Harley slumped. “His ex and my ex are all but living together and calling the shots about Tyler. And if Cullen wants weekends and overnights, I can't be in the picture. He's giving me the cold shoulder all together.”
Juniper leaned across the counter and took her hand. "I'm sorry, Harley. I know how much you care about him."
“It sucks even more because I live next to him,” Harley said. “He's helping Dawson with something today, and I also know he's talking about what a dickhead my ex-husband is and how worried he is about Tyler. I'm glad he's doing that, I just wish I wasn't being punished.”
“You didn't do anything wrong.”
Harley pointed a fry at her. “I broke Graham's nose.”
"He beat you."
"I didn't tell anyone," Harley said softly. "I don’t have proof."
"I don't care. The man deserves to be in prison for what he did. We shouldn’t be shaming the victim."
Harley laughed. "Funny, that's what he says."
"God, I want to hit him." Juniper shook her head.
“Hi there," Tara said, her voice sweet. "Welcome to Juniper's Pub. Can I help you?”
Juniper glanced over her shoulder out of habit.
"Holy shit," she whispered.
Beatrice Strickland stood just inside the door wearing white linen pants, a pale-blue blouse, sunglasses pushed up into silver hair, and a smile Juniper had seen on her wedding day, at birthday parties, and the day she'd left for Calusa Cove.
"I'm looking for my niece," Bea said. "Juniper. Juniper Solstice. I'm her Aunt Bea. Could you tell her I'm here?"
"I didn't know you had an aunt. You never mentioned her."
Juniper’s grip tightened around the towel. "Slipped my mind."
"Family slipped your mind?" Harley said.
"Oh. Welcome," Tara said. "Juniper's right over there."
Bea walked around the bar and smiled. “Surprise, Juniper.”
“Aunt Bea,” Juniper said, because what else was she supposed to say? “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see Juniper's Pub for myself.” Bea reached her and folded her into a hug. "I wanted to see what you've done with this place I've been hearing so much about."
Juniper left her hands at her side. She should've returned the hug. She knew that. But she couldn't bring herself to do it.
“Let me get a good look at you." Bea held her by the shoulders. "Florida sure has been good to you."
“I like it here.”
“It's too hot, and the bugs are the size of my fist.” Bea laughed as she glanced around. “But this place sure does look like an authentic Florida tiki hut or bar or pub or whatever it's called. It's adorable, and I love seeing your name on the sign.”
"Everyone in town started calling this place Juniper's about a month after I bought it, so thought it was only fitting."
"I didn't think it would fit you." Bea glanced around. “Is there some place we can go chat in private? Family business.”
“Sure.” Juniper wiped her hands on the towel even though they were dry. “Let's go back to my office.” Juniper led Bea through the kitchen, ignoring the stares from the staff, and into her small office. She shut the door behind her and sat at her desk. Her phone was in her back pocket. Her weapon was in the drawer. It wasn't like she could have it on her when she worked.
And at the bar, that would make the staff nervous.
