He always ran a little hot, and once he got busy in the kitchen of Broken Hearts, he’d probably switch into a short sleeve. Ovens running and the coffee perking would warm up the area.
He backed his bike into a slot in front of the building. Sure, he had parking available in the back but there was something about unlocking the front door and walking into his dream that settled something inside him.
Gunner had followed in his older brother Brody’s footsteps and joined the military right out of high school. Between money being tight and Gunner not being sure exactly what he wanted to do with his life, he decided to serve. Not only did he have a purpose to serve his country, but how hard could it be if Brody, his tight-ass rule-following older brother, could do it?
Gunner chuckled, glancing around the main room of the shop, wondering how he could have been so naïve about the military. Gunner could smile about it now, but his time at boot camp was brutal. He was sure it was hard for everyone, but Gunner had been the prankster in high school. He’d wanted to make everyone smile because he would never live up to his oldest brother’s perfect behavior. And where his friends in high schoolhad enjoyed his antics, the Army, well—not so much.
Now, almost thirty years from when he showed up for boot camp, he could appreciate how far he’d come. He still enjoyed a good prank, but they had their time and place.
The warm wood floor had some dust streaks. After they’d mopped it every day and the workmen just dirtied it up, he’d decided to mop every three days. The tables, chairs, and couches were being delivered next week. Gunner was waiting for the craftsmen to finish the bookcases and the display cabinet for the food items. There were so many steps, but Gunner didn’t get stressed by it. His excitement overwhelmed any little irritants that came up.
He’d always known that he enjoyed cooking and baking. He was the son who was in the kitchen with his mom, learning all her tips and tricks. But until he heard his now sister-in-law with her idea for Broken Hearts Brewing Company, he hadn’t known what was next. Her concept had sent anticipation zinging through him.
Cooking and baking for people gave Gunner a sense of satisfaction. The smile on someone’s face as they bit into a scone or hummed while savoring his dishes sent a wave of joy through him. It was truly one of those times when his giving of a gift brought him as much delight as the person receiving his creation.
He’d be forever grateful to the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC for letting it be his baby. In the six months since he’d been here, he’d formed deep bonds with the men of the MC. Besides his brothers Flick and Brody, he’d enjoyed getting to know both the Originals and his generation. And the women surprised him with how they wove each person who came to Bluff Creek into the fabric of the Bluff Creek family. He was fond of all of them, and he shouldn’t have favorites, but Regina, Meg, and Clara were the women he went to most.
Bluff Creek was a family and he and Brody had soaked it up. At first, he and Brody had lived with his brother Flick and his wife, Beth, at her insistence. It had helped while Brody recovered from his injuries and allowed the brothers to spend timetogether. But right after Christmas, he and Brody had moved into the clubhouse. They’d needed their own place, and they’d wanted to give Flick and Beth their alone time.
Clara had come to him about hiring a crafter she’d met. The woman was going to make some of the crocheted items the women had come up with for people with broken hearts, whether it was through widowhood or a breakup. Clara’s friend was also going to be in charge of ordering the books and organizing some specialty nights. After listening to Clara sing her praises, he’d brought it up in council that if she took that much off his plate, then she’d be a good assistant manager. He had the go-ahead to work with her and to up her position and salary if she lived up to Clara’s praises.
Broken Hearts Brewing was going to be the place you could go to fill your stomach with good food and drink but also to heal your heart.
Gunner snickered, glancing toward the hallway that led to one of Beth’s ideas toheal your heart. Grief had cycles and anger was the first.TheirBroken Hearts SmashRoomwould allow the grieving person to work out their anger by destroying a multitude of items. He’d had to do research to ensure they followed all guidelines with the room hooked onto their coffee brewing and food handling area. With soundproofed walls and two doors people had to go through for cleaning up, Gunner was positive they’d pass any safety issues. Gunner didn’t want the participants tracking glass and small metal pieces into the coffee shop. When it was ready, individuals would change into different shoes, put on overalls, protective glasses, and a hairnet to go work out their frustrations. Gunner thought he and his brothers would have benefited from a room like that when they lost their mom.
Their soft opening was two days before Valentine’s Day on the 12th, which was exactly four weeks from today. His assistant manager was supposed to be in town two days from now on Saturday, January 10th, and he couldn’t wait to meet her. He’d jotted some ideas down, but they’d have to wait until he met her in person.
He flicked the lights on in the kitchen, started the ovens, and went to the sink to wash his hands. He glanced out the windows he’d had added over the sink to allow some natural light in. He loved being in the kitchen, but so many restaurants had windowless kitchens. With the Broken Hearts kitchen being completely enclosed from the front of the shop other than a swinging door, he wanted a way to see the outside.
A van was parked in the back lot under the streetlight. Rachel’s Crafty Creations was painted on the side of the bright yellow van in a multitude of colors. He smiled just seeing the pretty lettering. It seemed his crafty person was as excited about getting here as he was to have her.
He glanced at his watch. Seven-thirty in the morning and Gunner was hungry. He could go ahead and start trying out some more recipes. But the part of him that had been welcomed to Bluff Creek wouldn’t let him just go back to baking. He’d check on them and see if anyone was up. He could either make them breakfast or take them across to Regina’s.
He headed out the back door. As he got closer, he could hear sounds from inside the van. He rapped on the metal door, calling out as he did because the last thing he wanted to do was scare Rachel.
“Hey, I’m Gunner, the manager of Broken Hearts Brewing. Welcome to Bluff Creek. I was wondering if I could fix you breakfast,” Gunner said.
The clicking of the locks being disengaged sounded loud in the cool morning. The door opened and Gunner just stared.
Fuck him. He was going to have to work with this smiling beauty who looked like she was filled with liquid sunshine. How would he survive?
“Good morning,” the woman said. Gunner loved the wide smile she had, but spotting two small kids behind her, he was also now curious. Clara hadn’t mentioned the woman was married.
“I’m Rachel and we’d love to do breakfast. Marcus was wanting pancakes at the diner because Clara raved about them, but I don’t want to say no if you want to fix them,” Rachel’s melodic voicewrapped around Gunner. He barely controlled a shiver at her words.
“Oh, then we definitely have to go to the diner for pancakes. They are the best. Marcus, I’m Gunner. Nice to meet you,” Gunner said, holding his hand out to Marcus.
After Marcus glared at him, Gunner had to wonder what was going on besides just meeting a new person.
“Marcus,” Rachel admonished.
Marcus stuck out his hand. When Gunner grasped his, Marcus squeezed as hard as he could. It seemed as if Marcus was letting Gunner know he wasn’t a pushover. Gunner had no idea why Marcus felt he needed to, but Gunner was letting him have the win without getting him in trouble with his mom.
“You’ve got a strong grip, Marcus. I could use you if you ever want to come help me knead dough sometime,” Gunner said, with a smile.
“Mom, I need to go,” Marcus said, raising his eyebrows at her.
“Oh, well, let me get dressed and we’ll get out,” Rachel said.
