Tenor gave me anI know that, dumbasslook. “It’ll give other jackasses ideas though, and I hate to point out that Flatlanders will draw jackasses. Every bar does, and this place has a reputation.”
I gritted my teeth. He had a point.
Tate took my pocketknife and nudged a box away from the stack with the toe of his boot. “Maybe the Baileys do turn out on opening day. Show the town we have her back.”
“She shouldn’t have to prove anything,” I said through clenched teeth. Anger that Madison would be worrying as soon as the doors opened piped hot through my blood. “No one should fuck with her in the first place.”
“You’re all afraid they will,” Jonah pointed out.
“Sounds like even Madison is concerned,” Myles added.
“I’m too old to really have known Madison and Scooter, but I remember their parents.” Gideon shuddered. “And I know all about grudges. We show up here on opening night. Pack the place with all of us. Everyone will know that if they fuck with Madison Townsend, they fuck with all of us.”
All the guys were nodding.
“None of you are worried?” I didn’t expect them to be, but we all had our own businesses. Even Cruz and Lane were attached to Foster House since Myles owned it. Hard feelings could spill over and affect everyone in this room.
What if Jonah’s orders went down? What if a negative post went viral about Copper Summit or Foster House?
Tate cut open the box at his feet. “‘Doing the right thing is never something to worry about.’”
Murmurs of agreement sounded in the room.
“All right, then,” I said. “Flatlanders is known for not carrying Copper Summit bourbon, but I now consider it under the Copper Summit and Bailey Beef umbrella of protection and support.”
“Percival Farms considers it the same,” Gideon added.
“And Foster House,” Myles said.
“Abso-damn-lutely,” Cruz said. Lane dipped his head in agreement.
Jonah lifted the first stool out of the box and tore the plastic wrap off it. He flipped it upside down. AJDwas carved underneath the seat. “Anyone tips these over, they’ll see this and think twice.”
Jonah had been the recluse of Bourbon Canyon before marrying Summer. People knew his work more than they knew him. That hadn’t changed.
“That’s just us,” Myles said. “The girls are a whole different threat.”
Jonah barked out a laugh.
Gideon nodded, his expression solemn. “Don’t mess with Autumn. I tried to once and I ended up with all of you assholes as in-laws.”
Laughter filled the room and we started tearing open boxes. Everything was falling into place for Madison. Bourbon Canyon might not be where she wanted to settle down. She didn’t get to travel. But I’d make as many of her dreams come true as possible.
Madison
I stopped in the locker room at the end of my shift and grabbed my purse. I stifled a yawn. Sun streamed through the windows and the birds in the bushes outside were chirping up a storm. A gorgeous Montana summer morning that I’d sleep through. Another night when I wasn’t in Teller’s bed, next to his big warm body. I would be glad when I was done with night shifts.
I’d be a business owner. Not the type of establishment I would’ve chosen, but it was mine. A small tool for freedom that my brother had left me. He’d been selfish growing up. In death, he’d been generous. Or perhaps vindictive. Determined to make sure Wendi didn’t get a cent. But he’d chosen me to be his beneficiary, so that was something.
Raquel popped her head through the door. “Hey, Ramona called. The ambulance is coming for your mom. She fell getting out of bed. Might’ve broken something.”
Alarm made me go cold. “Thanks for telling me.” I hitched my purse and the empty tote bag I’d carried cookies in and rushed out of the locker room. I jogged down the halls and turned down Mom’s wing. Staff milled around Mom’s room at the end.
Ramona held her palm up toward me, silently urging me to quit running. I slowed but continued my rush.
“Hey,” I said, breathless. “How is she?”
“Of course I know what goddamn year it is!” Mom yelled from inside her room. “Only one of us doesn’t have a mind and it’s not me.”
