A Warm Cup of Kindness

Cameron had decided not to return to the Coffee Shop for over a week. The influx of new manuscripts seemed to increase each day. Most of everything had been slush and quickly tossed but they were able to gather quite a few gems for the E-book Promotion. Sam's book had been returned to him and sat in Cameron's desk. Jacob had agreed with the quality.

"I hope you find a way to contact this writer, because if we can get the publishing rights we could have a sure-fire bestseller on our hands," he said. Except nowhere he looked could he find anything. No website, Facebook page, Patreon, Instagram...nothing. He had googled "Samantha Hartford" several dozen times with no concrete leads. This girl seemed to have no presence anywhere online. Maybe she had stopped by the Coffee shop again? Yet he did not want to risk the chance of running into Melody. His phone rang and he picked up the receiver.

"Thank you for calling Johnson & Grant Publishing this is Cameron Johnson speaking," he said.

"Mr. Johnson," the female voice on the other line said, "I believe you have something of mine." He felt his heart leap a little.

"What would you be speaking of?"

"My book..." she said. He paused for a moment, then realization hit him, and his heart seemed to launch right out of his chest.

"Is this...Miss Hartford?"

"Umm yes..."

"How did you??"

"Mason gave me your business card...." she said. Right, he had left it with Mason when he last visited the shop. He tried to ignore the pounding in his chest.

"I do apologize once again for your sweater..."

"It's alright Mr. Johnson," she said, "I... I heard you were interested in publishing my book. I hope you understand the manuscript is nowhere near finished."

"Of course," Cameron said, "we would be willing to give you time to finish. If you're interested in working with us."

"Mr. Johnson you are one of the biggest publishers in the US. I-I would love to work with you."

"Wonderful," Cameron said, "is it possible for us to um...meet up so I can return your book."

"Well, I actually live out of state," she said, "I was only in town for a couple days to visit family. I could give you my address so you could mail the book back."

"That-that would work," He said, ignoring the disappointment that settled in. No, this would be strictly a business relationship, nothing more. He wrote down her address with the promise that he would send the book out right away.

"Thank you for calling Miss Hartford," he said," I-I look forward to hopefully seeing you again some time soon."

"Umm me too. And please call me Sam," she said.

"Alright Sam. Take care and let us know when you wish to submit your finished manuscript."

* * * * * *

Cameron entered the shop grinning widely, Mason looked up and cocked an eyebrow.

"She called," Cameron said, "the writer, I just sent her book in the mail back to her."

"Nice...you should have seen her face when I handed her your business card. It was like I had given her a Golden Ticket," Mason said, "So is this going to still be strictly business?"

"Yes," Cameron said, "seriously can you get your mind off girls for two seconds."

"Well I’m dating her cousin now," Mason said.

"You’re what," Cameron said. Mason had not dated anyone since he had come back home to help his parents. In college he seemed to have a different girlfriend every week. He never did anything with them, mostly because he said his mom would kill him if he did. Yet the relationships all seemed to fizzle out quickly.

“How long?” Cameron said.

“Not long, about a week or so. But... Bro she’s amazing. Unlike any woman I’ve met before.”

“Well don’t get too carried away Romeo,” Cameron said. He took a moment to look around the shop only for his stomach to fall out. Melody sat at one of the tables reading a book and sipping her coffee carefully. She did not seem to notice Cameron had walked in completely absorbed in her book. Her hair was down hanging over one shoulder. His stomach clenched up in knots. After a moment he walked over purposefully. Melody looked up and paused mouth open.

“Cam... Mr. Johnson,” she said.

“Miss Bryant. I want to apologize profusely once again for my actions towards you in High School. I was a complete well...asshole and you didn’t deserve that. You didn’t deserve any of it...I don’t know if you’ll ever forgive me, but I did want to tell you that I deeply regret everything I did.” Melody sat there her glasses sitting on the edge of her nose, her mouth still open. They both stared at each other for several long moments. Melody cleared her throat and pushed her glasses back up her nose.

“Thank you for your apology Mr. Johnson...” she said, “but as you can see I am very busy right now, so if you could please leave me alone...”

