I planted myself at the bar, gratefully taking the craft beer that had obviously been preordained.
Bless Eve and Suzy.
Seeing Beanie’s growth from the last time I’d been in town was a joy, like watching any small business owner flourish. The older woman took pride in her accomplishment, though by the looks of it, half of White Cap likely considered her family. She was certainly a permanent fixture in the town.
“Mind if I join you?” The stool beside me scraped on the cement floor.
I winced, gesturing with my beer. The place was crowded from corner to corner. “Be my guest.”
A dark haired man leaned against the bar for a long moment, calling out his order to the bar staff who waved at him. A well cut leather jacket sat across his shoulders. “Joe Brunel.” He settled on his stool, reaching across to shake my hand with one hand and held his whiskey in the other.
I waited for him to say more, but apparently that was all he was going to say.
“Rhys Archer.” I gripped his hand firmly, and received the same back.
Dark eyes surveyed me with a hint of humor as he released my hand. “I know.”
“I don’t recall the name.” A Ranger doesn’t forget, especially not this one.
Brunel nodded, taking a sip of his whiskey and winced. “That’s enough.” He placed the glass back on the bar. “Yes, and no. I heard you were coming back. I’m doing some work on the land your lady owns. I’m sure I’ll see more of you.”
“I hope she tells good stories.” I sipped my beer, though all I wanted was to get back in my truck.
“I’d say only the best, but we don’t really talk much.” Joe grinned, holding my gaze.
What the hell has happened to this place that all the assholes have rolled into town with Christmas cheer?
It was the inciting question I knew he wanted me to ask, but I wasn’t ready to bite.
Food slid across the counter to me, Suzy beaming on the other side. I stared down at the plate cluttered with food. A steak sat between a pile of onion rings and two small rolls stuffed with coleslaw. Despite my need to get up to Red Hart, the sight of the food alone reminded me yet again that I needed to eat.
“This looks amazing, Suzy,” I said as she came around to my side of the bar. I surprised her with a kiss on the cheek and ignored Joe completely. “Thank you. Now I’ve got questions of my own for you.”
“Oh, you do, do you?” she asked, a flush rising in her cheeks. “Well, you be all Mister Texas Ranger on me and do your interrogation thing.”
I held back a wince with a carefully blank face at the mention of my job, checking over my shoulder, but Joe’s bar stool stood empty.
Maybe it had been a mistake to ignore the man after all. Inhaling a sharp breath through my nose, I turned back to Suzy. “I remember the story Eve told me about how this place got named wrong.Beaniesinstead ofBernie’s. I used to work witha Bernie. Sam. He wouldn’t happen to be a relation now, would he?”
Suzy mulled it over, tapping her fingers on the bar. “Not that I can think of. Have you got a photo? There’s a hell of a lot of Bernies about. Can’t think of any I know down your way, though.”
I scrolled through my photos until I found a picture of Sam, the one I had chosen for his obituary. Maybe it was a wild hope that there was someone else who remembered him the way I did, but grief does odd things to people.
My phone creaked in my grip as I passed my phone across to her. I filled the gap by hoeing into my food.
Suzy fell silent for a moment. “No. Can’t say I knew him. Good looking, though. Must be family.” Suzy beamed at me as she passed my phone back.
I grinned, shaking my head. “You said Eve called for some supplies, mail? I’m happy to take them back.”
“She did.” Suzy’s smile dropped, and she closed her mouth.
I placed my cutlery on the bar. “What’s going on up there, Suzy? Is my– Is she in some kind of trouble?” I corrected myself too late, but of all people I knew Suzy wouldn't judge me for the slip.
Hell, don’t tell me Eve’s doing any of this alone. Please tell me she’s safe?—
“She’s—” Suzy stared, closed her mouth and blew out a breath. “It’s been hard on her, losing both parents. And Travis isn’t the same, despite having found his own happiness. He’s not around as much, now that he and Rachel are married. They live at her place, most times I hear. Not having her twin around is wreaking havoc on her. She’ll be glad of your company, to fill that spot.”
“Will she?” I filled my mouth before I said anything else stupid.
