Carson shrugged, waving a flippant hand before reaching into the cupboard for a fresh mug. "Coffee is coffee," he said as he poured himself a cup. Short of burning the crap out of it somehow, I don't think the margin for error is too big."

A lot of sugar, skip the milk. He settled back against the counter and let the cup warm his hands. Chewing his cheek,he considered where Jillie was bent over her pencils. "Are you normally up this early?"