Lattes and Lullabyes

by Kay Lyons

  "And where's home?"

  "Mom."

  "Forgive the intrusion, Cooper, but we like to know our neighbors."

  He winked at London and enjoyed the flush it put on her cheeks way too much. "I don't mind, ma'am. I'm on Fifth, almost directly behind the coffee shop. It's the only blue house on the street."

  "I'm familiar. That's a beautiful home. It's just you then, when the children aren't visiting?"

  "Mom, will you give the man a break?"

  Cooper shifted his weight from foot to foot and glanced around the interior. The coffee shop held three other people besides the Cohen women, and none of them seemed to be paying any attention to their conversion. But he knew in small towns—islands—that wasn't typically the case. But since it was as good a time as any to inform everyone of the reality of his living situation… "No, ma'am. Actually, I have custody of the twins, so it's the three of us, plus a live-in nanny."

  "I see," Andrea murmured. "That's quite the load to carry as a single man."

  "Which is why Cooper probably needs to put that laptop to work, am I right?" London interjected in a cheerful tone from behind the counter. "Cooper, run while you can. I'll block your exit and bring your order."

  "Oh, London," her mother said, tone scolding and seemingly a little embarrassed.

  He chuckled, but it sounded strained to his own ears. "It's fine. But London is right. I do need to get to work. I have a deadline and a lot to get done. London, would you care to add a breakfast sandwich to the order? The egg white one," he said, pointing to one in the case.

  "Sure thing."

  "It was nice to meet you, ladies."

  "We've enjoyed meeting you," Andrea said. "Rocco is such a dear."

  "Thanks. He was top of his class in obedience school, so it's nice to hear the training paid off."

  "Don't worry, Mom, you'll undoubtedly see Cooper again. He's been coming here periodically to work," Ireland said.

  "Oh, really?"

  Andrea gave Cooper a knowing smile every matchmaking mama seemed to have conquered. Too bad she’d change her mind if she knew his history. "Uh, yes, ma'am. The deadline," he said again, hoping the woman wouldn't take offense. "My home office isn't as quiet as it used to be."

  "I'm sure it isn't. Well, I look forward to seeing you again soon."

  He nodded. "Enjoy your day."

  Cooper turned and made his way across the room to a table tucked into the far corner and lowered his backpack onto the surface.

  London appeared behind him, his coffee order in hand.

  "I'm so sorry," she murmured.

  "No problem."

  "I'd like to say it's an isolated incident, but Carolina Cove is a small town and an island, so it's a double whammy on the get-to-know-your-neighborness. I did warn you."

  He glanced over her head to where her sister and mother sat and found them eyeing him as London set his coffee on the table. "So you did. Thanks for bringing this over."

  "Not a problem. I'll bring the sandwich out as soon as it's ready."

  "Thanks."

  London hesitated, opened her mouth as though wanting to say something else, but closed it and turned to head back to the counter where her family waited. Cooper watched her go, looking away only to lock gazes with Andrea, who gave him a feminine, narrow-eyed glance he also associated with mamas the world over.

  She knew he was interested in her daughter.

  But like him, Andrea Cohen wasn't sure what to make of it.

  Chapter 8

  London walked back to where her mom and sister sat at the bar and tried to ignore the way they both watched her as she set to work fixing Cooper's breakfast sandwich order. "Stop. Both of you. Right now," she ordered when they ignored her. "You're being so obvious."

  "He's very handsome," her mother said. "Can't seem to take his eyes off of you, either."

  "You're totally imagining that."

  "Did you flirt with him?"

  "Mom."

  "I'm just saying…"

  "Mom, I mean it. He'll hear you."

  Andrea waved a hand in the air as though waving away the words, shifted forward on her stool, and lowered her voice.

  "You've always been so bashful," her mother said. "He's interested. You should flirt."

  London met Ireland's gaze and watched as her sister lifted her hands as though in surrender. London sighed. No help there. Traitor. "Ireland just got engaged. Let's focus on that, shall we?"

