Chas's Fervor: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 3) by Chiah Wilder

for including her, as it helped get her out of her apartment.
    “I’ll get those, Margaret. They’re too heavy for you.”
    “Nonsense. They’re not any heavier than my grandkids, and I carry them just fine.”
    Smiling, Addie scooped the books out of her hands anyway. “I know you can handle it, but I need you at the front desk. I’ll re-shelve these.” Balancing the stack of books against her chest, her chin baring down on the top one, Addie walked over to the Home Improvement and Garden stacks, set the books down, and started placing them where they needed to go. Grateful for the distraction, her mind focused on the placement of the returned books and not on Jack’s gorgeous father.
    After she was done, Addie glanced at the clock, a look of dismay shadowing her face—only fifteen minutes had passed. Dammit! I can’t stand here pretending I’m not waiting for him. I have to get out of here. Checking her pockets, she pulled out a twenty dollar bill. She walked up to the circulation desk and told Margaret, “I’m going to go across the street for an iced chai. Do you want anything?”
    The white-haired woman smiled. “No, thanks, dear. I’ll make myself a nice cup of hot tea. I have my own tea bags. Go ahead, your face looks strained. Take a break and relax. Working all the time is not good for you.”
    “I know. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
    Outside, the late afternoon sun shone over the jagged peaks of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Falling leaves skittered across the sidewalks as a light wind weaved itself among the elm and maple trees. A strong pine scent drifted in the air from the evergreens which stood majestically along tree-lined Redleaf Ave.
    Crossing the street, Addie headed to Latte and Such to grab a chai. Taking a deep breath, she reveled in the clean mountain air filling her lungs. She’d never tire of its freshness, and several times during the day she’d step out, and take big gulps of it. At night, she’d stand on her balcony and simply inhale the sweet scent of small-town living. It was like she was addicted to it. She’d never have thought of breathing anything too deeply in Chicago. The nasty smells associated with big-city living made oxygen shops and air fresheners, which released fake scents every thirty minutes, necessary. Since Addie and Ian had lived in a high-rise, she could never open a window—she lived in either air conditioning or gas heat. When she’d step outside her building, pollution from the factories and thousands of cars had surrounded her. She didn’t even realize how much she missed clean, pure air until she landed in Pinewood Springs. The residents took breathing in the awesome, natural scents for granted, but she relished it every day, never knowing breathing could be so enjoyable.
    When she opened the front door of the small coffee and tea shop, the bells hanging above the door chimed. Suzy, a young lady of about eighteen, stepped out from the back and greeted Addie with a smile as she wiped down the top of the glass counter.
    “Hi, Addie. How’s your day so far?”
    Eyeing the freshly baked brownies on a white paper doily in the clear display case, Addie replied, “Not too bad, thanks.” Shifting her eyes up to Suzy, Addie smiled at the young lady.
    Suzy had been working at the coffee house since she had started high school. Addie liked the ambitious girl, and even though they weren’t far apart in age, Addie felt like she was so much older—like she was her mother or something. Maybe it was because Addie had dealt with so much more than most people her age had.
    “Iced chai, right?”
    Addie nodded.
    “How ’bout a brownie?” Suzy asked when Addie directed her attention back to the case. “They’re super good. Lois just baked them.”
    “They smell amazing. I really shouldn’t. I’m trying to cut down a bit, you know.” Addie was sure Suzy had no clue since she was naturally lean and probably never struggled a day with her weight.