The Cowboy and the Barista

Chapter One

I’d never been into cowboys, and believe me I’d known a few. But if you were only going by physical appearances, this one sort of made me want to change my stance on that. He looked a bit out of place standing in line at my new coffeehouse. He was tall as an oak, tanned the color of caramel, and his gaze scanned the room suspiciously like a laser. I couldn’t see the color of his hair because he had a black Stetson pulled down tight, and he was fingering it like a security blanket. He sure didn’t look like a white mocha latte with chocolate drizzle kind of guy. I’d have thought this fella’s type would be more comfortable at the local gas station, enjoying the kind of no nonsense swill they would specialize in.

I would have preferred staring at him some more, but it was opening day and I had all the town cheapskates to tend as they lined up for their free samples.

“Excuse me, sir, this is empty.” A red haired lady most likely in her forties shoved the empty cream container toward me. “Also, is anything else free today or just the coffee?”

 I forced a pleasant smile as I refilled the creamer. “Just the coffee today I’m afraid. It’s a sample so you can decide if you’d like to come back as a customer some time.”

She grimaced and wandered away sipping her brew. I stifled a smile as her expression registered surprise, and she gave a small nod of approval. That’s why I’m here, lady. This town needed some quality java.

One more customer and then the cowboy would be next. My pulse beat quicker than usual, and I wiped my sweating palms on my apron.

 “You want me on register?” Scott, my twentysomething barista was standing beside me, eyes pinned on our cowboy friend.

 “I’m good. Shouldn’t you be making drinks or something?” I asked.

Scott grinned. “Yes.” He didn’t move.

I glanced at the tickets flowing from the printer over by the espresso machine where my other barista, Lindsay was working furiously trying to keep up and elbowed him. “Go. Now. Make drinks.”

“Yes, boss.” He slumped and walked back to his station, dragging his feet.

The cowboy was up at the counter now, and I smiled trying not to seem as nervous as I felt. He was even better up close. Smooth dark brows, sky blue eyes and full lips. Faded jeans fit his long legs nicely, and as he moved closer I got a whiff of cinnamon and vanilla. Not exactly what I was expecting this rough cowboy to smell like.

 “Don’t suppose you just sell regular coffee here?” His voice was rich and husky.

“Of course. We…we do everything here,” I said.

His mouth twitched. “Everything?”

“Pretty much.” 

“So I can get my tires rotated too?”

Oh would I love to rotate your tires. “We’d be willing to try.” I smiled. “Customer service is very important to us.” Oh my God I sounded like an idiot. “Would you like the dark roast or the medium?”

His brows rose. “Wow, I get a choice? I’ll have the dark.”

My fingers were shaking as I got his coffee and popped the lid on. “This is on the house today because of our grand opening.” Our fingers brushed as he grasped the cup and I literally felt a tingle run up my arm. Granted this small town was scarce on good looking guys my age, but still you’d think I’d never seen a sexy man before.

 “You’re not going to stay in business long giving stuff away for free,” he drawled.

 “It’s just today. It’s not actually my business model.” I laughed. “Everyone likes free and you have to do something to entice people to veer from their usual pattern.”

He nodded and threw a twenty dollar bill into the tip jar. “Good luck to you.”

My eyes widened at his unexpected generosity. “Wow, appreciate that.”

“No problem.”

“Thank you,” Scott said from behind me, eyeing the money.

I scowled at Scott. “Go help Lindsay. What is the matter with you today?”

We both watched the cowboy leave the building. “I got distracted,” Scott said. He sighed and went back to pretending to work.