Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
The espresso machine released steam in a lively swirl, asserting its presence with a powerful rhythm. Emily ignored it and focused on the cup in front of her, a badge taking shape beneath the precise flick of her wrist. The counter was littered with evidence of past failures, but she was too stubborn to give up. She’d nail it, no matter how many attempts it took, because she wanted this to be the signature topper for this Brave Badge location.
The shop was quiet at this hour, with only the low hum of appliances softly vibrating through the air and the faint, lingering scent of fresh paint from the recent remodel. Despite the inevitable headaches that accompanied such transformations, she found a deep satisfaction in this moment—the sight of everything coming together.
The enticing aroma of a warm breakfast finally coaxed her gaze away from her work, and she found Mark standing there. His broad shoulders nearly filled the entire doorway, creating a striking silhouette against the morning light as he held a takeout bag in hand.
“I knew you’d skip breakfast,” he said, setting the bag on the counter and grinning at her.
She arched an eyebrow, still holding the milk pitcher in one hand. “You think I’m that predictable?”
“I think you’re that obsessed with work,” he teased with his blue eyes twinkling.
Emily tried to frown, but a smile betrayed her. “And here I thought I was spontaneous and mysterious.”
Mark laughed, gesturing for her to join him at a table in the back. “Coffee people aren’t mysterious. That’s why I brought this.” He opened the bag, releasing a cloud of diner smells—eggs, bacon, pancakes, and a couple of other items she couldn’t quite distinguish.
“Okay, so on that note, it’s lucky I have all these extra coffees to go with our food.” She picked up two of the abandoned cups and took them over to the table.
Emily watched Mark spread out their assortment of choices, a quiet warmth spreading through her as she took a seat across from him.
“Thanks,” she told him with a grateful smile. She felt a strange flutter at how simple and right this felt, sitting across from him and sharing breakfast.
“Didn’t want you to faint mid-training,” he teased, passing her an empty paper plate so she could pick out her favorites.
Emily shook her head gently, touched by his thoughtfulness. His kindness was like a soothing balm, and she couldn’t help but be moved by it. Perhaps it was the delicious breakfast spread before them, or perhaps it was the joyful company they shared, but she found herself beginning to feel truly at home within this chaotic, not-quite-finished space that seemed to pulse with charm and promise. As she settled into the chair across from him, her eyes lingered on his, and a grateful smile played upon her lips. A feeling of rightness washed over her as if she had unknowingly wandered into something rare and beautiful—an unexpected gift that had been waiting just for her.
Mark grinned. “Ready to try my masterpiece?” he asked, holding up a forkful of scrambled eggs with potatoes and hot sauce like it was a work of art.
“I think you mean J’s masterpiece.” Emily took the fork and let their fingers brush for a second longer than necessary. She couldn’t help the small smile that spread across her face as she took the bite.
His next offering was just as delicious as the previous. The biscuit was a flake away from crumbling, but Emily couldn’t let go, even when Mark’s fingers touched hers. A tiny shock ran through her, familiar and new at once. He didn’t pull away. If anything, he leaned closer, his eyes deep and steady on hers, daring her to say this was something else. His hand brushed her cheek, and the world shrank to the warm hum of their corner.
Then the door chime pierced the air, a shrill announcement that they weren’t alone. Nancy strolled in, oblivious, and Emily’s heart did a quick nosedive as she and Mark jolted apart.
Nancy waved, hanging her jacket behind the counter. “Morning, you two.” Her voice bounced off the walls, too loud for the moment she had just walked in on. Emily felt the heat rushing to her face.
“Morning,” Mark greeted in return, clearing his throat and looking at Emily like he wasn’t sure if he should laugh or apologize.
She wanted to say something light, something that would make everything normal again, but the words stuck. “You’re early,” she finally managed, hoping she didn’t sound as breathless as she felt .
Nancy shrugged, tying her apron like she hadn’t interrupted anything at all. “Thought I’d get a head start. Can’t wait to try that fancy new recipe you were teaching me yesterday.”
Emily nodded, the space between her and Mark now feeling like an entire ocean instead of a few inches. “I should get back to work,” she said, half to herself, half to Mark.
He gave her a look that was a mix of understanding and amusement. “Me too,” he said, standing and gathering up the breakfast remains. Their eyes met for a long moment before Emily turned away to go coach Nancy.
It wasn’t disappointment she felt. Not exactly. But as she did her best to move back into training mode, she couldn’t help wondering if they would ever get the moment right for a kiss or if it would always slip away.
The training with Nancy went smoothly; her eagerness to learn made Emily’s job easier. The energy in the shop shifted as they practiced pouring techniques, the air filled with the scent of rich coffee drinks. Despite her older age, Nancy was a quick learner, catching on to each new trick with a bright smile that energized everyone around her.
As they wrapped up a session on milk frothing, the door chimed again. This time, it was Sue and Bryan who entered, their expressions contrasting starkly. Sue looked calm and focused, ready for the day, while Bryan seemed tense, his small brow furrowed.
Emily greeted them both cheerfully. “Good morning.”
Bryan barely muttered a response as Sue said, “Hello.”
