Page 50 of The Coffee Bar on Camellia Court

"I could use someone for custodial work," she said carefully. "Sweeping, mopping floors, cleaning appliances and bathrooms, washing dishes. All the dirty work nobody wants to do."

Leonard's eyes lit up. "I can do that. Any of it. All of it."

"It'd be no more than part time right now," she continued, "but if you're planning on sticking around, it could turn into more. I bought the empty space next door." Her hands full, she jutted her chin toward the west wall. "I've got a crew coming in the fall to get started, and I'm hoping to have it up and running by the end of the year. Business is good." She heard the pride in her voice, and if it had been anyone but her father she was speaking to, she would have been embarrassed. But she wanted him to see what she'd made of herself, how far she'd come in spite of his efforts to crush her.

"You should be proud of yourself," he said, once again looking around at her beloved shop. "I know I am, too."

She leveled a steady gaze at him, refusing to accept his praise. It still meant little more than the air it took to say them. "I pay fair wages, but I expect my employees to show up on time. And sober. You can smoke, but only on your breaks and only out back in the alley. Not out front where the patrons are served." She always set ashtrays out on a few of the tables, but she didn't want him using them. She really didn't want him fraternizing with her patrons at all, at least until she had a better sense of what to expect from him. "The first time you come in here smelling like alcohol or acting erratic, you're done."

Leonard nodded sagely. "That's more than fair."

"If I catch you pocketing a dime that isn't yours, you're gone," she added, her gaze locked with his. "I have worked hard to be where I am, and I will not have you come in here and screw things up for me. I am stretching my neck to give you a chance to prove you're a changed man."

"I won't let you down, Juniper."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Juno warned. "Just show up and do the work." She paused. "You're staying at the Sleepy Time Motel, right? How are you going to get to work?

A flash of discomfort crossed his face. "I—I have to check out today. Funds are..." he trailed off, gesturing vaguely.

Of course. He needed money. That's what this was really about.

"I'm not letting you stay with me," she said firmly.

"I wouldn't ask that," Leonard replied quickly. "I was hoping maybe you could front me enough to cover the next couple of weeks until I can find something more permanent."

Juno sighed, calculating figures in her head. She couldn't send him away with nowhere to go, but she wasn't about to set him up indefinitely either.

"I'll pay for ten more nights," she decided.

"That's more than generous," he said with a nod. "More than generous."

"You figure out how to get here. I need you in the mornings between rushes, from nine to noon, five days a week, six days if you're willing." She'd call the Sleepy Time herself to pay for his stay; no chance of him pocketing the money and disappearing.

"I'm willing, Juno." Relief flooded his weathered face. "I won't—"

"Let me down. I know." She moved toward the register. "You start tomorrow. Nine o'clock sharp. We'll see how you do with the basics before I decide what else you can handle."

Leonard nodded, clutching his cap like a lifeline. "I'll be here. Early."

"Good. I'll have Jeffrey show you the ropes. He's our dishwasher and prep guy." Juno picked up her phone. "I'll call the inn now and get you set up. Then I need to start getting this place ready to open."

Leonard took the hint and backed toward the door. "Thank you, Juniper. I mean it. I know I don't deserve this chance."

After he left, Juno leaned against the counter, trying to process what she'd just done. Had she made a terrible mistake? Or was this the beginning of healing something she'd thought broken beyond repair?

Should she tell someone what was going on? Her Garden Variety Lovers Club friends? Or would they think she'd made a big mistake and try to talk her out of it? Maybe she'd better not tell anyone yet. If this all went sideways—whenit went sideways, because she had a terrible suspicion that it would—she'd rather not have witnesses to her foolishness.

Besides, they'd all find out soon enough. Not only did her peers frequent her shop on a regular basis, but small towns weren't good at keeping secrets.

Juno busied herself with opening preparations, setting up the pastry display case, grinding fresh beans for the three house coffees of the day, wiping down the counter where she'd shared lunch with her father—how weird did that sound? Physical activity helped calm her racing thoughts, but it couldn't completely suppress the worry gnawing at her insides.

By a quarter to one, everything was ready. Juno sat at the counter with a mug of black coffee, staring out the window at the summer sidewalk shimmering with heat. She'd taken a chance on Leonard Thomas—the man who'd stolen her childhood, her security, and nearly her life.

She wondered what Alex would say if he knew. Would he understand, or would he think she was naive? He had his own battle brewing with Melissa over Lena. At least his fight was for something precious—someone worth fighting for. What was Juno fighting for? Closure? Redemption? Or was she simply setting herself up for another devastating blow?

The bell above the door jingled, startling her from her thoughts. Trevor, her Sunday afternoon barista, strolled in with his usual easy smile.

"Hey boss," he greeted her, tying on his apron. "Smells good in here."

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