by A. D. Ellis
Dan reached into the middle of the table with his hand like he was ready to break a football huddle. When I hesitated, he said, “C’mon, Boss, we’re a team.”
I knew that it was the height of ridiculous behavior to have the three of us join hands and shout, “Team!” in the back corner of South Main’s kitchen across from the freezer, but I didn’t spoil the moment.
Carol grinned from ear to ear. “It’s going to work! I feel it in my gut. We’ve got this!”
20
Tanner
A woman who didn’t look like any current Willow Springs residents walked into Gentry’s Java at closing time. Everything about her screamed big city, and she offered a small wave and a friendly smile as she approached the counter in her designer heels and expensive suit.
“Evening.” I nodded hello with my chin. It was a familiar gesture I’d adopted during my time in the Springs. “What can I get for you?” I hoped she didn’t want anything that would take a lot of time. “We’re closing, so I might not have everything on the menu available.”
“Oh, that’s not a problem at all. I’d love a coffee if you’ve still got some. Any pastry or bread would be a pleasant addition.” The woman reached her hand across the counter for a shake. “My name is Beverly Ramey. I’m a producer for the National Food Network. I hope that you’ve heard of us.”
My eyes opened wide, and the exhaustion of the workday disappeared. “Wow, yeah. Of course, I’ve heard of NFN. I watch it all the time.” I shook Beverley’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” I set about pouring her coffee and plating up a buttery croissant. At the last minute, I poured myself a cup. “What brings you to Willow Springs?”
I bypassed the cash register and headed toward a table with a tray holding two coffees and Ms. Ramey’s food.
“What do I owe you?” Beverly gestured toward the items.
“Don’t sweat it. The register’s already shut down.” It wasn’t exactly true, but I couldn’t see charging an NFN producer for the last croissant and a cup of coffee that was just this side of not fresh.
“Very kind, thank you.” Beverly sat down at the table. “I’m sorry to show up at your closing time. I ran into more traffic on the way than I expected. I have to say the scenery was glorious the closer I got to Willow Springs, and I sighed with relief as the traffic got lighter and lighter.”
“Well, we’d love it if some of that traffic was a little bit heavier and would stop in to visit the town, but I hear what you’re saying. Getting away from city gridlock and pollution is such a nice change of pace.” I sipped my coffee. “Did you want cream or sugar?”
“No, thank you. This is perfect.” Beverly sipped her coffee and tore off a piece of the croissant. I watched as she popped it into her mouth. When she finished chewing, she smiled. “Please excuse me for the moment—I’m starving. Can you tell me about the town and your establishment while I eat?”
I always relished the opportunity to tell my story. “I recently moved to Willow Springs from Chicago. My grandmother lived here, and I spent several summers with her as a child. When I arrived, I moved into her house and opened Gentry’s Java. The brand name already had two very successful locations in the Chicago area, but I was itching for a change of scenery—a slower pace of life. Willow Springs was the perfect location.” I glanced around the shop and then stared out the window. “Wasn’t sure I’d stay when I first got here. I told myself that I could get Gentry’s set up and operating in the black, and then I could move back to Chicago.”
Beverly wiped a crumb from her mouth. “It looks to me like it’s up and running—yet, you’re still here.”
I smiled wryly. “Yes—I’m still here.” I sipped my coffee. We had damn good coffee, even if I did say so myself. “This place drew me in. Maybe it’s the familiarity from my childhood. Maybe it’s my grandma’s memory. Maybe it’s the people I’ve met.” My stomach flip-flopped as I thought about Mitch. “Maybe it’s the magic of the springs.” I winked. “I don’t feel like it’s time for me to leave—not now. Maybe not ever.”
Ms. Ramey swallowed another mouthful of her coffee. “Tell me about Gentry’s Java. What makes it unique?” She listened as she slowly ate the remainder of her croissant.
