My head tips back, laughter escaping me as my younger brother starts hootin’ and hollerin’ as he finally releases the two of us. This is exactly what I’ve been needing.
Home.
CHAPTER FIVE
ELLA
Standing along the railing, I close my eyes and inhale the scent of the air drifting across the lake. It carries wisps of my hair across my face. I reach up to brush them away before looking back out at the water. The serenity of it wraps itself around me. The sun is beginning to set from behind, casting its orange glow across the shimmering surface of the water.
It looks like the painting I worked on last week, except the hues are much more vibrant in real life. Contentment rolls through me, my soul soothed as a soft smile crests my lips. This is everything I’ve worked so hard to achieve. A slow and peaceful life where my cup is filled.
“Hey,” Remi says softly as she walks up beside me, bumping her shoulder into mine. “There’s everyone’s favorite bartender.”
“I was finishing up my break and getting ready to come back in.” I tilt my head to the side, raising an eyebrow at her. “What brings you out here? Need a break from the madness inside?”
“Pfft,” Remi blows out the sound, rolling her eyes. “There’s barely any room for anyone to walk around.” She glances back at the door. “I told Rose I needed a minute of quiet.”
“Is she okay in there?”
Remi nods. “Yeah. Maisie just got here a little bit ago, so I think everything is good for now.” She pauses, a smirk dancing across her lips. “When I was walking out, I saw all three of the Wild brothers walking in.”
My heart picks up the pace as my eyes widen at Remi. “All three of them?”
Cole Wild, the middle Wild brother with tousled dirty blonde hair and the softest of ocean blue eyes.
“I know, I was just as surprised to see him.” She purses her lips. “Did you know he was going to be back in town?”
My forehead creases and I shake my head at her. “No. I haven’t talked to him in years.”
“Do you remember how you had the biggest crush on him when we were in high school?”
I snort, shaking my head at her. “We were children then, Remi,” I laugh softly. I may have had a crush on him back then, but so did every other girl who went to Silverspur High.
“You’re not children anymore though,” she informs me, wagging her eyebrows. “You’re single and maybe he is too.”
“You’re crazy,” I chuckle, rolling my eyes. “Who knows what his dating life is like? He’s probably married with kids of his own.”
Remi purses her lips and raises her eyebrow at me. “So, you are curious about his dating status.”
I stare at her, the laughter vanishing and I swallow hard around the lump lodged in my throat. “No, Remi. Just because you’re a hopeless romantic, doesn’t mean the rest of us are. Some of us are realistic and have no plans of being with anyone. Ever.”
Remi’s expression softens and she reaches for my hand, giving me a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry, babe,” she says quietly. “One day, you might change your mind.”
I force a smile onto my lips and shrug. “I wouldn’t hold my breath, but I suppose you never know.”
“You’re right.” She releases my hand, bumping her shoulder into mine. “Maybe the boy you had a crush on years ago ends up changing your mind.”
Laughter escapes me and I playfully push her shoulder with the palm of my hand. “You’re impossible,” I giggle, my head moving from side to side. “I don’t know what the future will hold, but I do know for now that I’m perfectly happy by myself.”
Remi stares at me for a moment, her expression unreadable before she nods. “We should probably head back inside,” she says softly, a smile lifting her lips. “We shouldn’t leave the ladies alone in there with the madness for too long.”
“After you,” I say, moving my arm in a sweeping motion toward the door. Remi heads in through the back of the bar and I follow. The sound of country music playing through the speakers wraps around us as it mixes with the various conversations happening throughout the restaurant.
Remi strides through the kitchen, heading straight through the doors that lead to the bar. There’s no hesitation from her. She thrives in this kind of environment. I prefer the quiet, calmer parts of life, although here at the bar, I’ve been trying to make the best of it. I’ve been trying to find what fun I can have in it and I’ve found that putting on a smiling, friendly face who offers warm conversation brings happiness to the customers.
I pause by the door, sucking in a deep breath before letting it out. I push on the doors, stepping back into the familiar space behind the bar and I dive right back into my work. I relieve Rose of the customers she was taking care of in my absence and I make my way through, making sure they’re all content and served.
I finish with the second to last group and that’s when I see the Wild brothers sitting at the end of the bar. Cash and Cade sitside by side and there, seated to the right of Cade, is none other than Cole Wild.
