a place where people can find support and feel welcomed.”

“Correct,” Emily replied, scribbling down some notes. “Coffee ninjas with a heart of gold. I think I can work with that.” Her sarcasm was light and playful, but beneath it lay a genuine respect for the vision.

The baristas peppered Emily with more questions and curiosity written on their faces. “How soon before we can make the fancy drinks?” asked Nancy, a short woman with curly brown hair that was peppered with gray. Her eagerness made Emily smile, and she paused to consider the best way to respond.

“First, we focus on the basics,” Emily answered, her voice reassuring. “Once you master things like espresso shots and steaming milk, you’ll be free to get creative with orders.” She saw enthusiasm spark in their eyes and felt a surge of inspiration herself. “Trust me. You’ll be making lattes and cappuccinos that are out of this world before you know it.”

Mark observed Emily with a nod of approval, clearly impressed with her ability to engage the team. Emily turned her attention to the group again, ready for whatever they threw her way.

“How long will the training last?” asked Bryan, tilting his red head thoughtfully.

Emily knew the answer might overwhelm them, but she also sensed their commitment. “Full training is a month,” she explained. “But you’ll have the basics down by week two.” Seeing their looks of determination fueled her excitement. “It’ll be a whirlwind, but I have no doubt you can handle it.”

Encouraged by her confidence, the baristas exchanged eager glances, clearly excited to dive in.

Emily wanted to ensure they knew what they were in for. “Just be ready to work hard. You can plan on hands-on training sessions and written tests to make sure you’re up to speed.” She saw the full weight of what was ahead settle in and was grateful for their dedication. “But remember the most important part: stay connected with each other and our test customers that I will be bringing in down the road. That’s what will make you great as a barista.”

Taking one last look at her notes, Emily felt satisfied with how the meeting had gone. The baristas seemed equally pleased, and their enthusiasm was contagious.

“Are we going to have to wear costumes?” Bryan asked with a frown. “I see a box of them over there,” he shrugged toward the photo op area .

“I thought we all left that behind when we retired,” Nancy grumbled as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Uh oh,” Emily teased. “Do you guys have something against tights and a cape?” All three of the baristas’ eyes grew wide with terror, and before one—or perhaps all of them—quit, she quickly told them, “No costumes. Just aprons and nametags.”

A collective look of relief washed over their faces.

“Thank goodness,” Nancy grumbled. “I don’t want to give up my yoga pants and T-shirt for this job.”

Emily suppressed her laugh, not wanting to make things awkward. Instead, she wrapped up their meeting. “All right, everyone. That’s all for today. Make sure to write down any questions you have for me, and we will start your training tomorrow afternoon.”

The baristas filed out after saying goodbye, and Emily turned her attention to Mark. “Do you have any other questions for me?”

Mark shook his head. “I think you covered it all.”

“Okay, so once I settle into my room at the hotel, I’ll prepare the training materials for tomorrow, and we can go over them together in the morning before the baristas get here.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Mark agreed.

“If there isn’t anything else, I’m going to take off,” she told him, waiting for the coffee shop owner’s go-ahead to leave.

Mark opened his mouth as if he was about to say something, then closed it.

“Is there something you need to ask me?” she questioned with a quirk of her eyebrow.

He shrugged. “It’s no big deal. We can handle it tomorrow. I’m sure you’ve had a long day already. ”

“I have, but a few minutes more won’t hurt anything,” she assured him. “What’s up?”

“Okay, you asked for it.” Mark hesitated for a moment as if trying to find the right words. Eventually, he let out a heavy sigh as he rubbed the stubble on his chin. “I’ve got a problem. And I think you’re the only one who can help.”