by Kris Jett
Cade smiled to himself.
Chapter Four
The bells hanging over the heavy wood door to MoonBeans jingled as Jessie pushed her way inside the warm coffee shop. She needed a double shot mocha like nobody’s business.
Her best friend since junior high, April, walked out from behind the counter, drying her hands on a towel. “What happened to you?”
Jessie reached up and patted her hair. “Is it that awful? I was trying to knock icicles off the entrance at Starlight and I fell in some snow. And hey, that was the highlight of my day,” she added in a sarcastic voice.
April looked sympathetic. “Oh no, hun. Here, sit and I’ll bring you a drink. And a chocolate chunk brownie. You look like you could use it.”
Jessie took a seat in one of the two over-stuffed chairs in front of the stone fireplace and shrugged off her coat and gloves, deciding to keep on her scarf until she warmed up a bit more. MoonBeans was a popular fixture in Snowy Ridge with a menu of delicious coffee drinks and decadent desserts. People would hang out for hours at the cozy tables scattered around and play board games or read one of the books from the shelves that lined the walls. With soft music and warm lighting, it had always been one of Jessie’s favorite places to hang out since she was a tween. And it helped that her BFF was the best barista in all of Snowy Ridge.
“Hey, Harry, taking my break,” April yelled over her shoulder to the lanky teenage boy with heavy dark glasses and a mob of wild brown curls, as she made her way over to Jessie, a tray of drinks and brownies in hand. “So, town gossip alert,” she announced after she took her seat. “Three hotties have hit Snowy Ridge. And they’re brothers! All single. Are you dying?” April picked up her drink and settled back in her chair. “Lord, what I could do with three brothers,” she said wistfully, before taking a sip of her drink.
Jessie laughed. “You wouldn’t know what to do with three brothers.”
April looked at her. “Shoot, I’m up for the challenge. Think they’re a kinky bunch?” She pulled a hand through her thick mass of black springy curls a couple of times, before tucking a piece behind her ear.
Jessie shook her head. “I don’t know. I just got done dealing with one of them back at the pub. He had the social skills of an ape. Real jerk.”
“Well, I don’t need him to talk much, just do me in the storage room when I’m on breaks,” April said.
Jessie glanced at her cup and then April. “Please tell me you don’t seriously have sex at work.”
April shrugged and thought about this. “Not this week,” she finally said.
“You’re such a freak,” Jessie said. “But I will admit that the Stone brother I met was pretty damn hot. He had big broad shoulders, flat stomach from what I could tell, and biceps that pushed at the collar shirt he was wearing. And I didn’t see him standing or anything but I would bet he filled out his jeans nicely.” She bit her bottom lip for a few beats before she continued. “Gorgeous dark hair and these amazing deep brown eyes that get really intense when he’s mad. Which he was, at me, during our entire exchange. Not that I was thrilled with him either.”
“Which brother was it? Cooper, Cash, or Cade?” April asked.
Someone certainly liked C names in their family, Jessie thought. “I don’t know. We didn’t get as far as pleasantries. Just far enough for him tell me I shouldn’t see Jason again.”
April spit out the mouthful of coffee she had just drunk. “Jason? As in Jason Kirkland? Captain Douchebag? You’re kidding. He’s back?”
Jessie handed her a napkin. “Yep. That’s what I was coming to tell you. He’s back and he wants me to go with him. For coffee.”
April moved to the edge of her seat and waved a hand in the air. “Oh, hell no. You are not meeting him for coffee. And don’t be bringing him in here. I’ll smack that smug bastard right up the side of his head if I see him. He better brew at home if he knows what’s good for him.”
Jessie giggled. “Well, that makes two votes for not getting coffee with Jason.”
“Yeah? Me and who else?” April said.
“That guy I just told you about. The jerky Stone brother who was at the pub tonight. He heard Jason ask me out and he grabbed my wrist and told me not to go. He was really aggressive,” Jessie said.
