His brother shook his head. “We spent hours looking for these tourists this morning who decided they didn’t need a guide or a map. Finally found them, and they weren’t even apologetic or grateful.”
“Damn. That’s a new level of stupidity.” He set a glass in front of Kayden and poured some whiskey.
“Not new, but definitely stupid.” His brother lifted his glass. “You seen Eastern today?”
Eastern was their younger brother and the only other sibling currently here in Misty Peak. He’d recently left his career as a Navy SEAL to come home to his daughter.
“Nope. He’s too important for us now that he’s sheriff.”
Kayden laughed as the door to the bar opened yet again, and Harper walked in. The second Cody’s gaze fell on her, his lungs tightened. Last night, she’d looked young and lost andvulnerable. Today, in her skintight jeans and navy T-shirt, hair dry and falling over her shoulders in soft waves, she looked fucking radiant.
“Harper.” Shit, why did his voice sound so high-pitched?
She gave him a small smile as she moved to the bar. “Hi, Cody.”
Kayden frowned as he looked between them. A beat passed before his brother cleared his throat. “My brother’s clearly lost his manners. I’m Kayden.”
He held out his hand, and for some reason, Cody didn’t like the idea of his brother touching her, even if it was just a handshake.
“Harper.” Her voice was soft, almost lyrical. She turned back to Cody and placed his sweatshirt on the bar. “Thank you again for lending this to me last night. And for saving me.”
Kayden’s brows shot up, but Cody ignored him, giving the woman his full attention. “Glad I could help. You get to Ali’s Cabins, okay?” He already knew the answer to that because he’d called Ali, needing to know Harper had gotten there safely.
“I did. She was lovely, and the cabin was comfortable and warm.”
“Good.”
Her chest rose as her eyes flickered between his. Shit, what was it about this woman that drew him in so much?
“Well,” she finally said, “I guess I should go.”
She turned and took a few steps, and hell if every part of him didn’t want to vault over the bar and tug her back. He was on the verge of doing just that when she suddenly stopped and turned, uncertainty in her eyes.
“Sorry. Before I go, I, um, wanted to ask about your job ad.” She glanced at his corkboard, then back at him.
“You need a job?”
“Well, I don’t have any experience working in a bar. I work in an office.” She cringed. “Worked. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
She spun and was out the door before he could reply.
Shit.
He ran around the bar and after her, ignoring the questioning look from his brother as he pushed outside. He caught her partway down the block.
“Hey.”
She stopped and turned. “Cody—”
“The job’s yours.”
Her eyes widened. “But I don’t have any experience and you don’t know me.”
“I’ll show you the ropes. I’m a great teacher.” Was he? Who the hell knew? He just didn’t want this woman to leave. “And I don’t need to know you to know you’ll do a great job.”
“Are you sure? Because I’m clumsy and drop things all the time. I get muddled when people give me too many instructions, and I can be a hot mess when I’m stressed, and I’ve heard working in a bar can be stressful, and I don’t want you to do anything that—”
“Harper.”
