When the shape of him filled the doorway, I hadn't managed to glance away from the screen. He gathered a few things from the floor as he rounded the bed and settled on the edge. "Give me that," he murmured, snatching the device away and slipping it in his back pocket. "We need to put some clothes on you, okay? Jackson's here. He wants to talk to you for a minute."
Still silent, still staring down at my hand, I didn't react when Jed pulled one of his shirts over my head. Didn't ask why Jackson was here. Didn't complain when it took him several attempts to help me into leggings. Didn't argue when he lashed his arm around my waist and guided me toward the front of the house as if we were practicing for a three-legged race.
Jackson removed his Talbott's Cove Sheriff's Office ball cap, stepped toward me. "Brooke. I'm so sorry."
I didn't do any of those things because I knew my father was dead.
He was gone and my first reaction was relief and Ihatedmyself for it.
Chapter Thirty-Two
JJ
Useful Life: the estimate of the period of time an asset will be in use.
"There'sa shipment coming in from Trillium on Friday," I called over my shoulder as I moved through the storeroom.
"Tomorrow," Nate replied from behind me. "I talked to our rep yesterday morning because I noticed we're going through the summer brew faster than expected. He added a few units and bumped us to tomorrow's delivery."
"Even better," I said, pushing through the door to the bar. I tested the taps, checked the ice box, glanced at the garnishes. "Everything is in order."
"What did you expect?" he murmured as he made a note on his clipboard.
I lifted a whiskey bottle to the light, then another. "Did anyone give you trouble last night? Did Lincoln come in?"
"No trouble," he replied, still busy with his clipboard. "Lincoln pounded seven ginger ales and complained about the Sox for a couple of innings."
"Some things never change," I said. "When you get a chance, would you follow up with the beef supplier? We've been running low and—"
"Already done," he interrupted, looking up from his clipboard. "I know you're being thorough but what the hell did you think would happen when you left me to manage this place for a few days? Did you think I'd let us run out of burgers or beer?"
I turned in a circle, my hands on my hips and my mind racing. I needed to get back to the Markham house. I hated leaving Brooke this morning, but I had to run payroll and pick up my suit from the dry cleaner. Annette promised she'd stay with Brooke and assist with the funeral arrangements. Not that Brooke had allowed anyone to help her with anything in the four days since her father's death. She insisted on doing everything herself and I stood by, watching while she did it—and went on working her finance job as if nothing had happened.
"I expected you'd have it under control and you do," I said. "Thank you for handling things."
"No, man, don't start with that. Save your thanks." He pressed the clipboard to his chest, his arms banded over it. "There's no need." He jerked his chin toward the door. "You should get out of here while you can. I've got this."
"Call me if anything comes up. I don't care what it is or when it is."
"Go," he hollered.
"Going." My phone vibrated in my back pocket as I stepped out from behind the bar. I yanked it out, expecting to find Brooke or Annette calling, but it was Barry O'Connor. Of all the times for him to reappear. I waited until I stepped outside to tap the screen. "Barry. Hi."
"Hey, JJ. Is this a good time?" he asked. "I want to run a few things by you."
I paced away from the Galley and toward the harbor. "Ordinarily, this is a good time, but today is difficult. Can I call you next week?"
"Just five minutes," he said. "I'll make it quick."
I lifted my hand to my forehead, shielding my eyes from the day's intense sun. "All right. Go ahead. What's up?"
"Here's the thing, JJ, I'm trying to make a mark. I'm looking for the next great thing."
A seagull squawked overhead. "I'm aware of your aspirations."
"You're all systems go with this gin thing and it's so great, JJ. It's such a brilliant move. It's cool and hip, and going to take off like crazy in your neck of the woods." He drew in a breath, made a whiny noise in his throat. "But it's not for me."
"What?" I barked, confused.