  This was Ireland's second engagement, would be her second marriage. Whereas London had yet to be asked. She'd come close once. Well, maybe. At least she'd thought her boyfriend at the time was going to ask, but when she'd surprised him with a birthday breakfast and caught him in bed with his coworker, well, that had ended that.

  "Yeah, let’s," Ireland agreed. "And I'd like to reiterate that the key words to remember when it comes to planning are small and intimate. It's a second wedding for both of us, and we don't want too much fuss. Understood?"

  When Ireland and London simultaneously looked at their mama, Andrea sat back on the barstool with an offended expression.

  "Can't I have any fun?"

  Ireland focused on London.

  "That's mother speak for over-the-top insane and more than we want. Londy, will you please handle the engagement party?"

  "But… no," Mama said. "No, I've already called several venues this morning, and—"

  "Of course I will," London agreed. "We can have the engagement party here and keep it super casual."

  "Perfect."

  "Girls—"

  "Mama, it's decided. London can handle the engagement party, and you and I will plan a small wedding on the beach come spring. Or early summer. We haven't decided yet since Dominic is still trying to get things sorted out at work."

  Ireland’s fiancé was an Atlanta attorney who’d spent the last few months dividing his time between locations. And while London was curious as to where the two would eventually call home, she knew better than to ask in front of their mama.

  London watched as her mother propped both elbows on the counter in front of her, looking much like a child who'd just had her balloon deflate.

  "Should I be grateful you're not eloping somewhere?"

  "Yes, because we discussed it."

  London couldn't stop the laugh that emerged and quickly held up her hands in surrender. "Sorry. It slipped."

  "Mama, all of your big plans are going to have to wait on someone's first wedding. I did that once. I don't need it again. It's someone else's turn."

  "You girls just wait. When you have daughters of your own, you'll see, and you'll be disappointed when you don't get to make a fuss."

  "I know, Mama, but Dominic and I agreed to keep things small. All of the planning is such a waste of time any—"

  "Oh! Speaking of time…" Her mother gathered up her purse after a quick check of her watch. "I told your father I'd be back in an hour and that was nearly two hours ago. I was just so excited when you called to tell me this morning."

  Mama quickly hugged them both before rushing toward the door, pausing briefly to say her goodbyes to Cooper before she went racing out.

  London watched her mother depart before shifting her attention back to Ireland. Her sister's expression had gone pensive and seemed a million miles away. London frowned. "Hey. What's that look about? Everything okay?"

  "What? Oh, yeah," Ireland said. "It's just Mama's right about one thing."

  "What’s that?"

  "Londy, we can't wait to have another baby–hopefully a little girl—which means the longer it takes for this wedding to happen, the longer it will be before that happens. Maybe Dominic and I should elope?"

  "Mama would flip."

  "I know. Now go give the man his sandwich so we can talk."

  London quickly finished the order and grabbed rolled utensils. She delivered Cooper's order with a smile but didn't linger since his headphones were in place and he typed at record speed.

  The moment s
he stepped back behind the counter within hearing distance, Ireland sighed.

  "I'm just so ready."

  "For?"

  "Everything. I feel like I haven't enjoyed life in ages and I'm ready to. Dominic is wonderful. I mean really wonderful. After the divorce, I honestly never thought I would feel this way again. That I could ever find love again or be so happy. Appreciate so much. Little, inconsequential things. Now… every moment is precious and I see things differently so… why wait? Especially when Dominic doesn't want to wait either."

  "I'm sure you're excited, but it's wise not to rush. Just enjoy this time."

  "I guess."

  Ireland took a sip of her latte before leveling a stare at London.

  "So, you had a date with Cooper?"

  "What? No. We're… friends. He's a customer."

  "A friend is always a good thing, as are customers, but that wasn't what I asked."

  London sucked in a breath. "That little snitch."

  Ireland laughed softly. "Don't be upset. Caro was so excited for you. She came home as I was leaving that morning and looked ready to burst. I think she would've if she'd kept it a secret."

