1
Asherleanedbackinhis chair, taking in the packed bar with a satisfied smirk. While it had been a pain in the ass getting some of the townsfolk to sign off on this one, he had to admit, getting Pine Haven Falls as a stop on the Four Corners Poker Run was one of his finer ideas.
“I’ve gotta give it to you, Ash,” Maddox smiled across the table. “This is a fantastic turnout.”
“Well,” Asher shrugged. “You know how I fly.”
“That I do.” Maddox chuckled, motioning for another round. “And you’re damn good at it.”
Asher grinned at his Alpha, bowing his head in acknowledgement of the praise. Maddox wasn’t one for blowing smoke. He wasn’t one for doling out the compliments either.
“Just doing my job, boss.”
And his work was paying off big time. The town was bursting at the seams with bikers and while some were just passing through on a day trip to get their poker card at High Country Bar & Grille, several made a stay of things before heading back to the rally in Durango. Whether it was overnight or just for a meal and some shopping, all that traffic was good for business.
“If only everyone did their jobs as well as you do.” Maddox glanced at a group of bikers vacating their table. “Would make my life a hell of a lot easier.”
“I don’t envy you.” Asher chuckled. “Mayor’s a tough gig.”
And Maddox was no ordinary mayor. But then, Pine Haven Falls wasn’t an ordinary town either.
“God, I’ve never seen this place so busy.” Their waitress huffed, setting a fresh round of beers on the table. “Good thing it’s only for this weekend.”
Asher gave Tamara an appraising glance, noting the fatigue in her features as she tightened her ponytail. Damn, she was too young to look that tired.
“Folks giving you a hard time?” He asked.
“No, sir.” She gave him a little smile. “It’s just a lot of people. The kitchen can barely keep up and no one’s getting their breaks.”
“Shit, Tamara, I’m sorry. I didn’t think of that.”
He’d checked in with all the local business owners over the past few weeks, encouraging them to order well ahead of the weekend so they could keep their visitors in a steady supply of food, drink, and merchandise, but it hadn’t occurred to him to mention extra staffing needs.
“No, it’s okay.” Tamara said hastily. “We’re glad you got us on the map. We just didn’t expect so many people. I mean, who knew bikers would have so much disposable income?”
Maddox chuckled at that. “Trust me, Ash was counting on it.”
“Have you seen those bikes?” She smiled. “Some of them are to die for.”
“Don’t be getting any ideas, sis.” Trent chuckled, reaching out to shake hands with Maddox and Asher before refocusing on her. “And how about you take thirty, get off your feet?”
“Really?” Tamara beamed up at her brother. “You’re gonna cover for me?”
“Yeah.” He smiled warmly. “I got you.”
The familial affection was hard to miss as Trent watched his little sister make her way to the back of the bar. That type of bond fascinated Asher. As an only child, the closest thing he had to a sibling was his best friend, Cade. And if the two of them hadn’t grown up together like they had, Asher doubted he’d be suited for his current role in the pack. Dragons tended to be solitary creatures, after all.
Hell, sometimes he wondered why Maddox had picked him as his Beta. But Asher’s penchant for accumulating and managing wealth was a thing of legend, if he did say so himself, as evidenced this weekend.
“You know, Asher,” Trent grinned. “I knew we’d be busy, but I didn’t quite see this coming.” He gestured around at the full bar. “It’s been non-stop flow. Not that I’m complaining.”
“They seem like good patrons at least.” Asher noted a heavily tatted man in a leather vest stacking his comrades’ dishes like a professional table busser.
“Yeah.” Trent nodded. “Thank fuck they’re not as rowdy as they look.”
Asher nodded, taking a pull from his pilsner. Sure, these folks looked tough, but most of the motorcycle clubs that came through these parts were full of do-gooders who liked to ride. Former felons who’d turned over a new leaf and all that. Good thing too.
No one wanted trouble here.
