Magnolia Bride

by Tara Randel

  He’d tossed and turned. His chest ached when he finally came to the logical conclusion. He couldn’t stay married to Nealy. As much as he loved her, he couldn’t tie her down. Didn’t want her resenting him one day. Didn’t want her to feel like his mother, weighed down in an unhappy marriage. At this point, he couldn’t promise her a bright future. Not when he didn’t know where his own life was headed. He needed to figure out his life path before he could take care of a wife. Nealy deserved better. They both did.

  By dawn, he’d convinced himself he would do the right thing and followed through with the only answer he could come up with.

  “Nealy, I don’t know what we were thinking, but we can’t stay married.”

  “Why not? We love each other. We’ll make do.” She reached for him but he backed away.

  “Love isn’t enough. It can’t find us better jobs. We don’t have a place to live, even.”

  “We’ll find somewhere we can afford. We can get second jobs.” The desperation in her voice grew. “We’ll figure this out together, Dane.”

  “What about college? You’re enrolled. Ready to go.”

  “I can go later.”

  He shook his head. “No way. I’ve already lost my ride. I won’t let you miss out, too.”

  “It’s my choice.”

  “And it’s my choice to get an annulment.”

  When she saw the determined look on his face, realized he wasn’t backing down from his decision, the hope in her eyes extinguished. “You’re serious.”

  “I am.”

  Tears rolled down her flushed cheeks. He reached out to thumb them away but she ducked her head.

  “I’ll never forgive you for this,” she whispered before stepping through the threshold and closing the door in his face.

  “No, I don’t suppose you will.”

  He waited a few tense moments, hoping she’d return.

  She never did.

  The buzz from the telephone snapped his attention to the present. No, Nealy hadn’t forgotten or forgiven.

  Amazingly, through years of fighting and bitterness, his parents had stayed together. Dane had come to understand their relationship was an addiction neither could live without, even though the marriage was unhealthy. He’d seen his parents inflict enough hurt on each other to make him run from the altar. No, he’d decided marriage wasn’t in the cards for him, but maybe, in the short time Nealy was in Cypress Pointe, he could convince her to at least forgive him. He didn’t want their shared past making her any more wary of him than she already was. He couldn’t change the past, but with the two of them in Cypress Pointe, maybe fate was giving him a chance to make amends. The question remained, would she listen to an apology?

  He pictured her shock when she’d run into him in the lobby. Recalled watching the shock turn to anger. Yet in the four days she’d been here, she’d softened a tiny bit towards him. Could he wear her down enough to change her mind about him?

  He had to try to find out.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  THE SUN HAD just peeked over the horizon Monday morning when Nealy unlocked the old half-glass, half-wooden front door of Cuppa Joe. After seeing Dorinda off on her cruise, she arrived at six o’clock to get started. Excitement and wariness wrestled within her. Years had passed since she’d crossed the threshold, yet she couldn’t wait to get the place up and running with her new ideas.

  She’d dressed for comfort this morning, in a sleeveless loose-fitting tank top in a swirling black, blue and beige pattern, worn jeans and ballet flats. She left her hair loose. Not her usual L.A. style, but for a Cypress Pointe coffee shop, she was good to go.

  The tote bag she carried slipped down her arm as she removed the key from the lock and stepped inside. The scent of coffee lingered in the air, along with the familiar feeling of home, something she’d only ever experienced here. Nealy found the switch on the wall beside the door and flipped it on, the buzzing of the fluorescent overhead lights filling the silence. Nealy perused the room. Not much had changed over the years.

  She walked through the main area of the shop, past tables and chairs on either side, to a tall freestanding counter farther in the back. On it sat the cash register and along the wall ran a long counter holding two coffee machines, a three-compartment sink and beneath it a built-in refrigerator. Dorinda had even added a dishwasher, as Nealy had suggested. A hallway led to the restrooms and rear exit.

