Cupid's Coffeeshop Set One: Boxed Set: Books 1-4

by Courtney Hunt

  She dredged up a smile for him. “She’s beautiful, Jefferson. You’ll have a marvelous time.”

  “I asked you once before, Ruby Davis, to run away with me. And I missed you for the last fifty years when you didn’t.” Jefferson said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. “So, I’m asking you again now. Come with me.”

  “I’ve got a job. A life. Responsibilities here in Ashford Falls.”

  “And you’re just going to let the love of your life walk out of it, again?”

  “Jefferson, just give me a little time to think.” Ruby pleaded.

  Jefferson’s shoulders slumped and he sighed. “If you have to think, Ruby, I know the answer already.”

  The Lockharts joined her in the parking lot and Jefferson climbed into the driver’s seat. He started the RV and they all moved back into the shadow of the coffeeshop as Jefferson turned the RV around.

  “You really going to let him just drive off into the sunset, Auntie Ruby?” Patrick said, his hands in the back pockets of his jeans as he stood beside her.

  “I have a life here. Deep roots. Responsibilities. I can’t just leave.”

  “Why not?” Joe asked.

  “You can always come back, Auntie Ruby.” Zooey added. “But won’t you wonder if you don’t go?”

  The RV shone in the sun, like a glittering dream. Before, when Jefferson asked her to run away, she’d have been giving up her dreams of a career and making a difference in the world. Now, though, what was left of her dreams? Been there, done that. Maybe it was time to let go. Just like at lunch, when she’d pulled Jefferson into her bed, Ruby didn’t stop to think. She just took a deep breath.

  And nodded.

  Patrick, Joe, and Zooey waved to Jefferson to stop. He slammed the brakes and the RV rolled to a stop just in front of her. She glided towards the passenger door without hesitation. Joe and Patrick helped her up and Ruby stepped into the cab, sliding in next to Jefferson.

  Right where she belonged, at last.

  Jefferson leaned over and claimed her mouth, a passionate, possessive kiss, full of longing and love and promise.

  “You’ll really come with me?” Jefferson asked, as he cradled her close.

  “Will you give me a few days to pack?”

  “Been waiting fifty years for this moment. I suppose I don’t mind waiting a bit longer.” Jefferson grinned down at her and stole another kiss. “Long as you promise me we can stop by the courthouse on our way out of town.”

  “The courthouse?” Ruby said, tears of joy streaming out of the corners of her eyes as she peered up at Jefferson’s face. Being in this man’s arms always felt perfectly, exactly, right. Just where she belonged.

  “Gonna make an honest man out of me, aren’t you?” Jefferson asked, his heart in his eyes. Ruby laughed and bobbed her head, just as the sunshine burst through the clouds to shine on her tear-streaked face.

  Somewhere up there, Mary laughed along with them.

  THE END

  May’s story, Cafe Au Lait, is available now. Order it here.

  When the owner hires a business consultant for the struggling Ashford Falls Cafe, artisan chef Kennedy Roberts is offended at suggestions to reduce the cost—and quality—of her ingredients. When she finds out the consultant is none other than Alex Wells, her childhood best friend’s pesky little brother, she’s even more furious. But now Alex is all grown up and will stop at nothing to steal Kennedy’s heart in May’s

  Keep reading for a sneak peek at Cafe au Lait.

  While you are waiting for more Cupid’s Coffeeshop, please check out my other novels, including The Lost Art of Second Chances and the Always a Bridesmaid series.

  Please come visit me at www.Courtney-Hunt.com and sign up for my email newsletter. No spam! Just new releases and other big news.

  Thanks again for your support!

  Café Au Lait

  Fifth in the

  Cupid’s Coffeeshop

  Series

  By

  Courtney Hunt

  Chapter One

  On the first of May, just at dusk, chef Kennedy Roberts staggered out of her kitchen at the Ashford Falls Cafe into the twilight gloaming. She hadn’t even seen daylight today as she’d begun in the kitchen before dawn, desperate to make the upcoming Mother’s Day Tea as successful as possible. Her phone trilled. The ringtone told her that the Cafe owner was calling her—again. Had to be the sixteenth time today. A sudden sharp pain in her jaw made her unclench her teeth and suck in a deep breath.

