Chapter Text
A big box of pastries in her arms, Jo struggled to open the back door of her shop. They were freshly cooked by the bakery next door and she could feel their heat through the package. Once inside, she rushed to put them in the glass counter, light all the candles on the tables and check if everything was ready.
It was ten minutes before the opening, and there were already people waiting outside the door. Jo couldn't believe she managed to get that many customers this fast. Her coffee shop had only been open for three months, but she already had a solid base of regulars. Of course the first weeks the place was crowded by curious, but apparently a lot of them liked what they found and kept coming back.
Jo bought the shop with the help of her mother, Ellen, and her step-father Bobby. Ellen was running a bar that bounty hunters had elected as their meeting place, and he was the guy that they called for intel or when in need for some help. Bobby was a former hunter himself, one of the best of the former generation, really, and he knew everything there was to know about the job. His pride and goodness wouldn't let him take money from the hunters he helped, so they took the habit of leaving very big tips to Jo when she still worked has a waitress in her mom's bar.
It was still not enough money to buy a place with a good location though. She had to go see a few banks, and despite her experience and contribution her mom had to step in has a warrant for Jo to get a loan. Three months later and she had found the perfect shop on a little street, in a pedestrian area. Sure, it needed some work, but it was in her price range. The electricity and plumbing were good, so it was mostly cleaning and decorating anyway.
After a couple of months and the help of some of her friends, there it was. Rustic, warm and cozy, just like she dreamed it. The walls were all white painted bricks and sanded wooden planks, hanging plants lit by yellow roof lights and colorful strings lights. There was a dozen tables scattered in the store, green cushions on the wooden chairs. When the weather would be softer, Jo had planned to set a few more tables in front of the shop window.
But it was only the beginning of spring and her customers were probably freezing outside. With a quick look at the clock, she went to open the doors, a few minutes early.