Page 54 of Hometown Heart

"Where are we going? I'm starving. Can we get burgers? Or pizza? Mrs. MacPherson's pancakes were awesome, but that was hours ago."

"We'll get food after, promise." I grabbed my jacket. "Let's go."

Cody eyed me suspiciously but followed, pausing only to stuff his feet into sneakers without bothering to tie the laces. "Is this a boring grown-up errand? Because if we're going to the bank, I'm staying in the car."

"Not the bank," I assured him, holding the door open.

Twenty minutes later, I pulled into a parking space across from Tidal Grounds. The Saturday morning rush was in full swing—locals crowded the sidewalk outside, clutching steaming cups and paper bags while exchanging weekend plans.

Through the large front windows, I watched Silas behind the counter. He pulled levers and steamed milk while maintaining a stream of conversation with his customers.

Cody peered through the windshield. "Are we getting coffee? I thought we were getting real food."

"We will," I promised. "I just need to talk to Silas first."

Understanding dawned on Cody's face. "Oh. About the stuff. The grown-up stuff."

"Yeah. The stuff."

"Can I get a hot chocolate while you talk about the stuff?"

I smiled. "Extra marshmallows."

"Hockey stick shaped?"

"Is there any other kind?"

Cody grinned, already reaching for his seatbelt. "Let's go then."

We waited outside for nearly fifteen minutes as the line inched forward. Silas hadn't spotted us yet. He was too focused on the demands of the morning rush.

When we finally reached the counter, Silas was bent over the espresso machine, his back to us. Sarah took our order.

"One hot chocolate with extra hockey sticks," she called over her shoulder. "And a black coffee, splash of cream."

Silas turned, coffee pitcher in hand, and froze momentarily when he saw us. "Morning again," I said, keeping my tone casual for Cody's benefit.

"Again?" Cody looked between us, curious. "Did you guys already see each other today?"

Silas recovered quickly, his professional mask sliding back into place. "Your dad stopped by earlier for coffee," he explained, the partial truth rolling easily off his tongue.

We stepped aside to wait for our drinks, letting the line continue moving. Cody wandered toward the pastry case, leaving me a moment alone when Silas brought our order to the pickup counter.

"You're back," he said quietly, his voice barely audible above the café's buzz.

"I am." I accepted the drinks, letting my fingers brush against his. "You free later? I've got some thoughts on this whole 'figuring it out' thing."

Silas hesitated, his eyes searching mine. For a moment, I thought he might retreat again. Then, almost imperceptibly, he nodded.

"I close at three today. Come by after."

Behind him, Sarah called for assistance with a complicated order. Silas glanced back, then returned his gaze to mine.

"I'll be here," I promised.

Cody appeared at my side, eyeing his hot chocolate with obvious approval. "Did you talk about the stuff?"

I handed him his drink, the marshmallows arranged in a pattern that looked suspiciously like a ten-year-old's jersey number. "We're going to. Later."

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