The morning air carried a cool edge, the first hint that autumn was deepening. The sky was pale and still, streaked with soft gold as the sun rose over the rooftops of Maple Hollow.
Hannah arrived at the café just after dawn, her hands wrapped around a travel mug of coffee. The front windows were fogged from the chill, and the bell over the door gave its familiar soft jingle as she stepped inside.
Emma was already there. She sat by the window — notebook open, pen moving quickly across the page — her hair loosely tied, her face calm and focused in the quiet.
Hannah paused for a heartbeat, just watching her. The sight made something settle deep inside her, something warm and grounding.
"Morning," Hannah said softly, setting her bag on the counter.
Emma looked up, her face lighting with that easy smile that always reached her eyes. "Hey. I was hoping you'd show up before I had to make my own coffee."
Hannah laughed, rolling her eyes. "Tragic. What kind of monster lets you near the espresso machine?"
"The kind who knows I'd try anyway," Emma teased, closing her notebook.
They moved easily around each other as the café woke up — lights flicking on, ovens humming to life, the smell of freshly ground beans filling the air. It wasn't just routine anymore; it was rhythm. Familiar, shared, effortless.
When the first few customers trickled in, Hannah glanced up to find Emma watching her, a quiet smile playing at her lips.
"What?" Hannah asked, trying not to grin.
"Nothing," Emma said softly. "Just… you look happy."
Hannah felt heat rise to her cheeks. "Maybe I am."
The day stretched ahead of them — long, simple, full of the kind of peace that comes when two lives start to align in small, perfect ways.
And outside, the town began to stir — unaware that, inside that small coffee shop, something was quietly, beautifully taking root.