a friend. He really likes working for Mr. Thomas. Although, at first, he thought his boss had a stick up his butt.”
“The kid’s a good judge of character.” I personally knew Josh actually had a stick up his own butt, but I let that slide. Are the two of you serious?”
Sasha choked on the sip of coffee she’d just taken. “What, like dating? No way. He’s not my type at all. I go for a more alpha guy. Someone who knows what he wants.”
“You’ve been reading too many romances.” I smiled at the reference to the popular hero type in the romance genre.
“I did want to talk to you about someone though . . .”
Darla burst into the shop before Sasha could finish. “I swear, I’m going to kill that guy.”
I glanced at Sasha, who read my unspoken request and stepped around the counter to make Darla’s favorite drink, a double-shot mocha, extra whip. “I’d ask who, but I’m pretty sure I know. I take it Wild Fire Barry made his way to the winery.”
“Not only the winery, but every business from midtown up to my place. They all have a list of violations and a threat from him to close them until after the festival at best. I’ve been handling calls all morning.” She grabbed the cup from Sasha and took a long sip. “Thanks, but give me another in a to-go cup. I’m heading over to camp out at the mayor’s office today until he calls off his dog and fixes this problem.”
“He can’t close the entire town, can he?” Sasha set the to-go cup on the counter and came back around to sit with the group.
Darla snorted. “He can try. And he’s making my life hell right now with all the phone calls I’m getting. Luckily, I already knew what he’d done to you, so I had some background when the calls started last night. Otherwise, I would have gone ballistic.”
“Well, I’ve done all the corrections I can, and we have an electrician coming in tomorrow for a review of the rest, but I’m thinking he’ll clear most of these as nonissues.” I’d had the place gone over and any old wiring replaced before I’d opened the shop six years ago. Especially since I was going to live in the apartment above the store. Now that my aunt lived there, I was grateful I’d spent the extra time and money on bringing the place up to code. “I’ll let you know what I find out, but Amy’s trying to pull the city regulations and see exactly what power this guy has over South Cove.”
“I don’t care what the regulations are. He’s not ruining my festival.” Darla slid off the stool she’d just climbed onto. To say Darla was short was an understatement. The woman couldn’t have been over five foot. But what she lacked in height, she made up in determination.
I felt better somehow knowing Darla was championing the cause. Maybe the mayor would listen to her. My history with the mayor was more of a hate relationship than a love-hate one. And we both liked it that way.
“Of course, Matt says I’m overreacting. He says Barry’s a pretty good guy, just a little intense. But he has to say good things about Barry. Matt’s still trying to get approved as a full-time volunteer for the crew.” Darla shrugged. “Did you know they get paid for every call out? He wants the money so he can save for his own place. He says we’re moving inland and starting a farm as soon as we can swing it. Can you see me as a farmer’s wife?”
Laughing at the idea, Darla made her way out of the bookstore. I glanced at the clock. “I better get going as well. If you need help, call Nick first; he’s looking for some more hours. If he’s not around, I’ll come in early.” Nick Michaels was our summer barista who tried to work as many hours as he could. This job was his only source of cash since his mom didn’t want him working during the school year.
“Sounds good. But I’m sure I’ll be fine. Yesterday was pretty slow.” Sasha turned toward the coffee bar and started wiping it down. I headed home to grab some lunch and settle in with the mystery I’d started last night. The best thing about owning a bookstore is reading the new releases. The second-best thing? Drinking great coffee while you’re doing it.
* * * *
“Hey, beautiful.” Greg walked into Coffee, Books, and More the next morning just after eleven. The morning had been busy, with the homeschooling group coming in for their monthly bookstore visit. I was always so impressed by the books the kids ordered and read. They all seemed to be reading above their grade level. But then again, I didn’t know much about what kids should be reading. Sasha came in early to help with the group and I managed the coffee bar while they were there.
“Hey, yourself.” I glanced at Sasha, who nodded and headed back behind the register. The majority of families had already left, with just a few stragglers who couldn’t make up their mind between books. I stepped around the counter and gave him a hug. “I missed you last night.”
“Sure you did. I bet as soon as you got home you heated up some pizza rolls and sat on the couch reading.” He gave me a quick hug and I could smell the soap he typically used.
Greg knew me too well. Maybe I was going to have to up my game with him. Or I could just let him actually know the real me. I figured that was the road of least resistance. “Guilty as charged. Did you just come over to give me grief about my snacking habits?”
“I came to see if you’d have lunch with me over at Diamond Lille’s. Next week’s going to be crazy busy with the festival and we won’t have time to just sit and talk.” He smiled and brushed a stray hair out of my face. “I like just sitting and talking, among other things.”
“If I get to keep the store open.” I glanced around the shop. “Aunt Jackie’s electrician is coming at five to check things out.”
“You may not need to do much. I overheard Darla and the mayor going at it yesterday. She’s hot under the collar, but she has good points. I think Barry has gone over the edge with his inspections. He even made a list of violations at the police station.” Greg looked a bit uncomfortable. “I told him he could take them up with the mayor, but there was no way I was going to close down the station.”
“He seems like he thinks it’s his way or no way.” I glanced at Sasha. “Let me grab my purse from the back and I’ll be ready.”
“Hurry up, woman, I’m starving,” he called after me.
As I passed by Sasha, I winked. “Men. They all think they are in charge.”
“You two are so cute together. And Greg is so totally alpha.” Sasha rang up ten books the last homeschooling family had stacked on the counter. The kid who’d held everyone up had gotten both books, probably since he couldn’t decide. Either way, it was a great ploy to get a second book out of a busy mom. The kid had style.
I grabbed my purse and as I headed back out to the front, I saw Greg on the phone. He cut it off when I walked up. “Don’t tell me, you got called back in.”
“Maybe. There’s a problem down at the end of Beal Street. I guess there’s a controlled burn out there by that old barn. But they can’t find Barry.” Greg glanced at me. “You want to take a short ride with me before lunch?”
“Sure, I have a book in my purse in case you’re delayed.” Besides, it would be a great chance to actually talk to Barry. “I think that would be an excellent idea.”
Greg took my arm and led me to his truck. He opened the side door for me and then crossed
