Bonnie walked out of the arch way from the kitchen to the front of the store and stopped dead in her tracks, "What the hell is going on here?" she raised her voice, "we're not even supposed to be open, and we have a line up of customers already ..."
The cluster of people gathered around the counter looked at each other and someone said, "Customers? I don't see any customers."
"Honey," Ross' voice was soft and calm, his face reddening, "The only customers are J-- and The Rev, and they don't really count."
"You can say that again," growled Bonnie as she pulled a pump pot from the counter and jammed it under the brew machine.
"Hey?" exclaimed The Rev.
"Nice to see you too Bonnie," said J-- with a broad smile.
"I just meant," Bonnie's voice trailed off, "oh never mind." She glanced at her watch then looked up at Adeline who was standing nervously by the counter, "what time is it?" Bonnie's voice was harsh and sharp.
"Um," Adeline paused and hesitated before she glanced at her watch nervously, "it's almost 9 am"
Ross spoke up hopefully, "It's almost time to reopen."
Bonnie snorted but said nothing.
"It is time," said JayDee in an accent appoximating Rafiki from The Lion King.
Kriss smiled broadly and offered in a sing-song voice, "Sumpee Sanna Squashed Banana, Sumpee Sana Squshed Banana ..."
"What?" asked JayDee smiling.
"Shhhhhhh," said Kriss, "Dee monkeys are s-eeping' ..."
"What?" repeated JayDee.
"She's quoting from kids programmes," said a new voice from the front door.
"Hi Honey," said Kriss with a broad smile, "you not off to work yet?"
"Just need a coffee for the road," said Carter.
"Sorry," said Kriss, "but we're NOT open yet," her voice was sarcastic, and her gaze shifted to Bonnie who stood open mouthed at the implication, "and our Boss said we have to wait until we are officially reopened."
"I never said anything of the sort," said Bonnie.
"Well, you won't serve us," said J--, "and you insulted The Rev here, I would hope you don't give Carter special treatment just because he's marrying one of the staff here ..."
Bonnie's jaw dropped, "I never ..."
Everyone's laughter stopped Bonnie's comment.
"Give him a coffee," said Bonnie pointing to the pump pot under the brewer, "and give these two whatever they want ..." Her thumb jerked towards The Rev and J--. She glanced at Adeline who was still standing nervously leaning against the counter, "and YOU," nodding towards Adeline, who jumped nervously in response, "you can unlock the door and turn on the light. We might as well let everyone else in now ..."
"But honey," said Ross smiling, "it's only a quarter to nine, are you sure ..."
"Ross," Bonnie growled, and Ross laughed.
Adeline dashed around the counter and headed for the front of the store and unlocked the front door.
"There," said Bonnie, a satisfied grin on her face, "it's offical, we're reopen ..." she watched as Adeline snapped on the neon sign, "we're as good as new."
"Not quite," said Ross glumly.
"One word about your juke box Ross," snarled Bonnie with a smile, "and you will regret it ..."
Ross' shoulder sagged and he said nothing.
J-- stepped up to the counter, "I'll have my usual, and I'll buy Carter's coffee too," he put a ten down on the counter.
"I'll have my usual too," offered The Rev.
"Sure thing," smiled JayDee as she lifted the cup and began pumping the coffee into it, "anything else?"
"Not today," The Rev said with a laugh.
The front door opened and instinctively everyone turned and glanced at the two men who stepped through it into the store. The two men were wearing large stetson hats and cowboy boots.
The shattering smash of the mug falling from JayDee's hand to the floor did little to mask the gasp of shock she uttered. Her eyes were huge as she watched the two Ranchers approach the counter.
"Well, hello dawling," said the first Rancher in a heavy American drawl as he swept his stetson from his head and nodded at JayDee in greeting, "it's been along time ..."
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