Page 82 of The Clause in Christmas
“Excuse me,” Cassie addressed one of the volunteers. “Can I speak to whoever’s in charge of the kitchen?”
The boy pointed to an older woman dressed in a white smock and hairnet. “That’s Deb.”
“Thanks.” Cassie’s pulse raced as they approached the woman checking off an inventory sheet on a clipboard.
She glanced up with a friendly smile. “Can I help you?”
“I hope so.” Cassie snapped off the latex gloves, stuffing them in her back pocket. “I’m wondering who your coffee supplier is.”
“It’s good, isn’t it?” Deb said proudly. “But I’m afraid I don’t know. It’s an anonymous donation that gets shipped to us every two weeks.”
Cassie’s heart sank. She’d been so hopeful a moment ago. “Well, thanks anyway.” Turning to go, a sudden idea struck her. Whirling back around, she asked, “Do you still have one of the shipping boxes?”
“I think so. But I don’t know if it will do you any good. No name or company is listed on the return address. Only a PO box.”
Cassie smiled, trying to calm the excited butterflies rollicking in her stomach. “Is it okay if we take a look?”
“Sure.” Deb led them to the storage room, gesturing to a plain cardboard box resting on the shelf. “There you go. Let me know if you find anything. I’d love to thank whoever it is. The vets rave about the coffee here. And I’m pretty sure it’s partially responsible for bringing a lot of them in off the street.”
Hearing that warmed Cassie’s heart, and she teared up. To hide her emotions, she concentrated on pulling the box off the shelf.
“Thanks,” Luke told Deb. “We won’t be long.”
Cassie heard the squeak of Deb’s white sneakers against the slick linoleum as she left them in the storage room. But she couldn’t tear her gaze from the shipping label.
The town beneath the PO box blurred as tears filled Cassie’s eyes.
Poppy Creek, CA.
Luke slid his arm around her shoulders. “It’s Frank, isn’t it?” he asked softly.
Cassie nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. Taking a few deep breaths, she murmured, “It’s so like him, you know.” She sniffled, dabbing her damp cheek with her sleeve. “To do something like this and not tell anyone.”
“Are you going to tell Deb?”
“No. It’s not my secret to share.” Cassie sighed. “Plus, while he’s come a long way, I don’t think we’ve fully cracked his shell yet.”
Luke squeezed her upper arm. “Something tells me you’re not going to give up until you do.”
Cassie laughed as she wiped away a stray tear. “It’s the Poppy Creek way, after all.”
Love always hopes and always perseveres.
Chapter 30
Cassie knocked on Frank’s front door, smiling to herself as she adjusted the box of baking supplies in her arm. So many things had come full circle since she first stepped foot in the quaint, quirky town of Poppy Creek.
She’d spent an unforgettable day with Luke in the city, then caravanned home, stopping a few times along the way. Luke claimed he wanted to check out the various fruit stands, but Cassie secretly suspected he wanted an excuse to hold her hand and steal a kiss. Which she didn’t mind in the slightest! Truth be told, she hadn’t stopped walking on air since their kiss in her kitchen.
Even her phone call to Derek, explaining she’d be gone for a few days, hadn’t dampened her mood. She’d promised to carry out her duties—calling vendors and price checking equipment—and keep him apprised. Cassie hadn’t mentioned she’d also be figuring out a way to pay him back to end their arrangement.
Luke had reiterated his offer to loan her the money, but Cassie still wasn’t sure if she should accept it. Fifteen thousand dollars was a lot of money. A loan of that magnitude might be too much strain on a new relationship.
Cassie’s heart fluttered at the thought.A relationship!They hadn’t spelled it out in so many words, but with the way Luke looked at her, Cassie didn’t have any doubts. He made her feel as though he’d been waiting all these years just for her.
The door swung open, and Frank cracked a smile before his gaze settled on the box. “What’s that?”
“Baking supplies.” Cassie slipped past him, taking the lead down the hallway toward the kitchen. “And hello to you, too,” she teased.
