Page 62 of Hometown Heart

By noon, the scattered flakes had thickened, and the prediction shifted. The storm had veered inland instead of spinning harmlessly out to sea, gathering strength over the warmer waters. My phone buzzed with increasingly urgent weather alerts. A low-pressure system. A coastal front. It was the more scientific vocabulary that meteorologists used when they didn't want to admit they'd miscalculated.

The plate glass windows of Tidal Grounds offered a stark view of Main Street as it disappeared beneath accumulating inches of white. The once-lazy snowfall had transformed into a proper Nor'easter, with flakes that didn't so much fall as launch themselves sideways in the strengthening wind.

I refilled Vi's tea for the third time that hour, noticing how her gaze kept drifting toward the windows.

"Starting to look serious out there," I said, setting the teapot down.

Vi nodded, her fingers tapping nervously against her mug. "Reminds me of the Blizzard of '98. Roads were impassable for days."

From the corner table, Ruthie folded her newspaper with decisive movements. "We should head home before it gets any worse."

The bell above the door jingled, a momentary blast of frigid air sweeping through the café as Jack and Cody burst in, their shoulders dusted with snow.

"You two look like walking snowmen," I said, reaching for mugs. "I thought you would be home and staying there."

Jack shook snowflakes from his hair. "It's getting nasty out. The plows can't keep up." He helped Cody out of his coat, hanging it on the rack near the door. "School sent everyone home. Roads are starting to ice over. I thought we'd check to make sure all was well here."

Mr. Peterson stood from his usual spot by the window, knees cracking as he reached for his cane. "Best be getting on, then. Martha will worry."

I watched as my remaining customers gathered their belongings, expressions pinched with concern as they eyed the thickening snow outside. Most of them had 4-weel-drive vehicles that could handle storms. Jack moved to help Mr. Peterson with his coat, murmuring something about careful steps on the sidewalk.

"You should close up, Silas," Ruthie advised, buttoning her heavy wool coat. "Weather service is saying it'll only get worse."

Vi nodded in agreement. "No sense staying open in this—or encouraging somebody to be out in these conditions."

"I'm shutting down now," I assured them, though the thought of closing early didn't sit quite right—I'd stayed open through countless winter storms before.

Jack returned from seeing Mr. Peterson safely to his truck. "Roads are getting worse. Police scanner's reporting accidents on Route 1 already." He brushed more snow from his shoulders. "Sorry to say it, but I don't think we should chance it to drive to our place."

"You're welcome to wait it out here."

Cody's face brightened immediately. "We're stuck in a coffee shop? Best snow day ever!" He bounced on his toes, already scanning the space while generating ideas. "This place would make an awesome storm headquarters!"

Jack raised an eyebrow at his son's enthusiasm before turning back to Vi and Ruthie. "You two need a ride home? My SUV handles snow better than most."

Vi waved him off. "We're right around the corner, dear. Been walking these streets for sixty years—a bit of snow won't stop us now."

After a few more reassurances and promises to call when they arrived safely home, Vi and Ruthie departed, leaving the three of us alone in a suddenly quiet Tidal Grounds.

I moved to the door, flipped the sign to CLOSED, and turned the deadbolt with a decisive click. The wind howled against the glass, making the old building creak and shift.

"Guess we're having a snow day sleepover!" Cody announced, dropping his backpack onto a chair.

Jack pulled out his phone, frowning at the screen. "Signal's getting spotty. Three accidents reported on Main Street alone." He looked up at me. "You sure it's okay if we camp out here? I don't want to impose."

"Of course," I said, though a flicker of nervousness stirred in my stomach. It wasn't the storm that concerned me—thebuilding was solid, and I had a generator if needed. It was the prospect of hours trapped in close quarters with Jack, with nowhere to retreat if my emotions overwhelmed me.

The lights flickered once before stabilizing. Cody gasped and then giggled with excitement.

"If the power goes out, can we use candles?" he asked, eyes wide with delight at the adventure of it all.

"I've got plenty of those," I assured him. "And a generator for the essentials."

Jack tucked his phone away. "Looks like we're officially your guests, then." His eyes met mine, something warm and steady in his gaze. "Thanks, Silas."

My name sounded right on his lips. I turned away, focusing on practicalities to keep my composure. "Let me check the important supplies. If we're stuck here, we might as well be comfortable."

Jack watched me as I moved behind the counter, and I wondered whether he could sense my unease.

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