As they started working through the mistakes from the coffee booth, tensions escalated quickly. Sue accidentally bumped into Bryan while reaching for a filter, and his reaction was sharper than necessary .
“Watch it. You’re always in my space,” he snapped at her, pushing the filter holder onto the counter with more force than needed.
Sue’s eyes widened in surprise. “I’m sorry, Bryan. I didn’t mean to upset you. It was just an accident.”
But Bryan wasn’t having it. “It’s always ‘just an accident’ with you,” he retorted heatedly. His frustration was palpable, echoing off the walls. “And you think you can get away with it because you’re the teacher’s pet.” He gestured between Emily and Sue with frustration.
Emily stepped in swiftly, sensing that things could spiral out of control if she didn’t intervene. “Hey, hey,” she said softly yet firmly, placing herself between them. “Let’s take a breath here. We’re all on the same team.”
Bryan’s shoulders slumped slightly as he looked away. “Maybe this job isn’t for me,” he muttered, the edge of resignation in his voice hinting at a deeper turmoil.
Emily reached out and gently turned him back to face her. “Look at me, Bryan,” she said calmly. “We need you here. You’re doing a great job learning all this so quickly.” Her words were genuine. Bryan had shown a great deal of potential despite his current frustration.
“It doesn’t feel like it,” he mumbled, avoiding her gaze as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“It’s not always going to be easy or perfect,” Emily continued, keeping her tone encouraging. “We all make mistakes—that’s how we learn and get better together as a team.”
Slowly, Bryan nodded, his expression softening slightly under her reassurance.
“You can take a break if you need to and come back when you’re ready,” she told him with a smile that seemed to ease some of his tension .
Bryan nodded again before stepping away to cool down.
When Emily looked over at Mark after handling the situation, there was an approving glint in his eyes. After the shop settled down and they found a moment alone by the freshly stocked shelves of coffee bags, he leaned closer and said quietly, “You handled that situation with Bryan really well.”
His compliment warmed her more than any cup of coffee could. Emily flashed him a grateful smile, feeling unexpectedly light despite the morning’s drama. “Thanks. It means a lot to hear that from you.”
As she stepped outside to take out the garbage, the contrast was immediate. The air outside was a wall of sticky heat, swallowing Emily whole as she dragged the trash to the alley not exactly how she’d pictured her glamorous coffee career.
Voices rose from the corner, sharp and loud enough to cut through the oppressive air. “Belinda’s going to love me for this,” Emily heard Birdie snicker unmistakably.
Emily paused, the trash bag swinging like a pendulum in her grip.
“Don’t know why you got to meddle, hon,” Mason grumbled.
“I called the health department because I was concerned about the welfare of Faith Valley,” Birdie stated pridefully. “They agreed that a second inspection was in order after I told them what I saw at the taste-testing.”
“You didn’t see anything, Birdie,” Mason chastised. “You just want to cause trouble.”
“I did so,” the older woman challenged. “I swear I saw one of those new baristas wiping the machine with a dirty rag. The health inspector said that’s enough to come out on Thursday. ”
Emily felt her stomach drop, the words slicing into her. She didn’t wait to hear more, her feet already carrying her back inside to Mark.
The shop was a blur as she stormed through the door, dodging staff and boxes. Mark looked up from a stack of order forms, his expression shifting to concern as she approached.
“Emily, what’s wrong?” he questioned, reaching out to steady her.
She stood there with her hands on her hips, breathless and angry. “We’ve been setup,” she blurted, the words tumbling out. “There’s going to be a second inspection in two days. Birdie and Mason are out there, and she’s bragging about reporting the coffee shop for uncleanliness.”
Mark’s face hardened with a mix of frustration and resolve. “Because she’s still angry that were competing with Belinda’s cafe?” he asked, shaking his head in disbelief.
“She’s proud of it,” Emily stated in frustration, “proud of trying to destroy this place.”
It felt like betrayal, like someone had pulled the rug out from under them just when they were finding their footing.
Mark took a deep breath, and she could almost see the gears turning in his head. She couldn’t help but appreciate the way he always went straight into problem-solving mode. “Okay,” he said finally. “Then we show them we’re ready. We’ll make this the cleanest shop they’ve ever seen, and there won’t be one thing they can shut us down for.” His confidence was infectious, like a lifeline she didn’t realize she was needing.
Emily nodded, a flicker of hope breaking through the knot in her stomach. “Let’s do it,” she agreed with a determination.
Mark pulled her into a quick huddle with the staff, his words clear and precise. “We just found out that we have a second inspection coming on Thursday,” he announced, scanning the room. “I need everyone to hustle. We’re going to pass this one with flying colors.”
Emily watched as the team sprang into action, a flurry of movement and purpose. She caught Nancy’s eye, the girl looking both terrified and excited, and gave her a reassuring nod.
“What do you want me to do?” Emily asked, turning back to Mark. The chaos was strangely exhilarating, the challenge pulling them closer instead of apart.
He made a quick checklist and handed it to her. “Divide and conquer?” he suggested, the hint of a grin breaking through the tension.