  "That may be so, but that night wasn't a date and she shouldn't have said anything," London said quietly, embarrassed by the fact everyone knew about the dinner and yet things hadn't progressed further. Maybe most people wouldn't care, but her sisters and mother would wonder why and… It was embarrassing and she wondered what was wrong with her.

  "Too late for that now,” Ireland said. “The question is whether you wanted it to be a date?"

  London glanced over Ireland's shoulder to where Cooper sat working, grateful the headphones were in place. "I… wouldn't have minded."

  "You like him."

  "It doesn't matter."

  "It does matter. You like him."

  "Well, obviously he doesn't like me. He's been in here nearly every day since and hasn't said a word out of turn or acted interested, so… problem solved," she said, lifting her shoulders in a forlorn shrug.

  "Did you clash on politics? World views? Faith?"

  "No. Nothing. At least, nothing I can think of. He asked me a lot of questions and seemed to have a nice time."

  "What about him? Did you ask him questions? Make it clear you're interested?"

  London shifted and leaned more heavily against the counter after two of her customers waved goodbye and made their way out the door. She was hyperaware of the fact only Cooper and London remained, and the last thing she wanted was for him to hear them discussing him. Thankfully Cooper seemed wholly focused on his task. Still, she made sure to keep her voice to a whisper. "I tried to ask questions, but he would usually steer the conversation back to me and our family. He wanted to know about my childhood and you guys and… He seemed fine at the time, but obviously something turned him off."

  "Or maybe he's just super busy with that deadline of his and he doesn't want to start something he can't dedicate the proper time and attention to. Some guys are like that."

  "Maybe." Could that be it? He did seem to be under the gun, so to speak, when it came to work. And he'd just moved and had the twins at home. Maybe… that was it? Because prideful or not, he did look at her in a way that seemed like he liked her, too. Was interested but holding back.

  "Rocco, hey, boy. How are you?"

  London looked up to find Dally had entered the coffee shop. Rocco rose from his position on the floor and tail-wagged his way to greet the familiar man. It wasn't until Dally had made it nearly to the counter that the older man stopped in his tracks. "Dally? Are you all right?"

  The man lost what little color he had in his pale complexion.

  Rocco barked and sat at Dally's feet, tail sweeping the floor as he stared up at the man. Rocco's bark and race across the floor had gained Cooper's attention, and London watched as he removed the headphones and turned to see what was going on, swiveling up and out of his chair in a surge of movement that sent Rocco scurrying about excitedly.

  London's stomach tightened in a knot at the visible tension between the two men. All of a sudden the pieces clicked, and she gasped.

  "What? What's going on?" Ireland asked in a low voice.

  "Hey—Scout… it's good see you."

  Cooper glared at Dally, the muscles of his face drawn tight.

  "Wish I could say the same. And don’t call me that."

  "It’s just a nickname, son—"

  "You do not have the right to call me that. Ever."

  Cooper sent a glance in her direction before turning back to the table and shoving his laptop and other items in his backpack as fast as he could. He called Rocco to his side and leashed the dog.

  "Cooper—"

  "I don't know how you met him," Cooper said with a jerk of his head toward Dally, "but you'd best stay away. For your own sake."

  "Cooper, D-Dally's been nothing but kind."

  A rough laugh emerged from Cooper's chest. "Yeah… Still can't say the same." He slung the backpack onto his shoulder before pointing a finger at Dally. "You stay away from me. From us. You got that? And if you have any care for London, you'll stay away from her, too."

  The silence that followed Cooper's departure lengthened for long moments before London moved from behind the counter to Dally's side. The older man wove on his feet, completely ashen. "Dally, sit down."

  "No. He's right. I'm no good. Wasn't— I should go."

  "Not until you're more yourself again. Come on, sit down," London ordered, leading him to the closest chair.

  Ireland set a water bottle in front of him.

  "You don't look well."

  "I'm f-fine."

  "Dally… you're Cooper's father?"

  The man's eyes filled with tears. He nodded but then just as quickly shook his head. He pulled something from his pocket and held it, rubbing his thumbs over the surface repeatedly.

