Christmas in July // A Story Excerpt!

Hello and Merry Christmas ?
Today I’m participating in Amanda Tero’s Christmas in July event! As you know, free shipping all month is available on Coffee Shop Christmas. And to celebrate, I’m giving you the first chapter of Coffee Shop Christmas! For those of you who have already read CSC, I have some bonus story prompts for you at the end of the post.

But now, for the chapter…

Those Sirens

The jingling of keys reached the ear of Deputy Ellis Wright. He smiled and hurried down the sidewalk. “Good morning, Ms. Katherine!”

Katherine Shannon smiled at the young policeman. “Good morning, Ellis.”

“I’ll check the place over for you this morning.”

Katherine nodded and let Ellis in ahead of her. Someone from the station always checked the building over before she opened up. Special orders from her police officer brother-in-law Dan.

Ellis flipped on the lights and scanned the front room of the coffee shop. Finding no one, he proceeded to the kitchen and store room. He returned to the counter, where Katherine was unpacking her grocery bags. “No one here but us. Do you need anything?”

“No thank you, Ellis, I believe I can manage. You’ll be stopping by later?”

“I think so, if they’ll let me go. I-”

The no-nonsense voice of a dispatcher echoed from the scanner mounted on the counter of The Coffee Shop. Ellis was paged. Saying a hasty goodbye, he sprinted out the door and across the street.

Blue and red lights bounced off the walls as a patrol car pulled out of the police station parking lot moments later.

And then the sirens.

Katherine buried her face in her hands as the car sped off. Her lips trembled as she prayed aloud, “Lord, be with Dan and Ellis as they answer this call. Help them to stay calm and level headed.”

Her breathing was unsteady. Her voice shook, betraying the tears welling up inside of her. “Protect them and bring them back safe. Please be with the ones who made the call. Keep them safe and let the situation be resolved quickly. Thy will be done, Father. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Katherine glanced up at the clock on her wall, her intense blue eyes taking in the numbers, 5:15 am. It was Christmas Eve and Katherine soon had coffee brewed and ready for purchase. The deep scent of roasted grounds swirled through her small shop, mingling with sweet vanilla, spicy cinnamon and sugary baked apples. But even these comforting smells couldn’t relax her.

Those sirens, she thought, brushing a wisp of chocolate brown hair behind her ear. Today, a year prior, she had heard about a convenience store robbery over the scanner. She heard her husband, Sgt. Bryson Shannon, respond that he would be heading right out. Knowing she had her scanner on at the house, he had said, “I love you, Katie!”

She blinked her eyes rapidly as she remembered the words… She didn’t know that was the last time she would hear Bryson’s voice.

She also recalled the text she had sent him, knowing his partner would read it to him. “I luv u, Bry J B careful <3.”

It hadn’t been long after that when her brother-in-law, Sgt. Dan Piper, and her sister Isabelle had driven up to her house in Dan’s squad car. Dan had hurried her to the back seat and sped off for the hospital…

Katherine closed her eyes, trying to shut out more memories. Why torture herself? Bryson was gone now, spending another Christmas in Heaven. At least his partner had survived. There was no sense in rehashing the painful memories.

Ever since that day Katherine had purposed in her heart that, with God’s help, she would not become bitter. It would only hurt worse. Besides, why should she begrudge her husband his promotion to Heaven, the only promotion he had ever really wanted? And one day she would join him.

The weeks and months following Bryson’s death had been hard. Katherine found herself waiting up nights for Bryson to come home, only to realize he never would. Then she would relive the pain anew. She was all alone in that big empty house.

But grief wasn’t her only foe. Katherine had been a homemaker all her life, and now she had to find a means of supporting herself. She and Bryson had never been blessed with children, though they had wanted them dearly. Cleaning her own house wouldn’t put food on her table, and she didn’t want to be a burden on her family. Surely there was something she could do to pay the bills!

It was Dan who had suggested she reopen the old coffee shop across the street from the police station. She was good at baking and making specialty coffee drinks…Bryson had always emphasized that fact to his co-workers. It seemed the perfect solution, and with a little help from Dan and Isabelle, the place had been obtained and fixed up.

The name was simple: The Coffee Shop. Straight to the point, just how Katherine liked it. As you entered the building, you could see the whole dining area. Three booths on the left and three on the right were perfect for business meetings of four or less. The four small tables in the middle space were usually taken by couples or single occupants. Six swivel seats lined the long counter, which were the favorite perches for her police friends.