  “Hi, Larry. I got all the cupcakes made. I think you were right to go with a dozen lemon and two dozen chocolate.” Kennedy kept her voice cheery and upbeat, even as another pain shot through her jaw.

  “I thought we said orange and caramel.” Larry fussed and Kennedy rubbed at the tension headache brewing behind her eyes. Before she could answer, Larry continued. “I forgot to tell you that the business consultant I hired will be there tomorrow.”

  “I thought we agreed that your consultant could wait until after the Mother’s Day brunch.”

  “Shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. Pop the orange cupcakes into the oven and give him a tour.”

  Kennedy chewed on her lower lip, biting back the telling off she wanted to give Larry. Like it or not— and she most certainly didn’t—Larry was her boss, until and unless she could find a way to buy him out. Still, the last thing she needed was some useless consultant underfoot in the kitchen the week before one of her biggest days of the year.

  “I’ve really got a lot to do tomorrow—“

  “Yes, including showing my guy around.” Larry interrupted in a firm, flat voice. “Let’s see what he’s got to say about making my place profitable.”

  “After he’s done, maybe we could talk about some redecorating ideas…”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Ken. Larry out.”

  Kennedy bit her lip hard enough to sting. She loathed it when Larry called her “Ken.” She slipped her phone back into the wide pocket of her stained chef’s coat and headed for her car, her hips and knees aching from being on her feet all day. Right now, Kennedy wanted nothing more than to go home and sink into a warm bubble bath with a large glass of wine, maybe two large glasses, and then sleep for a week.

  As she reached her car, she remembered her promise to talk to the Lockharts about the Coffeeshop’s signature drink of the month. She sighed, letting her shoulders slump and her fingers slide off the door handle. Instead of heading straight home, alone again, she strolled across the square and into Cupid’s Coffeeshop. Kennedy flopped into the empty armchair next to the fireplace. She rubbed her eyes, too tired to think.

  Handsome Patrick Lockhart, co-owner of the coffeeshop, sat opposite her, his feet propped on the coffee table and an e-reader in his hand. His dark hair curled over his forehead, copper strands shimmering in the low light. He glanced up at her, a warm smile curving his mouth. And Kennedy felt nothing. Not a flicker of interest. Then again, Patrick adored Joy, her very engaged-to-someone-else best friend, so Kennedy justified her lack of interest as sisterly solidarity rather than an indication she was getting old.

  “I’m beat. Been at the Cafe since before dawn, prepping for the Mother’s Day brunch.”

  “Joy mentioned that you’re sold out for the brunch. That’s great.” Patrick smiled and Kennedy nodded, rubbing at the headache brewing behind her eyes. Both she and Patrick felt that increased foot traffic in the square was good for all the businesses there. Patrick continued, “So, Joe couldn’t come up with a signature drink this month…”

  “I could have,” Joe Lockhart, fellow co-owner of the coffeeshop and cousin to Patrick, entered from the hidden door to the upstairs apartment. “I just was too busy being the “coffee hunk.” Celebrity takes a lot of time.”

  Patrick rolled his eyes as his cousin sat on the coffee table, propping his foot up on the stone hearth to tie his boots. Kennedy glanced at the way the worn denim cupped Joe’s incredible bottom and his too
tight t-shirt stretched against his shoulders. Joe Lockhart was easily the best looking man in Ashford Falls but even a man as fine as Joe couldn’t stir her interest. She was getting old. If she weren’t so tired, she’d be worried about it.

  “Want to go party?” Joe asked them both.

  Kennedy shook her head, trying not to list to the side in exhaustion. There was a time when she’d have been eager to go out clubbing with Joe, hoping they’d end up enjoying more than a dance together. Now, she only wanted to climb into bed to sleep. With all her best friends paired off or home watching their little rugrats, her lack of a social life was just sad. Sometime, when she wasn’t working herself to death, she’d worry about it.

  “I am partying.” Patrick waved his crimson mug and a tooled leather covered e-reader. “My Kindle’s got a full charge so things might get wild in the coffeeshop tonight.”

