by Jami Wagner
Chapter Twelve
Sara
“My father’s on his way here.”
“Right now?” Liam asks. “This place isn’t ready yet—it’s getting close, but not yet. I thought he said he wasn’t coming back until the place was finished.”
“Yep, I know. I told him that much, but he insisted.”
My father hasn’t been here once since he moved me here. I have no idea why he thinks he needs to come now. He knows the bar isn’t ready. I really hope this isn’t his way of trying to prove I can’t do this. It wouldn’t be like him to act that way with me. He’s taught me everything I know about this business. If anything, he’s coming to see if I was paying attention all these years.
“He didn’t say anything to you over the weekend we were there, did he?” I ask, since Liam was staying with my father—which I still think is weird.
“Nope. He mentioned something once about distractions and how if you keep letting them get in the way, it’s going to set things back. But I wasn’t actually part of that conversation and didn’t catch it all, so I didn’t ask about it. Probably shouldn’t have even told you since I have no idea what he was talking about.”
“He thinks I’m distracted?” But everything is on schedule. Nothing has happened to delay the opening.”
Liam shrugs. “Yeah, like I said, I probably missed the main part of that discussion.”
“Well, who was he talking to?”
“I don’t know. I just turned around and went back to the guest room.”
What’s my father thinking? Nothing is distracting me. I’m doing everything that he wants me to do. That could have been the reason he had Liam stay with me in Rockland this weekend, instead of going up to Wind Valley, so I wasn’t distracted. Sometimes I really wish I knew what was going on in his mind, but at the same time, if I’m this paranoid when things go as planned, I can’t even imagine what process his mind goes through.
“I’m sure if it was something important, he would tell you.”
“Well I’d hope so,” I say. “Let’s get some things done in here to make it look presentable. I don’t feel like giving him anything to say today.”
* * *
I watch in almost pure agony as my father walks around the bar. He’s going slowly and making sure to inspect everything he sees. It’s driving me mad. Liam is standing next to me trying to hide a smile. He knows how stressed I get when my father is around. One mistake and my entire career path could be taken away from me. Yeah, I’d still have a business degree, but I I’d have to find a whole new business to be in. I’d have to start over from scratch with nothing, and I don’t want that. I don’t think I could handle working from the ground up. I don’t care if I sound selfish. My father may have started this business, but for the last two years I’ve done a damn good job helping him keep it running. If it weren’t for me and maybe Ethan handling the BA last year, Dad wouldn’t even have this place to open right now. My place. Damn it. I better start acting like the boss.
“Dad, maybe we should go get lunch. You had a long drive, and I’m sure working isn’t what you wanted to do the moment you got out of your car.”
“Nonsense, someone needs to keep you on your toes. If I didn’t come here to check on you, I doubt this place would look as clean as it does. There would probably be papers all over the bar top—your signature way of keeping things organized that no one but you can figure out. There would probably be boxes lying around the entire space instead of neatly organized in rows on the wall over there. I know you better than you think, Sara. Next time I come, maybe I should tell you I’m going to be working in the office and you’ll finally purchase those filing cabinets I keep telling you to get.”
“Actually, Dean, those cabinets have already been ordered.”
“Really?” My father beams at Liam, as do I. He ordered cabinets?
Liam nods. “Yep. And those boxes have actually been organized for a week now. We took care of that when we came back from Wind Valley. You’d be impressed at the steps Sara has taken since I started here. I’ve only suggested we do it sooner rather than later.”
A smile creeps on my father’s face as he stares at Liam. It’s a little unsettling.
“I knew there was a reason we met. You’re exactly the kind of man my daughter needs.”
My face scrunches up at his comment. Because he ordered cabinets?
“She isn’t one to ask for help, so she needs someone who is going to step up and make those decisions for her.” My father gives Liam a pat on the shoulder. “You’re going to fit into this family just fine.”
“Family?” Liam and I both say, confused.
“Yeah, eh, you know, the bar business family.”
Liam chuckles uncomfortably, but I just keep looking at my father. He glances away and heads for the door.
“Now, what were you saying about lunch?”
“Good, I’m starving,” Liam says as the door closes behind my father. He nudges my shoulder.
“Don’t look so surprised and ignore his comment. It kind of makes me feel like a loser.”
“Why?” I ask, trying to figure out what’s going on because the things he’s pointed out actually do make it look like I’ve been distracted.
“Because I didn’t come up with those ideas, ordering the cabinet or telling you we need to organize the boxes so when the storage room is ready we can unpack them easier. Logan told me I should do those because he had a feeling you would overlook them. He said you’re great with the big picture, but you space out a lot on the little things. He’s also the one who came up with the suggestion to hire my band friends now because they could be useful later. He’s a smart guy.”
The small mention of his name and the thought that Logan is training Liam how to help me accomplish everything I need to before this place opens warms my heart. My dad isn’t giving Logan enough credit. I sure wasn’t. I blink back the tears that sting my eyes. Great, I miss him even more now.
Logan
The words on my laptop computer screen are starting to blur together. I pinch the spot between my eyes and take breath. Tyler was again able to hack into the system of the children’s home we went through and get me the address in Nevada where my sister is still living with her foster parents. It’s the same damn address I’ve been sending letters to and the same damn address they keep coming back from, unopened. If they’re anything like the family I was set with, she isn’t getting her way at all. She’s nineteen now; she should be moved out and on her own. Something doesn’t add up.
