Page 26 of Moonlit Harbor Nights

“May I?” he asked, gesturing to the coffee pot.

“I don’t see why not.” She sighed and poured him half a mug full of coffee. She didn’t want to pour him a full one, since she assumed he just wanted to taste the coffee. She doubted he would want to finish a mug once he had tasted it.

“It just doesn’t taste the way it used to,” she said, handing him the mug. “Maybe the brand we’ve been buying isn’t producing the high-quality coffee that they used to.”

He nodded. “That’s a smart theory. That sort of thing has certainly been known to happen.” He took a sip out of the mug, and immediately made a sour face.

Vivian sighed. She should have known better than to give someone as fussy as Terrence the bad coffee she’d made—then again, she reflected, if it really was that bad, they shouldn’t be giving it to anyone.

“It’s not good, is it?” she asked.

He shook his head and cleared his throat, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “Unfortunately, it isn’t. It has a remarkably high level of acidity. Perhaps the beans were roasted for too long.”

“That’s probably true. I want to assure you, though, that our coffee doesn’t usually taste like this. We’re known for making a good cup of coffee.”

He laughed, a pleasant sound like a squeaky gate. “Vivian, I’m the health inspector, not the coffee police. Besides, I know. I’ve had your coffee before. It’s always been excellent. Not like this stuff.”

“Well, thank you. Maybe it’s just a bad batch, and another bag will be better.”

“Maybe. But if I were you, I’d recommend switching brands entirely. If a company is willing to put out coffee of this quality, they don’t care very much about maintaining high standards, that’s for sure.”

“I should have known you’d be just as finicky about your coffee as you are with your job,” she said dryly.

He grinned, which was an unexpectedly charismatic response. “I find good coffee to be nearly as important as following health codes.”

She knew it was an exaggeration, and she laughed. She felt glad that he’d liked their coffee before, if he was so picky about it.

“As a matter of fact,” he said, “I’ll bring coffee from one of my favorite roasteries for you to try next time. They have a variety of flavors, but I’ll bring you a classic medium roast. That’s what you use here at the pub, isn’t it?”

She blinked, surprised by his ability to taste the type of coffee so precisely and disarmed by his kindness. “I—yes, that would be wonderful, thank you, Terrence. I appreciate your help.”

He smiled, nodding. “Of course. I’m always happy to help out responsible establishments like The Lighthouse Grill.”

She smiled back at him, feeling touched by what a good friend he was. He was coming to her rescue yet again, and she was grateful. She also appreciated the way he referred to The Lighthouse Grill as a responsible establishment in such a casual tone, as if it was information that everyone already knew.

“Should I throw the rest of this coffee away, do you think?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Most people won’t be able to tell the difference, not really. Just coffee connoisseurs like you and me.”

She laughed. “I’d hardly describe myself that way. Just a woman trying to run a business well.”

“See? Responsible.”

“Can’t have customers drinking unpleasant coffee.”

“Certainly not. Well, maybe upon occasion. Like today. Special circumstances.”

“Yes, special circumstances.” She laughed and started to tidy up the counter. Terrence’s lasagna arrived a moment later, and while he ate, she started to think about how kind he was being to her.

He seems like a faithful, upstanding man,she thought.I’m glad to have him as a friend.

Before she had the time to think too much more about it, the front door of the pub opened again, and Alan stepped inside.

Vivian’s heart leapt up, and although a smile quickly sprang onto her face, she was immediately flustered. She hurriedly checked her hair in the distorted reflection offered her by the glossy sides of the coffee maker.

“Vivian!” Alan called out to her, raising a hand in greeting. “Glad to see you again.”

“Hello, Alan.” She waved at him as she stepped out from behind the counter. “Welcome back to The Lighthouse Grill.”

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