Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Pulling it out, I sigh at the message.
Unknown Number: I need two grand.
I keep blocking her number, but she just gets a new one. It’s constant. And exhausting. She knows she’s only supposed to email me, but she doesn’t care.
She’s not good with boundaries.
Without replying, I block this one, too, then shove the phone back in my pocket.
“You okay?” Christy asks with a frown.
“I’m great. Just a spam text.” I shrug and get to work filling an order for the shrimp tacos that came in through the take-out app. “Hazel’s coming in at noon today, and Tandy said she’d be in at four to help with dinner.”
“Actually, Tandy just called.” Christy winces. “She was doing cartwheels with her niece and sprained her ankle.”
I close my eyes and sigh in resignation. “I’ll call Erica in.”
“Erica is at Yellowstone with her boyfriend,” Christy reminds me. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll stay.”
“You’ve been working doubles all week.”
“So have you, boss lady.” She winks. “It’s fine, I can use the overtime. I have my eye on a pair of shoes that will most likely maim me and make me bleed, but they’re so pretty.”
“Then it sounds like you need them.” I pat her on the shoulder. “Thanks for staying. I’ll stay, too, and the three of us will be good to go. I have three new hires coming in throughout the month, as long as they don’t back out on me. They all want different hours, so I can stagger them throughout the week. I don’t think we’ll have much of a shoulder season, but I’m not complaining about that.”
“This is exactly what this town needed,” Christy says. “It’s different and fresh, and the food is amazing. So it doesn’t surprise me that we’re busy. Tandy feels so bad since she knows Erica’s gone.”
“We’ll be fine.”
I will never complain about having to put in extra hours or being exhausted from running this place.
It’s something I never thought I’d have, and it’s all mine. I bought the building, free and clear, and I own everything inside it.
No one can take any of it away from me.
And the fact that I’m already doing so well just boosts my confidence and reminds me that despite having moments of doubt, this really is where I’m supposed to be.
Chapter Two
BROOKS
“Uncle Brooks!”
I can’t help my grin as my sweet seven-year-old niece, Birdie, comes running into my garage and throws her arms around my legs, hugging me.
“I have oil on my hands, peanut, or I’d pick you up.”
“I know.” She smiles up at me, and my heart lifts. It always does when she’s around. She’s the light of my life, and now she has a little brother I love just as much.
Additionally, Blake and Billie are both expecting.
It’s about time we had a bunch of babies to spoil around here.
“What are you up to? Are you by yourself? Did you steal your dad’s fire truck again?”
Birdie giggles and shakes her head. “I’m not old enough to drive.”
“What? You’re seventeen, right?”
“I’m seven.” She rolls her eyes. “Dad! Uncle Brooks is trying to be funny again.”
“Ouch.” I chuckle and wash my hands real quick so I can pick my girl up and kiss her soft cheek. “It’s good I have you to be honest, Birdie girl.”
“You’re not too busy today,” Bridger observes as he walks in, wearing a baby strapped to his chest. My nephew is fast asleep, sucking his little blue binkie.
“It’s just been steady.” I shrug. “Not too crazy. What are you all doing? Where’s your wife?”
Bridger married Dani almost two years ago. We’ve all known her pretty much all our lives, and I’ve never seen my brother happier.
“She’s having lunch with the girls.” He presses a kiss on the baby’s head. “The kids and I took a walk, and we decided to come see you.”
“I missed you.” Birdie bats her pretty dark eyelashes at me.
“You did?”
She nods and kisses my cheek.
“I just saw you at Sunday dinner last week.”
“That was days ago.”
“You’re right. I always miss you, too.” I blow a raspberry on her cheek, making her giggle. “I love it when you come see me.”
“Did you know there’s a restaurant here that’s safe for my tummy?”
My eyes move to Bridger, and he watches me with sober eyes.
I fucking hate this.
“Is that right?”
Birdie nods. “I can have anything there. Mommy doesn’t have to study the menu and worry that there was cross contamimem.”
“Cross contamination?” I ask her, and she nods.
“Well, that’s good news. I bet you’ve missed eating out, haven’t you, baby?”
She nods but then shrugs. “It’s okay. At least I feel better.”
“That’s the most important thing.”
“Maybe we can go there on a date. Just you and me. Daddy takes Mommy on dates. You should take me on one.”
Bridger grins from ear to ear, and I can’t help but chuckle at her. “You’re my best girl. Of course, I’ll take you out.”