Page 7 of Sweet Christmas Wish
“And you know my mother would have a fit if I didn’t show my respect by calling you Mrs. Thomas,” he answered with a laugh.
Louise rewarded him with one of her rare smiles. “Well, I know better than to argue with your mother’s notions. How about I get you a table?”
“That’d be great, thanks.”
In no time at all, William was seated at a cozy table with mismatched chairs and a stained glass lamp that emitted a soft, amber glow resting in the middle. He glanced over at the chalkboard sign hanging above the swinging kitchen doors to see the day’s special: Monte Cristo sandwiches, which sounded perfect to him. Louise was about to hand him a menu, but he waved it away.
“No thanks, ma’am, I already know what I want.”
“That right?” Louise pulled the pencil from her chignon, ready to take his order on her little notepad. “Fire away.”
“I’ll have the special and a caramel macchiato, if you have it.”
Louise frowned, pursing her lips. “We don’t hold with that kind of fancy nonsense around here,” she said sternly. “We serve our coffee black, the way the good Lord intended, and you can add cream and sugar if you see fit.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied meekly, thinking all the while that this town really did need a place that served specialty coffee drinks. It was one of his weaknesses, and he’d gotten used to having that luxury living in New Jersey. “I’ll have a coffee then, and the special.”
“Becca or I will have it out to you shortly.”
Louise whisked away, businesslike as always, leaving William to contemplate his surroundings in peace once more. As homey and familiar as it was, Snowy Pine Ridge reallycouldstand to take on some upgrades, to add some modern touches that made life a little more comfortable.
For instance, their coffee game left something to be desired. There was no dedicated coffee shop in the town, even now, something that still surprised him. Surely there were other folks in town who wanted more than black coffee with cream and sugar? Honestly, he couldn’t believe that a major chain like Starbucks hadn’t swooped in to take advantage of the opportunity.
Although,he mused,I supposed I’m glad they haven’t. Snowy Pine Ridge isn’t really a place for chains.
Almost every business in town was small and locally owned, and it gave the town a special flavor that couldn’t be found in most other places.
His inner thoughts were interrupted as another customer walked through the front door. He would recognize that blonde ponytail anywhere—Sarah Langston. He watched idly as she chatted for a moment with Louise and then wandered over to a booth near the front picture window.
She hadn’t noticed him yet, so he took the opportunity to study her for a moment in silence. She had always been pretty, both she and her sister had, but she’d grown up a lot since he’d last seen her. Somewhere between high school and his return to Snowy Pine Ridge, she had become a woman, not just Michelle’s kid sister.
Her looks had certainly changed, but he wondered if her life had as well. From outward appearances, it would seem that not much had changed since he’d left Snowy Pine Ridge. She still ran Sweet Thing Bakery, although it seemed the family operation had now become a one-woman affair. William toyed with his napkin, considering that point. He wondered if running the bakery alone was difficult, if she missed the family support or if she instead relished the independence. The thought made him pause, and he realized with a start that he didn’t actually know all that much about Michelle’s little sister.
On a whim, he rose from his seat and walked over to her booth. She turned as she heard his footsteps, clearly surprised by his presence although, thankfully, not as much as she had been the other day at the bakery. Instead of freezing up and stammering, she now gave him a welcoming smile, although her cheeks did pink up slightly.
“William, were you already here? I didn’t see you.”
“Yep, I was just at that table in the corner,” he replied, hitching his thumb over his shoulder. “I guess Mrs. Thomas thought it was best to keep me out of sight and out of mind, but it got lonely over there. Mind if I join you?”
Sarah’s eyes widened and she looked a bit flustered for a moment, her fingers reaching unconsciously to twist her ponytail. “Of course. Wait, no, I meant I don’t mind at all, I—” She broke off, taking a deep breath. “Please, have a seat.”
William slid into the booth across from her. “Thanks. Don’t want folks around here thinking I’m some loser who eats alone.”
Sarah arched an eyebrow, suddenly looking mischievous. “You mean like I was about to do?”
Now it was William’s turn to flush. “Oops, I guess I put my foot in my mouth that time.”
“You really did,” she agreed, still grinning.
Louise came up to their table with their coffees then, saving William from having to think of a suitable answer. He was usually so self-assured, he couldn't believe what a social gaffe he had just committed. Well, at least it seemed to have set her at ease, he decided. It was nice to see her looking more relaxed and less flustered.
Although why she’s been getting flustered in the first place is a mystery to me,he thought.I don’t remember her being shy or awkward, although I guess she always has been a little quirky.
“So,” Sarah said, taking a sip of her coffee and then pulling a face. She grabbed some sugar packets and ripped them open, dumping them into her cup. “Tell me what you’ve been up to the last few years. You’re not really on social media, or I’d just stalk you to figure out those answers. You know, the way normal people do.”
William cracked a grin at that. “I don’t really believe in social media.”
“Honestly, you’re not missing much, but itishandy when you want to snoop on someone’s life.”
