Coffee Scoop by Kathleen Y'Barbo Read Free Book Online

paused a second to let his words sink in. “Does that mean you’ll look at what I write about this?”
    “I’m always willing to look at your stories, Carrie,” he said. “Just don’t disappoint me.”
    “I won’t.” She turned to race back toward the Times building.
    “And this time wait until you have to whole story to write the ending,” followed her inside.
    In short order she secured a week’s vacation and a decently priced round trip flight to Costa Rica. The E-mail to Ryan took a bit longer as she agonized over every word, unwilling to give him the wrong impression about her visit.
    And yet, as she wrote the terse and succinct paragraph announcing her arrival date and flight information, she wondered if she could maintain the façade. Inexplicably, the thought of seeing Ryan made her smile.  
    He was nice, and he did have a wonderful sense of humor, so it was natural to believe he would be a good host. And the way he described his adopted country made her long to see it in person.
    Yes, those were the reasons for her happiness. It had nothing to do with Ryan Baxter.
    Carrie shrugged off the thought and set to work making sense of her notes on the Heavenly Beans story. The lunch hour came and went and still she sat at her desk in the cramped windowless office. As the story unfolded before her, Carrie realized she’d missed an important detail: George Renfro.
    While she’d concentrated on interviewing Ryan and learning about his company and the mission it supported, she’d neglected to ferret out details on Mr. Renfro’s involvement. Beyond loaning Ryan a limo, she had no idea what Camex or its chief did to contribute to the Costa Rican coffee company and orphanage.
    But would George Renfro do an interview with a lowly Times religion reporter?
    “There’s only one way to find out,” she said as she reached for the phone.
    After announcing her name and journalistic affiliation, Carrie was put through to Mr. Renfro’s secretary and then, to Mr. Renfro himself.
    “So you’re the girl Ryan ditched me for,” he said when he came on the line. “What can I do for you?”
    The girl Ryan ditched him for ?  
    “Miss Collins, are you there?”
    “Yes,” she said, “I’m here. Actually, I’m working on a story about Heavenly Beans and Casa de Dios. I was wondering if you would mind answering a few questions.”
    Carrie held her breath and waited for the rejection she knew would come. At least she would know she’d tried.  
    “I don’t mind at all,” he said. “The Times building is just around the corner from our offices and I’ve got some spare time this afternoon. What say you meet me up on the twenty-seventh floor in half an hour?”
    As it turned out, the twenty-seventh floor of the Camex building was the helipad.  
    Following the dark-suited secretary’s lead, Carrie emerged into the brilliant sunshine then stopped short. A silver helicopter bearing the Camex logo sat tethered in the center of a bright orange circle. At its controls was a man who looked suspiciously like George Renfro.

CHAPTER EIGHT

    Mama Zadora sat in her rocker, a baby sleeping on one shoulder and another smiling up from a cradle at her feet. Around her a delightful symphony, the sounds of the children mixed with the call of the birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze, echoed along the expanse of thatch-covered porch.  
    As Ryan approached, Mama shifted the pink-clad infant into the crook of her arm and held her against her chest. With the toe of her sandal, the ageless beauty set the little cradle rocking again.  
    “So my boy has come to visit and it’s not even time for a meal?” Mama punctuated the statement with a smile. “I was told you were too busy with that silly computer to speak to real people.”
    Ryan kissed the giggling Mama on her cheek then gathered the baby into his arms. A girl, this one, and soon to be adopted by a childless couple in Alvaro’s Sunday services. Until all papers were in