“People love your food. That’s not going to be a problem,” Sarah said, smiling as a partygoer grabbed a couple of puffs. “Once that event barn is built, you’ll have cornered the market.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” Mia quipped, then waved her away. “Shoo. I don’t want to bring anything home.”
Sarah drifted to another group.
Mia headed toward the kitchen as a breeze carrying the scent of roasted garlic, caramelized onions and woodsmoke drifted in from the patio. White paper lanterns hanging from the pergola swayed gently in the breeze. For a moment, Mia let herself enjoy it. Beautiful venue. Good food. Smooth service. She could almost believe everything was fine.
Almost.
A timer dinged in the kitchen behind her. Back to work before her thoughts ran away.
Downtown,the Thirsty Cock Ale House buzzed with energy, music, clinking glasses and the low hum of conversations. The delicious odor of fried chicken hit Caleb as he pushed inside. His shoulders loosened, tension bleeding off as the familiar noise and smells settled him. His stomach growled loudly enough to be heard. He was with Dex and Nate after a punishing workout at Titus Finch’s gym, PushYourLimit. The Brotherhood didn’t have a gym at the Paws for Caring building, so this place was their unofficial home base.
They were joined by Liam McBride and Shawn “Linc” Lincoln, both deputy sheriffs in town, and Austin Peters, who was with the fire department.
A basket of fries sat in the middle of the table, already half gone.
Liam took a long pull of his beer and nodded at Caleb. “How’s the new dog working out?”
“Curious. Smart. Eats like he’s never seen food before. But he listens.”
Linc lifted a brow. “That’s more than we can say for half the deputies.”
The guys chuckled. A server came over, rattled off the specials and took their orders. Dex looked around. “I haven’t been here in … well, never. Is it always this crowded?”
“Usually on the weekends,” Caleb replied. He took in the room. It had an old-time speakeasy feel, from the gold-patterned tin ceiling to the long wooden bar with leather stools. One wall held an array of liquors; booths lined another with black-and-white pictures of Haywood Lake on the wall. The floor was wood and worn, the lighting low. It was a comfortable place to relax.
Liam raised his glass. “To not being on call for the first time all week.”
Linc clinked his glass. “Speak for yourself. Dispatch will find me if I blink wrong.”
Austin smirked. “Perks of the fire department. Everyone only wants me when something’s on fire.”
Linc elbowed Caleb. “Must be nice being a civilian. Brotherhood guys don’t have to deal with half the nonsense we do.”
Caleb snorted. “Yeah, because chasing down smugglers and stolen cargo is a vacation.”
The table erupted in overlapping jabs. Typical guy noise.
Liam popped a fry into his mouth. “I hear you’re building a barn on the old Whitmore property.”
“Yeah, we’re starting Monday,” Caleb said.
Dex lifted his beer, eyeing Caleb over the rim. “So … Mia?”
Caleb didn’t even look over. “No.”
“Oh. Okay. That was fast,” Dex said. “I was just going to say that if you weren’t interested, I might ask her out.”
The table went still as the men followed their exchange like a tennis match.
Caleb finally glanced over. “Dex.”
Dex held up both hands. “What? She’s cute. Knows her way around a kitchen, which is always a plus. And … last I heard, she was unattached.”
Austin snorted into his beer.
“That was subtle,” Linc added. “Pretty sure he’s trying to poke the bear.”
