The Coffee Girl

by Shanna Hatfield

  “That is so cool.” Excitement filled Kathleen’s voice and face as she looked at Brenna. “So what’s his name? Where does he work?”

  “I don’t know.” Brenna nervously shuffled papers on her desk.

  “What do you mean you don’t know? You had dinner together for goodness sake,” Kathleen’s voice climbed in pitch. Brenna shushed her.

  “He said it removed all the mystery if you learned everything about a person all at once. He told me that the next time we met, he’d ask my name then.”

  “That is incredibly romantic.” Kathleen’s eyes held a dreamy look. The woman could find romance in a brown paper bag given enough time and encouragement.

  “It was,” Brenna agreed, her face softening as she thought of the mysterious construction guy. “He walked me to my car and right before he left, he kissed me.”

  “What!” Kathleen screeched. Quickly lowering her voice, she repeated herself. “What? Don’t stop with the details now.”

  “He leaned in the window and kissed me so fast, I wouldn’t have known it happened except for the fact my lips felt like they’d been incinerated. I haven’t seen him since.”

  “Are you not stopping to get coffee?” Kathleen frowned, wrinkling her otherwise smooth forehead.

  “No. I stop every morning, but he hasn’t been at the coffee shop. He was there every day just like me. He always ordered an extra large of the dark roast, straight black. He smells like cedar and musk and something else completely wonderful I can’t begin to describe.”

  “A warm-blooded, good-looking man?” Kathleen suggested, lifting a shapely eyebrow.

  “Maybe,” Brenna hesitantly agreed. “I don’t know if my hysterics over the flat tire, my disheveled appearance, or my lack of stimulating conversation drove him away, but he is definitely gone.”

  “None of the above, my friend.” Kathleen drew dramatic inspiration from the mystery of the situation. “Maybe he was in an accident and his wounded, damaged body is waiting for you to come find him in some sterile hospital bed. Maybe he was kidnapped by drug lords trafficking their wares up to Seattle. Maybe he took a wrong exit and is still wandering around the city, lost and uncertain.”

  “Kat!” Brenna said a she shook her head, trying to hide her amusement with her friend behind exasperation.

  “Well, anything is possible. Don’t just assume it’s something you did. Potentially, there are hundreds of reasons for his absence. Does he travel on business? Does he have family out of town?”

  “I don’t know. He said he was in construction. His dad works in some sort of office environment and his mom is a fashion designer. He didn’t mention any siblings and I don’t know where he works. I’m not even sure what his truck looks like since it was dark and raining. I can tell you it was big with four doors and had some kind of logo on the side that I couldn’t make out in the rain. That’s all I know.”

  “You know more than that.” Kathleen slapped her hand on the desk. “Let’s get down to important specifics. What did the man look like?”

  “He… um…” Brenna tried to think of the best way to describe the construction guy. “He isn’t handsome in a conventional, magazine-cover sense, but more in a rugged kind of way. He’s about five ten or so, has dark brown hair that’s short and spiky. He has a great jaw and chin and the most amazing hazel eyes with those little crinkles around the edges that make it look like he smiles and laughs a lot. He has strong hands, hands that do hard labor, and there are muscles.”

  “Muscles?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Brenna sank into her dreamlike visions of the mystery man.

  “How would you know Brenna Smith?” Kathleen’s eyebrow lifted so high it nearly met her hairline. “I thought all you did was have dinner together.”

  “We did, but when he took his coat off he was wearing a Henley partially unbuttoned with a flannel shirt. It wasn’t hard to fill in the details. You could practically see them through the fabric.”

  “And why did you not tell me about this sooner?” Kathleen chided, shaking her head with disappointment.

  “I didn’t want to sound like I was thirteen with my first crush.” Self-conscious that she had confided quite so much to her friend, Brenna wished she’d kept her mouth shut. No one else knew about her infatuation with the man. “Please don’t say anything to anyone, Kat. I haven’t even mentioned it to Avery.”

