Chapter 14
14
L ove you guys! Thanks for starting my mornings out right! ~ Cassie
T hree hours, maybe four .
That wasn’t enough sleep for Cal to survive the day. His dash around town yesterday looking for Ridley hadn’t helped. The stuffiness in his head came back full-force overnight. But no one could keep him away from Coffee Loft and Ginger today, not with the hopeful sign from her in his living room. That hug was like a double shot of espresso. Man, could he use another one now.
Cal lumbered down the sidewalk, led by a hyper, four-legged white mop. Peaches garnered so many awww s during the four-block stroll to Coffee Loft, he might as well be pushing a chubby-cheeked baby in a stroller rather than trailing after a mutt on a leash .
Peaches steered him around the iron fence when they got to Coffee Loft’s patio.
How did she know that ?
None of the other tables were occupied, thank goodness. He wasn’t up for socializing today.
He collapsed in a chair, blowing his nose while he contemplated Peaches’ uncanny ability of knowing his destination, when Ginger appeared on the patio.
“You must be feeling?” Ginger paused when he looked up, then thrust her bottom lip out. “I take that back. You look like you pulled an all-nighter.”
At his feet, Peaches perked her ears up at the sound of Ginger’s voice.
“An all-nighter with two dogs that don’t get along.”
“Oh, Cal. I’m so sorry.”
“And this flu or cold, whatever it is, is beating me up.” He almost didn’t have the energy to even shrug. “I’m getting better, but not fast enough.”
“I take it Ridley’s in the doghouse for the stunt he pulled?”
He groaned. “I feel like I can almost swap stories with my sister about unruly teenagers with what that dog has put me through.”
Ginger giggled and put her finger up. “I’ll be right back.”
Peaches tugged on the leash, trying to follow Ginger back into the shop.
He reeled her in. “You little traitor. She doesn’t even like dogs.”
One of the two women walking by on the sidewalk eyed him suspiciously until she noticed Peaches .
“Awww,” she cooed.
Her friend spotted Peaches, too. “Hi, baby,” she said as they walked by.
He couldn’t even muster a smile. Little did they know Peaches was a tyrant in disguise.
“Here you go.”
Ginger was back, and she set a mug of steaming pink something in front of him. A leaf floated on the top.
“What is it?”
“Elderberry tea. I just got it in. It’s part of my new health and wellness tea display.”
“Thanks, but I’m not really a fan?”
“Drink it,” she said in a no-nonsense tone he hadn’t heard before. She softened when he looked at her, startled. “It’ll knock your symptoms down.”
He leaned over the mug. It didn’t smell so bad.
She pulled out a chair and sat with Cal. “If you prefer, I can put it over ice.”
He leaned back in his chair as he took the mug, letting the steam waft over his face. “Not necessary.”
He sipped. The stuff soothed his throat, he’d give it that.
Ginger watched him, waiting for a reaction.
“Not as bad as you thought?”
“Tolerable.” He took another sip, then set the mug down. “I prefer my café au laits.”
“Of course, you do. But stay away from milk until this clears.” She circled her finger around her nose and mouth. “Dairy won’t help your congestion.”
He rubbed his beard stubble, not even caring that Ginger was seeing the worst version of himself at the moment .
“Tell me about the dog situation,” Ginger said.
“Ridley wants to eat Peaches.” When Ginger gasped, he figured he should clarify. “Like, in a friendly sort of way.”
Her blank stare meant she didn’t quite get how eating a household member could be considered anything other than hostile.
“And you’re keeping them separated, right?”
“Oh, gosh, yes. It’d be World War Three if I didn’t. Peaches wouldn’t stand for it.”
As if Peaches sensed she was the topic of conversation, she put her front paws on Ginger’s knees. He tried to move her away, but Ginger lifted her onto her lap instead. His mouth almost fell open. This was the most interest Ginger had shown any of his dogs. Ever.
“Are you being a bad little girl?” Ginger whispered. Peaches responded by licking Ginger’s nose with her pink, darting tongue. Ginger giggled, then set her back down on the bricks.
Incredulous, he gaped at her. “What just happened here?”
“What?” Ginger said, brushing off her pants.
“You actually touched her. You let her lick you without recoiling.”
Ginger considered this, glancing at Peaches with a look that could only be described as lovey-dovey.
“I feel bad for her.”
