Garrett grabbed his plate, grumbled a goodbye and headed out, leaving me alone with Mom. She turned to me, her eyes filled with concern.
Taking a seat next to me, she took my hand. “Ember, honey, are you really alright?” she asked, her voice soft.
I hesitated, then sighed. “No, Mom. Not really.”
“I know how much it hurts, sweetheart. And I know how much anger you still carry towards Colton. But I also know how the two always looked at each other.”
I looked at mom, surprised. “What do you mean?”
She gave a small laugh before replying “Like you were each other’s whole world.”
She must have seen the shock on my face because she continued, “There may have been a two-year age difference, and back then that two years was a lot, but…” she paused, her eyes filled with a sad kind of knowing. “We all knew, deep down, that when you were older, and you each had time to grow up, you two would find your way together.”
I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “Yeah, well, things changed, Mom. Didn’t exactly turn out how they were supposed to, did they?” The anger I’d kept bottled up for so long threatened to spill over, but I forced it back down, pushing it away.
Mom’s grip on my hand tightened. “Don’t give up hope, Ember. You may be angry and hurt, but I know you still love him.”
I pulled my hand away, shaking my head. “I didn’t give up, Mom.Hedid. He’s the one who stopped writing, who just disappeared. He’s the one who broke his promises.” My voice was tight, strained, and I knew I had to get out of here.
Pushing away from the table, the chair scraping against the floor, I stood up. “I need to go.” I felt the tears in the back of my eyes threatening to spill as I turned and fled the kitchen.
Chapter 3
Ember
After storming out of the kitchen I jumped in my car and drove into town. It was still pretty early and businesses were just starting to open. Pulling my car in front of The Rose’s Bean and Brew, I turned off the ignition and got out.
The Rose’s Bean and Brew was a place where everyone gathered to catch up on gossip, share news, and simply enjoy a good cup of coffee. As I stepped inside, the familiar scent of freshly ground coffee beans hit me instantly. The laughter and chatter was a welcome distraction from the thoughts in my head.
I waved at some of the friendly and familiar faces I knew as I made my way to the counter.
Marge was behind the counter bustling about making a fresh pot of coffee. She and her husband, Larry, have owned The Rose’s Bean andBrew for decades. My mom even worked here back in her high school days. They were practically family, and I’d grown up in this coffee shop.
“Ember, honey, you look like a storm cloud,” Marge said, her voice sharp but laced with concern as I slid onto my usual stool at the counter. “The usual?”
I nodded, forcing a smile. “Please, Marge. And make it extra strong today.”
Marge poured me a steaming cup of coffee, her eyes studying me carefully. “Rough morning?”
I hesitated. I didn’t want to burden her with my problems, but Marge was like the town’s mother hen, and she knew everything before anyone else. She had a way of drawing out the truth and getting you to spill the “beans”- no pun intended.
“Just…family stuff,” I said, taking a sip of the hot coffee. The caffeine stirred me awake, cutting through the fog in my head.
Marge started to wipe down the counter, and I didn’t miss how her movements were intentionally slow. “Family huh,” she said, her voice laced with skepticism. “Yeah that can be hard. Another thing that can be hard is when old wounds come back into town.”
Leave it to Marge to know about a certain someone’s return. Apparently everyone in town knew about Colton, and the heartbreak I felt because of him.
I sighed, setting down my mug. “It’s just…he’s coming back, Marge. Colton’s coming home.”
Marge stopped wiping the counter and her eyes widened slightly. “I heard rumors, but I didn’t think…” She paused, her gaze softening. “Oh, Ember. I’m so sorry, honey.”
I stirred my coffee absently. “It’s just… after all this time, I thought I was over it. Overhim.”
Marge reached across the counter and patted my hand. “Honey, it’s been a long time, but some wounds run deep. Especially when there’s a history like you and Colton have.”
“History,” I scoffed. “Yeah right. What’s history when it ends in broken promises?” I looked at Marge and felt the first tear fall. “He was supposed to come back, Marge. He said he would. He said…” I trailed off, the memory of his words, his touch, and that kiss still right in the forefront of my mind after all these years.
Marge nodded, her expression understanding. “I know, dear. Everyone in this town saw how you looked at that boy. And it was plain as day how much he cared for you.”
