The Coffee Girl

by Shanna Hatfield

  “No,” Brenna whispered, unable to tear her gaze away from his while her stomach continued to flutter uncontrollably. His last kiss had nearly been her undoing. Her thoughts lingered in the heat that sizzled between her and the man she loved. “Hot. Extremely hot.”

  “Brenna…” Brock lifted her hands from behind his neck and clasped them in front of him as he stepped back. He had to put some space between them. If he didn’t he’d ignore what his conscience yelled at him and Brenna wouldn’t be going home tonight. He dropped her hands and opened the car door. “You’re going to get in this car, drive home, and go to bed like the good girl that you are.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to be a good girl right now.” Drunk with exhaustion and the very essence of Brock, her voice seduced him every bit as much as the hand she trailed down his chest. She seared him with a blatant look of wanting. “Maybe I want to stay right here.”

  “No.” Brock drew on every ounce of inner strength he possessed as he waited for Brenna to get in the car.

  “Maybe you need convincing?” She pressed a hot, wet kiss to the pulse beating wildly in his neck.

  “Brenna,” Brock growled. His voice was low and raspy as he struggled to hang onto what little was left of his composure. “In the car, right now.”

  “But, Brock…”

  “Now,” he ordered, gently pushing her into the car and closing the door before leaning in the window and kissing her cheek.

  “Go home, coffee girl, before you make me do something we’ll both really enjoy.” Brock mustered a smile to soften the commanding tone of his voice.

  Brenna gave him a withering glare as she started the car, knowing he was right, but wishing he wasn’t.

  “I love you, you little tempest,” Brock teased, making her smile.

  “I love you, too, you bossy man.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “You asked her yet?” Andy questioned as he helped Brock hang the last door in the master suite. The room was finally finished.

  Airy and spacious, the walls of the room were a mellow shade of tan that accented the rich tones of the solid oak furniture he’d ordered from Letty and the neutral color of the newly installed carpet. Light filtered in from the big picture windows highlighting a great view of the side and backyard.

  The door they hung opened into a large walk-in closet that featured a variety of rods, shelves and brackets, sure to please any woman and guaranteed to please Brenna. A second door led to a spa-like bathroom complete with a walk-in shower, garden tub, and double vanity sink.

  Brock could hardly wait to show it to Brenna, now that it was finished and the furniture was in place. He hoped she would choose window treatments and the bed linens because Brock could care less about what covers went on the bed. His interest was wrapped up in the thought of Brenna eventually sharing it with him.

  “Well, did you?” Andy asked, pulling Brock from his musings.

  “Ask what?” Brock played dumb to his uncle’s questioning, holding the door in place while Andy tightened the screws in the hinges.

  “Son, that isn’t going to work with me.” Andy tightened the final screw. Brock stood back while Andy worked the door a few times to make sure it functioned properly. “I thought you got a ring and were ready to pop the question. Didn’t I hear you tell my nosy wife that you even got permission from her dad?”

  “I did. I do. I was.” Brock tried not to show his frustration to his uncle as he gathered up the tools and stored them in his toolbox. “The timing just hasn’t been right.”

  Andy laughed and slapped his back. “If you wait for the timing to be just right, you’ll be sitting here alone when you’re my age. Suck it up and get it over with, boy.”

  Brock glared at his uncle as they moved into the kitchen where he poured them both tall glasses of lemonade and set out a plate of cookies Brenna had given him that morning when he stopped by the bistro for breakfast.

  Since it was Saturday, they planned to go to a movie that night, but he didn’t think that was an appropriate way to propose. It’s not like he could drop the ring in the popcorn and hope she’d find it before she choked on it or broke a tooth.

  Proposing to Brenna demanded something special. Something unique. Something wonderful. Something unforgettable.

  “Any suggestions?” Brock finally asked as he and Andy went out to the backyard where Mutt chased a squirrel between trees. The squirrel chattered at the dog, sounding irritated. The rodent’s reaction made Mutt bark and yip, and run in wild circles, trying to get to the squirrel. The game between the two had been going on for days and neither Mutt nor the squirrel seemed to have tired of it.