April’s face changed from anger to excitement. “Was it hot though? It sounds hot. Did you want to drag him behind the bar and ride him like a cowgirl?”
“Dang, April. Let me get a glass of water to cool you down,” Jessie said. She pretended to look around for Harry to ask for a glass and then settled back in her chair. “But to answer your question, no, I wasn’t all hot and bothered. More like confused. He was so rude just before that I don’t know what suddenly made him concerned.”
“You’re not going to meet Jason, though, right?” April pressed.
“I am curious about why he’s here and what he wants…”
April interrupted. “Who cares what he wants? That asshole messed around with your sister and the two of you were practically engaged. Relationship VOID. He doesn’t get to want anything from you.”
Jessie nodded in agreement.
“And look at what he’s done to your family,” April continued. “You haven’t spoken to Luci in what, five years?”
“Six,” Jessie corrected.
“And you don’t talk to Wynn either. You all are a mess.”
“Hey, we’re just your typical dysfunctional family,” Jessie said. It’s true. She hadn’t spoken to Wynn in about four years now. And again, over a man. The Foster sisters certainly had a bad track record of not keeping their personal lives personal. Jessie wasn’t mad at Wynn though. It was Wynn who had the problem with her. She knew Wynn and her mom skyped once a week on the laptop but Wynn never asked to speak with Jessie. And Wynn never came home.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about my sisters,” Jessie said, feeling agitated.
The bells hanging over the door jingled again and Bets came in. “Girlies! Are we having a gab session? Make room for Bets,” she called out, dragging a chair over to where the two friends sat. Jessie was grateful for the intrusion.
“Hey, Bets, close on any houses today?” Jessie asked.
Bets was one of the few realtors in town. In her early fifties, she was super spunky and liked to wear long fake red nails, short mini-skirts, and plaster on the makeup. She flirted dangerously with looking clown-like but didn’t quite cross the line to needing big red shoes and a horn.
“Indeedy I did,” Bets said. “This is my busy season. Families come north for vacation and fall in love with our powdery trails that stretch on for over a hundred and fifty miles, the majestic pines, the amazing sunrises and sunsets. And then of course the local color. Snowy Ridge is quaint, charming, and picturesque. And you know the people make the town. Nicest bunch you’ll find anywhere. It’s natural that people would want to buy a cabin here for a winter retreat and make family memories that last a lifetime.
Jessie raised an eyebrow in her direction. “You’re practicing your sales pitch on us again, aren’t you Bets?”
Bets chuckled. “Always honey. Always.”
“I’ve lived here forever and I’m still not ready to buy my own place. I’m happy with my little one-bedroom for now. In fact,” Jessie said as she stood, “I need to get home. I’ll see you all later.”
“Good night, hon,” Bets said.
“I’ll walk you out,” April said, joining Jessie’s side. When they reached the door April asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to go out tonight? Get a drink or something? I’d hate to think that you’re home moping in your apartment.”
“Nah, I really just want to get home and chill. Watch some reality TV or something,” Jessie replied.
“And not call Jason?” April asked.
“No, I’m not calling him. Don’t worry.” Jessie smiled at April and headed out onto the street lamp lit sidewalk.
The air was biting and Jessie pulled her knit cap down over her ears
. She walked quickly down Main past the closed shops: antiques, kitschy, winter sports supplies, a leather shop, and a hardware store. The only spots really open at this time were the few bars Snowy Ridge had, Dillon’s Market, and the tiny one-screen movie theater, the Bijou. The Bijou had always been one of Jessie’s favorite spots in town. Built in the late twenties, it had a French Renaissance décor with rich red velvet walls, bronze doors and trim, and a gorgeous dome ceiling. She waved at Danny seated behind the glass in the ticket booth in his trademark vest and bow tie, waiting for moviegoers. Danny had been a fixture at the theater for as long as Jessie could remember. It gave her comfort to know she had friends nearby when she was home. It was kind of like she was never really alone.
