I'm Still Here

When A Scheme Comes Together

Sadie's POV

A long night waking up every couple of hours to check on Ryleigh's coughing had me needing an extra large cup of coffee to make it through my twelve hour shift. I can also use a sweet smile from the woman who makes the delicious nectar of the gods. Upon strolling into One Hale of a Bakery, my attention is drawn to the overly flustered Susanna that is usually calm and cheerful. She drums her fingers among the glass counter top grumbling over something that keeps her focused on her cell phone. Susanna jumps putting a hand to her chest when she notices my presence at the counter.

"Sadie, girl you startled me! The usual?" Susanna hurries off to the coffee bar behind her grabbing a medium cup before I can ask for an upgrade. I want to say something but her unusual behavior has me quietly keep to myself. She grabs a freshly cooked ham and cheese croissant from the rack behind her placing it next to my coffee on the counter. "Stupid email," She continues to mutter to herself over whatever has her worked up this morning. I slide over the cash arching a brow at the agitated woman.

"Email? Susanna, something has your feathers all ruffled up this morning. Everything okay?" She hands me back my change then props her elbows on the counter dropping her head into her hands.

"Just annoyed with being told I am doing something without letting me think about it," she sighs frustratedly never lifting her face. Then it clicks. Must be a man...or family.

"Ah, sounds like a man issue," my words pop Susanna's head out of her hands.

"No man. What are you talking about it? Man? Pfft." Susanna becomes more in a tizzy than before.

"Well," I say drawing out the accent that has grown on me, "if it's not a man, then why are your cheeks becoming a permanent shade of red?" I sip my coffee observing the auburn haired woman shake her head furiously. She stutters over trying to find the words to answer me while she sidesteps to rearrange the items in the display case. "Do you ever date? Maybe you need to relax a bit. You seem a tad stressed, hun."

"Excuse me?" Susanna jerks her head up from behind the glass case narrowing her eyes. I struck a nerve. Shit, she's the last person I want to make angry. There are certain people you don't piss off, that includes those who make your coffee. "I could say the same for you. We all would know if the new girl that moved here a couple years ago had a date." This is unlike Susanna. I've never heard her snap like this towards me or other customers. Maybe it's time for me to go.

"You're right, Susanna. I could use a date but I also don't live in a fairytale. Anyways, I should go. Hope you have a—," just before I could finish my sentence, the bells above the door jingle with a sound of heavy boots stomping in. Susanna's skin flushes once more seeing the figure behind me. Her eyes widen as she rounds the display case. She quickly makes her way to me as my eyes trail over the infamous bad boy of not only country music, but of Jackson County.

"Sorry about earlier. I, I.. uh I need to get back to work," Susanna smiles placing a hand on my arm guiding me towards the door.

"Why Susie Q are you trying to usher me out for some reason?" Giggling at Susanna, we both stop hearing snickering coming from the only other person in here who is studying Susanna like a restaurant menu. She drops her hand from my arm and stalks over to Brantley. I've never met him in person but between town gossip and my daughter's obsession for country music I felt that I knew his life story.

Excessive grumbling between the two occurs as soon as Susanna gets within inches of him. It becomes loud hushed whispers that is escalating into something more by the second. A big palm wraps around her waist yanking her close to him. Susanna does everything possible not to lay her hands among the snug fitting black shirt Brantley is wearing. Susanna finally places her hands against his chest only to push away from him. She leaves that man standing there with hunger in his eyes and a proud, sinful grin.