Chapter 1
Eve Tilly struggled to keep her smile in place as she waved at a group of young women who giggled their way out of Tilly’s Bar and Grill. “Thanks for stopping by.”
A brunette with large blue eyes and too-tight jeans threw a smile over her shoulder before they disappeared out the door.
As she hurried to the now-empty table, the corners of Eve’s mouth dropped a little. She couldn’t let her guard down completely. Not with the last patron of the night hunched over his nearly empty plate and half-filled beer at the bar. She should have flipped the closed sign ten minutes ago, but she couldn’t shut things down until her bar was completely empty.
God, she was tired.
When she’d taken over her family’s bar in Cloud Valley, Wyoming, right before her twenty-eighth birthday, she’d poured her blood, sweat and tears into keeping the traditions alive. She loved her job. Loved her customers. Loved the community she served.
But tonight, after working nonstop for the past two days with the annual rodeo in town, she’d give anything to kick out her last diner and bury her head under her covers for the next week.
Becca, her best friend and manager, joined her at the dirty table. “I told Rick he could leave, so the kitchen’s officially closed. As soon as that guy’s done, we can clean up and head home.” She nodded toward the haggard cowboy with the overgrown beard and weathered hat pulled low over his eyes.
She waited for Becca to clear the table and pocket the tip before wiping her dishcloth over the crumbs. “Why don’t you take off, too? No reason for both of us to stand around and wait. I’ll finish the rest while he eats.”
Becca’s frown dipped her dark eyebrows into a deep V in the middle of her smooth forehead. She flicked her gaze above Eve’s head, an easy feat since she was a good four inches taller, and scrunched her nose. “Are you sure?”
Eve fisted a hand on her hip. The rag dangled down her leg, dampening her jeans. She cringed and tossed the towel on the table. “I’m fine. Besides, you’re opening tomorrow. Might as well get some of that beauty sleep while you can. You’ll be lost without it.”
Becca rolled her big blue eyes. “Sleep I want, but it never comes easy with a teething toddler. Which, by the way, Suzy’s asking to see Auntie Eve. You need to stop by soon.”
Just the sound of her goddaughter’s name was enough to turn Eve’s insides to mush. She didn’t begrudge her parents’ decision to retire and see the world, but taking over the business at such a young age had cost more than she’d anticipated. Her baby was the bar, plain and simple. And as much as her heart yearned for a family of her own, there simply weren’t enough hours in the day to devote to anything beyond profit margins and inventory.
Besides, she’d tried that once, and it hadn’t ended well. She’d been left with a broken heart and her dreams further away than ever.
But at least she had her adoptive family to dote on whenever she could find the time.
“Once the rodeo moves out of town, I’ll grab my favorite little girl for a slumber party. I’ll get some quality girl time. You and Bobby can get some sleep…or whatever else it is you need.” Laughing, she wiggled her eyebrows.
“That sounds amazing. I’ll hold you to it.” Becca pointed her index finger at Eve then hauled away the dirty dishes, disappearing through the swinging door that led to the kitchen.
Eve made a mental list of everything that still needed done before leaving for the night and headed to the cash register. Screw it, she didn’t want to wait for this guy to pay before counting the till. She’d comp his meal so she could take off as soon as he was done.
“All righty,” Becca said in a singsong voice as she returned from the kitchen. “You sure you’re okay?”
Eve nodded, this time flashing a genuine smile. “I’m sure. Go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With her friend gone, she counted the money in the register then cleared her throat loud enough to gain the diner’s attention. “Don’t mean to interrupt. Just wanted to let you know I took care of your bill. Thanks for your business and have a great night.”
He gave a brief nod then drained the rest of the amber liquid in his tall glass.
She noted his mostly eaten food. Shouldn’t be too long before he finished. Not wanting to pressure him, but fine with giving subtle hints, she crossed over the scuffed wooden floors to the neon lights that dotted the dark-paneled walls. She tugged on the cords of the lights, shutting down the colorful advertisements and slogans she’d known since she was a child.
When she’d taken over ownership, a tiny part of her had considered giving the place a facelift. Adding brighter colors and replacing all things old with new and more modern. But when the time came to make the changes, she couldn’t erase what her parents had created. The attachment to the things she’d loved since childhood was deeper than she’d realized.
So she kept everything exactly the way it’d always been, down to the giant buck head mounted above the stone hearth—the hatbetween its antlers changing along with the seasons. Tonight, he wore a tan cowboy hat, and someone had added a giant pair of sunglasses that made her smile.
Okay. Signs turned off. Tables cleared. Money counted. All she had left was to clean the floors and bus the last plate. A quick glance told her the man was still in his seat. She hurried to the small hallway closet where she kept the broom. She wouldn’t start sweeping until he left, but maybe he’d notice her waiting and leave a little bit quicker.
Stepping back into the dining area, she let out a big sigh. He was gone. Good. Now she could finish her list and get the hell out of there. Tomorrow would come soon enough, filled with another busy day of tourists.
Hurrying to clean the bar, she grabbed his plate and glass. Something slid from the bar and hit the floor near her feet. Curious, she returned the dishes to the bar and crouched to find a small piece of wood that resembled a flower of some kind.
Huh?
She turned it in her hand, trailing her fingers over the tiny crevices carved into the wood. Hopefully someone hadn’t left it behind accidentally, but she didn’t have the energy to care too much at the moment. Standing, she tossed the whittled flower onto the dirty napkin she’d placed on the plate.
