Page 15 of There’s Trouble Brewing

The mayor’s wife joined him, her smile the sugary sweet to his savory bold. “Your coffee shop’s the talk of Faith Valley,” she announced, an accent of Southern charm making every syllable a little too kind. “Perfect for the upcoming festival.”

Mark finally looked up. “I just want everyone to know I don’t need recognition for what I did,” he told the group, each word a reluctant surrender.

“But we’re glad to have another hero here in town,” the mayor countered in a tone that was impossible to refuse.

Emily observed the intense exchange, her eyes keenly following the back-and-forth between Mark and the mayor. Mark’s resistance was visibly weakening under the relentless pressure of the mayor’s unwavering resolve, much like a lone sandbag attempting to halt the unstoppable surge of a flood.

“We have a booth assigned to your coffee shop. Feel free to work your magic on it,” the mayor’s wife added, like it was a present with a bow too big to return.

Mark sighed again, his shoulders slumping like they were weighed down by disappointment, a sagging testament to his defeat. Emily felt a pang in her heart at the sight of his dejection. She understood all too well the feeling of being held down by others’ expectations.

“It’s going to be worth it,” Emily whispered, nudging him with her voice and the warmth of her conviction.

His eyes met hers, and she felt the conversation shift, the quiet renegotiation of doing what was best foreveryone else. She knew he would do it long before he did.

“Fine, I’ll be there,” he agreed with a frown. “But I won’t like it.”

The mayor beamed, and the whole room seemed to lighten under the force of his satisfaction. “Don’t worry. You’ll thank us later.”

Mark attempted to smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Emily stepped closer, hoping to be the support he needed. “I’ll take care of everything,” she told him, wanting to unburden him as much as possible.

The mayor’s wife took her cue and ushered her husband away, their voices a fading echo of triumph.

“I can’t wait to tell everyone the good news,” Birdie shouted as she rushed out of the coffee shop with her own husband trailing behind her. “The spring festival is sure to be the best event of the year.”

Emily took charge, deciding to get everyone focused back on the taste-testing. But they had barely gotten underway before the townsfolk returned to chattering about Mark’s rescue.

A tall man with gray hair clapped him on the back. “We should’ve known you’d be the next hero in town, Mark,” he crowed, and Emily recognized him as the manager of the bistro on the Waterfront.

Mark’s eyes flicked to Emily, a plea disguised as a sideways glance. She intercepted before he could sink entirely. “He’s got a lot to do, but thanks for stopping by,” she said, stepping in with a polite but firm smile.

They tried to get back to work, but the next group swept in like clockwork. An older couple with lined faces and eager grins, people who seemed familiar but she didn’t really know.

Mark looked unsettled by the attention, his discomfort plain as day to Emily. He tried to smile, but Emily could tell it was a struggle.

“We don’t want to bother you,” said the older man, “but we wanted to say how impressed we are by what you did for that little boy.”

“Mr. Merlot,” said the older woman beside him, “you’re all anyone’s talking about in Faith Valley.”

“They’ll be talking about it for weeks,” the older man added.

Mark looked like he wanted to hide under the counter. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

The minutes wore on, and Emily watched him grow more weary. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear and marveled at how he had kept his composure, how he’d lasted as long as he had without bailing.

“I think that about does it for now,” Emily told everyone. “Thank you for coming and testing our drinks. We value the feedback so much.”

When the last of the customers and baristas finally left, Emily locked the door and turned back to Mark, watching him lean against the counter like he was trying to hold himself up.

“You weren’t kidding about how Faith Valley supports their first responders.” She reached for a paper cup and filled it with coffee. “This town really loves their heroes.”

He groaned, half amused and half pained. “It can be a lot.”

Mark took the cup she handed him, their fingers brushing, sending a small jolt up Emily’s arm. She swallowed, trying to ignore the racing of her heart. She sipped her coffee and tried to steady her breath. “What happened to you?” She didn’t even realize she was going to ask the question until it tumbled out. Helooked confused, and she realized she hadn’t been clear. “I mean, when you were a search-and-rescue officer.”

He paused, the weight of her question clearly settling in on him. She could see him thinking, see him deciding how much to tell her. “It was during a mission,” he finally said, voice low and almost hesitant. “A little girl got caught in a flooded river. It was pretty bad.” Emily’s pulse quickened, imagining him charging into danger without a second thought. “I got her to shore, but my leg was busted up pretty bad in the process. Had to get it pinned back together.”

---