Pour-Over Predicament (Killer Coffee Mysteries Book 14) by Tonya Kappes
Author:Tonya Kappes [Kappes, Tonya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tonya Kappes Books
Published: 2024-02-08T00:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER NINE
The Bean Hive had a quiet hush about it, the kind that settled when the evening had drawn in close and the day's hustle had petered out. I was just about to flip the Closed sign at six p.m.âdarkness had already crept up on Honey Springs, and folks were home settling in for the nightâwhen a persistent knocking echoed through the quiet space.
Peering through the glass, I saw a small figure bundled in a winter coat. It was Amelia, Camey and Walker's granddaughter, her nose pressed against the door, fogging up the glass. I couldn't help but smile as I opened the shop to her.
"Hey there, Amelia," I said to her, stepping aside to let the cold rush in with her and her grandparents. "What brings you out this way past closing?"
Camey and Walker werenât too far behind her.
She hopped from one foot to the other, her voice holding shivers and excitement. "Can I get a hot chocolate, Miss Roxy? It's so cold outside!"
"Sure thing," I said, already moving toward the counter. "Why don't you all come in and warm up for a bit?"
The Bean Hive might've been closed, but there was no way I'd turn away a little one in need of warmth. Especially not Amelia with her big, hopeful eyes.
Patrick came in right behind them, shaking off the cold, Sassy at his heels.
"Got us dinner," he announced, holding up a steaming bag that smelled of burgers and fries. Bandit, our current four-legged guest from the Pet Palace, trotted over to investigate the promising aroma.
âWe should go,â Walker told Camey.
âNo, stay!â Patrick told Walker. âI never know who will be here when I pick up supper, so I got plenty for everyone. Plus, since itâs closing time, I have a few beers in the back.â
âIâd love one.â Walker followed Patrick to the kitchen.
âMen,â Camey snorted. Her bangs blew up in the air, making Amelia and me laugh.
I busied myself with the hot chocolate, warming milk on the stove and whisking in the cocoa until it was rich and smooth. Amelia watched, her cheeks rosy from the wind, and when I topped her mug with a mountain of whipped cream, her grin spread from ear to ear.
Patrick and Walker rejoined us.
âCan I give the dogs a treat?â Amelia asked.
âOf course you can.â I smiled, thinking about how Patrick and I might have children of our own someday. Just not today.
Camey and Walker made themselves comfortable at one of the tables, unwinding from their evening stroll. The coffeehouse, though closed, was never really off dutyânot for friends and family.
As we gathered around the table, the conversation was easy and light. Amelia sipped her hot chocolate, Patrick passed around the food, and the dogs settled under the table, hoping for a dropped morsel.
"Yeah, it's quiet tonight," I said in response to Walker's comment about the early closing. "But it's nice, isn't it? No rush, just good company and good food."
Camey nodded, appearing to take in the cozy scene. "It's moments like these that remind me why I love this town," she said.
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