Saturday night, Riley opened the door to The Beanery and inhaled deeply. The smell of coffee always put her in better spirits. Thankfully instead of making her feel jittery the scent of coffee beans seemed to calm her down.
Don was already waiting at the counter when she walked in. He gave her a wave when he saw her step through the door. He’d exchanged his khaki shorts for khaki pants and his red polo for a blue one. He was so preppy he looked like he just walked off the golf circuit. Definitely a stark contrast to Riley’s Bohemian style.
“You look great,” he said as she joined him. “I’m glad we’re doing this.”
She flashed him a tentative smile. “Thanks. Me, too.
They ordered coffee—a Nutella mocha for Riley and plain black for Don—and found a table in the corner. Riley tried to shrug off her nerves. It was just coffee.
She took a sip. “Delicious. Their Nutella mocha is amazing. You’re missing out.” She smiled and lifted her mug.
Don grinned revealing teeth so white and straight he’d either inherited above average genes or he came from a family of orthodontists. “I’ve never much gotten into all the flavors and specialty coffees. I take mine coffee plain, one cup every morning and maybe another if I’m working super late.
Riley grinned. “I understand, but I still say you’re missing out. What kind of work do you do that requires a late-night cup of coffee?”
“I’m a corporate accountant. I just took a position at a big company here. That’s what brings me to the area. I’m originally from Minnesota.”
“I see,” said Riley. “An accountant. I have to admit numbers are not really my thing.”
He laughed. “Well, I look at it sort of like a puzzle that has to be put together. Numbers aren’t so bad.”
“So said my high school math teachers, but I’m still not sold.” She swirled a coffee stirrer in her mug.
“How about you? What else do you do besides sell dog treats at the farmers market?” He paused. “Assuming you do something else. For all I know you could be Idaho’s dog treat tycoon.”
She smiled. “I make and sell dog and cat treats, mostly at the farmers market, but I have a few local customers. I also have a home-based business. I run the Four Paws Pet Lodge, a boarding facility for pets. And I volunteer for the local animal shelter to help find foster homes for dogs and cats until a forever home can be found. I also rescue animals occasionally.” She didn’t share the details some of her rescues. Most of the time, she rescued dogs and cats who got left behind when their owners moved off and left them behind, but occasionally someone called to tip her off about an abuse situation.
“That’s interesting. I’ve ever met anybody who ran a dog boarding business out of their house. You must really love animals.”
“For the most part, I’d rather spend time with animals than I had people.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Have you always had pets?”
“For as long as I can remember. You?”
Don shook his head. “We had a cat once that just kind of showed up on our porch one day. I named him Garfield, although for all I know it could have been a girl.” He shrugged. “I don’t mind animals, I just haven’t been around many.”
She couldn’t imagine her life without dogs and cats, but she didn’t say that to Don.
“Have you always wanted to have your own business?” he asked.
Riley shook her head. “I kind of just happened into it. I actually went college to be a teacher. I taught for two years and I could tell it wasn’t for me.” She may consider giving him the reasons why it wasn’t for her after he knew her better, but for now that much information would have to suffice.
“Oh, wow. I can’t blame you for that. I certainly wouldn’t want to spend my days in a classroom full of kids.”
“They weren’t so bad, but I do enjoy working with animals and think I’m better suited for it.” No need to explain that teaching a class full of first graders had nearly caused her to have a nervous breakdown.
Don launched the typical first date get-to-know-you kind of conversation about music and books and movies, and before long an hour and a half had passed.
After Riley’s second cup of coffee had been emptied, she glanced at her watch.
“I’m keeping you,” said Don. “I’m sorry. I guess I let the time get away.” He’d been telling her story about a difficult client he had back in Minnesota.
She shook her head. “No. It’s fine.” She grinned. “Checking my watch is just a habit for me.” She held up her wrist. “My watch buzzes on my wrist after I’ve been sitting still for too long and reminds me to stand up.”
He nodded. “I haven’t invested in one of those yet, but maybe I need to. There’s a girl in my office who has a desk that lets her stand up. She keeps telling all of us that it does wonders for her health, but I guess I prefer the old-fashioned sit-down kind of desk myself.”
“I can see that would be a little more practical in an office setting. I’ve read articles about people who use stability balls instead of desk chairs. I’m pretty sure if I tried that I’d just end up in the floor.”
Don chuckled. “True.” He glanced around. “It looks like they’re getting ready to close. Maybe we should surrender our table.”
Riley stood up and grabbed her bag. “Probably so. I waited tables in high school and I can remember all too well having to wait on the last table to clear out.” She’d only been a waitress for one summer, but it was enough to have given her an appreciation for anyone who worked in the service industry.
