“Like I’ve said to you no less than forty-seven times, I’m not gonna do that because—” I broke off with an irritated groan.
I didn’t want to say it again. I’d already said it enough. Had told Will how I’d felt completely and utterly inadequate compared to Hudson. He saved lives for a living. Fought for the safety and freedom of an entire fucking country. I got the local townsfolk their favorite alcoholic beverages and wiped down tables. Not exactly a level playing field.
“And likeI’vesaid to you an equal number of times, you’re the bravest, most compassionate, caring, and determined woman I know.”
“Honestly, would you?—”
“I’m not done,” Will snapped, slamming her hand on the bar top. Then she cleared her throat and continued on as if nothing had happened. “As I was sayin’, you run this bar when any of the three buffoons who own this place have prior commitments.”
“One of those buffoons is your fiancé,” I said dryly. “Another is his twin and your future brother-in-law.”
“And the other can spit in your food,” Nola, the third owner in the bar’s trio, said casually as she strolled by on her way to the kitchen, her silver lavender hair piled high on her head.
Will waved her off, unconcerned. “What I’m sayin’ is you know the ins and outs of this place as well as the owners do. You could run it with your eyes closed.”
“But I don’t because it’s not mine to run.”
Not to mention running—or even managing—a bar just…didn’t interest me. It was simply a way for me to pay my bills. The same as every other job I’d ever had.
“You de-escalate disagreements from the patrons and townsfolk on a daily basis.”
“Pretty sure that’s the booze,” I said dryly.
Will groaned and threw up her hands. “You always do this! Youalwaysdismiss your accomplishments.”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “Those aren’t accomplishments, Will. I’m not in the second-grade spelling bee, getting an honorable mention, for fuck’s sake. Life doesn’t work like that. I’m abartender. That’s it. You don’t have to make it into something it’s not.”
“Okay, you want some concrete accomplishments? Fine. How about the kids you help turn around when you leave for weeks of the year and participate in Wilderness Bound?How many kids’ futures have you realigned doin’ that? How many people’s lives have you saved by teachin’ ’em wilderness skills? Hell, you saved our niece’s life—doesn’t that count for anything?”
My cheeks bloomed with heat despite trying desperately to tamp it down. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed, exactly. It was just that I really, truly hated being the center of attention, and Will had just placed a big ole spotlight on me and turned the thing on to full blast. Not to mention, she was loud as hell and starting to draw the interest of the others gathered around.
“That’s not?—”
“Don’t you dare say it’s not a big deal,” Will said, her voice steely as she pointed an angry finger in my direction.
I started to do exactly that when the door swung open again, my breath catching at who stood on the threshold. Lilah, Hudson’s younger sister, walked through the door, a guy I had never seen before strolling in behind her. He was tall and broad, thick muscles bunching under rich brown skin, his black hair and beard neatly trimmed close. He stood with the same kind of quiet authority Hudson did. Military, no doubt.
I’d heard whispers throughout the afternoon of the man Hudson had brought home—his copilot in the army. Too much of a coincidence for it not to be the same guy.
My stomach flip-flopped as I searched beyond the pair, both dreading and hoping Hudson would walk in behind them. But the door swung shut and stayed that way.
“Lookin’ for something?” Will asked, a know-it-all lilt to her voice.
“No.”
“Mhmm…you don’t want to see him, my ass,” she muttered into her wineglass.
“Shut up, or I’ll cut you off.” I delivered the words without heat, my focus on Lilah and the new guy as they strode up to the bar.
“Hey, Mac,” Lilah said, slipping onto a barstool one down from Willow, a broad smile on her face. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, the ends curled and bouncing. “Will. How’re y’all doin’?”
“Good, you?” I answered automatically.
Lilah definitely wasn’t the person to discuss all these confusing emotions fluttering around inside me with. Not when they centered on her brother.
“Not too bad. You meet Caleb yet?” She hooked a thumb in his direction as he sat down on her right, his arm going around the top of her high backed bar stool, his body bracketing hers. “He tagged along home with Hudson.”
“I haven’t.” I smiled to the newcomer and held out a hand toward him. “Nice to meet you. I’m Mac.”
