Page 2 of By Any Beans Necessary

"Uh, no, Mrs. Shomacker, can't say that I have," Michelle replied, maintaining her professional smile while already steadying herself from the gossip that was sure to spill forth.

"Well, let me tell you..." The older woman leaned in, oblivious to the growing line behind her.

"Actually, Mrs. Shomacker, would you mind if we chatted after the rush?" Michelle interjected, gesturing to the others waiting patiently for their caffeine fix.

"Of course, dear, of course," she nodded, collecting her coffee with a huff and retreating to a nearby table with her friend. They continued to buzz like bees over the latest nectar of neighborhood news.

"Saved by the bell, or should I say, the queue?" Emily quipped, sliding a fresh tray of pastries onto the counter.

"Something like that," Michelle replied, shaking off the lingering thoughts of dating mishaps and small-town gossip. "Next," she called out cheerily, ready to move the line along.

The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans wafted through the Coffee Loft as Michelle expertly navigated the mid-morning rush. Her hands moved with a practiced grace that made the complicated dance of milk frothing and espresso pulling lookeasy. Her blonde bob bounced with each step she took, her hazel eyes sparkling as she handed over another perfectly crafted latte with a flourish.

"Double espresso, please," came a voice from the line, but Michelle's attention was snared by snippets of conversation drifting from the corner table where Mrs. Shomacker held court.

"Jeff Parker as a cop…can you imagine? With a dog, no less."

Michelle nearly dropped the mocha in her hand. What on earth could make Jeff Parker want to stop serving drinks and instead make people serve time behind bars? She glanced sideways, trying to eavesdrop without making it obvious. A German shepherd called Winston is his partner, Mrs. Shomacker told her friends. Michelle shook her head slightly, thinking, Jeff Parker, of all people, a K9 handler.

"Michelle?" The customer at the counter waved a hand to catch her distracted gaze.

"Sorry about that. Double shot caramel macchiato on its way." She forced her focus back to the espresso machine, tamping down the grounds with more force than necessary.

"Jeff's always been good with his fists, not so much with care and commitment," she muttered under her breath, steaming milk until it screamed for release.

"Did I hear you say something about Jeff Parker?" asked the customer, a regular who seemed all too eager to jump into the local gossip pool.

She shook her head, knowing that talking about someone wasn't a good look. "Here's your order," Michelle told the gray-haired woman as she handed her the cup. "Have a nice day."

"So, you might have been able to avoid talking about the news with Mrs. Collins, but you have to dish to me your thoughts on Jeff's new vocation," Emily pressed.

"Looks like he's trading in his cocktail shaker for a handcuff key," Michelle jested with a shrug. "Cheers to a new career path."

"You can't seriously tell me you believe that Jeff Parker is giving up his life behind the bar for a life putting people behind them?" Emily questioned with a quirk of her eyebrow.

"I know, right? I just can't picture him with a dog either," Michelle replied, flashing a quick grin before sliding a cup of coffee across the counter to her next customer.

"Maybe the dog will teach him a thing or two about loyalty," Emily joked, handing a different customer a pastry.

"Or the other way around," Michelle quipped back, laughter bubbling up despite the absurdity.

She moved to the next order, but her thoughts were still swirling with images of Jeff and this mysterious Winston. Was there more to Jeff than late-night brawls and smirking dismissals? Had she missed something, or was it that she wasn’t motivation enough for him to change? That idea stung in a way she hadn’t expected, and she quickly tried to push it away.

"Skinny vanilla latte, please," said the next customer, breaking into her internal thoughts.

"Coming right up," Michelle responded, but as she pumped syrup into the cup, her mind wandered. Why did Jeff, with his careless attitude, deserve a loyal companion while she was still alone? She couldn't help but feel bitter, knowing she had more nurturing in one pinky finger than he did in his entire body. As she handed her next customer his drink with a forced smile, she did her best to push her frustrated feelings aside.

"Here you go, enjoy," she added routinely, plastering on her bright smile like armor against the confusing news.

"Thanks," the regular said before taking off for a corner table.

Hoping to busy herself with chores, Michelle made her way around the coffee shop. She made sure to wipe down all the tables before the next batch of caffeine seekers arrived. When she approached Mrs. Shomacker's table, she looked up with a wide grin. "Finally ready to hear the most interesting part aboutthe Jeff Parker news?" The older woman didn't wait for Michelle to respond. Instead, she continued on without missing a beat. "The dog he was assigned already saved a kid lost in the woods when he was just a puppy. That was why he was put in the search and rescue program."

"Really?" Michelle's eyebrows shot up in surprise despite herself.

"Yep. Turns out, a true hero’s partner is coming to our Hero, Texas." Mrs. Shomacker nodded in approval, then turned back to Mrs. Balster and Mrs. Collins to go on about the details of the pup's rescue, leaving Michelle to ponder on her own.

"Hero's partner, huh?" she whispered, half exasperated, half impressed, as she returned to the counter. Could a leopard—or rather, a roughneck bartender—really change his spots? That was the true question that needed answering.

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