Page 61 of No Going Back
“That sounds amazing.”
They left Jabba to snooze in the sunbeams and drove to town. When they parked in the lot near Phail General, Sean pointed at her. “It’s a date. Wait there.”
She laughed but waited. Sean extended his hand, and she took it to stand from the car. She moved up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, kind sir.”
He held her hand as they moved to the sidewalk. He pointed across the street. “I wonder if those are the buildings they’re talking about demolishing to make room for the park Piper planned out.”
They walked across the street and checked out the buildings and the surrounding space. It was mostly an empty field, so this was probably the spot. Branna squeezed his hand. “It will be exciting to see what the town has planned. Maybe we can be a part of helping.”
His serious face turned to her. “You still want to stay? With the insurance money coming your way, you’ll have options. We could return to Miami if you want.”
She shook her head immediately. “Other than to have a wake for Dad, I don’t want to go back. I loved Miami, but I want this new adventure with you.”
His face lit up, and he leaned down to kiss her. “I worried you might change your mind, but I’m glad you didn’t. I think this is going to be the right place for us.”
When they entered the diner, Ginny squealed and popped around the counter to throw her arms around Branna. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m so sorry you were hurt. We wanted to let you heal before we descended like a casserole patrol, but it was so hard. How are you?”
Branna squeezed her back and laughed. “I’m good. Everything has healed, and I’m glad to see you again. I’m so sorry for bringing those creeps to your place.”
Ginny leaned back and smiled. “Not your fault and the jerks are behind bars where they belong.” She squeezed Sean into a hug as well. “And how are you? You were like a superhero charging in there and facing down that asshole.”
Sean flushed and shrugged. “I’m fine. It’s Branna who got hurt.”
Ginny patted his arm. “And that would be harder on you than if it was you who was injured. Come on, grab a seat, and decide what you’d like.”
Branna thought about Ginny’s words as they looked over the menu. She reached across the booth and squeezed Sean’s hand. “I know I’ve said it before, but thank you again for being so damn brave.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’d do anything for you, Branna.”
Manuel came out of the kitchen and set down a plate of chalupas. “On the house. That’ll hold you until your order is up. Glad you’re okay.”
Then he disappeared back into the kitchen, making them both grin. Apparently, Manuel wasn’t big on socializing, but he was an excellent cook and another potential friend. The town appeared to be full of them.
As they ate, at least a dozen people stopped by their table to introduce themselves and welcome them to town. More than a few of them asked if Sean would help with the demo of the abandoned stores and the building of the new park. Others wanted to know if she’d seen the saloon yet and did she know it was available if she wanted to open up her own business.
They’d just pushed away their plates when Troy and Piper slid into the booth with them. Troy grinned. “At least four people stopped into Phail General to tell us you guys were in town. You’re causing quite the buzz.”
She stared at Troy. “We just came in for lunch.”
Piper laughed. “Big news in a town the size of Phail. Especially when most people have heard versions of the story of what happened the other night. Everyone wants to make sure you’re okay and that the jerks haven’t scared you away.”
That was amazing. “We met about a dozen people in here today.”
Troy laughed. “Ginny will ask you to come regularly if you’re going to bring her that much business. Do you want to see the saloon?”
Branna had to laugh. “If nothing else, this town is relentless. You’re definitely going to succeed at whatever you choose to do here.”
Troy waggled his eyebrows dramatically. “Wrong pronoun. We’re going to succeed at whatever we choose to do. You’re part of us, and there’s no backing out now.”
As they walked down the street, more people stopped to check on them and hint about the saloon.
Branna couldn’t contain the excitement building about the idea. It wouldn’t be the same as O’Dea’s. Even though it was an entire town, the population was smaller than her former Miami neighborhood. But owning a pub in a town named Phail had to come with opportunities for smiles and that counted for a lot.
Inside the saloon, she found the bar top was just as gorgeous as she remembered from the other night. In the light of day, she didn’t find anything in the entire space to turn her off. Obviously, upgrades were needed, especially in the kitchen and the bathrooms, but no walls needed to move. Sean confirmed the structure was sound and that most of the work that needed to be done was cosmetic.
She tugged him behind the bar. “What do you think?”
He grinned at her. “I think that’s my line.”