“Well, Gentry’s Java and Sandwich Shop is known for ethically sourced coffees and teas, organic and specialty baked goods, and sandwiches. We promote monthly coffee flavors and food specials—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ve got it all.” My chest swelled with pride, as it did every time I gushed about my successful baby.
“Why do you think you’ve been so successful here in Willow Springs?”
I cocked my head to the right and thought about the question. “Willow Springs is a beautiful small town. The people here are good and kind. They love their tried-and-true, but they like new options from time to time as well. They’ve got some great food choices around town, but the townsfolk were excited to see some big-city experiences in their food options. Gentry’s Java provided that for them.” I swirled the remainder of my coffee around the bottom of my cup. “We’ve got it all here. Past and present blend wonderfully.” My heart lurched. Mitch and I eventually blended wonderfully, but where did we end up? I didn’t even know. I shook my head to push Mitch out of my thoughts and pulled myself back to the conversation.
“Perfect. That’s what I’m looking for.” Beverly dug into her purse and produced a business card. “The National Food Network is working on a new show. Each season will be a short six episodes and feature one small town with a theme of some sort. The theme for season one is blending the old with the new. I saw Willow Springs featured in a short movie in the Heart of the Midwest film contest. I fell in love with what I saw. I needed to come here and see it for myself first, but I think my gut instinct was right. This town and your place are what we want. I want Willow Springs to be the subject of the first season of the show.”
I stared at Beverly for a moment while my brain processed her comments. Finally, the shock cleared, and I was able to think coherently. “That’s tremendous. I’d be interested in taking part.” My excitement suddenly hit a brick wall. “I’m the new, but what about the old? Have you figured that out yet?”
Beverly smiled and started to speak. Before any words came out, the front door opened and interrupted us.
Mitch.
My breath caught in my throat. I was not interested in moving on from what we once shared, but I was interested in Mitch getting over his hissy fit. Now was not the time or the place, but I realized how much I missed him when I saw him.
Mitch’s gaze traveled between Beverly and me. “Sorry to interrupt, but I didn’t think you’d still have guests. I can come back later.” Mitch pursed his lips. “Tanner, I was hoping to run some things by you and get your advice if you’d be willing. We can do that some other time.”
I nearly swallowed my tongue. Mitch’s words and his facial expression were heart-stoppingly genuine, hopeful, and humble. My mouth turned to cotton, but I managed to say, “Of course. I’d love that.”
Beverly watched Mitch and me with a barely contained smile before she took the last sip of her coffee.
I came to my senses. Mitch hadn’t left. He nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“Where are my manners? Beverly, I’d like you to meet a very good friend of mine and fellow restaurant owner, Mitch Aiken. Mitch, this is Beverly Ramey with the National Food Network.” I pushed a chair out with my foot and indicated that Mitch should sit. I said, “Mitch owns South Main. It’s the best damn comfort food you’d ever hope to eat. South Main has been here for three generations—it’s part of the foundation of Willow Springs.”
My heart soared as Mitch’s cheeks flushed.
Beverly smiled. “Well, this looks like a kill two birds with one stone opportunity. I planned on visiting Mr. Aiken’s establishment tomorrow.” She reached a hand out to shake Mitch’s. “Mitch, it’s great to meet you. I just finished telling Tanner that I saw Willow Springs in a film contest. The N
FN is creating a TV show that features small towns. Each season will be six episodes. The first season will focus on blending the old with the new, and I want Willow Springs to be the subject of season one.”
Mitch absorbed the news with a nonchalant grace. “Wow, that is an outstanding opportunity. Willow Springs would benefit from that type of exposure.”
“Well, we can’t guarantee anything, but we’d like to think the show will be successful.” Beverly handed Mitch a business card. “I planned a pitch for you tomorrow, but it’s convenient to have you both here. What do you think? Can NFN film Willow Springs and focus on South Main and Gentry’s Java for season one?”
Mitch’s calm broke. He reached up and rubbed his buzzed head with his fingertips. “Oh, wow. You want to feature South Main, too?” Mitch whistled out loud. “I’d like to hear more details, but I can’t see why I wouldn’t want to be involved in something like this.”
