Chapter 6

Imogen

My heart skips a beat as I read his message. He’ll be there, and even though I’m the one who put this break in place I have to say I cannot wait to see him. I miss everything about Cody.

His smile, the way his gorgeous eyes light up when he sees me and the desire in them when we’re being intimate. I miss the way he calls me baby and darlin’. Everything I miss. I’ve never felt so alone even though most of the time I have people around me.

I turn as I hear the door open. It’s Johann, the guy who is here to do the wording on the sign outside. “Hi Johann. How are you?” I ask as he steps inside holding what looks like a small black, leather case. I’m guessing his brushes and kit are in it.

“Hello Imogen. I’m good. How are you? Excited?” He is tall, around six feet I’d say with broad shoulders and narrow hips. His shades are perched on top of his head, even though it’s already fall it is sunny outside. In fact, it’s a really crisp and clear day. My favorite kind. I just love the fall and the way the leaves turn colors to russets, golds and reds. We’re lucky here in Minnesota with the abundance of trees and forest land and I feel spoilt by the nature that surrounds us.

“Yes, you bet I am. So excited. I can’t wait to see the sign out front complete. You have the wording, right?”

“I do indeed, right here.” He shows me the phone and I can read the email I sent him with the details and the font I want to use. I’ve chosen the curving lines and strokes of Brush Script. I love the way the letters flow and look almost old fashioned.

“Thank you. Do you want a coffee or tea or a cold beverage?” I ask as I make my way towards where the new coffee machine stands. I’ve not spared any cost on the machine. After much deliberation, I chose a La Marzocco Linea simply because I’m a bit of a coffee buff and I want to be able to give my customers the best coffee experience too. I’ve a whole host of different flavors ranging from vanilla to pumpkin spice and adding more to my offerings for the holiday festive season. I can’t wait.

“Just a plain and simple black coffee will do.” Johann says as he puts his bag down by his feet. “I think I’ll get started if that’s okay with you.”

“Sure absolutely. I’ll make your coffee and bring and leave it one of the tables for you. How about a slice of chocolate or orange cake?”

He looks like he’s considering the options. “Chocolate would be lovely, thanks Imogen.” I smile and lift the plastic covering off the chocolate cake my mother made early this morning. I’m not great at baking, my forte is with the cooking and creating special dishes but baking, well let’s just say my mother is handling all of that for me here for the restaurant.

I’m taking classes to brush up on my skills and spending time early mornings with my mom to learn a thing or two. In any case, my mother loves to bake, and she is enjoying the fact that she will be directly involved in the restaurant.

I slice the cake and place it on one of the white China plates and take it with Johann’s coffee to the table.

There’s some cleaning I need to get done, the paperwork is all signed and sealed and I feel like hugging myself knowing this is my place for the time being. The opening night is only a couple of weeks away, so I’ve got plenty to be doing.

Some of my friends are pitching in to help with creating flyers and putting them up along main street, dropping them into stores and my friend Elkie is helping to get me in the local paper. Old man Dawson who runs the paper has promised to give me a full page spread right on the front.

As Johann works outside, I can’t help smiling. It’s really coming together. The guys will be here for opening night, Cody is going to be here too and my bestie, Autumn said she’d fly from New York to be here for support. That, and I know she’s going to be hooking up with Callaghan again. They’ve been seeing each other at practically every opportunity between his games and travel schedule.

I run through my list of things outstanding. The reception bar has been reoiled and you can see the beautiful knots in the wood, it really gives it that rustic charm and vibe I wanted. I’m so pleased with it. Dad suggested we change the top to a granite one because the original had seen better days. I chose a brownish, red granite and it arrives the day after tomorrow.

I still have to secure a band or an artist to sing for background during the opening. I’ve got a few in mind but considering going with our local band, Cassidy and Her Boys, one of my favorite bands. She’s such a nice girl and I love her voice. It’s a cross between Dolly Parton and Lana Del Rey. I know, right but trust me she sings like an Angel and her original work is beautiful. I’m looking for a definite country vibe for the opening night since my whole vibe is country, rustic-chic. And Cassidy and Her Boys, there are three of them, two on guitar and one on drums are the right voice for the opening night.

I sit at the reception desk on the high wooden stool and remind myself I need to change it for something a tad more comfortable, this one is so solid it kind of hurts my ass. Opening my laptop, I can’t help myself from peeking at Cody’s message again.

