Page 22 of Mountain Bean Dream
Nodding, I suspected that’s what was going to happen. Not that I blamed him.
His boots scuffed the same pebbles beneath his feet. “Where do you work, Miss?”
“Coffee Loft. It’s not far. Just across the highway and two right turns until I park on the street.” Oh, doodles. How was Igoing to parallel park?
A small grin stretched out his lips. “I’ll follow you there.”
My eyes widened. “Oh, no, that’s okay. You don’t need to do that.”
“Would you prefer a ticket?”
I shook my head as I lowered it to stare at his badge.
“Alright, I’ll follow you.” He touched the brim of his hat. “I’m due to visit Elliot’s shop. Seems like today is a perfect excuse to do so.”
I lowered my head further. It was one thing to be late, and entirely another to be escorted by the RCMP. No matter what, I was walking tomorrow. This was just too much.
“Maybe for the next few weeks, it would be best for you to find alternative transportation to work. Although it’s not illegal to drive with your arm in a sling, it is highly hazardous.”
“Yes, Sir.” I was in full agreement with him.
“When you’re ready, take off. I’ll be right behind you.”
“Thank you, Sir.” I needed to gather my wits as most had died when the lights lit up behind me. After a few deep breaths, I put the car into gear and tried being the textbook-perfect driver.
I failed, but at least with the RCMP behind me, I was given a wide berth.
It was sheer good fortune that I was able to drive right into a spot down the street from the Coffee Loft and not have to attempt a parallel park, which even on my good days was a feat of epic proportions. My driver’s ed teacher would be so disappointed, or maybe not, since I hadn’t mastered the perfect park but was just good enough to pass my driver’s test.
I exited my car—vowing to walk home when my shift was done—and lumbered down the street, past Pages & Dreams and the consignment store, stopping in front of the door of Coffee Loft where the officer stood, having just turned off the bad driver beacon.
“Thank you, Officer, for following me.” I swallowed, wondering how much longer he was going to hang around.
“Safety first.” He pulled open the door and held it for me. “After you, Miss.”
I wished the ground would open and swallow me whole. On trembling legs, I entered the coffee shop as dozens of eyes stared and gaped. Covered whispers circulated. Head down, I wiggled my way over to where the aprons hung and grabbed a Coffee Loft embroidered one.
Elliot stood there, jaw slack.
“I can explain.” I thrust my head through the top loop of the apron and let the rest dangle. How on earth was I going to tie this around my waist? Hand flailing behind my back, I grabbed the ties and twirled them with my finger, stuffing them uncomfortably into the waistband of my pants. “That works.”
“I’ve got you, Boo.” Sage flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder and jumped off the wingback chair. She quickly fixed the issue, tying the apron just tight enough. “Do you want me to do your hair?”
I’d barely run a brush through it, but it did need to be properly secured. I had planned on hunting around for a hair net or something. “Sure, thanks, but I don’t have a clip or anything.”
Elliot stepped away to assist Annie with a customer who didn’t think it was necessary to stand and stare at me like the others. Maybe Mr. Officer needed to step away too and order a drink. Or was he just waiting to arrest me or something because things couldn’t get much worse?
Sage returned from the office stretching an elastic between her fingers. “I know these are the worst for your hair, but I’ll secure it as close to the bottom as I can.”
“Thanks, Sage. I appreciate that.” I turned my back to her. My brother never once did my hair, nor did my mother, so it was a special treat to have someone style it into a loose braid. Ijust wished it wasn’t while I was standing in a coffee shop, fake smiling at the customers.
“All done.” She patted me on my shoulder,
With my apron in place and hair neatly braided, I turned to Elliot, whose critical gaze was boring into me.
“I know I’m late,” I blurted, words tumbling out. “I tripped, hit my head, and wrecked my elbow. But I’m here, I’ll stay late, and I’ll make up for it. I swear.” My embarrassment was reaching peak levels and my thoughts were spinning erratically.
The door opened, and Jeremy practically fell in, an exasperated expression on his face until he locked eyes with me. His gaze softened and his shoulders sagged as if relieved but worry still creased his brow. “Here you are.”