“I understand,” he said, “umm...take care.” She nodded and returned to her book. Cameron turned and started towards the door. The bell jingled and he saw a bubbly woman he recognized bounce in. Mason saw her and the biggest smile appeared on his face.

“Kitty, good to see you,” he said.

“You too,” Kitty said smiling back. Cameron walked past them back out into the cold.

* * * * * *

Hours later Melody lay on her bed in an overlarge pajama shirt thinking about Cameron and his apology. He had seemed so genuine and earnest. So different from the arrogant boy she had known. And handsome too. She buried her face in her pillow. Seriously? Cameron Johnson handsome?

Kitty of course was with Mason. Already this seemed so different from Kitty’s previous relationships. She had come back from their first date in an almost blissful daze. And every day afterwards Kitty seemed so... happy, content. And Mason... he never touched Kitty, never did anything to her. He was a good man. Melody smiled sitting up. Kitty needed a good man. A knock came at the front door of the apartment. Curious, she walked over and opened the door to see Mitch standing there.

"Hey beautiful," he said flashing a smile, "long time no see." Melody pulled the shirt she was wearing lower trying to cover her bare legs.

"Go away Mitch," she said her cheeks burning, "I don't want to talk to you."

"Aww come on Babe don't be like that," he said.

"I'm not your babe anymore. Leave now," she said. Mitch ignored her and walked right past her into the apartment.

"Hasn't changed one bit," he said glancing around at everything.

"You realize I can call the police and charge you with trespassing," Melody said still trying to pull the shirt lower. She should have put on pants. Mitch turned back to her hands in the pockets of his leather jacket.

"Mel please, let's not start this again. I came here to apologize."

"For what, being a complete pig?"

"Hey, I'm willing to put things behind us and start over. Don't you miss me at all?"

"No," She said, "Mitch please leave, I've had a long day and I would much rather be alone."

"Hey I could cheer you up if you let me..."

"No," she said, "I don't want to be cheered up. I want you to leave." She pointed towards the door feeling her frustration bubbling inside her again. This stupid pompous eel...why would he not just leave her alone. Mitch looked at her his eyes not the least bit frightened. Fear started to tighten its grip around her.

"Mitch please just leave," she said her voice cracking slightly, "I really don't want to talk to anyone right now."

"Don't be like that..." he said and stepped forward.

"Hey," A deep voice said. They both turned to see another guy standing right outside the door of the apartment leaning casually against the wall. He looked shorter than Mitch, but not by much. The gaze he had centered on Mitch looked almost poisonous.

"I think the lady told you to take a hike buddy," the stranger said softly in his deep baritone voice.

"Mind your own business," Mitch said turning towards the stranger. The stranger lifted the edge of his coat to show a badge and a gun holstered to his waist.

"Unfortunately, it is my business," he said, "she mentioned charging you with trespassing...I could take her with me down to the station and we could fill out the paperwork right now." Mitch stood there face bright red. He turned towards Melody before stomping out of the apartment and down the hall. The stranger smiled and lowered his coat before heading down the opposite end of the hall.

"Wait," Melody called after him as she entered to hallway, "Ummm, thank you Officer..."

"I'm no officer Miss," he said, "just a person passing through."

"But the badge..."

"I'm off duty..." he said, "though I do keep it on me for punks like him. My captain would be pissed if he knew I was waving it around though. I live a couple apartments down the hall. Ex-boyfriend?"

"Yeah...a mistake honestly."

"We all have them," he said, "sorry I failed to introduce myself properly. Detective Ryan Olson."

"Melody Bryant," she said, "and thank you Detective."

"You're welcome, Miss Bryant, let me know if he shows up again."

"Will do..." She said. Ryan walked down the hall and she stared after him before ducking back inside the apartment. Only a moment went by before she realized her heart was pounding. This was not time to be developing a crush on her neighbor. After Mitch she had sworn off dating, figuring she would never get married despite her family's insistence. She barely knew him anyway. Still despite his intimidating presence she sensed something quite gentle about him. Glancing at the clock she noticed the time, she needed to get to bed if she wanted to be rested for work tomorrow. Putting thoughts of Detective Ryan Olson out of her mind she crawled into bed.