  Kathleen pretended to lock her lips and toss the key over her shoulder. “My lips are sealed. But we’ve got to figure out why he disappeared. Have you asked anyone at the coffee shop if they know him?”

  “Are you crazy? That’s all I need is for the staff to decide I’m stalking him like some mad woman.”

  Kathleen laughed as she got to her feet. “Right. Because that is just the kind of image you exude, miss girl-next-door. Have a great birthday, Brenna, and don’t let Wesley get you down. You should leave early today and do as little as humanly possible while you’re here. Oh, and don’t make plans for lunch. A group of us are taking you out at noon.”

  “Sounds good.” Brenna stood and hugged her friend. “Thanks for everything.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Brenna picked up her stack of messages, made calls, and worked on revamping Wesley’s latest project. At noon, a group of friends escorted her out of the office for a fun lunch.

  A snarky message from Wesley awaited her upon her return that afternoon. Clearly irritated she’d taken a lunch break, he reiterated his warning about her shoddy work. Vexed and on the verge of losing her temper, she put on her coat, picked up her purse and informed the receptionist she had some things to take care of then left for the day.

  Instead of going home, she went to a salon she occasionally frequented and enjoyed both a manicure and facial.

  She stopped by the mall and bought a dress that was something she would never have purchased for herself but had always wanted. Before leaving the city, she visited a restaurant supply warehouse and picked up some catalogs.

  The house was quiet when she walked in the door since her mom was still at the store and her dad was at work.

  Brenna ran a hot bath and added some scented crystals to the water, allowing herself the luxury of a good long soak. Once her fingers started to wrinkle up like prunes, she began getting ready for the birthday party. She donned her new dress, fussed with her hair and makeup then added a spritz of her favorite perfume. Her parents would go straight to Avery’s after work, so she took her time opening up mail that arrived for her, including birthday cards and a few gifts.

  Finally ready to head to the party, Brenna put on her coat, gathered her purse and car keys, and sailed out the door with a smile.

  Arriving at Avery and Greg’s house a few minutes later, she was still grinning as she rang the bell and waited for the front door to open. She could have walked inside, but surprising Avery seemed like more fun.

  “Come on in. The birthday girl hasn’t…” Avery said, staring at her sister in astonishment. “Brenna! You look fantastic. Come in, come in!”

  Brenna laughed and shed her coat, dropping it on the coat rack by the door as she gave her sister an excited hug. “Wesley made me mad, so I took the afternoon off and treated myself to a few indulgences.”

  “You should do that more often.” Avery offered her an encouraging smile. Although she was a few inches taller than Brenna, the two sisters shared the same curly golden hair, big blue eyes and freckled noses. “You really do look amazing. Happy birthday, Rennie.”

  “Thanks, Avery, and thanks for throwing this party.”

  “No problem. I was more than happy to do it, as you leave behind your youth and join the ranks of the aged and decrepit.” The two girls walked down the hall to the kitchen where Brenna heard the mingled voices of people she knew and loved.

  “Thanks. A lot. That was really special.” Brenna playfully slapped her sister’s arm.

  “You owe me more thanks than you know. Mom had it in her head to invite some ‘nice young man’
she met recently as a surprise and I told her no way. Lucky for you, he’s out of town.”

  “Will she ever stop?” Brenna rolled her eyes as they stepped into the kitchen.

  “Not until you have a ring on your finger and a man on your arm,” Avery teased, pushing Brenna toward the guests. They cheered, “Happy Birthday!” as they noticed her walking into the room.

  Brenna enjoyed the evening despite one of her old boyfriends, Will, being there. Just because he was Greg’s friend should not mean he was included at every family gathering.

  Her family’s obvious efforts to see her married had reached all new levels of annoyingness. She had no problem with the idea of marriage. It was the idea of marrying someone she didn’t love. Brenna dreamed of a man who could make her heart pound in her ears, her breath catch in her throat, and her knees turn to jelly just by a look or a gentle touch.

  The only person who came remotely close to fulfilling that dream was the construction guy and now he had disappeared.

