Addison Fox heaved the last box onto the dappled marble counter and stepped back to catch her breath. "I am not going to panic." Tossing her coat onto the bar stool next to her, she shot a glance at the clock above the massive brass espresso maker. The clock glared back, daring her to take the time to make a pot of coffee.
It was already past six A.M., which gave her less than an hour to prepare for the morning rush. "Great," she murmured, blowing a breath of frustration through her bangs.
It was the day after Thanksgiving, and the holiday season had fallen over the city of Denver with all the vivacity of a first snowfall. She'd had every intention of being prepared, but it was going to take much more than good intentions to get three boxes of Christmas decorations up in forty-five minutes.
Hands on her hips, she studied the boxes, trying to decide which decorations to put up now and which ones would have to wait until later. She opened the first box and wrinkled her nose at the rise of dust and the sight of the thrice-used coil of garland. Shoving the box aside for an expeditious return to the attic, she reached for the second and pried it open.
As always, she wanted everything to be perfect in the gourmet coffee shop she owned and operated. Located in the historical district of downtown, the Coffee Cup was the center of her life. She went to impossible lengths to keep the Kona fresh-brewed hourly, the apricot scones warm and soft, and the porcelain teapots arranged just so. It was that kind of perfectionism, according to The Denver Post, that had earned her the reputation of having the best coffee in town.
Addison spent countless hours blending unusual combinations of beans, experimenting with temperatures and grinds, striving for a more perfect cup of coffee. It was a career she cherished in a town she loved passionately. She adored her customers, with their quirky demands and tastes, and knew it was her attention to detail that had them coming back again and again.
After sinking her life savings into buying the previous owner's failing coffee shop, she'd spent two months redesigning the interior herself, combining antiques with the avant-garde, and old-world tradition with modem-day high-tech. The old-fashioned soda fountain inspired an aura of yesteryear while the scientific brewing techniques maintained the sophisticated tastes her customers demanded.
''They also expect you to open on time," she said aloud, shoving the box aside and attacking the next.
The bell mounted on the rear door jingled merrily. Addison looked up to see Gretchen Wentworth lugging a cardboard box onto the bar. "Don't ask," the woman said crossly, taking her bifocals from the tip of her nose to wipe away the condensation.
Addison lowered her eyes to hide the smile lurking behind them, knowing Gretchen didn't have a cross bone in her body. "I'll forgive you for being late if you make coffee, Gretch."
"You're easy when you're desperate." The older woman shoved the glasses back onto her nose and scowled at the clock.
"Would you make it Sumatra?" Addison added. "I need the extra caffeine this morning."
"It's going to take more than a little caffeine to get all these decorations up before the rush." Gretchen pulled off her coat and picked up Addison's, taking both to the small storage room at the rear of the store. "It's been twenty years since I overslept," she grumbled, sliding behind the counter.
"I didn't ask." Addison said. unconcerned. She opened the box her friend had hauled in, pulled out a string of tiny, colorful lights, and felt a flutter of childlike. excitement. "Do they blink?"
Gretchen scooped coffee beans from the glass display case and poured them into the grinder. Neither woman spoke as the grinder worked its magic. "Yes, they blink," she said when the grinding was finished. "At least they did last year."
Addison succumbed to a smile as she pulled the bundle of tangled lights from the box and carried them to the window at the front of the store. "Perfect," she said and went to work.
Two hours later, she stood behind the bar, watching the lights at the front window blink in an electrical rainbow of color that had her smiling again. Christmas was her favorite holiday, one she went all out to enjoy. She knew, however, this year would be different. It was her second Christmas at the Coffee Cup; her first without her parents.