The decorations were warm and inviting. Katherine was a lover of vintage and country pieces, adding to the charm of the small structure. She had a section dedicated to the Police Force she loved and a Military display was across from it on the opposite wall. Nothing too big, but big enough.

It looked just right: down to earth and cozy.

A small tree was in the front window adorned with homemade coffee mug ornaments sprinkled among the Nativity ones. She had also added a few squad cars in tribute to her husband. Since it was Christmas, each table had a small Nativity centerpiece and a larger one was displayed on the counter.

The bell above the door jingled and Deputy Peter Cox walked in. He was one of the young men Bryson had been able to lead to the Lord before his death. Pulling herself out of her melancholy, Katherine forced a smile as he approached the counter. “Morning, Deputy Cox. What can I do for ya?”

“I’m in the mood for something different…how about the Peppermint Mocha?”

Katherine nodded. “Coming right up. That’ll be $2.50.”

“Alright…” Peter replied, counting out the money. “Do me a favor and don’t tell the fellows I got a sweet coffee. They’ll never let me live it down!” The two laughed as Katherine gave him his change.

As she fixed the warm drink, she asked, “How’s Amy adjusting to our town?”

Peter’s face lit up at the mention of his new wife. “She loves it! She misses her family of course, but she says our town’s like stepping back into the 40’s or 50’s. At first, I thought she meant that as a put down, but then she told me she’d always dreamed of living in a town like this. It’s large but has that small town feel. And she’s in love with the library.”

“Oh, yes. I know how she feels about the town and the library. I borrowed a new book from there, a WWII novel about the fall of Paris. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’ll let you know how it turns out.”

Peter nodded eagerly. He loved reading historical novels when he had the chance, and his wife shared that love. He took the coffee Katherine handed him. “Amy said she wants me to bring her here when I get a day off. I’ve been talking about your coffee and your chocolate chip cookies. She wants to find out if your cookies are anything like her mother’s.”

Katherine laughed, beginning to relax. Talking to others helped the unpleasant memories of the previous year fade away. “You bring her and I’ll give her one on the house as a welcome to the neighborhood. I’ll look forward to the taste testing!”

Before long Peter took his leave, and Katherine was left once more to watch the officers coming and going from the station through her front window. Dan and Ellis were still out on their call. Again she prayed for their safety…and again past memories flooded her mind.

She hadn’t been enthusiastic about entering the world of police officers when she and Bryson had first moved to the cozy town. Not that she didn’t appreciate the force and their work; she was just looking forward to less stress once Bryson left the military…but God had other plans.

Katherine soon found that with her military wife experience, she was able to relate better to the other police wives and their families. She knew what it was like to stay awake late into the night waiting for the “Everything’s alright, nothing to worry about” email, text or phone call. Many of the men on the force were younger than she and Bryson, so their families appreciated the understanding and advice from an experienced couple.

A smiled slowly made its way across her face. Katherine liked these warm, happy memories. She had become the “special aunt” to all the children born to the men at the station. They loved the new tradition of getting a free birthday cookie at The Coffee Shop and often sent pictures they had colored for her to hang up on her bulletin board.

Some boys on the force seemed to think of her as an aunt themselves. Special events were told to her, and certain trials were shared as well. She was honored that they would share their triumphs and trials with her.

Of course, these tough guys would never call it “sharing their trials”…they were too “cool” for that! But they knew Mrs. Shannon would always have a Bible verse or a story to share from her husband Bryson’s experiences that always seemed to help.

Katherine’s thoughts now went back to those first few months after Bryson’s death. There wasn’t a day that went by without one of the fellows stopping by her house, just to make sure she was alright. Sometimes they would bring their family over for a short visit or drop off a meal. They were just as supportive to her as her church and family. In fact, in a very special way, they were her family.

Katherine understood the potential danger these men faced every day and she took it seriously. What a tragedy it would be for one of these brave men to lose his life for all eternity while possibly saving another life!

This sense of urgency spurred Katherine to action. The tract rack on the counter always had plenty of material for her to hand out and small scripture plaques dotted the establishment. No, Katherine Shannon was not one of God’s lazy laborers.

She wiped down the chalkboard menu that was normally propped up behind the counter. It was smudged and needed updating. She carefully wrote the season’s specials on the board, as well as the old faithfuls.

Due to many requests, Salted Caramel Lattés had been added to the list, though Katherine personally wasn’t crazy over them. But she did like the Peppermint Mochas. Mint Chocolate was a favorite of everyone who tried it, as well as her Home-style Hot Chocolate.