The biggest smile I’d had since I last slept with Mitch lit up my face. I said, “Gentry’s Java would be honored to share the spotlight with South Main.”
Beverly glanced at her phone. “Would the two of you be available to meet tomorrow and discuss more of the details? I want to explain the format, filming schedule, episode airing dates, and more of the logistics. Then we can work on writing up a contract. I’ll tell you right now that we want to feature the two of you, your working relationship, how you’ve managed to bring the old and new together, and we’ll have the camera crew spend time with you while you create your best recipes. I’m playing with an idea for the final episode. We could show the two of you combining your talents for one big meal. It’s fine to have it be a vague idea for now. We can work out the specifics further down the road.”
Mitch glanced at me with a sheepish smile. “What do you think? You in?”
“I’m in if you are.” I extended my hand toward him and waited for his response.
I’m not sure who had the biggest smile when Mitch took my hand.
“Let’s do it.” Mitch squeezed my hand.
“Hmmm, that may make for an interesting twist in the season as well.” Beverly eyed our joined hands. “Gentlemen—it’s been a pleasure. I’ll head for the bed and breakfast for some rest. It was a hectic drive. Mitch, can the three of us meet at South Main tomorrow? Would three tomorrow afternoon work?”
We made our plans and bid Beverly goodnight.
“What a turn of events.” Mitch lowered his head into his hands for a moment and then looked up. “Seriously, I stopped by to swallow my pride and ask you for help. I mean, I still plan on doing that, but I didn’t expect to meet a television producer and make plans for appearing on a TV show.”
“Right? Cool, huh?” I eyed him warily and wondered what was next for us.
“Can we talk?” Mitch glanced around the shop. “Maybe I can offer you a drink or coffee at my place?” He stepped closer. “I need your help.” Two shuddery breaths passed between us. “Wow— that was painful, but I didn’t die.” Mitch smiled ruefully. “But before we talk or anything else, I need to apologize for my behavior. It was wrong. There’s no excuse for it, and I’m sorry.”
I closed the space between us and pulled Mitch into my arms before crushing my lips against his. When we finally came up for air, I smiled. “I’ll take that coffee, and I accept your apology. I’m willing to help in any way I can, and I’m very interested in anything else we may find ourselves doing.” I winked and kissed him again. “I think this is all going to be an outstanding adventure—for me, for you, and for the town.”
“For us?” whispered Mitch.
“For us,” I agreed and brushed a kiss against his lips. “Now, you owe me that coffee first. We can figure out what else after we talk.”
Mitch waited for me to flip off the lights and lock up the store. We walked hand-in-hand to his place.
I had a skip in my step as we walked. Life played itself out in wild and unpredictable ways sometimes. I spent years competing with huge businesses and found great success in Chicago, but never once did a national television network even glance my way. After I moved to tiny Willow Springs, met, competed with, and fell for Mitch, we were preparing for the possibility of being on a full season of a TV show.
With my hand in Mitch’s and the thrill of what Beverly offered hovering between us, I thought back to the day we heard the springs. Magic is in the air—something miraculous is happening.
21
Mitch
Watching Tanner closely, I sipped my coffee behind the counter at South Main. The diner closed less than an hour earlier. Consequently, the aroma of burgers still hung in the air.
Tanner stepped behind the counter with me. He walked up from behind and wrapped his arms around me, pushing his face against my neck.
My voice quivered. “The coffee’s good. Have a cup.”
“I want to know more about you needing me.” Tanner kissed the back of my neck, and light shivers raced through my body.
“Well—um—I was talking about the diner…”
“But there’s more?”
For years, I tried to keep as much of my personal life out of the diner as possible. That didn’t always work well when customers became friends and employees evolved into something like a family. Tanner made the policy next to impossible, so I was ready to give up.
I abruptly turned around. “Yep, there’s more—”
“I hoped so.” Tanner placed a fingertip on my lips. “But before that—why the change? What happened? I thought you wanted to toss me out like that slimy bunch of six-month-old broccoli you found in the corner of the walk-in.”
