Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Caleb had always loved any chance to interact with animals. Petting areas at zoos or farms had been a rarity in his childhood, but he’d taken any chance he could to go to one, and he’d loved spending time with anyone who had dogs or cats. Adrian had refused to get a pet, even when a stray cat showed up at the shop. Caleb had been watching for the kitten he’d spotted behind the shop, but they hadn’t shown up again.
“All right, if my employees are comfortable on their own, then I’ll come. I’ll let you know for sure tomorrow.”
The next few days were all taken up with work at Cloud Nine and plans for the Harvest Festival. Not only did Caleb have to develop a drink, but he also needed a nice setup for the booth where he would serve coffee and his special creation. He knew he probably needed to ask for help. He’d tried to sketch out a plan, but he was no artist, and nothing looked right. He could call Kate for advice, but he didn’t want to keep bothering her. All of his new friends were probably helping Rhys with his setup. Would they mind helping him too? Probably not, but he could wait a little while before asking.
Friday was the busiest day yet at Cloud Nine. He was thrilled to have so many customers, fall tourists, as well as locals and students from the nearby university who probably wanted to escape from campus for a while.
By the time the last customers left, Caleb was exhausted. But if he were going apple picking on Sunday, he needed to spend the evening working on his festival entry. He’d yet to come up with an idea unique enough, and time was running out. He couldn’t let himself come up short. This contest obviously mattered a lot to Frostwick Harbor, and he needed to have his best offering available.
If he and Rhys could take first and second in the competition, the town would be over the moon. Agnes was determined the town would sweep every category they entered, but all he could do was work on his own entry. He really wished Rhys had agreed to do this together.
He tried a drink with a maple-forward flavor, but it was too sweet, even for him, and the maple was too dominant. No one wanted to wonder if they were just drinking coffee-flavored maple syrup. Next, he tried an apple-flavored concoction, but he didn’t like it. The apple didn’t taste real enough. After multiple iterations of the maple and apple drinks, he attempted a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin latte. It was better, but still not right.
His stomach growled, and he realized it was way past dinnertime. Most of the neighboring businesses were closed by now, but he saw a light on at Frost + Foam. Was Rhys working on his drink too? He squashed the urge to go and find out. Instead, he grabbed his jacket and hat and headed toward the pub.
Up ahead, he saw Rhys step out of his store and cross the street. Caleb accelerated his pace to catch up with him and arrived at the door right behind him. “Hi,” he said as Rhys reached to open the door.
Rhys whirled around, looking startled. “Oh, wow. I didn’t know anyone was behind me.”
He looked so damn cute when he was flustered. Caleb wished he could wrap his arms around him to settle him down, but he was afraid that would make things much worse, so he grabbed the door, holding it open for Rhys. “Go on in.”
He hurried inside, and Caleb followed. “Are you meeting someone here?”
Rhys nodded. “Tessa. I was working late, trying to…”
“Test out drinks for the festival?” Rhys looked away nervously as he nodded. “So was I.”
“I saw your lights on.”
Caleb smiled. “I saw yours too.”
Rhys glanced back at him, and their gazes held. Caleb tried to say something else, but he couldn’t get over the beautiful darkness of Rhys’s eyes.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here, Caleb,” Tessa called as she moved their way.
He quickly looked away from Rhys. “I hadn’t planned to be, but I was working late and thought I’d come down here and grab something to take back to Cloud Nine.”
“We walked in at the same time,” Rhys said. “So I haven’t gotten a table yet.”
Suddenly, Tessa pulled her phone from her bag, looked down at it, and frowned. “Actually, Rhys, I’m so sorry to do this, but maybe you should get something to go, or you two could eat together. I actually have to run.”
“What do you mean? What’s wrong?”
“It’s Marianne. She needs me. She’s got… um… a baking emergency.”
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Rhys looked utterly confused.
“Oh, I’m fine. I’m really sorry, but I’d better run. It sounds like she’s really in a bind.”