Taylor’s gaze traveled to the case. “Oooooh, yay, you have more of those spinach and feta scones. I’ll take one of those and a lemongrass tea, please.”
I pulled a scone from the case and set it on a plate. “I’ll get that tea right up.”
Taylor handed me a ten-dollar bill. “Thank you. Just put the change in the tip jar.”
I shook my head. It was way too big of a tip, but I knew arguing with her would do me no good. I made quick work of brewing her tea, bringing the cup and a small pitcher of milk to her table.
Taylor beamed up at me. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
The bell over the door sounded again. This time, my gaze landed on a large man. I fought the urge to step back. Swallowing, I rounded the counter, my gaze never leaving the customer.
I wiped my hands down my jeans as the man studied the café. His eyes traveled over the different patrons, the bakery case, and the menu above my head before finally landing on me. His smile was wide. “How can anyone decide what to order when everything looks so good?”
I forced myself to return his grin. “I can recommend something if you tell me what you typically like.”
The man rubbed his stomach. “Well, I’m not much of a tea drinker, but I heard you have some of the best baked goods in town.”
A sense of pride washed through me. “I think they’re pretty tasty. The marionberry muffins are a favorite. Or, if you’re looking for something savory, the ham and cheddar scone.”
He studied my face. “Do you make these yourself?”
I toyed with the strings of my apron. “I do.”
“Well, I’ll just have to take one of each then.”
I nodded. “Would you like them for here or to go?”
“I’ll eat here, thanks. No point in taking them back to my hotel room when this place is so welcoming.” I nodded again, grabbing a plate for the items. The man continued. “I’m Al Burke, here from Portland.”
I gripped the plate I was holding a little tighter and studied him. He was dressed in tourist get-up. A fly-fishing vest, outdoor-type pants, and boots. But everything about the outfit seemed…wrong. The items were too new and didn’t match the aura the man was giving off. He could be having a mid-life crisis and trying something new, but I had learned the hard way to listen to that little voice in the back of my mind that urged me to be cautious. “Well, I hope you’re enjoying your stay.”
Al chuckled. “I am, I am. And what’s your name, little lady?”
This was one of the other reasons I didn’t like working the register. People could come up and ask you anything, and they would consider you rude if you didn’t answer.
I hit a few keys on the register. “Tessa. That’ll be six dollars and fifty cents.”
Al removed his wallet and handed me a ten-dollar bill. “Nice to meet you, Tessa. You grow up around here?”
My spine straightened as I gripped the drawer of the register. “No.” I didn’t meet his eyes as I pulled his change from the drawer.
He chuckled again. It grated against my ears. “Not much of a talker, are you?”
I handed him his three dollars and fifty cents. “I guess not.”
Al opened his mouth to say something else but stopped when an arm encircled my shoulders.
“I can take it from here. Why don’t you head on back to the kitchen?”
I wanted to sag in Jensen’s hold. Instead, I simply said, “Okay,” and forced myself to take one more look at the guy. To study his face so that if I ever saw it again, I would know that something was amiss. Al met my studied gaze with one of his own. A look that made a shiver go down my spine.
I broke the stare first, turning to retreat to the safety of the kitchen. I rounded the corner to the fridge and rested my head against the cool metal.Polite tourist or one of Garrett’s lackeys?
The question circled on an endless loop in my brain. I hated that I felt like I couldn’t trust my own perception of things. Couldn’t tell if I was being paranoid or cautious. I ran through the exchange in my head. I compared it with conversations I heard Jensen have every day at the counter. Not one thing the man had said was something I hadn’t heard before.
My shoulders slumped. I guess paranoia it was. I fought the urge to pound my forehead against the fridge. I didn’t want to be like this. I just didn’t know how to find a balance that would allow me to keep my guard up but also let others in.
