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by J. A. Armstrong

  “It happens,” Riley offered. “So, you came home?”

  Fallon sipped her tea. “How do you like it?” She briefly changed the subject and gestured to the mug in Riley’s hands.

  “Not bad,” Riley admitted. “And warm.”

  “Told you.” Fallon sighed. “Are you sure you want to hear this? You must be tired.”

  Riley was sure that when she did crash it would be for hours. Exhaustion was a strange thing sometimes. Her body was tired, but her brain was nowhere close to turning off. “I don’t think my brain is listening to the rest of me,” she said.

  “I get that.”

  “Finish your story. I’m curious about Murphy’s Law.”

  “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong?” Fallon laughed. “Believe me; the name fits.”

  “I take it there were some issues.”

  “Understatement. Aside from the fact that my mother was ready to have me committed? Let’s see, there was Mary Brannigan and Dora Bath. I like to call them B squared.”

  Riley chuckled.

  “And, not because of their last names.”

  “Yeah, I kind of figured that,” Riley said.

  “Dick Bath—and before you say it, I know how bad that sounds.”

  Riley coughed. “Did his parents hate him?”

  “I don’t know. Pretty sure Dora does, though.”

  Riley shook her head. Fallon’s story had only begun and Riley was both amused and intrigued. “So, what’s the deal with Dick Bath?” She choked slightly again. “That sounds awful.”

  “Right?” Fallon laughed. She would never understand why the man didn’t choose to go by Frank or Fran, Francis—anything but Dick. Dick Bath? It was horrendous. “He’s the zoning commissioner. Which in Whiskey Springs is about as thrilling as being a safari guide in New York City.”

  “Lots of work, I take it?”

  “Exactly. Anyway, B squared did not want me to open the pub. I don’t think they wanted me to open up any kind of shop here.”

  “Why not?”

  “Oh, well,” Fallon took a breath. “At first, I thought it was the idea that the boys would have a place to gather again, like the pub was a threat to their marriages or yard work or something. Turned out it had more to do with the fact they thought I might be some kind of threat to their daughters.”

  Riley smiled, immediately catching Fallon’s meaning. “Not a lot of lesbian bars in Whiskey Springs.”

  “Not a one. Not a lot of lesbians either,” Fallon said. “Well, maybe one.” She winked.

  “What did they think—you were trying to colonize or something?”

  Fallon’s burst of laughter took them both off guard. “Sorry. It’s a tempting prospect.”

  Riley smirked. She didn’t need to explore Whiskey Springs in the light to know that it was a small town that lacked the diversity of San Diego or New York City. “So, you get to be the token lesbian who owns the token bar? That must’ve made you the town hero.”

  “It’s a tough job.”

  “I’ll bet. So, they obviously didn’t succeed.”

  “Not once my mother got wind.”

  “Oh, Mama Bear.”

  “Um-hum. The thing about my mom is she loves everybody, but she won’t hesitate to give anyone a dose of the truth.”

  “Especially when it comes to you.”

  “Or my brother.”

  “So, you survived B squared.”

  “Only to have an electrical fire, a flood, and a tree put a hole in the roof.”

  “No…”

  “I swear. Understand the name now?” Fallon asked.

  “Did you ever want to quit?”

  “Every day for a year,” Fallon admitted. “I just kept picturing the jukebox. I don’t know; I could hear my dad’s voice. I’m glad I kept going. Best decision I ever made.”

  “That has to feel good.”

  “Most of the time,” Fallon said.

  “Do you miss the city?” Riley wondered.

  “Sometimes. I can always visit.” She could always visit her friends in the city. She rarely did. They visited her under the pretense of a ski weekend or a week at the lake.

  Riley yawned.

  Fallon got up from her chair and plucked the mug from Riley’s hand. “You should try and get a little sleep.”

  “What about you?” Riley yawned again. “I can grab Owen and…”

  “No,” Fallon put Riley’s thought to rest. “I have to head down to the pub in about an hour.”