Jessie reached the small used bookstore, Novel Idea, and headed up the stairs on the side of the building to her cozy apartment located over the store. She’d lived with her mom in their house up until about two years ago when she decided she was getting too old to still live at home. Her mom kept the house though and Jessie still went over to help her with yard work or whatever she needed.
She let herself in and hung up her coat, hat, and scarf on the wooden coat hanger. Her white and brown spotted cat, Joplin, wound her body around Jessie’s ankles in greeting. “Hey there, sweetie,” Jessie said as she scooped her into her arms. “Did you miss me?” She carried Joplin into the kitchen to make her dinner and she noticed the red light on her answering machine was flashing. “Hmm,” Jessie said out loud. “Who would leave me a message? Everyone but telemarketers calls my cell phone.” Jessie knew she was probably the last person on earth who still had a land line but she’d lost cell coverage one too many times during winter storms and she didn’t like the idea of living alone with no way to reach someone. She hit play on the machine and pulled down a can of Fancy Feast for Joplin.
“Jessie? It’s Mom,” her answering machine said.
Ah, of course it is. Jessie’s mom never could remember Jessie’s cell phone number.
“Why aren’t you home yet?” her mom continued. “Listen, I need you to come into work early tomorrow. We need to talk about…something. That’s it. Just please come in early. Okay. Goodnight.”
“That’s strange. What do you suppose Mom can’t just tell me during work, Joplin?” Jessie asked the cat.
Chapter Five
Jessie walked into Starlight at 11:30, a half an hour early for work. She nodded at Anne and Linda, two of their older waitresses who were holding things down and said hey to Nick, her favorite/only bus boy. Nick worked at Starlight while he went to school at a local university on full scholarship. He was dating a girl named Amber who worked farther down Main at Paterson’s Bakery, and the two of them were so sickingly cute together. If Jessie didn’t like them both so much she’d have a hard time being around them. Some people just didn’t know how to chill with the PDA.
There wasn’t much of a lunch crowd yet. Most of the regulars waited until about noon to show up. Something about hitting the PM signaled that it was an okay time to start drinking. Jessie headed for the back office to find her mom when something, or someone, actually, caught her eye. The Stone brother was here again, this time a laptop added to his massive pile of papers. Her first instinct was to march over and give him shit for the way he acted yesterday. But she hesitated. Maybe he was just having a really bad day and didn’t mean to be so obnoxious. If he’s going to be coming into the pub often she should make nice. Or at least try to.
Jessie crossed the room to his table. “Back again? Don’t you have an office to do all of this work in?”
Cade rubbed his temple before turning to glance at her. “Morning,” he said. “And yeah, I guess I could go do this at the shop but then my brothers will be all over me and I have to think. It’s complicated stuff. They made me in charge of all the financial stuff and I’m not exactly a whiz with it. This program is a nightmare.”
Jessie leaned down to get a look at his laptop screen and she sensed him fidget from her closeness. Maybe she made him nervous? “Let me look. I do all the books here. Ah, great. QuickBooks. That’s what I use too. What’s the problem?”
Cade sighed. “Well, I have the purchase order for some inventory and I’m trying to show that I received it and it’s not letting me do that.”
“No problem,” Jessie said. “May I?” She pointed to the laptop.
“Sure.” He shifted uneasily in his seat.
Jessie reached over his shoulder and took control of the laptop. “Okay, you have a PO, now you just need to turn it into a bill. Click Create, and choose Bill from the drop-down menu. Now enter the vendor name.” She waited for him to type in the name. “Okay,” she continued. “The PO appears on the right. Click Add, then Save and Close and it increases your inventory. Easy, huh?”
Cade looked at her, astonished. “For you. Thanks. I’m Cade, by the way. Cade Stone. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself yesterday. I was too busy being a, what did you call me? A dick?”
Jessie straightened back up and blushed.
“No, you were right,” he continued. “I’ve never played well with others. Really though, thanks. You’ve helped a lot.”
Cade gave her a sexy lopsided smile and she could feel her blush deepen.