“Guess I came to my senses. C’mon now, please don’t push me on that. My ego’s beaten up enough. Take what I’m offering. If you push much harder, I might feel like a cornered animal, and nobody wants to see me when that happens.”
Tanner clenched his teeth and growled like a little bear cub. “Grrr—I’m not so sure.”
“And fuck, how do I have half a chance of sticking to who I’ve always been when you insist on being cute. Fuck it all. That’s about all I can say—FUCK—it all!”
“I’m not getting in your way.” Tanner waggled his brows. He pushed forward and backed me up against the back of the counter. Tanner’s right hand reached up behind my neck. “You need this more than I do.”
Our lips met. With an audacious effort, Tanner pushed his tongue into my mouth. He was aggressive, and I liked it. Most of my lovers wanted me to take the lead, but Tanner was different. Already, I knew that he was a mixed bag, and he had moods. I was ready to roll with it.
I relaxed against Tanner and tangled my tongue with his as he explored. My left hand somehow found its way down the center of his back until the palm of my hand rested on one perfectly round ass cheek. I moaned, and he thrust his hips forward. Tanner was rock hard, and we were stuck at the diner. The thought of having to drive all the way home first made me frown.
Tanner pulled back from the kiss, and I saw a sparkle in his eyes. It might have been merely his eyes watering, but I wanted to think it was more. We’d found each other, and the magic of that moment was shining through his gaze.
I asked, “Should we ditch the coffee and leave? We could go to my place—or yours.”
Tanner glanced around. “Have you got a clean desk in your office?”
My eyes opened wider. I’d never made out with anyone in my office and never did what Tanner had in mind. I considered for a moment what kind of explanation I could offer for insisting on going home to take care of our raging hormones.
Tanner sighed and placed one hand on my chest. “I’m sorry. I’m a little pushy, and you have a thing about using the workplace for that, I understand.”
I pushed up away from the counter and tugged Tanner’s elbow. “It’s not clear yet, but it soon will be. As long as we stay away from the food storage, prep, and serving areas, I don’t think the health inspectors will care.”
“I think that only leaves—there.” Tanner ges
tured toward my desk.
Tanner laughed out loud as I lifted stacks of paperwork and set them on chairs, bookshelves, and the final one on the floor outside the door to the office.
“I’ve got to pull the blinds down in that window that faces the kitchen. Dan could walk in. He told me that sometimes he comes in late when we’re closed and uses the kitchen to practice and improve his techniques. He’s damn conscientious. I’d never think of doing that.”
“Here’s to hoping I help you think of a whole new world of things.”
I couldn’t remember the last time I bent a man over a hard surface and took him from behind. Long ago, I left behind the kind of spontaneous sex that didn’t look for a nearby bed and opted for what was most convenient instead. Tanner made me feel like I’d shaved twenty years off my life.
The office door shut behind us with a pleasing slam, and the blinds rattled when I twisted the tilt wand, pitching the office into near darkness.
“Should I flip on the lights?”
I growled. “You won’t need to see much when your head’s pushed flat against the desk.”
“Fuck...guess not.”
I pushed up against Tanner, and he backed against the cleared desk. With a bit of assistance from me, he sat on the desk and stared up into my eyes.
“You are so fucking handsome, and you know it. I think that’s one thing that turns me on the most about you.” I knew that I loved cocky confidence in a man. Most people thought that automatically went along with being a control freak, but that wasn’t Tanner’s approach. He knew that he could please me, and he knew that most gay men would see him first in a crowded room. I knew that Tanner had been the object of many men’s sexual fantasies.
Tanner started to unbutton his shirt, but I gripped his hand and guided it toward my jeans instead. While he tugged at the top clasp of my tight jeans, I finished with the buttons on his lumberjack-plaid shirt. Shoving the fabric off one shoulder, I leaned in close and kissed the bare flesh.