“Me too,” Sarah said.
“We’d planned on staying in Dodge City, but if you have room for us here, I’d love the chance to get to know you. When Jesse contacted us, we had no idea our dad had a brother,” Tori said.
Locks chuckled. “I’m not surprised. He didn’t exactly approve of my life or the position my wife occupied in our bail bonds company. He cut all ties and I was a hothead. I got mad that he didn’t think I was good enough and decided to never contact him. Prideful, I know. Let’s get you ladies some snacks because Broken Hearts Brewing has some amazing food. Do you like to read? I’d love to buy you some books because isn’t that what Great-Uncles do?” Locks said.
His words seemed to relax everyone, and in minutes, they had pushed a couple of tables together and were all eating.
Rachel really wished she could go sit close to listen, but duty called. She gave Gunner a kiss on the cheek before hurrying to Clara and Faith over by the cats.
“Are these going to be available all the time?” Faith asked.
“Yes, as long as I can keep them in stock. Why do you ask?” Rachel said.
“Well, I love the names and the idea of gift boxes. I can see using these as teacher gifts or friend gifts even for girls Deborah’s age. If they’d be available, I was going to start making my list,” Faith said.
“Yes. For now, they are only available in the shop, but we’re going to add shipping so that people can buy them for gifts. We’ll have a Broken Hearts Brewing box that will include a book and one of the cats, possibly a coffee mug,” Rachel said.
“You have done a fantastic job. I’m so happy you came to Bluff Creek. I consider you family, so getready for me to spoil my new grandkids,” Regina said.
Rachel giggled. “You mean that hadn’t started yet with all the deliveries we received?”
“Oh, that was just the start. Let me know if you need anything. I’m going to go tell the kids how much I love the cards they made,” Regina said.
Rachel left Faith picking out cats. Rachel had left some in the back room for their actual opening day but just from seeing how many were being sold, she’d need to get started making some more. She was ecstatic everything was going so well. Tomorrow evening was their restocking time before they opened for good, bright and early Valentine’s morning. Gunner had made heart cookies with a ribbon on them with Broken Hearts Brewing’s name. Rachel was glad he’d put some in the freezer to keep because they were addictive, and she couldn’t leave them alone.
Chapter Nineteen
Rachel breathed deeply, concentrating on putting the last couple books on the shelf. The store was quiet. Night had fallen, with only the streetlight at the end of the block on outside. She and Gunner might want to add some outside lights under the pink and red awning—maybe some Edison lights hanging from underneath it.
The coffee shop that seemed so welcoming during the day gave off sinister vibes tonight. She needed a couple more of the kids’ cards to refill the station for tomorrow. She pulled them from her stock area in their office and walked back out.
“Well, well, well, looks like beanpole found a cushy spot. If you want to keep those bratty kids, I think five thousand would be a good start to our payment plan,” Maynard wheezed.
The last year hadn’t been kind to him. His unwashed, greasy hair hung past his ears. She cataloged him for any threats. She couldn’t see anything she deemed a threat unless a seventies tracksuit, which had numerous stains, could carry some dread disease.
“What? Your sunny personality can’t figure out an answer? How about you bend over that chair and I’ll do you for free for old times’ sake? Then you get your scrawny, stupid ass over to the register and give me my money!” Maynard screamed.
“It is I, Prospect Finn, tasked with fighting for the rights of majestic unicorns. How may I be of service to the realm?” Finn asked, walking in from the kitchen.
“I take it Gunner is through waiting?” Rachel asked, grinning.
“He was fine to wait if you wanted to have your say but since you weren’t talking, he was concerned,” Finn said.
“Who are you, and why do you have a pink unicorn backpack?” Maynard asked.
Gunner walked out, followed by the rest of the men who’d wanted to support her. Beth and the sisters had offered but with the cousins in town only through Saturday, Rachel was good with just the guys.
“He’s one of us,” Gunner said.
Oh, her man looked good with his black short-sleeve T-shirt under his cut. She’d told Gunner last night about the plan she’d put into action with Beth. Instead of being irritated, he’d praised her for taking the initiative and asked how he could help. When he’d held her in his arms and said he had a fierce need to protect her while letting her have closure with Maynard, she’d been glad they were alone, and she’d crossed one other thing off her bucket list with Gunner. Her man loved her mouth on him.
“Who’s us?” Maynard asked.
“The Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC,” Finn replied.
“Well, she owes me money,” Maynard said.
Gunner’s warm hand on her shoulder reminded her that Maynard had no power over her.