Don followed her to the door and held it open for her.
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m parked over there.” She pointed to a row of vehicles parallel parked along the street.
He furrowed his brow. “The BMW?”
Riley laughed. “No. The old clunker truck behind it.”
“I wouldn’t have pegged you as a truck kind of girl.” He stopped walking as they got near the truck.
“I haul lots of animals and feed. It’s just easier.” She shrugged. “I had a car when I was in college and during the time I taught, but once I decided to open the boarding business I sold it and bought this.” Olivia had always been the Jennings sister who was impressed by cars. Riley saw them as just a way to get from point A to point B. She didn’t need anything fancy.
“Very practical.”
She nodded. This had to be the most awkward part of any date. Trying to figure out how to act when you weren’t yet a couple and may never be, yet you also weren’t strangers but were barely friends. Riley loathed awkward situations.
“This was fun,” Don said giving her a grin.
“Thanks for the invitation.”
“I was thinking. . .if you gave me your number, maybe we could do this again sometime.” He flashed her a hopeful look.
She thought for a moment. “Sure.” She unlocked her truck, leaned in to reach the console, and fished out a business card. “Here you go. My number is on here.”
Don took the card. “Thanks. I’ll be in touch.” He gave her a glance.
Riley’s stomach clenched. What if he tried to kiss her? Getting coffee was one thing, but she wasn’t ready for a kiss. Maybe not even a hug. Would it be too weird to shake his hand? “So thanks again. Good coffee and good conversation is always a winner.” She kept the truck door ajar because it gave her a little barrier between them.
Don nodded. “I’ll be in touch.” He held out his hand and she took it. A handshake it was. Relief washed over her.
He waited until she climbed into the truck and then walked off with a wave.
Riley sat in the truck for a long moment. He really did seem like a nice guy. And the evening had been pleasant. She’d never once wished she was home with her animals, so that was progress.
But was she excited at the prospect of seeing him again? She wasn’t sure. But maybe for now she didn’t need to be sure of anything.
Sunday morning, Riley pulled into the parking lot at Arcadia Valley Community Church. Her parents, Brooke, and River all went to the earlier service, but she’d never been much of an early riser. Kate came to the later service though, and Riley was always happy to see her cousin.
She scanned the crowd and spotted Kate’s red hair. She was chatting with an older lady, but caught Riley’s eye and waved her over.
“Where’s Drew?” she asked once she and Kate were seated.
“He’s in Twin Falls for the weekend at some kind of historic preservation conference.” Drew ran Harrison Renovations, and his specialty was restoring older homes and buildings to their previous beauty.
“You still get giddy when you talk about him,” Riley observed. It was adorable the way the former high school sweethearts had found one another again and fallen back in love.
Kate blushed. “He’s the real deal. Knowing that in just a few weeks I get to marry not only the man of my dreams but also the guy who is my best friend is the kind of thing I never expected to happen to me.” She reached over and squeezed Riley’s hand. “I’m glad you’ll be standing beside me.”
Riley had been honored when Kate had asked her to be the Maid of Honor. “Thanks for asking me.” She grinned. “Although Olivia may try and convince you to swap us out once she gets here.”
Kate laughed. “I would expect nothing less.”
The song leader stepped to the mic, putting a halt to their conversation. After a few announcements and songs, Riley turned in her Bible to the morning’s scripture. The minister stepped to the pulpit and greeted the congregation. “In Luke chapter six, verse thirty-one, we’re reminded of what I think of as one of the best pieces of advice for people of any age. ‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you’.” The minister grinned. “Now we’ve all heard that and those of us who are parents have probably gently reminded our children about the so-called Golden Rule. Right?
Several in the audience nodded.
“But today I’d like to take a look at the passage in a context that you may not have considered before. How many of you have heard the quote that says something like “Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
More nods around the room, including Riley. That was one of her favorite quotes.
“How many of us are quick to judge people? And yet how many of us don’t like to be judged ourselves?” He smiled. “This is a tough one, I know. But did you ever stop to think that maybe that woman you saw at the grocery store—the one who brushed past you without saying ‘excuse me’—did you ever think that maybe she just got the worst news of her life? And if she paused, even for a minute to speak, she would fall apart right there in the produce aisle? Or the man who snaps at his assistant? He might be dealing with a very sick child at home—but he has to come to work even though he’s weary and doesn’t get much sleep. Did you ever think that maybe the next person you jump to a conclusion about—they might have just come through the fire of a crisis.”
Riley wrinkled her nose. Sometimes she could swear that the minister must follow her around looking for sermon ideas because this one sure did speak to her.
