His eyes soften.“He’d want you to have one.You know that, right?”
“I do,” I say, choking up.This always happens with Bowen.He’s been there for me for so many things since I was sixteen years old.“I’m going to move it to the corner and buy a new one.That’s what I was doing when you walked in.I was researching.”
“Find anything?”
“No, but I will,” I assure him.
“Let’s go grab some dinner.I’m starving.”
“Is that why you’re here?You want me to feed you?You know, you need to start offering some other options at the bar.”
He runs his fingers through his hair.“I know.It’s on the to-do list.”
“The joys of being a business owner.”I laugh.Bowen owns The Hideaway.It’s the only bar in Magnolia Ridge.He serves typical bar food, including wings, onion rings, fries, and fried pickles, but they’re all appetizers.I keep telling him he needs to expand his menu.
“Hey, Ellie—” Courtlynn steps into my office, but stops when she sees Bowen.“Oh, it’s you,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“Baby Moran, always a pleasure.”Bowen smirks.
“Did you need me?”I ask my little sister.When she and Bowen are in the same room together, it’s like another world war is about to take place.He’s picked on her since she was a kid, and she’s hated him for it every single day.
“I just wanted to tell you that we’re full for the night.Sara was checking in three couples for the last three open rooms as I was leaving.We are officially at capacity.”She grins.
“Really?That’s great.Thanks for telling me.It’s not often we fill all fifteen rooms.”
“Yeah, I guess the Comptons are having a family reunion this weekend, and some of the family decided to come a few days early and visit a little longer,” Courtlynn explains.
“Sounds like a win for everyone.”I smile at her.
“Yeah, as long as you get along with said family,” Bowen points out.
Courtlynn rolls her eyes, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her they’ll stay that way—something Mom used to say a lot when we were growing up.It must have been hell to raise daughters all pretty close in age.
“No one asked you, Nichols,” Courtlynn spits.
“So testy.Have you eaten?Is your blood sugar low?Is that why you’re so cranky?”
“Whatever,” she says, turning her back to him to face me.“Are you going to be home for dinner?I was thinking of making Mom’s chicken and dumplings.”
Her voice changes just a bit.Nothing anyone else would notice, but I do.Courtlynn was only sixteen when we lost our parents, and now, at twenty-five, she’s still kind of just… floundering, I guess.She does anything that needs to be done at the inn or on the grounds of the estate.She never complains, but she’s yet to find her thing.
Well, has yet to realize her thing.
We all know the kitchen is where she wants to be, but she can’t admit it.She used to cook with Mom, who ran the kitchen all the time, and that’s where her heart is.One day, she’ll figure it out, and when she does, I’ll gladly hand over the reins to her.
“Actually, squirt, I’m taking your sister to dinner tonight,” Bowen speaks up.
“Eww, really, Ellie?”Courtlynn leans her head to the side to study me.
“He asked, and you know we’re just friends,” I remind her.
“Thank the lord for small favors,” she mutters.
“I think Mom’s chicken and dumplings sound great.Bowen?”
“You know I’m down for Baby Moran to cook for me any day.”
“Careful, you might enjoy your last meal and never wake up.”