  Riley was stunned. “Fallon, you haven’t slept at all.”

  “I’ll sleep later. Really, I’m okay.” Fallon smiled at the genuine concern in Riley’s eyes. Perhaps there was a silver-lining to the chaos of the night for them both. Fallon sensed a budding friendship, something she would welcome. “Get some sleep,” she told Riley. “Give me a call when you wake up and I’ll bring you down to the pub for breakfast.”

  “Breakfast?”

  “Yeah. I try to open for the guys by six or so. Coffee and breakfast. There isn’t any other place for them to stop except a gas station, so…”

  Riley smiled. Who are you, the pied piper? “On one condition.”

  “There are conditions?”

  “Yeah. You let me repay the favor and make you dinner some night. I’ll probably need to find filet mignon to call it even…”

  “I have an in with the local butcher.”

  Riley laughed. Of course, you do. She started for the bedroom and turned back. “Fallon?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Thanks.”

  Fallon smiled. No problem, Riley—no problem at all.

  ***

  “You look like shit,” Carol observed.

  “Don’t hold back,” Fallon replied.

  “So?”

  “What?”

  “What do you mean, what? Who’s the girl?”

  “Riley?”

  “I don’t know. Is that her name? Riley? So…”

  “Oh, my God, you think I took advantage of a woman stranded with her kid?”

  “Did you?”

  “No!”

  Carol put her hands on her hips. Fallon’s reaction was more defensive than she would have expected. She was, after all, teasing her friend. Now, what is that about? “So, what’s her deal?”

  “Riley?”

  “No, Aunt Jemima. Of course, Riley.”

  “Oh.” Fallon shrugged and started another pot of coffee. “She’s moving into the Main’s old place.”

  “Oh. Yeah, your mom mentioned that. Her husband died, right?”

  Fallon nodded. For some reason, that thought made her stomach twist into knots. Riley was young, attractive, and from what Fallon had surmised kindhearted. She liked Riley. Being a single mom wasn’t easy for anyone. Being a young, widowed, single mom, that had to have been hell. “Yeah.”

  “So, her car broke down?”

  “Yep. Good thing I was here.” That thought had passed through Fallon’s mind numerous times throughout the night and morning. What would have happened to Riley and Owen if she hadn’t found them? Riley had shivered well into the early morning. Sleeping in the car would have been dangerous, and without heat? Fallon shuddered.

  “You okay?” Carol asked.

  “Yeah. Just thinking that it could’ve been worse. Walking through the dark in a strange place with a toddler in a snow storm is bad enough. No place to sleep?”

  “Well, you found her so…”

  “Yeah.” Fallon’s phone buzzed. “Hey, you’re up.”

  Carol moved to start another pot of coffee. A steady flow of drivers had been meandering into the pub over the last hour. She kept her eyes and ears trained to Fallon, interested in learning more about the newest addition to Whiskey Springs, and curious about the effect this Riley person seemed to have on Fallon. What’s up with you, Fallon?

  “I think Owen is done with sleep.”

  Fallon chuckled. She had a nephew and two goddaughters who had taught her that children ma
de their schedule and thus yours. “Hungry?”

  “A little. I think he is.”

  “I’ll be up in a minute.”

  “Fallon, don’t worry about us. Take your time.”

  “Carol’s here. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Okay. We’ll be ready,” Riley promised.

  “Riley?” Carol guessed.

  “Yeah. I guess Owen is her alarm clock.”

  “That’s her kid?”

  Fallon nodded. She grabbed her jacket and headed for the door when Pete blew in.

  “Glad you’re here,” he said.

  Fallon stopped. “Why do I not like the sound of that?”

  “Well, you know how you asked me to go check on the Main place?”

  “Yes?”

  “Uh…”

  “Pete?”

  “Well, see the thing is…”

  “Pete!”