  The half dozen small tables and chairs scattered around the customer area were the same ones Nealy remembered from her childhood. To her shock, Nealy noticed a couch tucked in a far corner. She wanted to thank whoever convinced her grandmother to add the homey touch. For years, everyone had called the coffee shop Dorinda’s living room. Now it looked like one.

  Finished surveying the place, Nealy went behind the counter. She tucked away her tote and purse and opened the cabinet doors to take inventory. The storage space held everything from stirrers to sugar packets to jars of cinnamon and nutmeg. Coffee and filters were located next to the coffeemakers. Grandmother had two brewers, both with two lower warmers and one raised warmer to keep multiple pots of hot coffee ready while another brewed.

  “Let’s get this party started.”

  Nealy pulled out filters and beans and proceeded to get the coffee brewing. Once she had that going, she searched for the ceramic mugs, as well as paper to-go cups and lids. Right where she remembered them. As the aroma of coffee began to fill the room, she rounded the side of the counter to check the condiment station. It looked as if Sierra, her grandmother’s one employee, had restocked the supplies before closing the shop yesterday.

  Thinking about the weekend, an image of dancing with Dane popped into her head. What was wrong with her? She hadn’t slept well last night, unable to get him, or the scent of his spicy cologne, out of her mind. She’d vowed to avoid him, yet there he’d been at every turn.

  Out of the blue, Nealy heard, “Excuse me, dear. Is the coffee ready?”

  Nealy nearly jumped out of her skin. With a hand over her heart, Nealy spun around to find a well-dressed elderly lady standing by the counter.

  “Sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.” Because she was too busy thinking about Dane.

  With a slow gait, the woman crossed the room. “You probably don’t remember me. I’m a friend of your grandmother’s.” The elderly lady stuck out her hand. “Terri Simmons.”

  Nealy shook the woman’s hand, noticing her weathered skin. As she studied the woman with the lovely snow-white hair and pretty features, her memory kicked in. “Mrs. Simmons, hello. How is the hip doing?”

  “Please, call me Terri.” The older woman’s face softened. “I’m so pleased you remember.”

  “Grandmother keeps me up-to-date with the happenings in Cypress Pointe.” Frowning, she asked, “Why aren’t you on the cruise with the other ladies?”

  “Since the hip surgery I haven’t been steady on my feet. The idea of all that walking on a cruise ship made me nervous. Instead of joining the ladies, I promised Dorinda I’d keep an eye on you and the shop.”

  Nealy thought wryly, leave it to her grandmother to send help when she’d insisted Nealy take over. Nealy always liked her grandmother’s stories about her group of ladies.

  These women had been friends for as long as anyone could remember. Cuppa Joe had always been the place they got together, especially when times were hard. If the ladies needed support or a shoulder to cry on, Dorinda always welcomed them. Marriage, raising children, adjusting to life’s changes, friendship, loss, were all discussed over the years, and they became a support group, too, when one of their husbands passed away. Dear friends who had been by each other’s sides and still remained close allies. Nealy took another glimpse at Terri, noticing how frail the woman was. Now Nealy understood. Her grandmother had given Terri the job of watching out fo
r Nealy in order to give her friend something to occupy herself with, since she couldn’t go on the cruise.

  “Let’s hope there’s not much to keep an eye on,” Nealy said.

  Terri winked. “Oh, with you back in town, I’m sure I’ll be busy. I can’t wait to see what scrapes you get yourself into.”

  Nealy pressed her lips in a tight smile. Looked as if her reputation as a wild child still preceded her. Even her long absence hadn’t quelled the prevailing view. Before heading back to L.A., everyone in Cypress Pointe would see her as the smart, accomplished career woman she’d grown into, not as the girl who’d draped toilet paper on the trees in front of the mayor’s house on a dare. She’d become a woman who could plan major events, run a coffee shop and stay out of any public bouts of high jinks.

  “No scrapes, Terri. Just hard work.”

  Having made her point, a point Nealy would stick by or die trying, Nealy turned as the door opened and her nephew walked in.

  “Davey. What are you doing here so early?”

