Page 9 of Grounds for Love

Chapter 4

Jen

“Hereyougo,Mr. Long.” I hand over his order with a smile. Mr. Long has to be nearing eighty-five and, for some strange reason, he’s set his eyes on me, as have many single men in town since we arrived. Joy and I have both gone to great lengths to discourage everyone. Mr. Long is he the sweetest man, but he’s also persistent as hell and evidently his taste buds are no longer active because he’s never once mentioned the vanilla or caramel creamer I add to his black coffee order as a treat.

“Can I get you anything else?”

“Well now, I wouldn’t mind a little smooch on the cheek if you’re handing those out?” he says with a hopeful twinkle in his eyes.

He’s harmless and even though Joy will tease me about it later like usual, I walk around the counter and lay a chaste kiss on his weathered cheek. He blushes and I grin at such a youthful reaction.

“Some young upstart is going to steal you away and you’ll stop giving my heart a jumpstart with your kisses,” he grumbles as he shuffles toward the door.

I gasp and reply, “Never. I’ll put it in the marriage vows.”

Little does he know I’ll never get married again. As he walks out the door, I call after him, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Long.”

I’m still grinning as I watch him get in his old truck and drive off towards the marina. I head back behind the counter to wipe things down and straighten up in preparation for the hectic morning I am sure awaits.

It’s sad really. I wish I knew Mr. Long’s story. He’s never been married. Did he ever love someone? Did it not work out? Maybe he never found the love of his life or maybe he lost her. He’s spent his entire life as a bachelor. Alone. No one to talk to at night in bed before falling asleep. No one to share a cup of coffee and plans for the day at the breakfast table. No one to lean on in times of need. No one. Like I am now. Alone.

When I think that I could be Mr. Long years down the road, my heart begins to race. I don’t want that. I want that close connection with another person someday, just not the marriage.

As I predicted, a barrage of customers keeps me hopping for the next few hours. Joy has the afternoon shift and my feet can’t wait. I’ve already made plans to take my lunch down to the marina to sit on the bench beneath the live oak tree and watch the boats come and go.

A year ago, I never had an afternoon off. I never took a lunch hour. Instead, I ate at my desk while doing an endless amount of work. It never stopped and I never caught up. I hated selling the family business, but Joy and I weren’t happy and we were sinking fast.

“Hey,” Joy says as she breezes in the door. “Sorry, I’m a bit late.”

“You’re not late. Besides we’re on island time.” That has been our motto since moving here. I take my apron off and hang it on the peg beside the doorway into the kitchen area before grabbing my handbag and my lunch from the fridge.

“Do you have a minute?” Joy asks as she’s tying her Uncommon Grounds apron on.

“Of course. What’s up?”

“So I was talking to Kiefer Knight. You remember, he owns Brewster’s Bar.” She pauses for me to acknowledge that yes, indeed I do know him.

“Well, he really likes the promotions and signage we have and he asked who we worked with, and when I told him it was me, he asked if he could hire me to do the same for his bar,” Joy finishes quickly, out of breath, and then stares at me with apprehensive eyes.

I chuckle. “Why are you nervous about telling me this?”

She clasps her hands together and almost bounces on her toes. “I promise it won’t take away from Uncommon Grounds. I’ll work on it at night and during my off time. If you think it’s a good idea, that is.”

“Joy, I think it’s a fabulous idea.”

Her nervousness turns into a wide, but cautious smile. “You do?”

“Of course, I do. You will be amazing and Kiefer is lucky to have you. This is your new start too and I want you to be happy and fulfilled.”

A blonde streak runs over to hug me. “Thank you, Jen. Now go, your lunch awaits. We’ll talk more tonight.”

I leave the shop with misty eyes. I haven’t seen Joy this excited since before Bryan’s accident.

The marina is only a few blocks, but along the way I’m stopped by four different people wanting to say hi and see how we’re settling in. Three of those are single men who also include three different and unique invitations—to dinner, to showing me his boat, and to check out his cows. The last one is tempting, but I turn it down like all the rest.

Everyone has been very receptive to Uncommon Grounds. When we first moved, a group was organized to help us clean, assemble the new fixtures and furniture, and set up shop. They’d been lifesavers. Joy and I could have handled it all ourselves, but they accomplished in a few days what would have taken us a month to do on our own.

I take a seat at the bench and open a napkin to place beside me where I unpack my turkey sandwich, sweet potato chips, and an apple, along with a bottle of water.

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