Page 42 of No Going Back
Branna bounced forward and behind the bar. Sean played his light across the bar top and she reached forward to run her hands over it. The wood was probably as old as the building and had been polished hundreds of times over the years. The grains shone through the worn wood. “This is absolutely stunning.”
Sean chuckled. “Sure is. The bartop is nice, too.”
Branna shook her head, but she was smiling. This man knew exactly how to cheer her up. And to distract her from the threat hanging over her head.
“Troy said there are blinds on the front windows, so I’m going to turn on the lights.”
“Won’t that mess with the secret mission?”
He laughed again. “Troy’s car is out back. No one is going to think anything of the lights being on.”
But he’d made it into a fun mission for her. Once he flipped on the lights, she got another look at the bar. It was even better in the light. She ran her hands over the polished finish, and memories of her pub consumed her. But they had her smiling. “Dad would have loved this bar top.”
Sean nodded and popped onto a stool facing her. “I think you’re right. And he would have made up a ridiculous story about how the wee folk had conjured it up for some ancestor or another.”
“I love that.” And maybe she could make up a similar story. “Maybe the wee folk had met with some foreign friends on a faerie raft at one of their festivals. They taught them the magic of creating a bar that would lighten the load of those travelers who were lucky enough to pull themselves up to it for a pint.”
She mimed passing Sean a drink, and he bowed his thanks. “Thanks me wee lassie.” Branna laughed at his terrible accent and curtsied.
After Sean mimed taking a drink, he gestured to where she stood. “What do you think? What kind of shape is it in back there?”
A quick glance showed it wasn’t bad at all. Space beneath the bar for small refrigerators and sinks. Even enough for a commercial dishwasher if they wanted one out front as well as in the kitchen. The shelves behind the bar were in front of an enormous mirror. “Just like all the westerns I’ve ever seen.”
She met Sean’s eyes in the mirror. “Thank you for bringing me on this mission. I’m loving it.”
“Loving it enough to consider running it? Moving here permanently?”
She leaned back against the bar and maintained eye contact in the mirror. “That depends.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “On what?”
“A couple of things.”
When she didn’t continue, he gestured for more.
Smiling, she turned around. “It depends on me figuring out my insurance money. It depends on if Prince Hawley gets his ass tossed in jail.”
Sean nodded. “Anything else?”
“The most important thing of all. It depends on you. Are you going to stay in Phail?”
He grinned at her. “Looks like we’re building ourselves a saloon.” Then he leaned over the bar to kiss her.
CHAPTER 14
Back To The Drawing Board
Sean woke feeling lighter than he had in a while. The Hawley threat was potentially closer, but he and Branna had figured some things out. Mostly, she wasn’t going to run without him. That worry had been nagging, but Branna took her promises seriously. He’d finally been able to fall into a deep sleep, knowing she’d be there in the morning.
He was thrilled she’d fallen in love with the Saloon and wanted to stay in Phail. With him.
When he’d seen her joy in the space, he’d almost blurted out that he was completely and totally in love with her. But he was a chickenshit and had kept his mouth closed. He might scare her off if he spoke too soon, and he didn’t want that.
Branna stirred and let out a sigh that sounded more turned on than tired. He’d spooned her in front of him, and his body had already reacted to her soft skin and curves.
He brushed his thumb gently over the breast he’d reached for in his sleep. A soft smile curved her lips and her eyes fluttered open. He hoped he could keep waking up with Branna for the rest of his days.
He pressed his lips to the shell of her ear and traced his tongue along the edge. “Morning, beautiful.”