  “Um… There’s kind of a tree on the roof.” He braced himself.

  Fallon threw her head back and groaned. “How bad?”

  “Couldn’t tell. No power though. Whole street is out.”

  “Shit.” Fallon’s hand swiped over her face with frustration.

  “Hey, I’m sure that someone can let the lady stay for a few days or…”

  “Or?”

  Pete cringed. “I think the roof might need a little attention.”

  “Fuck.”

  “Hey, Dale has an extra room,” he said. “You know Marge, she’ll be…”

  “I’m not worried about that,” Fallon said. “Riley can stay with me. It’s just a shitty way to start someplace new.”

  “Maybe your luck rubbed off on her,” Pete said.

  Fallon glared at him.

  Pete held up his hands. “I’m uh… just gonna go tow that car now.”

  Fallon groaned. “What the hell else can go wrong?” Her phone rang again. She picked it up without looking. “Yeah?”

  “Well, at least you’re alive.”

  Shit. “I was supposed to text you.”

  “Are you okay?” Andi asked.

  “Just tired. Long night.”

  “So, I heard.”

  “You heard? What did you hear?” Fallon asked.

  “Saving lost souls?” Andi teased.

  “Let me guess, Pete plowed your driveway.” She looked at Pete.

  “Good guess.”

  “I’m sorry I forgot to text you.”

  “Fallon, I’m just teasing you,” Andi said.

  Fallon sighed. She knew Andi was teasing. She also knew that Andi’s concern for her welfare was genuine and well-placed. Last winter, a good friend of Andi’s younger son was killed while he was shoveling his parents’ walkway. A passing truck hit a patch of ice. The driver lost momentary control and hit Ted Donaldson. Storms were common place. They still carried danger. The incident had shaken the town. It had also left an impression on Andi. Dave Maguire had been outside clearing Andi’s walkway about a quarter of a mile up the road from the Donaldson’s. It could easily have been Dave and not Ted.

  “I know you’re teasing,” Fallon said. “I also know you were worried.”

  “I know you can take care of yourself.”

  “Everything okay there?” Fallon asked.

  “I’m fine,” Andi promised. “I’ll probably head down there later for a bite if you’re planning on staying open.”

  “We’ll be here. What about Jake?”

  Andi sighed. “Stuck where he is until tomorrow.”

  “If you need me to come get you…”

  “I’ll manage,” Andi said. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Tired,” Fallon repeated. “And, just got some unexpected news.”

  “Oh?”

  “Nothing dire,” Fallon promised. “I’ll explain when I see you later.”

  “Okay.”

  “Just be careful driving.”

  “Now who’s worrying?” Andi asked.

  I do worry. “Seems fair.”

  “I suppose it does. See you in a bit.”

  Fallon shook her head. Normally, one of Jake Maguire’s unexpected trip extensions would have thrilled her. Nothing about the last twenty-four hours felt normal. I hope Riley doesn’t freak out. I think I would.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Riley stared at Fallon blankly.

  “Riley?”

  “Are you telling me that I have no place to live?”

  “No,” Fallon said. “Just that there is a tree on the place you are planning to live.”

  “And, that’s different how?”

  “Around here, that’s not all that unusual. Listen, I’ll take a ride out there later and have a look. It’s probably not that bad.”

  Riley’s lips pursed.

  Fallon chuckled. “Okay, I get it. This has been a rough start.”

  “That’s an understatement.”

  “Nah. It’s nothing we can’t fix.”

  “Fallon, none of this is your problem.”

  Fallon’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think it’s a problem,” she said. “It’s just shit that happens. We’ll figure it out.”

  “We’ll figure it out? You don’t need to figure anything out,” Riley said. She sighed. “I should never have left San Diego.”

  Fallon looked at her feet.

  “I’m sorry. You’ve been great. I just feel like this is some kind of sign.”

  “Maybe. That doesn’t mean it’s a sign that you’re not supposed to be here.”