  “Nope. Just do it. The longer you wait, the longer you’re depriving yourself of the pleasure of her company.” Andy winked at Brock. “From what I’ve seen of the two of you, she seems to like you just fine. It’d be a shame for that beautiful new bedroom you just finished not to be put to proper use.”

  “I can’t just hand her the ring and ask ‘what day?’ I want to make it special.” Brock ran a hand over his face and sighed. He wasn’t a guy given to a lot of flowery, romantic thoughts, although they did randomly strike him on occasion. The few times he’d surprised Brenna with a little romance had been completely spontaneous, so he wasn’t sure how to approach planning a proposal. “How did you propose to Aunt Liz?”

  “I threw the ring at her and asked ‘what day?’ and lucky for me she said ‘yes, a week from Thursday’.” Andy kept a straight face as he took a drink of lemonade.

  “You did not.” Brock grinned. He knew his aunt and uncle had a very traditional wedding, one that would have required time and planning. “Come on, Andy. Don’t hold out on me now. How did you propose?”

  “I took her out to dinner at a fancy little restaurant in Portland that has long ago closed its doors. After an amazing meal that cost more than the suit I was wearing, we strolled along downtown, staring in the store windows. When we got to the jewelry store, I had already arranged for them to have the ring in the window with a card that read ‘Marry me, Lizzie?’ When she saw it, she looked at me and smiled with her heart in her eyes. I’ve had forty years of spending every day with my sweetheart. You don’t want to miss out on that Brock. You’re already thirty and time waits for no man.”

  “Wow, that’s a great story.” Brock pictured how thrilled and surprised his aunt would have been at his uncle’s proposal. He was surprised that Andy had it in him to be such a romantic. Maybe there was hope for him to devise some way to dazzle Brenna.

  “Take my advice, son, and don’t wait too long. I’ll eat my cordless drill if she turns you down.” Andy stood and walked around to the front yard and his truck.

  After mulling over what Andy said, Brock spent the rest of the afternoon considering various plans. When he picked Brenna up for dinner, he tried to act normal.

  They’d decided on a casual date of pizza followed by a movie. Brock had a hard time paying attention to the movie because his thoughts kept churning around the best way to propose.

  As he walked her up the steps to her parents’ home later that evening, she put a hand on his arm and smiled at him.

  “Are you okay, Brock? You seemed a little distracted tonight. Is everything good with the new construction job?” Brenna asked, concern shining from her eyes.

  “Everything’s fine, coffee girl. No need to worry.” Brock pulled her close and savored the feel of her in his arms.

  Uncle Andy was right. He was wasting time by not asking her to marry him. If he’d asked her when the idea first came to him, they could already be married.

  Instead of dropping her off at her mom and dad’s house, he’d be taking her home to his house, sweeping her up in his arms, and carrying her back to the new master suite. Heat flooded through him, along with visions of Brenna in his big bed. Reluctantly, he tamped down his longing and kissed Brenna good night.

  Of their own volition, his hands burrowed into her hair while his lips plundered hers with deepen
ing intensity. Finally, he raised his head, kissed her on her nose, and took a step back.

  “Do you still want to go on a picnic after church?” Brenna opened the front door once she regained the ability to speak after Brock’s wild kisses.

  “You bet I do.” Brock kissed her softly. “I’ll see you in the morning, baby.”

  “Night, Brock, love you.”

  “Love you, too, Brenna.”

  As she watched him walk to his truck, Brenna wished he would tell her what bothered him. Despite her hectic schedule with the success of the bistro, she paid enough attention to realize something left him distressed.

  After the night he practically shoved her in the car and ordered her to go home, they both had been careful about how far they let their passion run away with them, but this was something beyond that. Something she hoped wouldn’t eventually drive him away.

  Brenna couldn’t bear the thought of a future that didn’t include Brock.

