Pulling free the lightweight apron, balling it up small and tucking it under his arm, Lucien blew out a deep sigh of relief.

He loved his job. The people he worked for were kind and understanding, and the atmosphere was always chilled and friendly, even on their busier days.

For as much as he loved his job, however, he also loved that special time in the early afternoon where he got to hang up his apron, clock out and waive au revoir to his work colleges.

Today, as soon as the big hand had hit twelve, striking two, he'd been out from behind the counter, all but tripping over his...