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A chill—or a least one that could be counted for Southern California—had settled into the area. It was a good fifteen degrees cooler than it had been yesterday supposedly.
Penny thought it felt rather nice outside.
However, her patrons didn’t agree, judging by the fact that most hadn’t arrived yet for the night.
Sighing, she nodded at Jimmy that he was free to go. If it was going to be a slow night, there was no need to ruin both of their nights waiting for customers to show up.
“Don’t worry, little chickadee,” Jimmy murmured as he passed her to leave. “They’ll come back.”
“I certainly hope so,” she sighed before she rubbed his shoulder in goodbye. If she had more slow days like this, she'd have to start making some painful cuts.
For the next two hours, it was unbearably quiet.
But she had managed to get quite a bit of cleaning done.
The second she heard the bell ding above the front doors, she glanced towards the entryway, wondering who it could be now. She hadn't seen a single customer in hours.
She smiled the moment she saw Pete. Tom must have stayed home with Amelia. “What’s this?” she asked, motioning to the drinks in his hands. She didn’t recognize the outside of the containers.
“Something to cheer you up while I keep you company.” He handed her a cup. “Be careful. It’s hot.”
She didn’t figure it was coffee, since he knew she couldn’t stand the stuff unless it had a ton of milk and sugar in it, which he swore ruined it. She brought the steaming cup up to her mouth, smelling the rich scent of cinnamon and apples that came up through the hole in the lid.
“Is this what I think it is, Pete Mitchell?” It had been so long since she had drank apple cider.
He shrugged slyly, taking a sip from his own cup in an effort to excuse himself from answering.
She carefully took a drink, swallowing the confirmed warm, delicious apple cider he brought for her.
“Where on earth did you find this?”
She could have kissed him. She really could. She loved a good hot apple cider. She always had ever since she came across that apple orchard in Wisconsin. Gay something or another. She couldn't remember the full town's name.
“There was a little stand down the road selling it that Ice and I found yesterday," he grinned. "Good, though?”
“Very.”
His grin widened before he squeezed her hand gently atop of her wedding ring he gave her. “I’m glad.”
“Every time I think I can’t fall in love with you anymore, you once again surprise me, Captain Mitchell.”
“What can I say? I spoil you rotten, Mrs. Mitchell.”
She giggled, happily drinking the rest of her delicious apple cider.
And to think . . . her father used to despise this wonderful man of hers. Good thing she didn’t listen.
Or follow relationship rules and limit herself to having only one amazing man in her life. She couldn't imagine being with anyone other than Pete and Tom nowadays.