  Rather than dwell on the fact that Will was following her around like a lost puppy, she basked in the compliments over her dress, ate two pieces of her favorite raspberry-filled cake, and laughed with a freedom she hadn’t felt in a very long time.

  Brenna decided turning thirty wasn’t nearly as traumatic as she anticipated.

  Preparing to leave, she gave both Avery and Greg affectionate hugs. “Thanks for making my birthday special.”

  “Anytime.” Greg patted her back as he and Avery walked with her outside to where she’d parked out on the street.

  “Will you both be at the meeting with the construction people Saturday?” Brenna asked, stopping next to her car.

  Greg shook his head. “I can’t make it, but Avery will be there with bells on.” He glanced to his wife. “Won’t you?”

  “You know it. I can’t believe mom decided to do this, but it’s going to be so awesome for all three of us.” Avery’s enthusiasm was infectious.

  Brenna was happy to see her sister so excited about the plans and couldn’t wait to find out how long it would be until the project was finished.

  “Did you look over the plans she had drawn up?” Avery asked.

  “I did and they are perfect. I don’t know how Mom did it, but I can’t think of anything I’d want different.”

  “I know. She’s pretty amazing.” Avery leaned against Greg as he slipped his arm around her shoulders.

  “I think all three of you Smith women are pretty amazing, but not able to withstand freezing temperatures. So, dear wife, you and I are going back inside and Rennie is going home.” Greg held Brenna’s door while she climbed into the car. He shut it and offered a jaunty wave as he tugged Avery back into the warmth of the house.

  Later that night before she drifted off to sleep, Brenna spent a few minutes letting her mind wander through her dreams. One of them was about to come true and she couldn’t wait until Saturday to find out when she’d be the official owner of her own bistro. Once she had a firm date, she could start planning a spectacular end to being a doormat for that weasel Wesley.

  Chapter Four

  Up before five Saturday morning, Brenna decided to impress the man from the construction company her mom hired with a sampling of the pastries and sweets she would serve in her new bistro.

  Butterhorns, flaky croissants filled with fluffy eggs and bits of ham, and slices of a cinnamon coffee cake filled a large platter while another tray held an assortment of fruit and sliced cheese. Two carafes of her specialty coffee filled Letty’s store with a rich aroma.

  Brenna set a beautiful oak table in her mother’s showroom with a white linen cloth, gleaming china and sparkling silver. Avery added an artfully arranged bouquet of flowers just as the bell over the door jingled.

  “At least he’s punctual,” Avery said as she smoothed down her slacks and fussed with her blouse.

  Nervous, Brenna ran a hand up to her hair, hoping it was somewhat contained and tugged at her dress, making sure it hung properly before following Avery to the front of the store. Their mother hung up the coat of a broad-shouldered man with spiky dark hair.

  He turned around and Brenna drew in a gasp of air, shocked by his appearance.

  “Coffee girl?” Brock asked Brenna as he took a step closer to her. A lazy smile lifted his lips and his hazel eyes twinkled.

  “Construction guy!” Brenna stepped forward and stretched out a hand to him in welcome. When he took her hand in his, she felt an unexpected jolt of electricity blaze through her fingers and up her arm. If she didn’t break the connection soon, her brain might completely short-circuit.

  “You two know each other?” Letty eyed her daughter suspiciously. If she was right in her hunch, and she was rarely wrong, Brenna appeared quite interested in Brock McCrae of McCrae Construction.

  “Sort of,” Brenna said with a smile, looking down at her hand, still held captive by Brock’s tan, callused fingers. She noticed the cut near his thumb had healed and no new wounds seemed evident. “We see each other in passing at the coffee shop. You know, the one near Woodburn.”

  “I see.” Letty winked at Avery then tipped her head toward the back of the store.

  “And he came to my rescue the night I had a flat tire.” Twinges of sparks lingered in Brenna’s hand even through Brock released her fingers.

  “That was you?” Letty linked her arm through Brock’s and escorted him to the table set with breakfast. “Thank you for rescuing our little damsel in distress.”

