Page 67 of No Going Back

Her eyes danced as she laughed. “Is this the favor you said you would return later on?”

He waggled his eyebrows. “Nope. Saving that for tonight. This is something I’ve been working on while you were working on your secret project.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep.”

Soon, they were in the truck and Branna had the scarf wrapped around her eyes. He knew she probably knew where they were heading, but she was bouncing in her seat and enjoying the fun.

They’d left Jabba at home, so it was just the two of them when he parked behind the Saloon. He moved around the truck to open her door. He took her hand. “Watch your head.”

He helped her to the back door and unlocked it. Then he led her inside and locked it behind her. “Are we close?”

“Just another minute. I’ve got you.”

She leaned into his side as he walked her through the kitchen and into the main room of the saloon. He kept moving until they were in the bartender's space behind the bar.

Deciding to let her find the surprise on her own, he stopped her and turned her until she faced the mirror at the back of the bar. That way, he could see her reaction and watch her figure it out.

He stood at her back and hugged her against him. “You have to find the surprise.”

She laughed as he removed the blindfold and he watched her light up as she realized where they were. For a long minute, she leaned back into him and let her eyes move from him to the shelves, to the mirror, to the room behind him, and then back to him.

Her smile never faded, even though none of what she could see had changed much since her last visit. He squeezed her and kissed her hair. “Go find it.”

She grinned and moved to her left. He made a sound like a buzzer, making her turn again. “That sounds like a clue I’m heading the wrong way.”

Still smiling, she turned to her right and slowly walked along the space, checking out everything on each side. At the end, she turned her head to the hallway that led to the kitchen.

When she spotted the new door, she gasped and her hands flew to her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears, and she turned to him.

His own misted up, and he moved to pull her in for a hug. “Let’s go see your snug, Branna.”

She burrowed into his chest for a minute, and he heard her pulling in a breath. She nodded and turned to the door. With a quick twist, she pushed open the door and then gasped again. “Oh, Sean.”

He worried for an instant, but she turned to him with tears streaming down her face and wrapped herself around him. He held her tightly and rubbed his hands over her, unsure what to say.

Finally, she drew a breath and stepped back. She wiped her eyes and pulled a tissue out of her pocket to blow her nose. “Sorry. I’m overwhelmed. By this, by you. It’s perfect.”

Whew.

Branna took his hand and tugged him into the snug. He closed the door behind them and she took her time looking over the space. Her eyes dried, and her lips tipped up until she was beaming as she looked back at him. “It’s identical to my dad’s snug. How in the world did you do it?”

He grinned. “We spent almost as much time in the snug as we did in that musty, old fort in the basement. I’m glad my memory was good.”

He turned to the hidden closet door and opened it. This time, her gasp didn’t surprise him.

“Even my hideaway.”

He nodded. “Having that hidden space in the snug possibly saved your life. No way was I leaving it out.”

Branna released his hand to run her fingers over every surface. The built-in bench running along two sides, and the small table. She lifted the latch to look out into the bar through the gap.

Then she turned and leaped at him. He caught her as she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Her mouth fused to his, and she tasted like love.

“Thank you. This is incredible. I never even imagined having a snug here. I’ll think of my family and you every time I’m in here. You’re wonderful, Sean. Thank you.”

He kissed her softly. “You’re very welcome. I’m so glad you like it.” Then he set her on the table, which he’d ensured was sturdy enough.