  "Yes. No… He's right. I lost the right to be called that a long time ago."

  Ireland and London seated themselves on either side of the man, sensing his need for support. London wanted to go after Cooper, but she also felt he needed time to recover from the shock of seeing his father in her shop. "Talk to us, Dally. What on earth just happened? What was that all about?"

  "Ah, girls. That's a story I'm too ashamed to tell."

  "You need to tell someone," London murmured.

  "S'pose I do," the man agreed, lifting a trembling fist to his face to roughly wipe away the moisture that had leaked from his eyes. "But not to you. I need… I need to go to a meeting."

  London frowned at the words but Ireland stretched out a hand and placed it over Dally's. He dropped the item in his fist to grip Ireland's fingers and London saw a coin.

  "There's one at a church off of Dow,” Ireland said. “Near the fire station. I think it starts in about fifteen minutes. You should make it in plenty of time."

  It took a moment. A long moment and another glance at the coin to finally understand what Dally meant by needing a meeting. An AA meeting. As quickly as that sank in came the knowledge and origin of Cooper's personality type as the child of an alcoholic. Who has custody of his niece and nephew.

  Did that mean Cooper's sister was an alcoholic, too? Was that how Cooper was granted custody?

  One by one the pieces began to fall into place.

  "Do you want me to drive you?" Ireland offered.

  "No, hon. I'm fine."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes. It was just a shock, though it shouldn't have been after seeing Rocco in here. I knew it would happen eventually. Hoped it would. But I just wasn't expecting it today, I guess."

  "Dally, please… What happened between you and Cooper?" London caught Ireland's look of surprise that she'd ask such a personal question after Dally specifically saying he was embarrassed to say, but she couldn't help herself. Not after witnessing Cooper's response. The look on his face… the pain. Both Cooper and Dally were walking wounded, and it broke her heart.

  "Maybe I'll t
ell you sometime. I need to get to that meeting for now." Dally stood, the chair legs scraping against the floor like razor blades on her nerves.

  London and Ireland watched as the man left as quickly as Cooper had. Seconds passed and they sat there in silence.

  "Wow."

  "I know," London whispered. "I've gotten to know Dally from his visits here, and Cooper, but I never put the two of them together."

  Ireland inhaled and crossed her arms over her front, hugging herself.

  "We were blessed. I mean, Mom and Dad drank sometimes but never irresponsibly. At least not around us. It wasn't ever an issue."

  London nodded. "It must have been bad, huh? For Cooper to have had that kind of reaction?"

  Ireland met London's gaze and nodded.

  “I’d say so.”

  But how bad was it? Given the reactions of both father and son, London was afraid to imagine. She inhaled and shoved herself away from the table, glad for the lack of customers. "I need a distraction. Let's… plan your party or something."

  "Londy, that can wait. I can stay here if you want to go find Cooper. Check on him."

  "No, I-I… I need to give him time. I need time to figure out what I should say. But I need to do something besides let that replay in my head," she said, waving a hand toward the spot where Dally and Cooper had stood ready to go to war. "You know?"

  "Do you want to go after him?"

  After seeing the look on Cooper's face? Getting to know him these last couple of weeks? "Of course I do. Not knowing what happened is killing me. But Cooper needs to be the one to decide. If he wants to talk and confide in me… Right?"

  Chapter 9

  Cooper spotted London the moment she left the bridge closest to the pier and descended the steps to the sand. She paused to remove her shoes and turned left, slowly walking in his general direction.

  He'd like to think he had some kind of pull that drew her toward him, but he knew that was wishful thinking. Especially after what had happened in the coffee shop. Storming out hadn't been ideal. He should've ordered Dalton out of London's Lattes, but he'd been so blindsided by Dalton's appearance that he hadn't been able to get away fast enough. Teach a kid to run away at the first sign of trouble, and they tended to continue the pattern. He was embarrassed now, however, because he'd left London and Ireland behind to deal with the man.