  Riley shook her head.

  “Mommy!” Owen toddled over and lifted his arms.

  Riley scooped him up. “I know, little man. You’re hungry.”

  Fallon smiled. “Listen.”

  Riley looked at Fallon. She felt hopeless, and she felt like an imposition. None of her issues were Fallon’s problem.

  “Come down with me to the pub. We’ll have something to eat and figure it out. It’s a storm, Riley. Things happen—things like cars conking out and trees falling. It happens. It can all be fixed.”

  “You’ve already gone out of your way…”

  “Not really,” Fallon said. “You give me too much credit. I towed your car and let you crash for a night.”

  “And, made sure the car got to the garage, and gave us your bed, and came…”

  “Okay,” Fallon held up her hand and chuckled. “The thing is, anyone I know would have done the same thing.”

  Riley found that hard to believe.

  “They would. At least, here they would. It’s one of the things I like about living here. People are people, Riley. I’d be the first to tell you that sometimes people here drive me nuts. They do look out for each other, and that includes anyone who visits. Just don’t give up on your decision to come here because of a few bumps.”

  “Speaking from experience?”

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “Murphy’s Law?”

  “Something like that.”

  Riley sighed. “A tree, huh?”

  “At least it was only one. Could’ve been a forest.”

  Riley couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

  “Come on.” Fallon opened the front door. “I make a mean pancake.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yeah, I have Aunt Jemima on my side.”

  Riley laughed. What on earth have I gotten myself into?

  ***

  Owen spooned some scrambled eggs into his mouth and giggled at Fallon.

  “He likes you,” Riley observed.

  “Probably because he knows he’s smarter than me.”

  Riley rolled her eyes. She had noticed quite a few pictures of Fallon with children back at the house. She wondered if they were nieces and nephews or perhaps the children of a friend. Owen had gravitated to Fallon immediately. She let him stir the pancake batter and swirled him in the air before placing him in a booster seat. Riley had the sense that while Murphy’s Law was a pub by night, it doubled as a family spot by day.

  �
�Do you have a lot of kids come in here?” Riley asked.

  “Depends on what you consider a lot,” Fallon said. “It’s a place people feel comfortable bringing their kids—mostly in the afternoon.”

  Owen grabbed a piece of pancake with his fingers and shoved it into his mouth. He reached out for Fallon and grinned.

  Fallon laughed. “You’re sticky, buddy.”

  “Fallon,” Riley began cautiously. “What am I going to do?”

  “You mean, where are you going to stay?”

  “There is that.”

  Fallon concentrated on her plate. “You can stay at my place.”

  Riley set her fork down and stared at Fallon.

  “I have two extra rooms,” Fallon explained. “I didn’t offer you the kids’ room last night because it’s been closed and I figured it’d be kind of cold in there. You were already…”

  “I can’t impose on you. There must be a hotel or…”

  “There are a ton of places in Burlington,” Fallon said. “And, there are a few B&B’s in the area. Why would you waste money on that when you have someplace right here?”

  Riley groaned.

  “Seriously.” Fallon finally met Riley’s gaze. “I have a room for when my goddaughters visit. There’s two beds in there. And, I have a guest room. Hell, you can have my room for all I care. I usually end up asleep in the chair anyway.”

  Riley looked at the ceiling. What the hell am I supposed to do? She didn’t doubt that Fallon’s offer was sincere. And, the truth was she wanted to accept. If she was going to try to make a go of it in Whiskey Springs, she would need to make friends. She’d like to count Fallon in that group. That was also part of the problem. Taking advantage of someone’s kindness was not in Riley’s nature. The last thing she wanted to do was wear out her welcome when she had just arrived. Bunking down at Fallon’s in the middle of a blizzard was one thing; Fallon providing her with indefinite lodging was another. She was at war with herself.

  “Oh, man.” Fallon started laughing. “Your plate looks like the zombie apocalypse.”