He took another sip of Ginger’s tea concoction. Funny, it was beginning to grow on him. He plucked out the leaf garnish and set it on the saucer.
“She’s in good hands. Peaches just needs to get used to the idea that Ridley is a sweetheart, and let me get a decent night’s sleep.” He sighed. “They literally barked at each other all night long.”
“Oh, Cal,” she said. “No wonder you look…like you haven’t slept.”
“Nice save.” He chuckled. Looked like something at the bottom of a dumpster , she might have said. Or better yet, looked like something you’d pick up with a doggie bag .
Ginger grimaced like he’d read her mind, but her gaze softened.
“We apparently share the same vet, you know,” she said out of nowhere.
“Oh, yeah? Dr. Robinson. She’s a wonderful human.”
“She’s sure full of compliments for you, too. Said you’ve found your niche.”
He felt a sneeze coming on. Scrambling for the tissue he’d stuffed in his pocket, he knew he wouldn’t get it in time. Too late. Instead, he sneezed into the crook of his arm.
Ginger left the table in a hurry. He didn’t fault her. What person in her right mind wanted to hang around a walking germ factory like himself?
A minute later, she was back with a tissue box. She set it in front of him and reclaimed her spot across the table. Normally, she was in a hurry to get back to work. But today Ginger seemed like she was pointedly trying to avoid it.
Huh .
“Thank you.” He took a tissue. “Anyway, I’d like to think I’ve found my calling.”
“You’re lucky. Not many people do. ”
He studied her. She’d frowned when she said that. “Is there something wrong?”
“I don’t know. I guess it got me thinking about what my niche is, too. What am I passionate about?”
“Making coffee, of course. Making people happy, giving them a place to socialize, or just find a little peace in the midst of a chaotic day.”
“I suppose.” She shook her head, dismissing it. “But I don’t think it’s enough anymore.”
“Why not? You have no idea what this means to people.” He opened his arms, gesturing to the expanse of the patio and the building. It was enough for him. But, then again, not every Coffee Loft customer coming for a caffeine fix also daydreamed about the owner. “What’s changed?”
“Watching you in your element, I guess.” She smiled while her tone dripped with friendly sarcasm.
“You wouldn’t be the first person whose life changed course because of me.” He could dish it right back.
She grinned—one of those real ones which he didn’t see too often—but when he did, it melted his core like a marshmallow over a campfire.
“I’d better get back,” she said, standing. Peaches took the opportunity to stand with her, waggling her behind.
Not so soon, please . “What do you have going on today?”
“Mostly training,” Ginger said as she studied Peaches, “but the Fall Days Festival is Saturday, so I have to figure out what I’m doing for that.”
“Saturday is soon .”
“I know. I’m way behind.”
“Do you need help? ”
“You don’t look like you’re up for anything more than sleeping for the next forty-eight hours.”
“At this point, I’d settle for a two-hour nap.” He reeled Peaches in on her leash.
“I can take Peaches for a few hours.”
Wait, what ?
The craziness of her suggestion actually made him lean back against his seat. Was she mad?
“You hate dogs.”
She snorted. “I don’t hate dogs. I’ve just never had one.” She lifted her chin, a little indignant.
“A self-rec like that doesn’t make me want to turn her over to you anytime soon.” He'd meant it as a joke, but hurt registered on her face.
“You’re right. I wouldn’t entrust her to me, either.”
Now he felt like he’d taken it too far. “I’m sorry. I’m joking. But Charleen wouldn’t allow it anyway without a volunteer form.”
“That’s okay,” she said quietly as she backed away.
“Ginger?”
She stopped. “Yes?”
“I appreciate the offer.” It was so out of character.
She studied Peaches for a moment as another frown pulled at the corners of her mouth.
“I know. I guess I feel sorry for her. Like, she thought she was set for life, feeling safe and loved. And then it was gone.” Her chest rose and fell with a deep sigh.
He had a feeling this wasn’t just about Peaches.
“What do I owe you for the tea?”
Ginger waved away the question. “On the house. ”
“Every drink you give me lately is on the house.”
She answered him with a smile innocent enough in the general sense, but coming from her, directed toward him , well, it lit a little fire in him, runny nose and scratchy throat aside. Whatever she did lately had that effect.
Wait . Correction .
Ginger’s impact surprised him the first time he set eyes on her. The difference between then and now was it just kept skyrocketing.