  “Sit still,” Brenna whispered, giving Brock a reproving look as he squirmed on the pew. He’d never, even as an antsy boy of six, had this much trouble paying attention during a church service.

  He gave her an apologetic glance before forcing himself to quit jiggling his foot and shifting his weight. Finally, the minister ended his sermon and the congregation joined in the closing hymn.

  “You stand on an ant hill this morning?” Brenna teased as they walked toward the back of the church holding hands.

  “No, I did not.” Brock wondered how he’d managed not to choke to death with his tie tightening uncomfortably around his neck. For that matter, the buttons on the neck of his shirt were about to strangle him. Maybe the cleaner’s had accidentally shrunk his shirt, or sent him home with someone else’s. Or maybe Brenna had him so tied in knots, he didn’t have a single wit about him.

  “You most certainly have ants in your pants.” Brenna swallowed a giggle as they shook hands and chatted with other members of the congregation. “I thought your uncle was going to reach back and smack you.”

  “I sure thought about it,” Andy said from behind them. He winked at Brenna and thumped Brock on his back. “What are you kids planning today?”

  “We’re going on a picnic and then visiting The Oregon Gardens.” Brenna’s eyes shone with excitement as she studied Brock, curious about what had gotten into him. She’d seen preschoolers sit with more decorum than he exhibited during the service. Turning to his aunt and uncle, she smiled. “Would you two like to join us?”

  “That would be just lovely, dear. We’d…” Aunt Liz replied, but Andy interrupted. “As nice as that sounds, Brenna, we’ll have to pass today. Thank you for the invitation, though.”

  “Maybe another time?” Brenna watched Liz stare at Andy like he’d lost his mind.

  “Another time would be perfect.” Andy took Liz’s elbow in his hand and hustled her toward the door without another word.

  Once they were outside the church, Brenna waved to her parents, Avery and Greg, as they all left for home. Brock took Brenna’s hand as he helped her into his pickup.

  The bright blue dress she wore made her eyes look even bigger and bluer while the sun seemed to dance around her golden head. Brock didn’t know when she’d ever looked as lovely.

  He drove them south of town and parked at the gardens. After helping Brenna out of his truck, she held a thick quilt over her arm while he carried the cooler with their picnic lunch. Brenna chose a quiet spot beneath a tree in the designated picnic area and spread out the blanket. Brock helped her set out the food and they enjoyed the lunch as well as the beautiful summer afternoon.

  After they finished eating, she repacked the food, kicked off her shoes and leaned back on her elbows while Brock placed his head on her lap. They talked about happy summer memories from their childhood, discussed plans for some fun things they wanted to do before fall arrived, and disagreed about the shapes of clouds.

  “Only you would say that cloud looks like a hammer,” Brenna teased. “It’s obviously a fairy wand.”

  “I’ll fairy wand you, smarty.” Brock rolled over and tickled Brenna. She finally begged for mercy and he stopped, finding himself poised above her with his lips just inches from hers. Golden curls spilled all around her on the blanket and her eyes glowed hot and brilliant.

  When her lips parted, it was more invitation than Brock could deny.

  “Brenna,” he said in a voice deep with emotion and wanting. Burying his hands in her hair, he took her lips in a demanding kiss, losing himself in her arms.

  Sure she would dissolve into a molten mass just from the look in Brock’s eyes before he kissed her, Brenna gave herself over to the moment, savoring every touch of Brock’s lips to hers. She looped her hands around his neck and pulled him closer when he took a breath and drew back. In the instant their gazes connected, she smiled at him and raised her lips to his for another kiss.

  He nuzzled her neck while his hands rubbed enticing circles along her sides. Abruptly, he stilled and released a long breath.

  “We need to… not do this.” Brock sat up and pulled Brenna beside him. “You’re too much temptation for me today, coffee girl. Far more than I can handle.”

  “I’m sorry. I…” Brenna blushed, pleased by his words, although she knew they teetered on the edge of losing control. “Maybe we could walk around the garden a while.”