  The fourteen-year-old scuffled across the room and hoisted his backpack onto the counter. “I always come in before school to help Great-Gram.”

  “Wouldn’t you rather sleep in?”

  “Nah. Besides, Mom makes me get up so we can all eat breakfast together.” He wrinkled his nose. “I’d rather be here.”

  “What’s wrong with eating with your family?”

  He shot her a look conveying how dense she was.

  “Point taken. When I was in high school I didn’t spend much time at home, either.”

  “School is out for summer pretty soon and Great-Gram said I could work here. She has me sweep up in the morning. Take out the trash sometimes.” He walked to the closet located just down the hallway and removed a broom. “Better than hanging out at home.”

  Okay, two references about not wanting to be home. Problems or teenage angst? Thinking about her nearly perfect sister Lanie, Nealy went with the angst angle.

  As Davey headed outside to sweep the entrance of the shop, he passed an elderly man coming in. Walking with military precision, his sparse hair combed and his clothes pressed neatly, a folded newspaper tucked under his arm, the elderly man nodded to the women and strode up to the counter.

  Nealy glanced at Terri. “Time to get to work.”

  Nealy rounded the corner and addressed the man. “May I help you?”

  “Where’s Dorinda?”

  “She’s away. I’m Nealy, her granddaughter, filling in.”

  “Dorinda always gets my coffee.”

  “Well, today you get me.”

  The man scowled at her. Nealy ramped up her smile. Perhaps someone got up on the wrong side of the bed?

  Terri stood next to the man. “Ed, behave. Nealy here can pour a cup of coffee as well as Dorinda.”

  He nodded to the collection of pictures featuring Nealy on the wall. “They do things different in California.”

  Oh, good grief. Nealy upped the wattage of her smile, even as her cheek muscles grew tight. “Coffee is coffee, no matter where you brew it.”

  “You haven’t snuck in any of them newfangled drinks, have you? I like mine black and hot.”

  “Black and hot coming up.”

  Nealy got busy with the order. When she returned with the cup, Ed held out two one-dollar bills. “Oh, you’re ready to pay? I haven’t rung you up yet.”

  “I pay the same every day.”

  After Nealy took his money, Ed chose a table in the corner by the front glass window. With the money in hand, she rang up the transaction on the small register. Not a fancy POS computer system, but it sufficed for her grandmother.

  “You know,” Terri said, “you should get to the bakery for the pastries.”

  “I was going to have the order delivered.”

  “Dorinda usually stops there first before opening the coffee shop. She likes to pick out a different selection every day.”

  Seemed like a lot of extra work when she could just call the order in.

  “Do you want me to go over and choose?” Terri asked.

  Nealy nodded. “I’d appreciate it.”

  Terri held out her hand. Nealy looked at Terri’s empty palm.

  “Money, dear. I can’t shell it out. Fixed income, you know.”

  Nealy blinked at the older woman. Tapping a few keys, she opened the drawer and pulled out two twenties. She hoped more customers stopped by soon or her drawer would turn up empty very soon.

  Terri left on her errand. Ed sat in the corner reading his paper and a few customers strolled in. Nealy filled orders and finished familiarizing herself with the shop, although so much was still the same. She’d loved this place when she was growing up, loved spending time with her grandmother. From the looks of it, Davey did, too. As customers came in, he greeted each by name. Nealy grinned. Maybe Cuppa Joe’s would stay in the family after all.

  As the residents of Cypress Pointe began to venture out, more folks stopped in for a coffee run. Some lingered and chatted, others took their to-go cups and hurried off to work or errands. Nealy stayed busy. When Terri returned with the bakery treats, she helped take people’s orders. Together, they made a good team.

  Davey rounded the counter to collect his backpack. “Gotta go. Not sure if I can come back this afternoon, I have a thing after school.”

  “A thing?” Nealy laughed. She remembered the vague wording being code for trouble.

  “Yeah.” He fiddled with the strap on the pack. “Sierra will be here tomorrow, right? She promised to help me with a...um...project.”