“Any time. Listen, I’ve gotta get in back to talk to my mom so I’ll leave you with the rest of your work. Let me know if you need a refill or anything though.” She nodded at the soda glass on the table. “And I’m Jessie, by the way,” she added before heading to the office to find her mom. Maybe this guy isn’t all bad, she thought to herself.
Jessie found her mom at her desk leaning on her elbows with a cup of coffee in her hands. The blinds were unusually closed so the room was dim except for the lit dragonfly Tiffany lamp her dad had given her mom years ago that she’d always kept on the corner of her desk.
“Hey, Mom. What’s wrong? Late night?” Jessie took a seat in the worn-in high-back chair across from her mom and swung her legs over one of the arms.
Her mom straightened up and looked at her. “I have to tell you something and I’m not sure how you’ll react. Well, that’s not entirely true. I can pretty accurately guess how you’ll react but I have to tell you anyway.”
Jessie didn’t like the sound of this. What could it be? The pub was doing fine. Great, actually. Mom made plenty of money so it couldn’t be financial. She swung her legs back to the ground and prepared herself for the news. “Tell me then.”
Her mom wrung her hands together as she studied Jessie’s face. “It’s your sisters. They’re coming home. To stay.”
Jessie leaped to her feet. “What? Why?” she spat out. Logically she’d always known this day would eventually come. Her estranged siblings couldn’t stay away forever. They’d have to return home at some point. Really, Jessie had expected them to come in to visit their mother long before this. She just thought she was lucky that they’d stayed away so long. But staying? Impossible. Snowy Ridge was far too small for the three of them to coexist.
“I know you three have your issues,” her mom continued, “but they need me. They’re going to live with me at the house. And they’re going to work here at Starlight.”
Jessie could feel the heat rising in her and she paced the room. She didn’t know if she was more angry, hurt, or terrified of coming face-to-face with her sisters, let alone work with them on a daily bases. She spun and faced her mom. “No! I work here. This is our business, yours and mine. We’ve kept it going all of these years. They can’t just run off around the world doing whatever damn thing they please and then show back up and want in. No, absolutely not.”
Her mom sighed and her voice softened. “This is family, Jessie.”
“Not to me. They stopped being family years ago. No. They have to go somewhere else. I don’t care if they visit you. Whatever. But keep them away from me and my pub.”
“Our pub Jessie. They’re coming home, and they’re coming here,” her mom said, a sound of finality in her voice. She took a deep brea
th, suddenly looking very tired.
Jessie didn’t know what else to say. She walked out of the office and slammed the door behind her.
Chapter Six
Cade looked up to see Jessie storm into the room, her eyebrows drawn together and her lips pressed tightly shut. She walked behind the bar and slammed a bowl of nuts down so hard on it that the only other customer in the pub, an elderly guy working on a Sudoku, looked up in surprise.
Cade knew he should just keep his head down, do his work, and mind his own business. He had so much to do and his brothers wanted to have a meeting that afternoon. The shop was on schedule to open officially to the public in just under a week and with only the three of them running it, it was sucking up all of his time. They couldn’t afford to hire any help until they knew if it’d be a success or not. He had to keep his focus on work. But before he knew it Cade was on his feet and crossing the room to the bar. “You okay?” he cautiously asked Jessie.
“No.” Jessie grabbed a rag and scrubbed angrily at a spot on the bar.
Cade shifted uncomfortably and glanced back at his work lying on the table. What was he doing? He’s never been the caring, concerned type. He’d always believed in live and let live. He wasn’t the type to intrude where he wasn’t wanted. Yet, for some reason, he was drawn toward this girl. He wanted to help her if he could. Maybe because of how he’d treated her or maybe because she’d helped him a few minutes prior. And before that throbbing blue vein in her forehead exploded.
“Well,” he continued, “if you do want to talk, I could, you know, listen.” He eased himself onto a bar stool and leaned toward Jessie.
She stopped scrubbing and looked at him, a flicker of laughter in her eyes. “Like you did yesterday?”
“Hey, I apologized for that,” he said, throwing up a hand.
