would be working to make my mother, grandmother, and aunt proud. I would live the kind of life that none of them ever had the chance to. My mother and aunt because they were silenced far too soon, and my grandmother because she had sacrificed her own dreams to single handedly raise me. Fortunately, I had the perfect business partner who was more than willing to jump on board…
“Did the shipment of porcelain coffee mugs arrive yet?” Eduardo inquired, slipping his arms around my waist and greeting me with a kiss.
“Not yet. But the espresso machine is here. Direct from Italy. Tah-dah!” I pointed to the gorgeous silver contraption that had cost a good chunk of our investment funds. But it was a top-of-the-line Italian model, and I knew the designer machine would multiply our investment many times over.
“Beautiful.” Eduardo whistled his impression. “Want to make me a cup?”
“Um, why don’t you make me a cup?” I suggested, still not having mastered the art of brewing an exquisite pot of coffee (or a decent one for that matter). I planned on leaving that task to Eduardo and the crew of fresh faced baristas we had just hired. My role would be to handle the books…and Eduardo’s muscular body. Exhilarated just to be in the same room with him, I had never in my 30 years felt so much in love.
“Will do,” Eduardo agreed with a grin, plugging the machine in and working his coffee b ean magic.
As I admired my boyfriend fixing me a delicious drinkable treat, I reflected on how much he had helped me heal since we had been together. Eight months after learning that everything I ever believed about my mother was false, I was still making baby steps in moving forward. Through it all, including the pending conspiracy trial of Jacinta Canton, Eduardo patiently stayed at my side and encouraged me to cry whenever I needed to. Even better, after brainstorming literally hundreds of names for our café, he had let me pick the one that resonated in my heart and added a sentimental touch to our business.
“Here you are, mi amor ,” he proudly handed me a steaming cup of espresso.
“ Gracias ,” I whispered, pressing my lips to the rim of the cup and letting the sensual aroma fill my senses.
“So what do you think? Will we be ready to open for business next week on schedule?” He asked, pouring himself a cup and clinking mine in an informal toast.
“Definitely,” I replied confidently, feeling my eyes become misty with raw emotion. “Nana’s Coffeehouse will be ready to open its doors to the world.”
***
*BONUS SECTION*
10 COFFEE & MOCHA-INFUSED TREATS
TURN THE PAGE TO BREW UP SOMETHING SWEET…
Recipe #1
Iced Mocha Decadence
12 cups water
5 tbsp coffee
2 tbsp vanilla
¼ cup cocoa powder
¾ cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups sugar
Whipped cream
Fudge topping (optional)
Add 12 cups of water to a coffee pot, and place 5 tablespoons of coffee into the filter. In a pitcher combine cocoa, sugar and cream. When the coffee is brewed, pour into the pitcher and whisk around until blended. Add vanilla extract for a flavor kick. Cool, then refrigerate for 2 hours, pour over ice and serve to as many as 8 guests. Serve with whipped cream and maybe even a few squirts of fudge topping!
Recipe #2
Caramel Chocolate Latte
¼ cup hot espresso
½ cup steamed milk
Caramel topping
Chocolate shavings (optional)
Espresso beans (optional)
Stir together hot espresso, steamed milk and caramel topping in a large mug. Top with foamed milk or whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings or espresso beans. Serve with butter cookies for dunking or your favorite sweet!
Recipe #3
Chocolate Peppermint Coffee
1 tbsp chocolate syrup
2 tbsp peppermint baking chips (melted)
½ cup hot coffee
Chocolate chip mint ice cream (optional)
Stir together the 3 ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Serve warm.
“Did the shipment of porcelain coffee mugs arrive yet?” Eduardo inquired, slipping his arms around my waist and greeting me with a kiss.
“Not yet. But the espresso machine is here. Direct from Italy. Tah-dah!” I pointed to the gorgeous silver contraption that had cost a good chunk of our investment funds. But it was a top-of-the-line Italian model, and I knew the designer machine would multiply our investment many times over.
“Beautiful.” Eduardo whistled his impression. “Want to make me a cup?”
“Um, why don’t you make me a cup?” I suggested, still not having mastered the art of brewing an exquisite pot of coffee (or a decent one for that matter). I planned on leaving that task to Eduardo and the crew of fresh faced baristas we had just hired. My role would be to handle the books…and Eduardo’s muscular body. Exhilarated just to be in the same room with him, I had never in my 30 years felt so much in love.
“Will do,” Eduardo agreed with a grin, plugging the machine in and working his coffee b ean magic.
As I admired my boyfriend fixing me a delicious drinkable treat, I reflected on how much he had helped me heal since we had been together. Eight months after learning that everything I ever believed about my mother was false, I was still making baby steps in moving forward. Through it all, including the pending conspiracy trial of Jacinta Canton, Eduardo patiently stayed at my side and encouraged me to cry whenever I needed to. Even better, after brainstorming literally hundreds of names for our café, he had let me pick the one that resonated in my heart and added a sentimental touch to our business.
“Here you are, mi amor ,” he proudly handed me a steaming cup of espresso.
“ Gracias ,” I whispered, pressing my lips to the rim of the cup and letting the sensual aroma fill my senses.
“So what do you think? Will we be ready to open for business next week on schedule?” He asked, pouring himself a cup and clinking mine in an informal toast.
“Definitely,” I replied confidently, feeling my eyes become misty with raw emotion. “Nana’s Coffeehouse will be ready to open its doors to the world.”
***
*BONUS SECTION*
10 COFFEE & MOCHA-INFUSED TREATS
TURN THE PAGE TO BREW UP SOMETHING SWEET…
Recipe #1
Iced Mocha Decadence
12 cups water
5 tbsp coffee
2 tbsp vanilla
¼ cup cocoa powder
¾ cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups sugar
Whipped cream
Fudge topping (optional)
Add 12 cups of water to a coffee pot, and place 5 tablespoons of coffee into the filter. In a pitcher combine cocoa, sugar and cream. When the coffee is brewed, pour into the pitcher and whisk around until blended. Add vanilla extract for a flavor kick. Cool, then refrigerate for 2 hours, pour over ice and serve to as many as 8 guests. Serve with whipped cream and maybe even a few squirts of fudge topping!
Recipe #2
Caramel Chocolate Latte
¼ cup hot espresso
½ cup steamed milk
Caramel topping
Chocolate shavings (optional)
Espresso beans (optional)
Stir together hot espresso, steamed milk and caramel topping in a large mug. Top with foamed milk or whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings or espresso beans. Serve with butter cookies for dunking or your favorite sweet!
Recipe #3
Chocolate Peppermint Coffee
1 tbsp chocolate syrup
2 tbsp peppermint baking chips (melted)
½ cup hot coffee
Chocolate chip mint ice cream (optional)
Stir together the 3 ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Serve warm.
Similar Books