  “It was nothing.” Brock looked over the table with interest. Letty had invited him to attend a breakfast meeting to discuss plans with her two business partners. He had no idea the two partners would be cute blondes, one with whom he was already more than a little infatuated. He certainly had no idea it would include a table that would have left his fastidious mother thoroughly impressed.

  “Avery, this is Brock McCrae. He took over Andy McCrae’s construction business. Andy is his uncle,” Letty said as Avery shook Brock’s hand.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Smith.” Brock shook Avery’s hand, noticing how much she and his coffee girl looked alike.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. McCrae, but I’m Mrs. Landers,” Avery said offering an engaging smile.

  “Is your husband Greg Landers?” Brock noticed the ring on Avery’s left hand.

  “Yes, he is.” Avery was surprised to hear Brock mention Greg. “Do you know him?”

  “I do.” A good-humored smile brightened Brock’s face. “Your husband used to give me nothing but trouble during the summers I spent here working for my uncle. We got into all kinds of … well, we had a lot of fun, anyway. Tell him I said hello.”

  “I’ll do that.” Avery continued to smile, absolutely charmed by Brock. “Won’t you sit down? Brenna provided a breakfast feast you don’t want to miss out on while it’s still warm.”

  “I’m sure I don’t.” Brock grabbed onto the name Brenna, trying it on for size. Somehow, it fit the coffee girl. She looked like a Brenna with her golden curls, freckled nose, and big blue eyes.

  Once the women took seats, Brock sat on one of the large oak chairs and looked around the table as his mouth began to water. Avery and Letty passed him platters full of delicious treats while Brenna poured him a cup of coffee.

  Inhaling the pungent, dark-roasted scent, Brock smiled and took a drink. The coffee was brewed to perfection.

  They discussed mutual acquaintances, beautiful pieces of furniture in the shop, and the weather, leaving the business discussion for after the meal.

  “Well, what did you think of your breakfast?” Letty asked as Brock slid another slice of coffee cake onto his plate. He’d eaten more than his fill, but everything tasted so good.

  “I can honestly say I’ve never had anything melt in my mouth like those butterhorns. Everything is delicious.” Brock grinned at Letty.

  “I’m glad you think so because what you are going to help us do will make sure Brenna’s tasty creations are a
vailable for everyone to buy.” Pride oozed from Letty as she grinned at the younger of her two children.

  “You made all this?” Brock looked at Brenna with interest and admiration.

  “I did.” Brenna struggled to find her voice when she felt hopelessly lost in Brock’s hazel eyes.

  Brock.

  What a perfect name for the ruggedly handsome man. He had wonderful manners, charmed both her mother and sister, and looked at her like she was something of a prized novelty because she had made some of her tried and true recipes for breakfast.

  “Do you cook like this often?” Brock kept his eye on Brenna as he forked another bite of coffee cake.

  “Only on the weekends or when I’m not working,” Brenna admitted, still not over the shock of their construction guy being her coffee shop hero.

  “But the plan is to open up a bistro in the front of the store where you’ll cook like this every day?” Brock’s voice sounded hopeful.

  “That is the plan.” Brenna dropped her gaze to her half-eaten croissant. She’d been so flabbergasted when the construction guy turned out to be Brock, she could hardly think straight.

  “You can count me in as a frequent customer.” Brock grinned as he took the last bite of the coffee cake.

  “If you behave yourself and get the job done in the time frame we have in mind, Brenna might let you be a taste tester as she works out her menu.” A glint of merriment danced in Letty’s eyes.

  “Let’s see what you have in mind, then,” Brock said, ready to get down to business. The lure of mouth-watering meals made by the adorable coffee girl was too much to resist.

  They spent the next hour and a half going over details, walking around the store and discussing everything from timelines to space utilization. Brock made a few suggestions the women agreed were good ideas and they signed on the dotted line, ready for Brock to begin work.

  He would start in Avery’s second floor space, since it sat empty, ready for the renovation. The basement had a few small things Letty wanted finished before she moved her showroom samples down there. The final project would be the main floor and Brenna’s bistro.