Page 5 of The Uncomplicated Café
Abby never understoodthe wedding hype until her entire world changed the day Logan proposed. Her first wedding had been all about her late husband, Donnie. He’d wanted the big shindig to show off to all his air force buddies, but without many loved ones to invite, Abby had hoped for a more intimate ceremony. Instead, she’d spent their reception smiling in snapshots with a bunch of pseudo friends and strangers. This time would be different, though. The people of Blessings Bay had become her family, and she couldn’t wait to celebrate with them.
Buoyed by her blissful thoughts, Abby exited Sweet Blessings and paused on the sidewalk to soak up the summer ambiance. Across from Main Street, a grassy promenade underscored the vibrant blue hue of the Pacific Ocean.
She tilted her chin toward the sky and briefly closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. With only two weeks until the wedding, the sun felt warmer, the briny breeze smelled sweeter, and her heart swelled with joy. She couldn’t wait to become Mrs. Logan Mathews.
Her steps light, she strolled down Main Street, headed toward home. On her right, the Victorian-style storefronts painted in soft shades of lilac, lemon drop, and periwinklebeckoned to her with their whimsical window displays, but she didn’t stop to browse. Nor did she join the festive farmers market filling the promenade with music, laughter, and the mouthwatering aroma wafting from the various artisan vendors offering their wares.
In a few hours, Max’s social worker, Carla Delgado, would stop by the inn to discuss the possibility of adoption. From the moment Abby welcomed Max into her home last December, Carla had approved of the placement, doing everything in her power to make sure Max could stay in Abby’s care. Abby didn’t doubt Carla would move mountains to ensure a smooth adoption process. Which meant, soon Abby would have the family of her dreams. After so much heartache, hope for a better future burned bright.
As had become a habit lately, a spontaneous grin spread across her face. She wanted to skip or sing or hug the next person who walked past. Before she could do either, the bell above a shop door jangled. Abby moved out of the way, making room for a tourist exiting the art gallery. As she sidestepped, she caught sight of a reflection in the gallery window—a tall, waifish figure that looked vaguely familiar. Was it the man from CeCe’s café?
Abby turned around to wave, but Mystery Man halted midstep, quickly fixing his attention on a pretty watercolor painting in the window. He stared intently at the seascape, as if he’d never seen the ocean before.Oh, well. She’d say hi another time.
Resuming her stroll, Abby spotted Mystery Man’s reflection again. He’d abandoned his perusing and followed a few feet behind.Glad to see him out and about, enjoying the town for a change, Abby mused with a smile.
After checking the time on her phone, she quickened her pace, anxious to get home to prepare a few snacks for Carla’svisit. Was it her imagination or was Mystery Man also walking at a brisker clip?
She shrugged off the suspicion and turned right at the single stoplight in town onto State Street. The charming tree-lined lane bordered by beautiful historic homes sat high on a regal bluff. Where the houses ended, a nature trail began, traversing the rugged cliff side, providing miles of pristine coastline views. How did she get so lucky to live here?
Glancing over her shoulder to check for cars before she crossed the road, she noticed Mystery Man had also turned onto State Street. He froze when she spotted him, suddenly keenly interested in a hedge of roses.Odd.Why does he stop whenever I turn around?She tried to shake the eerie feeling he’d been following her.He must be heading for the nature trail, she surmised.
But as she continued her trek, she hastened her step.
Footsteps echoed on the pavement behind her.
Strange.He’d resumed his walk, too. Was the timing a coincidence?
She resisted the irrational urge to run the last few feet home.This is ridiculous. Just stop and say hi.Gathering a breath, she spun around, summoning her friendliest smile.
Mystery Man immediately dropped to one knee, pretending to tie shoelaces that appeared perfectly intact.
Abby’s pulse pounded an uneasy rhythm.Okay, something is definitely off with this guy.She didn’t care how silly or paranoid she appeared. Tucking the cake box tightly under one arm, she scurried down the street, just shy of breaking into a jog.
The elegant two-story Victorian with pale blue paneling and a wide, welcoming porch greeted her like a safe haven from a storm. Her adrenaline surging, she scrambled up the steps and burst through the front door, plowing straight into a solid wall of muscle.
“Oof,” Logan grunted as she collided with his chest. “Easy, Turbo. Are you trying to break the sound barrier?”
“Sorry,” she panted, red-faced and flustered. “I—” She hesitated.I—what? I thought I was being stalked by a strange man who likes to tie his shoes for no reason?Suddenly, her fears sounded a little far-fetched.
She cast a surreptitious glance over her shoulder at the peaceful, empty street. Where did he go?
“Are you okay?” Logan asked, his teasing tone giving way to concern.
She peered one last time at the vacant stretch of road before closing the door on her vanishing Mystery Man. “I’m fine. I just— I was eager to get home.”
Logan’s strong features softened into an understanding smile that illuminated his brilliant blue eyes and sent the butterflies in her stomach into a frenzy. Somehow, the man managed to put her at easeandsend her heart racing. “I get it. I’m eager to hear Carla’s news, too.” He dropped his gaze to the crumpled cardboard in her hand. “What’s in the box?”
“Wedding cake samples.” She pried back the lid, grateful they weren’t smushed from the collision.
“Did you decide on a flavor?”
“I did. And wait until you taste it.” Her grin returned, all tension from the unofficial footrace forgotten.
“Why wait?” Logan reached for the box, but Abby dodged his attempt.
“In the kitchen. With a fork like a civilized human,” she teased, leading the way.
She watched with satisfaction as Logan devoured the rest of the Toto cake, repeatedly praising her choice between bites. While he dug into the other flavor—with no regard for calories, Abby noted with bemusement—she prepared a tray of treats and appetizers along with a pot of Carla’s favorite raspberry tea.
