Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
"Two Buds, one dark IPA, and nine shots of Patron."
I cringe at the shot count. There are going to be some folks regretting their choices in the morning, but it's not my job to judge folks making their own decisions.
"And two bottles of water and one diet soda for Adalynn and Madison."
I get to work on making the drinks.
"Madison isn't having her usual tequila and Diet Coke with lime?"
"She is not," Claire confirms, and for some reason it makes Riley's face light up as she turns to Claire.
"Really?"
"Really," Claire confirms.
"That's so exciting!" Riley says, looking over her shoulder at the large group across the room.
"Did I miss something?" I ask, placing the beers on Claire's tray before getting to work on the shots.
"Any idea why a woman wouldn't be drinking, Walker?" Claire asks.
I shrug. "Early morning? Just not in the mood?"
Claire sighs as if I'm the most frustrating man she has ever had to deal with.
"She's pregnant," Riley explains, letting me off the hook faster than Claire seemed willing to do.
"Wow," I say, genuinely surprised. "Never would've guessed that."
"It's why Adalynn isn't drinking either," Claire adds.
"Adalynn never drinks," I tell her. "Wait, she's pregnant, too?"
"This one," Claire says with laughter in her eyes as she hitches her thumb at me.
Riley chuckles, and I'm glad to see the woman smiling. Moments ago, she was in a dark place. It's nice to see someone perk up at someone else's happiness rather than growing bitter.
I complete Claire's order and she scoops up her tray like a pro without spilling a drop.
"Are you two a thing?"
I snap my eyes back down at Riley, immediately shaking my head in denial.
"About your issue," I say, rather than breathe any life into a rumor that might be starting. "Maybe your menu and prices aren't fit for this small town."
The glee she has in her eyes from learning about Adalynn and Madison being pregnant disappears as if a switch was flipped.
"Do you know how expensive wagyu beef is? Artisan cheeses?"
"I'm sure folks around here would be fine with 80/20 ground chuck and cheddar. They just don't want to have to cook it themselves," I tell her.
"So change my menu?"
Once again, I hold my hands up, my bar towel brushing my shoulder. "I'm in no position to tell you how to run your business. Artisan whatever may work in Austin, but I think it's been proven it won't work here."
"So change my menu?" she repeats.
"Or move your business to the city, but I can tell you, I imagine there's no shortage of catering businesses in Austin. Have you seen how many gourmet food trucks roll into Lindell when we have our annual Eighty Bites Around the World?"
"My dream has always been to stay here in town," she says, and I can hear the sadness and emotion in her tone.
"Let me get you a fresh drink while you mull it over," I say, unsure of what else I can say to make things easier for her to decide.
Chapter 12
Claire
"I don't understand," Nora says, standing on the porch. I've seen her stand in the doorway of her house so many times I swear this is how I'll always remember the woman. That and the pinched smile on her face that makes her look constipated.
"I'm going to spend an hour with her," I say, smiling down at Larkin who is tugging on my hand, trying to pull me away.
As forgetful as she can be about cleaning up her toys before dinnertime, she surely didn't forget my promise to take her to the park for a little while this afternoon.
"Then I'm going to drop her off at the Graves Estate for a playdate. I was asking if it would be okay if you or Leo could pick her up at six."
The woman blinks at me as if I've sprouted a second head and started speaking a different language.
"Dinner is at five."
"I'm sure Madison will feed the children."
"You're sure? I don't like knowing that my granddaughter might not eat an evening meal."
"Madison isn't going to let them starve. Are you unable to pick her up? I just need to know. I'm sure Walker can cover the bar for half an hour if you want me to do it?"
I know I ask a lot of the Kennedys, and I know this woman is tallying up every favor I've requested, as much as I know she's no doubt literally keeping score. That's just the kind of woman she is.
"We don't have a problem helping Larkin," she says eventually, emphasis on my daughter's name. She's always quick to remind me she doesn't do this for me.
"I'm really grateful," I tell her. "Thank you, Nora."
I allow Larkin to pull me off their front porch. With her excitement, it's easy to get her into her car seat. I wave to the witch on the front porch before getting behind the wheel, buckling up, and driving away.