I miss you with all my heart and then some xoxo. It makes me smile and sends little shivers up and down my spine. It’s going to be amazing to see him again and maybe I need to have think about whether I want to carry on with this three-month break or not.

We know the baby is his and Luna will factor in our lives pretty much forever now. What’s the worst that can happen? I want to be with Cody. He wants to be with me. I just don’t get what is still holding me back.

Yeah, I know after my opening night and Thanksgiving which is the following week, he and Atlas go to Dallas. They’ve been drafted which came as a massive shock to both of them. Being home grown boys from here in Minnesota they kind of hoped that they’d play for our team forever. Only, we all know that isn’t how it works in any major league sports and especially not in NHL. The good thing is that they were both drafted together and start after the Thanksgiving holidays. At least Cody will have Atlas with him. That’s kind of flukey.

For me, it’s going to be weird not seeing Cody around town, even though I put a break on us seeing each other, I have seen him a few times between his games and travelling around the country. But seeing him this morning has ignited all the fire inside me once again and the longing to be in his arms and feel his lips kissing mine is so fierce.

“I’m nearly all done, Imogen.” Johann interrupts where my mind was about to go. I can feel myself blushing.

“Oh wow, that was quick.” Then I wonder just how long I’ve been sitting here daydreaming about Cody Brannigan instead of cracking on with my long list of things to do before opening night.

“I still have to finish the last couple of words but I thought you’d like to come and take a look.”

I’m off the stool faster than a rabbit running out of the headlights. “Absolutely I do.”

He opens the door for me, and I step outside. The crisp air hits me and I fold my arms and rub my hands on my arms to warm myself up. I still forget how cool and fresh it can be this time of year. I kind of think because the sun is out, we’re still in summer.

I look up and am blown away. “It’s perfect.” I breathe taking in the gold fancy script. “It really stands out against the green, don’t you think?”

I look at Johann who has his head cocked to one side. “It sure does. You made a good choice with the colors and the font, Imogen. It’s a stunner.”

“Thanks so much, Johann.” I take that as a massive compliment, since this is his art, and he knows what does and doesn’t look good. It means a lot to me.

“I’ll let you finish up. If you need me, I’ll be inside.” I tell him as I go to push the door open.

“Perfect, let me finish my coffee and eat my cake and then I’ll crack on.” We walk inside together, and Johann pulls out a chair at one of the round wood tables inside.

“You like it here?” I ask him. He’s lived in our hometown for the last two years having come from New York City too. Like me it didn’t work out too well for him there.

“Absolutely. The folk are really gentle here not like in NYC. It’s so fast there and nobody would hold a door open for you and the pace, don’t even get me started on that.”

I chuckle. “It’s a bit intense, right? My first business didn’t really take off there either, as you know but I’m hoping here it will. And, how about Casey, how are you two getting on?” He blushes. How adorable.

“We’re good, still early days.” He says and then puts a forkful of mom’s chocolate cake in his mouth. Casey is our librarian, and she has liked Johann ever since he came to down. It’s taken them nearly all that time to start dating. She is beyond shy, and Johann needed a push.

“Well, I am so pleased you two finally got around to dating each other. You know if you don’t ask a girl, she isn’t going to be able to say yes.”

“I know, I know.” He tucks into the rest of the cake. “I’m just shy.” He says. It’s too cute. I look at Johann and can see the appeal of him for Casey. He’s good looking in a boyish kind of way with his dark floppy hair that keeps getting into his blue eyes and curls at the nape of his neck, he’s got a firefighter’s strong body type, and it’s just adorable that a man as good looking and fit as he is, can be so damn shy. You’d expect him to be on the arrogant or confident side.

“This cake is delicious, Imogen. I’m going to have to go butter up your ma see if she’ll bake some for me.”

That makes me chuckle, my mother would love Johann turning up on the doorstep to be fed cake. “Any time, she’d love it.”

“Right, I better get back to work, that sign isn’t going to finish itself.” Johann stands and pats his stomach.

I nod and begin to clear the plate and cup and saucer away. It’s nice to have someone round to chat a bit too. I whistle as I busy myself cleaning up and then get back to the list and this time, I start writing my email to Cassidy to check if she and her guys can make it for the opening night.

My phone beeps.

Hey darlin’. Since I’m seeing you in a couple of weeks, would you like to go on a date before?

My heart skips, warmth creeps through my body. Damn Cody Brannigan, he makes me lust him from hundreds of damn miles away as the familiar warmth curses through my body. I clench my thighs together. He sure does have a pull on me and he’s not even standing next to me.