She appears from the back, dark hair tucked behind her ears, eyes a little watery and I know instantly she has been crying.
“Sun,” I sigh, as she rounds the counter and into my arms.“It's okay,” my voice is quiet as I tighten my grip around her small frame and let her cry.
She trembles in my embrace and I have no idea how long we stand here for, but I don't care, she is part of our family, I am not leaving her when she clearly needs us.
“I'm sorry,” she sniffles as her small hands press against my chest, stepping back and running her fingers under her eyes.
“Please don't say sorry,” I mumble, head tilting as I look at her.
She nods, bottom lip trembling.
“Aspen and Dixie are coming over later on.”
“That'll be nice,” I nod, as she turns her back on me and moves back behind the counter.
“Normal order?” her voice heightens.
“Hmm,” I look at the board, pushing my hands in the front of my pockets. “Make it a double shot flat white, and I'll have a breakfast wrap,” I nod as she touches the till and places the order through.
“No problem, give me a minute.” She prints the ticket and hangs it in the small kitchen behind the counter.
Sammi works the kitchen, she helps Sunny out on certain days.
“You know we're always here for you if you need us,” and she looks at me through her lashes, blinking a few times.
“I know,” she nods.
“And I hate to do this...” I pause for a moment as she preps my coffee. “But I need you to come down the station when you have five... just need to ask a few questions,” and I watch as her shoulders rise and fall.
“Of course,” she whispers, and I know deep in my gut that she had nothing to do with it, but even if she saw Conrad leading up to his murder, at least she might be able to give some cluewho could have done it. “I can come down after this?” she offers, and I glance at the time. It's ten to eight.
“Yeah, that works, Riggs is bringing someone in, but apart from that it's a day of admin,” I sigh, her eyes dropping to the gold badge that sits on my belt loop.
“Sounds tedious,” a small smirk slips onto her lips, and I smile back.
“It really is, it was nothing like I imagined.” I admit, sighing and following her down the counter as she finishes my coffee.
“How did you imagine it?” and I can hear the soft laughter that is teasing her tone.
“Like the old black and white western movies,” I admit, my brows furrowed.
“Oh,” she twists her lips.
“It's fine, you can laugh,” I roll my eyes in an over exaggerated manner.
“No, I wouldn't dare,” she turns her back on me just as the bell rings from the kitchen.
She passes me my wrapped-up breakfast wrap and my coffee.
“Sorry to be a pain,” I wince, “can you make one for Riggs too... I forgot about him.”
“Not a problem,” she laughs, ringing it up and I pay.
“So, how's the wife?” she asks, waiting for the breakfast wrap as she makes his coffee.
“Amazing,” I sigh, admitting that out loud has my heart fluttering in my chest.
“She seems real nice,” Sunny nods.