To add some zest to the same old classics, Katherine had renamed them. The Squad Car Special was simply a cup of coffee and a pastry of the customer’s choice. It was a personal joke between her and her brother-in-law because of the age-old police-donut-coffee stereotype.

A laugh escaped her as she remembered Dan begging her not to carry donuts in her shop. “It’ll only make the teasing worse!”

“You don’t have to eat them, Dan,” she had defended, for she personally liked homemade donuts.

“I never should have suggested you open this place,” he mockingly lamented. She still remembered the look of “horror” on his face when he found out what The Squad Car Special was.

Just as she finished up her sign, a car pulled up outside the shop…a police car.
 

To Find out What Happens Next, Place your Order for "Coffee Shop Christmas"! And now for the Story Prompts...

Also, don't forget to check out these blog stops over the next several days...

July 7, 2018
Author  Alicia G. Ruggieri
http://www.aliciagruggieri.com/category/abrighterdestiny/
Discount: The House of Mercy e-book
 
July 8, 2018
Author Sarah Holman
www.thedestinyofone.com
Discount: Emmeline
 
July 9, 2018
Author A.M. Heath
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Giveaway: In the Shadow of Thy Wings
 
Author Kelsey Bryant
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Discount: Suit and Suitability ebook
 
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Author Kelsey Bryant
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July 11, 2018
Author Rachel Rossano
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July 12, 2018
Author Amanda Tero
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Free eBook: Hartly Manor
 
July 13, 2018
Author Kate Willis
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Free eBook: Enjoy the Poodle Skirt
 
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Author Kendra E. Ardnek
knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com
Vlog and Giveaway: The most romantic fairy tales
 
July 16, 2018
Author A.M. Heath
https://amheathblog.wordpress.com/
Giveaway: Out of the Ashes

Author Jessica Greyson
Blog: http://www.jessicagreyson.com/

July 17, 2018
Author Rebekah Morris
www.readanotherpage.com
Discount: The Unexpected Request
Free: Choices for Max
 
July 18, 2018
Author Emily Ann Benedict
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Author Erika Mathews
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Free: Gather ‘Round The Fables
 
July 20, 2018
Author Ryana Lynn
www.lifeofheritage.com
Blog post: character interview.
 
July 21, 2018
Author Rebekah Morris
www.readanotherpage.com
Sale: to be announced
 
July 23, 2018
Author Amanda Tero
http://withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com/
Discount: Journey to Love, Befriending the Beast, The Secret Slipper
 
July 24, 2018
Author Rebekah Morris
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Blog: Special upcoming release announcement
 
July 25, 2018
Author Emily Ann Benedict
https://www.facebook.com/Emily-Ann-Benedict-164350249985/
Giveaway: The Father Christmas Confessions.
 
July 26, 2018
Author  Faith Blum
www.faithblum.wordpress.com
Blog: Special upcoming release announcement and book sale
 
July 27, 2018
Author Alicia G. Ruggieri
http://www.aliciagruggieri.com/category/abrighterdestiny/
Discount: A Time of Grace: The Complete Series
Blog: Spotlight on new book
 
July 28, 2018
Author Abigayle Claire
https://theleft-handedtypist.blogspot.com
Giveaway and discount: Andora’s Folly
 
July 30, 2018
Author Alicia G. Ruggieri
http://www.aliciagruggieri.com/category/abrighterdestiny/
Discount: The Mystery of the Missing Cufflinks
 
July 31, 2018
Author Amanda Tero
http://withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com/
Giveaway and new release: “Finding Christmas Joy”

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“Christmas Is a Gift” CD (Amanda Tero)
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Ebook copy of Coffee Shop Christmas  (Ryana Lynn )
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A Holy Passion softcover (Alicia G. Ruggieri)
Ebook copy of Martin Hospitality and Andora’s Folly (Abigayle Claire)
Trust and Obey notebook (Faith Blum)
Kendra E. Ardnek - paperback of The Worth of a King (Just as soon as it comes out.)
eCopy of book one and two in the Father Christmas Series (Emily Ann Benedict)
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eBooks of “Finding Christmas Joy,” “Noelle’s Gift,” and “Hartly Manor” (Amanda Tero)
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A HolyPassion e-book (Alicia G. Ruggieri)
Ebook copy of Martin Hospitality and Andora’s Folly (Abigayle Claire)
The Worth of a King e-ARC (Kendra E. Ardnek)
eCopy of book one and two in the Father Christmas Series (Emily Ann Benedict)
Audiobook of Sufficient Grace (Jessica Greyson)
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Have a blessed day and Merry Christmas ?
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22