  “Sad, strange little man, aren’t you, Paddy-cakes?” Joe shook his head as Kennedy chuckled, sinking further into the comfortable chair. Maybe she could just doze off here. At least she’d be close to work in the morning.

  “Not everyone can be a celebrity like you, Joe.” Patrick retorted. “Have fun tonight. Watch out for Zooey.”

  “Always.” Joe answered as Patrick’s sister, the youngest Lockhart and third coffeeshop co-owner, arrived downstairs in a tiny leather skirt, tight sparkly top and toothpick heels. Kennedy’s closet had a very similar outfit though she couldn’t remember the last time she’d worn it. When did she get so old? Joe and Zooey sparkled in the lights, youthful and happy, before they waved and headed out to enjoy the delights of a spring evening. Kennedy dropped her head onto the back of the seat and closed her eyes.

  “Kennedy?” Patrick asked, softly, just as she started to drift off.

  “I’m not asleep. Just resting.” Kennedy answered, sitting up straight and focusing her stinging eyes on Patrick. “So, I was thinking about your cross promotion idea, I can serve Café Au Lait with your coffee blend and you can offer a discount at the Cafe when people purchase one here.”

  “Isn’t that just a latte?”

  “It’s made with drip coffee, technically.” Kennedy corrected. “But you can make it with espresso. Just don’t tell my classmates at Le Cordon Bleu.”

  “I think I’ll manage to keep it quiet.” Patrick laughed. “I’m just glad not to have to memorize another of Joe’s crazy recipes. Sounds like a plan.”

  “That’s sorted then.” The bell over the door chimed brightly as Kennedy gathered the energy to stand before she really did fall asleep in the chair.

  “Kennedy?” Her childhood best friend, Harper Wells, strode into the shop, wearing yoga pants and a matching bright pink tank. She smiled warmly at Kennedy and headed toward them. Kennedy winced. She’d forgotten to call Harper back again. Between Harper’s busy schedule as a single mom and Kennedy’s work at the Cafe, she hadn’t seen her childhood friend since before Christmas. Running the Cafe took all her time. Still, Kennedy felt guilty about not staying in touch with her friend and resolved to be better about it.

  Harper leaned down to hug her. Over her shoulder, Kennedy caught sight of a curly haired guy with glasses, staring down at his iPhone. Kennedy whispered to Harper, “Who’s the cutie?”

  “You remember my brother, right? Alex, you know Kennedy.” The man glanced up from his phone, his gray-blue eyes sharp, before he smiled warmly and offered his hand. At just the quick press of their palms, Kennedy’s heart fluttered. She’d thought she was over her long-ago crush on the adorable Alex Wells. She gave him a quick smile and tugged her hand free, focusing on Harper’s voice. “Alex just graduated. Newly minted MBA. He’s home for a few weeks before he starts his big job on Wall Street.”

  Harper beamed with pride as she slung an arm over Alex’s shoulders. Alex had filled out since she’d last seen him. Eight years ago, he’d been a gangly teenager, all coltish long limbs. Now, Alex filled out the shoulders of his crisp navy polo shirt nicely. Why couldn’t she have run into her crush when she was dressed to the nines, confident and serene, instead of in her wrinkled pink chef’s coat and no makeup? Not that she still had a crush on Alex. That was years ago, all in the past now, just a high school thing.

  “Kennedy?” Harper’s voice yanked her out of her musings. “I know Layla would love to see you. Come by for lunch tomorrow?”

  Guilt pinched Kennedy’s stomach. She rarely got to see Harper or her pre-school aged daughter anymore, since their schedules never seemed to mesh. She really had to get better about living a well-rounded life.

  “I can’t this week, Harp, with the Mother’s Day brunch and all. Plus, the owner hired some finance wizard to come by tomorrow to help improve the profit margins.” Kennedy crossed her arms over her chest and tried not to let the bitterness show on her face. “Like some useless bean counter knows more than a trained chef.”

  Harper’s smile suddenly tightened as she glanced between her brother and Kennedy. “Oh dear.”