  Sierra, a college student, worked part-time for Dorinda. Nealy didn’t miss Davy’s pink cheeks or the way he wouldn’t meet her eyes. Hmm. “As far as I know.”

  “Cool. See you later, Auntie.”

  “You know I hate it when you call me auntie.”

  Davey started calling her auntie when he and his folks came to L.A. for a visit a few years ago. It started out in teasing, but when Nealy balked, saying the name made her sound like a spinster, he wouldn’t let go.

  He grinned and sprinted out the door.

  “Brat,” she called after him and laughed. She had a lot of love for her nephew.

  The morning rush lasted for a good two hours. Taking advantage of a lull in traffic, Nealy cleaned the tables. She’d just finished when a familiar voice spoke her name.

  “Nealy Grainger. Heard you were in town.”

  She looked up to find her friend Lilli Barclay hurrying over for a hug.

  Nealy grabbed hold of her friend and squeezed hard, then pulled back to take a good look at Lilli. They’d seen each other last year when Nealy came home for a long weekend to celebrate Davey’s birthday, but something about her friend looked different. “I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you lately. How are you?”

  “Busy.” She glanced up at the tall, rugged man who joined her and smiled. “Happy.”

  The man held out his hand. “Max Sanders.”

  “Oh, my gosh, Max. I remember you. You and Dane hung out together.”

  “Still do. We’re friends and business associates.”

  “Small world.” Her gaze went back and forth between the two of them as realization struck. “You and Lilli are together?”

  Max took Lilli’s hand in his. “Yes.”

  Nealy raised a brow at her friend.

  “It’s a long story. We’ll have to catch up.”

  “Right now we need coffee,” Max informed her. “Lilli has to get to the marketing agency and I’ve got a conference call with a new client about installing a security system.”

  “Coming up.” Nealy got busy preparing their order.

  “I just heard about Juliet,” Lilli said. “We were supposed to attend the engagement party, but Max had to
go out of town on business so I tagged along. How is she doing?”

  “When she gets back in town I’ll let you know.”

  “She left?”

  “Right before the party.”

  “Wow. I don’t leave town often but the one time I do, there’s all kinds of drama. How is Brandon taking it?”

  “I don’t know. Juliet called him before the party to break the news.”

  “And your parents?”

  “You know my parents.”

  “Yes, I suppose they aren’t happy, but still, Juliet must have had a good reason.”

  Max dropped a five on the counter. “Keep the change.” He glanced at Lilli and smiled. “I recognize the look on your face, babe. It’ll take you an entire day to catch up, but we’ve got to get a move on.”

  Lilli checked her watch. “He’s right. Nealy, we’ll catch up later.”

  “Sounds great.”

  She watched the couple stroll out of the shop. She was happy for her friend, but wondered how those two had gotten together. She remembered Max from the whirlwind summer she and Dane had eloped. He’d been good friends with Dane, even though they’d gone their separate ways when Max enlisted in the navy.

  Just thinking about Dane again brought back bittersweet memories. She needed to let go. In a couple of weeks she’d be back in L.A., back to her life. Usually when she thought of Milestones by Crystal, and her apartment, and even Sam for that matter, she got a warm feeling, but this time...not so much.

  By midmorning she had a chance to sit down and look at the to-do list her grandmother had left her. Most of the items were straightforward, like requests to spruce up the inside with some fresh paint, updating the furnishings and connecting the shop with Wi-Fi. But the storefront? A different matter altogether.

  In keeping with the town ambiance, the Merchants’ Association asked for the entire storefront to be improved. Though the inside jobs were easy for her, she had no idea how to tackle the exterior, except to call a contractor.

  Notebook and pencil in hand, she went out to the sidewalk, taking a few steps back to get a complete view of the entire storefront. Faded and peeling brown paint covered the building. The siding around the windows needed to be refreshed and new signage would go a long way in pulling Cuppa Joe into the current theme. Easy enough, right?