Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
B everly heard the familiar jingle of the cafe’s front door opening and glanced up from wiping down the counter, greeting the first customer of the day with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Nash.” She reached for a clean mug and poured his usual dark roast. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the comforting scents of baked goods and the faint tang of the ocean breeze wafting in from outside. “Right on time as always.”
Nash nodded in greeting, his weathered features softening as he returned her smile. He leaned against the counter, engaging in their daily ritual of friendly banter. “You know me, Bev. Creature of habit. Wouldn’t want to throw off your whole morning routine.”
“I appreciate that,” she teased as she slid the steaming mug across the worn wooden surface, its edges smoothed by years of use and care. “Here you go, one black coffee for my most reliable customer.”
“Don’t let your other customers hear you playing favorites,” he said with a wink as he accepted the mug. The corners of his eyes crinkled, and a hint of mischief danced in his gaze.
Nash had been a fixture at Coastal Coffee for as long as Beverly could remember, their morning coffee routine an ingrained part of their lives. He was her first customer of the day almost every single day. He took his mug, moved over to a table, and sat down, taking a sip of his coffee as the sleepy town began to stir around them.
Beverly’s gaze drifted to the entrance as the door swung open, signaling the arrival of a new customer. An unfamiliar woman hesitated before stepping inside. The woman had a pensive expression, her eyes scanning the cozy interior of the shop.
As the newcomer approached the counter, Beverly greeted her. “Good morning. What can I get for you?”
“I’m hoping for breakfast and coffee.” She smiled sheepishly. “Really, really need the coffee.”
Beverly’s laugh mingled with the woman’s, establishing an instant camaraderie. “I know how it is. Can’t really get my day started without it. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable. Grab a table and take a seat anywhere and I’ll bring you a cup.”
The woman nodded gratefully and began to head toward a secluded table near the back, but Beverly stopped her with a playful shake of her head. “Ah, not that one, hon. That’s Miss Eleanor’s usual spot. She’ll be in soon. And we’ve all learned to keep Miss Eleanor happy.” She winked conspiratorially.
The newcomer settled into a cozy corner table, continuing to survey the surroundings as if trying to absorb every detail.
Beverly brought her coffee. “Specials up on the board.” She nodded to the chalkboard over the counter. “Cinnamon rolls today. They’re delicious. Get them from the mainland fresh each day. I’m Beverly, by the way. Owner and chief coffee wrangler.”
“I’m Jenna. I just bought a place here on Magnolia Key. Moved in yesterday.”
“Ah, a newcomer to our little slice of paradise. You didn’t happen to buy the old Weston place, did you?”
“I did. How did you know?”
Beverly chuckled. “Small town. Word travels faster than storm winds here. I’m glad someone finally scooped it up. It’s been sitting empty for years while the family squabbled over what to do with it. Guess there was some kind of argument going on between the kids after their parents passed away. Some wanted to sell, some wanted to keep it.” Beverly shrugged. “Not always easy when parents die and there’s an estate to be settled and the heirs have differing opinions. The cottage has been neglected for years. Will be nice to see it all fixed up.”
“I have to admit, I’m in a bit over my head. It definitely needs more work than I anticipated.” Jenna gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I don’t mind hard work, but some of it is out of the depths of skill and my knowledge.”
“You’re in luck then. Nash over there”—she gestured toward his table near the front window— “he’s the best contractor this side of the Mississippi. If anyone can whip that old place into shape, it’s him.”
A thoughtful expression settled over Jenna’s features as she looked over at him. “You know, that’s probably not a bad idea to at least talk to him about it.”
“Nash,” Beverly called out, beckoning him over with a wave. “Pop over here for a second and meet our newest neighbor. This is Jenna—she’s the one who bought the Weston cottage.”
Pushing back his chair, Nash rose and ambled toward them, a friendly smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Ma’am,” he greeted Jenna with a polite nod.
Jenna tilted her head up slightly, meeting the piercing gaze of the most striking pair of sky-blue eyes she’d ever seen. The man—Nash—reached out a calloused hand in greeting, his grip firm and confident as she accepted the handshake. His large hand enveloped hers.
“Oh, call me Jenna, please.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gave her a small smile. “Jenna, I mean.” His voice was a rich, unhurried baritone.
“Jenna’s looking at getting some help with repairing the old Weston place,” Beverly chimed in.
“Ah, yes. It needs some work, doesn’t it? It’s a real shame the family let it fall into such disrepair over the years.”
“It does need quite a bit of attention. I plan to tackle a lot of it myself. But some of it, like the electricity and the outside painting, are beyond my skill set. Plus, I hate high ladders.”
Nash grinned. “Yep, those high ladders can be a bit troublesome, can’t they? How about I drop by this afternoon and take a look at things? That work for you?”
“It does, thank you.”
Nash nodded again and returned to his table. He slipped into his chair with an easy grace and confidence, as if he belonged there. A regular. She suddenly felt out of place, a blatant outsider.
Beverly nodded toward Nash. “He’s a good craftsman. I’m sure you’ll be pleased with any work he or his crew does.”
“Thank you for hooking me up with Nash. I mean… not hooking up. Not like dating hookups. I mean…” The warmth of a blush flushed her cheeks. “For suggesting that he help with the repairs.”
“Glad to help.” Beverly nodded.
“I used to come here to Magnolia Key as a girl, but it is a bit strange moving to a totally new place. I saw lots had changed on my walk over here this morning. And yet, I was happy to see much has stayed the same.”
“We’re not really big on change.” Beverly laughed. “And that explains why you moved here. Magnolia Key has a way of pulling people back once they’ve come here.”
Jenna offered a small smile, hoping to deflect any probing questions about her motivations for relocating to Magnolia Key. “I’m hoping for a bit of a slower pace,” she explained simply. “I’m from San Francisco and I was… tired of it.” And exhausted and disheartened with her job, but Beverly didn’t need to know those details. And Jenna didn’t want to think about it. Not anymore.
“Ah, a big city woman. Well, I’m sure you’ll find that slower pace here on Magnolia.” Beverly smiled and with a nod, she shifted topics. “Now, have you decided what you want for breakfast? You look like you could use a nice hot meal.”
“I’ll have two eggs scrambled, hash browns… and I’ll probably regret this, but I’ll have a cinnamon roll too.”
“Great choice.” Beverly grinned with approval as she headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll have your food out in a jiffy.”
Jenna sat waiting for her food and sipping the delicious coffee. She really needed to make a run to the market and stock up on essentials. Coffee for sure, and a bit of everything. She wanted to fully stock her pantry. She loved to cook, and now she would have the time to indulge in it. No more grabbing something on the way home from work. But for now, she just basked in the cozy atmosphere of the coffee shop.
An older woman came in and strode across the floor with a no-nonsense attitude. She claimed the table Beverly had dubbed Miss Eleanor’s. Beverly came out immediately with a pitcher of cream and a mug of coffee, setting them before the woman with a practiced ease that hinted at their well-established routine. Miss Eleanor’s demeanor exuded an air of belonging. Here at Coastal Coffee, at her table, on Magnolia Key.
Jenna wondered if she’d ever feel like she really belonged here. Hopefully, in time, she would.