“How about we try something else? How about offering a little more grace and a little less judgement the next time? Because I promise you, that’s what we all want and need.”
Once the final prayer had been said, Riley and Kate made their way to the parking lot.
“How about breakfast?” Kate asked. “I want to hear all about your coffee date.”
Riley grinned. “Sounds like a plan. How about the Sunrise Café?”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll meet you there.”
Once they were seated and had placed their orders, Kate leaned forward. “Spill it.”
Riley took a breath. “It was okay. He’s a nice guy and he seems really stable.”
Kate raised her eyebrows. “Nice and stable is good. But did he make you laugh?”
“I mean, I laughed a couple of times.”
“Okay you laughed a couple of times. That’s a start.” Kate took a sip of coffee. “Did he seem like the kind of guy who understands you? Does he like animals?”
“Well, he doesn’t hate them.”
Kate laughed. “So, he doesn’t hate animals and he semi-funny. Not sure that’s a perfect match.”
“Well I’m not looking for someone exactly like me. You and Drew are totally opposite but you go together just fine.”
“I’ll give you that, “said Kate “Was there a spark between you? Did he hug you or kiss you?”
“He shook my hand.”
Kate bit her lip. “But was there a spark?”
Riley thought it best to leave out the part where she’d used her truck door as a barrier between them. “I may have given off a ‘don’t kiss me’ vibe. It was just coffee, after all. I’m not the kind of girl who is going to go around kissing every guy who buys me coffee.”
“Fair enough and I don’t blame you,” said Kate. “Are you going to see him again?”
“He sent me a text last night after he got home and told me he had a nice time. He said he’d call me later in the week and maybe we could get together for dinner.”
“Dinner? That’s a step up from coffee. How do you feel about that?”
Riley thought for a moment. “I get the feeling that he’s a nice guy. Probably the kind who would never intentionally hurt me. I like that he’s straight forward. You know? There were no games. He told me he liked me, told me he had a nice time, and told me he wanted to see me again. So based on that, I’ll probably say ‘yes’ if he ends up asking me to dinner.”
“There is definitely something to be said for that kind of guy,” Kate said. “I’m just glad to see you get out of your comfort zone and go on a date with someone.” They’d had many conversations about Riley’s apprehension about dating.
“Well, well. What have we here?” A male voice from behind them said.
Riley turned.
Blake gave them a slow, lazy grin. “Hi, ladies. How are you doing this morning?” He addressed them both, but he held Riley’s gaze.
Kate gave Riley a look.
“We’re doing just fine, thanks,” said Riley. “This is my cousin, Kate Groves.”
Blake turned to Kate. “I think I saw you at the farmers market over the weekend.”
Kate nodded. “Probably so. I’m the market manager.”
“I’m Blake Taylor, by the way.” He turned back to Riley. “Will I be seeing you at Retro Village later?”
“I don’t know. Are you planning to actually spend some time there this time or will you be running off again like last week?”
He scowled. “Cut me some slack, please. I’m planning to go visit Grandpa today.”
Riley raised her eyebrows. “That’s good.”
Kate watched them with interest. “Why are you going to Retro Village?” she asked Riley.
“Because she’s on a mission. There’s an old man there who misses his cat.” Blake grinned. “Last week she almost had the whole place on lockdown.”
Riley wrinkled her nose. “That’s an exaggeration. What I did last Sunday was totally legit. And I’m taking Dottie today because Mr. Farley is feeling better. He can visit with her outside since your grandpa is allergic to cats.”
“Great. I’m sure I’ll see you there.” He flashed her a smile then turned to Kate. “Nice to meet you.” He walked off leaving them both staring after him.
“What’s the story there?” asked Kate once he was out of earshot.
“No story.” She quickly explained how they met.
“Well there’s probably some reasonable explanation for him to have run off like that. Honestly, I think he’s very cute.”
“Don’t even say that. I’m pretty sure he thinks he’s God’s gift to women. Don’t you get that vibe?”
“Not really. But he sure was cute and he seemed interested in you.”
“No way. He’s probably just a player.”
“Did you fall asleep during the sermon today?” Kate asked laughing. “Because I don’t think you know him well enough to make that judgement unless you know details about him that you’re not sharing.”
Riley grinned. “Maybe you’re right. I’m just saying that I think he’s a little too cocky for my taste. I mean, didn’t you see the swagger he has when he walks?”
Kate burst out laughing. “So, you’ve noticed how he walks?”
Riley blushed. “Can we just change the subject?”
“I’m always up for a discussion of wedding plans,” Kate said. “Let’s talk reception playlists.”