Page 20 of A Cozy Holiday
I’m definitely in the twilight zone.
“I dropped off a carton of oat and soy milk to Catia yesterday,” Jamie says. “It should be in the back.”
“Didn’t see it this morning, but lemme check.” She disappears through a doorway strung with—you guessed it—fish-shaped beads.
I spin on Jamie. “You ordered specialty milk? That wasn’t in my job description.”
He shrugs, but there’s color creeping up his neck. “Figured you city folk like your dairy alternatives. Thought you might want to hang around town some days. Gets stir-crazy if you stay at the cabin too long.”
He had a day’s notice that I was going to be here, and he stocked my fridge and the café for me.
“That’s really thoughtful.”
Before he can respond, Winnie returns, triumphantly holding a blue carton. “Found it! Catia hid it behind Mama Jama.”
“Another cow?”
“Our sourdough starter, silly. She’s temperamental. Needs her own shelf.”
“Right.”
“Usual for you, Jamie?” Winnie asks, already pouring.
“Yep.” He accepts the to-go cup she hands him, sniffs it, then glares at her.
Winnie smiles coyly.“It’s just black coffee.”
“Winnie here loves to play pranks on people. She poured me warm plum juice last time.”
“Got your system movin’, didn’t it?”
“Be nice to her,” Jamie warns, eyes flicking to me with something almost protective. “I mean it.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” But Winnie’s already pulling espresso shots for my latte, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
Jamie tips his hat. “See you later, Doc.”
“See ya, Cowboy.”
He hesitates before backing into the minnow fish chime hanging above the door, making it jingle pathetically. We all pretend not to notice.
“That was one awkward goodbye.” Winnie snorts a laugh, tilting her oval glasses down her nose. “So. You and my brother, huh?”
“What? No. I’m his temporary vet. That’s literally it.”
“Mm-hmm.” She draws out the sound, completely unconvinced. “And he just happens to stock specialty milk products for all his employees?”
“I don’t—we just met yesterday—”
“Oh my god, you’re blushing.” Winnie looks thrilled. “This is amazing. Jamie never blushes. You made him blush before he left. I saw it.”
“Can I have my coffee, please?”
“Four dollars.”
I pause, card hovering. “That’s actually reasonable.”
“Welcome to small-town living, city girl.” She slides the latte across the counter. The foam has a fish design, because of course it does. “You staying in Jamie’s cabin out back?”