“Thought you’d never ask,” she replied, feeling the fire return to her veins. She went to work directing the baristas to scrub and organize, her voice cutting through the noise with quick instructions. They cleared countertops, polished machines, and removed dirty items, making the place shine with the kind of precision that would make Birdie eat her words.
Despite the pressure, Emily felt a strange sense of calm, as if the storm had brought everything into focus. Mark was on the other side of the shop, leading the charge with the same intensity and focus that had first drawn her to him. Their eyes met across the room, a silent exchange that spoke volumes.
With each task they completed, the mood shifted from frantic to determined, a team effort fueled by a collective sense of defiance. They’d show this town what they were made of, no matter who tried to undermine them.
Emily wiped her brow, and left a streak of coffee grinds smudging across her forehead and smiled at the bustling crew. They were in the final stretch, and everything was coming together like clockwork.
She felt Mark’s presence before she saw him, his steady, calming energy a constant through the whirlwind. “How’s it looking?”
“Like we’re ready for anything,” she assured him. “Thanks to you.”
“Thanks to us. I couldn’t have done this without you,” Mark confessed, his eyes warm with something that went beyond gratitude.
“We still have a few things to do tomorrow,” Emily reminded him, “but we’re well on our way.”
Emily felt the draft before she saw her ex, the door swinging wide to let in more than just the heat. It was a face she’d never wanted to see in Faith Valley again after the incident at the festival.
Mark was at her side in an instant, the shift from surprise to anger playing across his features like a lightning strike. “You’re not welcome here,” he growled, his voice cutting through the shop’s noise.
The baristas exchanged looks, eyes darting between Emily, the unwelcome guest, and Mark.
Emily’s stomach did a nosedive as her mind scrambled to process his sudden appearance. Why did he decide to come back after what happened? It was like the cruelest joke was being played on her just when she thought things were falling into place.
The only thing that made it better was having Mark by her side, unwavering and fierce, his words a sharp, clear command that left no room for argument.
Dave glanced from Emily to Mark, his expression morphing into one of irritation. “Just wanted to see if you changed your mind about getting back with me. I get that things were heated the other day, but you know you miss me,” he coaxed with a smug grin.
“No, I don’t,” Emily stated firmly. “I thought that made it clear when I ended things with you and left town.”
Mark stepped closer, his posture rigid with controlled anger. “You got your answer. Now leave,” he demanded, his voice a low rumble that filled the space with authority.
“What are you going to do, tough guy? Hit me?” Dave challenged. “I dare you.”
Emily’s heart hammered in her chest as she watched the standoff, her mind racing. It was just like Dave to show up and try to pick a fight. It was one of the reasons she ended things with him. She was over dating guys who carried a chip on their shoulders.
“This is my place, so I don’t have to fight you. All I have to do is call the cops and tell them you’re trespassing,” Mark threatened. “I’d get out of here before it comes to that. You don’t seem the type who would want a run-in with the law.”
Dave’s eyes widened with fear for a split second before he shrugged. “You don’t intimidate me, man.”
“That’s not what he’s trying to do, mister,” Bryan interjected, coming up beside Mark and building a wall in front of Emily. “He’s trying to warn you because the cops around here don’t take kindly to strangers showing up and causing trouble.”
The tension crackled like static in the air. Dave held both men’s gazes for a long moment before giving one last spiteful glance at Emily before turning around to leave.
As the door slammed behind Dave, a collective sigh seemed to sweep through the room. Emily leaned against a counter for support, her legs feeling unsteady.
“Are you okay?” Mark’s voice was gentle now, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder .
She met his concerned blue eyes and managed a shaky smile. “Yeah. Thank you,” she murmured. Then, glancing around, she added, “Both of you for the support.”
The gratitude she felt was overwhelming, not just for both men helping to defuse the situation but for standing by her side without hesitation.
Mark nodded, his gaze still intense with protective fervor. “I meant what I said. He’s not welcome here.”
“And we have your back, just like you have ours,” Bryan added.
“I was just about to get the broom and swat him out of here,” Nancy chimed in, eliciting a laugh from all of them.
Emily nodded, her heart warming with an emotion she hadn’t anticipated feeling so strongly. Trust. At this moment, in this crisis-turned-camaraderie, trust had woven itself deeply amongst all of them.
“Let’s get back to it,” she suggested, eager to regain some sense of normalcy and focus on their impending challenge. “We need to be ready for the inspection on Thursday.”
Together, they returned to their tasks, each movement and decision drawing them closer as a team. The shop transformed under their hands, every surface gleaming, every cup and spoon in its place, the very image of readiness.
As they worked, Emily found herself glancing at Mark from time to time, reassured by his presence. He caught her looking once and gave her a small smile that made her heart skip a beat.
Finally satisfied with their efforts, they gathered the staff for a final pep talk.
“We’ve done everything we can,” Mark began confidently. “No matter what happens during the inspection, I’m proud of every single one of you. ”
Emily agreed with a nod. “We’re more than just colleagues—we’re a team now. Let’s show them what we’re made of.”
As the day wound down and the adrenaline faded into exhaustion mixed with anticipation, Emily couldn’t help but feel that whatever lay ahead—they would face it all together.