  “I think that is a great idea.” Brock rose to his feet and lifted Brenna to hers. She put her wedge sandals back on then Brock helped her fold the quilt. They returned the cooler and quilt to the truck before strolling through the garden, holding hands.

  Due to the warmth of the day, Brock had removed his jacket and tie right after church. He’d rolled his shirtsleeves well above his elbows, revealing muscular arms. Brenna had a hard time not admiring the way he looked, especially when they passed a group of college girls who kept glancing back at Brock and whispering. Brenna knew she was a lucky woman to be the one he chose to love.

  When they reached the rose garden, Brock pointed to a bench and suggested they sit down to rest for a minute.

  “The roses are so lovely, Brock. You should plant some climbing roses by your arbor. I know you just finished restoring it. You could add a climbing plant on each side. It would be an amazing welcome to your guests.”

  “You should plant them,” Brock said, when she pointed to a yellow climbing rose.

  “You really want me to plant roses for you?” Brenna rested her head against his chest as his arms encircled her from behind.

  “I do, but only if you take care of them for me.” He worked to keep his voice steady.

  “You know I wouldn’t be there during the week, but I could take care of them on the weekends,” Brenna offered.

  “No, they need more care than that. You’d need to be there every day. We could make that work, if you’re willing.” Brock couldn’t stop the smile that creased his face as she stiffened against him at his bold suggestion. Before she could utter a sound, he continued. “I guess you’ll just have to marry me and move to my house so you can take proper care of them.”

  “Brock McCrae, you know I won’t move in with you. I’m not that...” Brenna spluttered then realized exactly what Brock said. “Did you just ask…do you really mean…?”

  “Yes, I do.” Brock gently pushed Brenna upright and got down on one knee. He pulled a ring from his pocket and held it out to her.

  “Marry me, Brenna? I want to wake up every morning to see those beautiful blue eyes and fall asleep every night in your sweet arms. Please? Marry me, coffee girl.”

  Unable to speak, Brenna threw her arms around Brock and nodded against his neck.

  “Is that a yes?”

  He felt another nod.

  “I love you, Brenna.” Brock held out her hand and slid the ring on her finger. He kissed it when it encircled her finger, pleased it was a perfect fit.

  Brenna looked at the ring, then at Brock, trying to take in the fact that her dream of spending fore
ver with him was about to come true.

  “Oh, Brock, I love you so, so much.” Brenna brushed at her tears as Brock pressed his lips to hers then lifted her off her feet and swung her around.

  “I can’t wait to marry you, to finally make you mine.” Brock lavished kisses on her face and neck.

  “Let’s not wait too long.” Brenna gave Brock a heated look filled with temptation and longing. “How fast can we pull together a wedding?”

  “Not nearly fast enough.” Brock grinned as he swung her around again.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Someone left this for you on a table, Brenna.” Jen handed Brenna an envelope with her name typed across the front.

  “Thanks, Jen.” Brenna set the envelope on a shelf out of the way while she cleaned up from the lunch rush and started baking for tomorrow. “Is the lunch crowd gone?”

  “Yes. It was a busy one, today, wasn’t it?” Jen helped put things away. Brenna added a dishwasher and a busser to the staff and between the four of them, they made it through the rush periods without too much trouble.

  “It seems like it’s that way every day,” Brenna said with a big smile. She never dreamed the bistro would be so popular.

  With tourists in town for the summer and the great location of the shop on one of the main streets through town, Brenna had almost more customers than she could handle some days.

  Avery’s business flourished, as did their mother’s. In addition to the home interiors, Letty also offered custom orders for furniture and window treatments.

  “Everyone says the bistro is the best place in town for breakfast and lunch. I’d have to agree.” Jen smiled as she handed Isaac, the dishwasher, the last of the dirty dishes.

  “Thanks for all your help today.” Brenna smiled as Jen removed her apron and signed out her time card for the day.

  “You’re welcome. See you tomorrow.” Jen waved as she went out the side delivery door. Isaac and Nell, the busser, finished their work and left.