“Sold? I didn’t know…” I was at a loss for what to say and just left my words hanging between us.
“Sweetheart, we’ve been thinking about it for a bit. Thanks to the cafe we’ve been able to make ends meet but it’s not fair how much time we’ve all had to put into the place.” Mom squeezed me as if she was trying to force me to understand.
“But, I…” Again, my voice lodged in my throat and I glanced between my parents.
“Someone approached us with an offer too good to pass up. You’ll be able to have a social life, Navy Bean,” Dad grinned at me. The smile and nickname another attempt to soften the blow.
“What do you want from me?” I finally demanded and pulled away from my mom.
My hands had remained in the cinnamon roll dough during the entire conversation and now realized I’d dug my fingers into the dough until it had begun to squeeze through my fingers.
“Sweetheart, this is our last summer here. At the end of the season, we’ll all have to find someplace else to live. We wanted to give you enough time to decide what you want to do.” She placed a hesitant hand on my arm. When I didn’t jerk away, she continued, “I thought you might like to finally go to college. Isn’t there something you’d like to do other than work here?”
Mom’s question had echoed through my mind the remainder of my shift. I’d baked up a storm in an effort to help myself think. Baking had always calmed me in the past but now it felt as if I was drowning and I couldn’t breathe. Even six dozen cookies, two dozen cupcakes, two dozen brownies, the cinnamon rolls, five loaves of bread, four dozen assorted muffins, and several flavors of bagels later, I was nowhere closer to deciding what I was going to do.
It was the end of the night and I was in the process of shutting down the cafe when I noticed someone sitting outside on the patio. I’d almost missed him, so distracted by my problems.
Walking outside, I called to him, “Sir… sorry, we’re closed.”
He jerked in his seat and turned his penetrating gaze on me.
The sandy brown hair and gray eyes were so familiar, the ruggedly handsome face was older and more defined, but I could clearly see the boy I had loved for as long as I could remember.
“Naiva…” My name was a hushed breath and I debated on whether he’d said it or not.
I watched as Harrison Jackson Noch III shook his head and inhaled deeply as he rose from his chair.
“I’m sorry,” he said finally. “I needed to get out and… get some air. Didn’t have anywhere to go, so I’ve been enjoying your patio.” He gave me a small smile.
“No problem. No problem. However, the cafe is closed so if you wanted anything…” What was I going to say? Offer him to come inside and have a drink? I couldn’t do that.
Brushing my hand through the stray strands of hair that never seemed to stay pulled back, I smiled at him and turned to leave.
“Wait!” He called out.
“Yes?” I turned back around. “Would you like something?”
“Some… uh… company would be nice.” He ran his hand through his hair. It was styled in a carefree style that wouldn’t require more than a comb but it looked really good on him – and I felt the urge to run my fingers through it.
“I’m sorry,” he interrupted my thoughts. “You’re working… I should go.”
“No, it’s fine. How about you come inside and I can get you something to drink and you can keep me company while I work?” For the life of me, I couldn’t understand who was speaking. I actually looked around, expecting someone else to be speaking.
“That would be nice, thanks.” Harrison Jackson Noch III walked up to me and motioned for me to lead the way.
I shivered at how close he was and quickly moved to open the door and enter the cafe.
The only thoughts in my head were all about one question — was I dreaming or hallucinating? Either way, I was content to let it play out.
My chest was tight and I found it difficult to breathe as I followed my dream woman into the building. I hadn’t realized there was an actual restaurant on this corner of the old B&B when I’d sat down. It was something new since I’d last walked the beaches of Cape Luella.
“What would you like, Mr. Noch?” Her voice startled me and I stopped gaping at the nicely laid out area that appeared to be much like a bakery I stopped at on my way to the office.
“Jack,” I offered. “Please call me Jack.”
“Okay… Jack, what would you like to drink? We have coffee and tea drinks in the cafe and there are other options in the formal restaurant area.”
“How about just some water?” I didn’t want to put her out, after all, she was already letting me intrude on her job.
“This way then,” Naiva motioned to a doorway and gave me a nervous smile.
“I can leave… if you prefer. I just really want to stay away from my parents’ house tonight.” I blurted out.
“Why is that?” she asked as she retrieved two bottles of cold water from a large refrigerator.
“My mother is hosting a party to get me mar–” Realizing what I’d almost admitted, I snapped my lips shut and shoved my hand in my hair as I turned away and looked around the Industrial kitchen.
“There’s a stool by the wall. You can pull it up to the work table on that side,” Naiva directed.
When I placed the stool in position and took my seat, I glanced up to find Naiva standing with her hands holding the bottles of water.
