Kylie’s eyebrows lowered, something she did when she was thinking too hard.
“Sawyer?”
Travis shook his head.
“Braydon?”
“Nope.”
“Brendon?”
He smiled. “Not any of my brothers, darlin’.”
“Kaden and Keegan? Did they finally get up the nerve to ask Bristol out?”
Travis laughed. “If they did, why would they want us to tag along?”
Not to mention, Bristol was with Kaden, Keegan, and Beau’s mother, the four of them attempting to corral the kids at Travis’s folks’ place so Curtis and Lorrie could join the celebration tonight. At least for a little while.
“Is it just me or does there seem to be some tension between them?” Kylie asked. “Something seems off since Christmas.”
Truth be told, Travis wasn’t paying much attention these days, but now that she’d mentioned it, he was sure he’d find a way to get up in their business sooner or later.
Gage joined them, carrying three beers. He set them down, then eased into a chair beside Kylie.
“He won’t tell me,” she pouted as she leaned toward him, planting her hand on his chest and giving him those puppy dog eyes. “Do you know?”
“If I did, I promise I’d tell you.”
That was clearly not what she’d been hoping to hear, but before she could launch into more questions, the door opened, effectively distracting her.
For the next hour, people began piling in. Kaleb and Zoey, Zane and V, Ethan and Beau, Braydon and Jessie, Sawyer and Kennedy, Brendon and Cheyenne, and Curtis and Lorrie. Chester had come, so had Greyson and Olivia, Jaxson, CJ and the rest of the volunteer fire department. Robert, Mack’s brother, had come in and led his young wife right to the bar, evidently wanting a front-row seat. Rex and Jack finally arrived, along with Rafe, who was brooding in the corner, his full attention on Bailey Weber, Mack’s trusty waitress. As usual, Mack was behind the bar, only he was smiling for the first time in a long damn time.
Of course, there was one person who was glaringly absent. Travis had honestly hoped that Daniel would show up tonight because Kennedy had personally extended the invitation.
“So what’s the big surprise?” Kylie asked, leaning toward him once more.
Travis curled his arm over her shoulder and pulled her close so he could whisper in her ear. “If you ask me that one more time, I’m gonna take you to that little office in the back and give you a distraction.”
Kylie laughed, once more smacking his chest. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He eyed her, ensuring she saw the promise. Before he could go caveman on her and toss her over his shoulder, the door opened and the sheriff stepped inside.
Travis met the man’s gaze and nodded. Kennedy had come through for her father, gathering everyone who was important to Mack and getting them there for this very special occasion. Granted, Kennedy hadn’t bothered to tell anyone the reason for their coming. Well, anyone except Travis, because he wouldn’t commit until she did. Of course, she’d only agreed to tell him if he promised to help. Which he did.
And here they were.
Finally.
*
The instant Travis Walker stepped into the bar, Mack had suspected something was going on. And with every Walker who filed in behind him, his hackles had risen. Something was definitely going down, though for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what. However, he did seem to be entertaining the masses tonight, all eyes watching his every move.
He hadn’t really gotten antsy until Robert had showed up with his wife in tow. He couldn’t remember the last time his brother had come to the bar, but he had to admit, he was happy to see him there. But Curtis and Lorrie’s arrival had made his Spidey senses tingle, and Mack knew he looked like a man who was waiting for the guillotine to fall.
When the door opened and Jeff walked in, Mack breathed a little easier. The sheriff had promised he would stop by when he got a chance, and just seeing him made Mack relax a little. Since his man was on duty tonight, Mack retrieved a Coke from the fridge and poured it into a glass, earning a thank you and a wink. He went back to work, filling orders, listening to the chatter, and smiling to himself.
Right up until the entire bar went eerily silent.