  Alex gave her a wry grin before saying, “I’m afraid the useless bean counter is me.”

  To read the rest of Cafe Au Lait, Order it here.

  Author’s Note

  As a devout coffee drinker, I’ve long wanted to write a series of books set in a coffeeshop. My problem was that I had too many ideas. One evening last July, as I was recovering from a cold, I decided to do a 12 book series, one per month. Soon after, Cupid’s Coffeeshop came to life, with the Lockharts struggling to make their legacy work while couples found love all around them. Joe, Patrick, Zooey, and even Ruby, will get their chance to find their own happily ever after before 2016 ends.

  You won’t find Ashford Falls if you consult a map. It’s a fictionalized version of Leesburg, Virginia. Located about 40 miles west of DC, the sleepy tiny town has become a bedroom community full of new development. But the heart of the old town is still there, tucked into the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sadly, Cupid’s Coffeeshop does not exist at all, except in my imagination.

  In Java Frost, Ben and Amy’s love story is also about their love for his daughter. Ben desperately wants to be a good father to Livvy, but she bewilders him too. Being the mother of a son, I understand Ben’s feelings. My own son patiently taught me to love trains, cars, and things that go over the years. Connor is 100% boy. Many of Livvy’s lines and actions were based on my own darling son’s toddler years so I dedicated this story to my amazing miracle child, Connor. Love you, little man.

  For Cupid’s Kiss, I dedicated it to my best friend, Lynn, who managed a Hallmark store for several years in the mid-90s. I would occasionally cover shifts or help her set up seasonal displays, which is where I got the idea for Valentina to have her own card and gift shop. I loved working there but Val’s attitude about Valentine’s Day and observations about being out of sync with the seasons are drawn directly from that life experience.

  My mother’s side of the family is Irish, though generations removed from the old sod. Since I was lucky enough to have a wonderful mother, who taught me to read and appreciate books at an early age, I dedicated Lucky Latte to her.

  Cherry blossom time is magical in the DC area, especially the annual festival. There’s a whole cottage industry of figuring out the peak bloom days, which depends on weather and all sorts of other agricultural issues. Over a hundred years ago, Japan gifted the city with the cherry trees surrounding the tidal basin at the Jefferson Memorial and incited cherry blossom mania. Everyone in DC is crazy about those fragile pink blossoms.

  As a life-long DC native, I’ve always loved cherry blossoms but now they have even more personal meaning to me. My husband and I got married at cherry blossom time. They were at peak bloom on our wedding day. Now, fourteen years later, I released Cherry Blossom Cappuccino on our wedding anniversary so it seemed only appropriate to dedicate it to my wonderful husband, my very own Prince Charming. Love you, honey.

  I chose Jefferson’s name based partly for the Jefferson Memorial, the site of the famous blossoms, but also be
cause I first met my husband in the Jefferson auditorium at the Department of Agriculture. I was attending a training class and was supposed to be saving a seat for my boss but I promptly gave it to the handsome guy in the suit. (Sorry boss!) And the rest, as they say, is history.

  Thank you to my amazing story and developmental editor, Bev Katz Rosenbaum and to the fabulous and eagle-eyed R.A. Peters for copy-editing and formatting. Also many thanks to Kim Killion of the Killion Group for my gorgeous cover and designing the Cupid’s Cofffeshop logo.

  I hope you’ve enjoyed reading the first story in the Cupid’s Coffeeshop series as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please check out my series page on Amazon for each new release. You can also find merchandise, illustrated quotes, and blogs about Cupid’s Coffeeshop on my website at www.Courtney-Hunt.com

  If you enjoyed Cupid’s Coffeeshop, please leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon. Reviews are critical to helping a book succeed, especially for a new series. Please let other readers know what they can expect.

  While you are waiting for more Cupid’s Coffeeshop, check out my other novels, including The Lost Art of Second Chances and the Always a Bridesmaid series.

  Please come visit me at www.Courtney-Hunt.com and sign up for my email newsletter. No spam! Just new releases and other big news.

  I’m also usually found on twitter at @courtneyhunt71, and would love to chat!