Groaning, I shut the computer down and stretch, popping my neck in the process. I need a break from this. Maybe I need to rethink the entire situation. What if she doesn’t want to see me? What if I’m trying too hard for something that isn’t there? She was little when we were split up—does she even remember having a brother?
“Hey, man,” Conner says, stepping into the kitchen. “You’ve been sitting at that table for hours. Don’t you think you should get up at some point?”
He opens the fridge, twists the cap off the orange juice with his name on it, and drinks.
“Yeah, just trying to take care of some stuff,” I say, standing.
“It looks like something important. Want to talk about it?”
“It’s a long story.”
Conner watches me for a moment before he nods his head. “Yeah, cool, another time maybe.”
“Yeah,” I say. Then we just stand there, looking at each other and making an already awkward conversation even weirder.
“Okay, so I’m going to head out. Shift starts in an hour. You coming in tonight?” Conner asks, turning for his room.
“I think so. It’s either that or sit around here doing nothing.”
“Cool, see you there.”
* * *
Four hours later, I pull up a seat at the bar top. Conner nods his greeting, twisting off the top to a bottle of dark beer and sliding it my way.
“Slow night,” he says.
“You can always depend on the regulars.”
“We’ve got to depend on someone.” He chuckles, stepping away to meet Beth, who joins us with a tray full of empty glasses.
Conner and Beth work easily together. I schedule them on the same shift a lot because they are a strong team. Abby works well, too, even if she keeps flirting with Conner like she’s doing right now. Beth just rolls her eyes every time Abby speaks. Most days I couldn’t care less, but days like today, days when I haven’t spoken to Sara but five minutes, makes me wonder what goes on in the mind of a woman.
“This seat taken?” His voice booms in the almost empty bar.
“Dean,” I greet him. “What brings you down here?”
“I just thought I would see how things are going. Check up on the place. Do you come here on all your nights off?” he asks, declining a beer and requesting a water from Conner.
Great. He’s probably thinking I’m a drunk or something.
“Just on the nights I feel like it,” I say. Damn it, that sounded stupid.
“Well, let’s hope you don’t feel like it too often.”
With a closed-mouth smile, I nod and then take a long pull from my drink.
“No, sir.”
An awkward silence falls between us as I drink my beer and he his water. I set the empty glass down and Conner signals for another. I shake my head “no” even when another beer is exactly what I need.
Every subject Sara’s father likes flashes through my head as I try to think of something to talk about. I’ve never been in a situation with him where we didn’t have anything to talk about. Maybe now would be a good time to ask for his approval to marry his daughter. Not exactly planned and very early, but I’m confident of her answer. After she opens The Silver Tap and moves back to Wind Valley, of course.
“So, Sara seems to enjoy Colorado,” I start. I’d better ease into this conversation.
“Yeah, I think so too. I actually just got back to town from visiting her.” He nods. “She’s done a fabulous job. She’s surrounded by good people. Smart people. People who could take her places.”
I shake what I’m taking as insult from my head. Don’t let him get under your skin.
“Sara brings out that side of people.” I sip my water. “She did it with me; I have no doubt she could do it with anyone else.”
I feel his eyes on me, but I don’t turn to face him. Keep it cool, Logan. He’s probably trying to decide if he believes me, if he thinks I’ve changed, or how he’s going to change the subject again to bring me down.
“I suppose that’s true,” is what he says instead.
I pinch my lips together to hold back my smile. I stumped him.
My immature side wants to laugh at this stupid conversation. I mean, come on. I can’t hold a conversation with my girlfriend’s father. How lame does that make me?
“Liam’s turning out to be quite the gentleman, and he’s doing a fine job being there for Sara. I’m happy we found him. She needs someone like him around to keep her on track.”
And just like that, it’s a punch to the gut as he insults me, again. I’ve always known Dean doesn’t like me, but when he says things like this, I know without a doubt he’s trying to push Sara and me apart. I want to tell him, “Too bad. You’ll have to find another way to make Liam part of your family.” But instead, I stand and lay some cash on the bar.
“She’s sure one lucky woman,” I say. “Have a great night, Mr. Connelly.” I’ll have to get his permission another night.
Chapter Thirteen
Sara
Sitting alone inside The Silver Tap, I’m able to absorb the bar’s atmosphere and feel proud of how far it’s come. The music box arrived last week. Liam set it up right away because working in silence has been miserable. I turn the set on random and pull up a seat at the bar. Without Liam here, I don’t have to be on top of things. He’s a dedicated worker and I’m proud he’s on the team, but I miss taking a few minutes to just do nothing. Nothing but play on my phone.
I tap the screen to my Instagram account and the most up-to-date photo is of Clara blowing a spit bubble. I scroll through a few more and stop when I get to one of Logan. He’s got his arm wrapped around Ethan, who is holding Clara. They’re standing outside Kelsey and Ethan’s house. From the sweat glowing off his face, they were more than likely shooting hoops.
I stare at the photo. I miss that smile. Those lips. The way his arms flex when he holds me. I even miss those times after he and Ethan have played ball for hours when he wraps his sweaty arms around me and doesn’t let me go until I’ve kissed him. A smile touches my lips at the memory. That was another sneaking around moment. I can’t wait to share those moments in front of people. It’s only been two weeks since I saw him and I’m going crazy.
“Hey, girl,” Andi’s voice startles me.
“Hey,” I breathe as I set my phone down and twist in my chair. She doesn’t need to know I was ogling Logan’s picture.
She pulls up a seat and I hand her the keys she came to pick up.
“Thanks,” she says, watching me with a puzzled look on her face.
“What?” I ask. I’ve only been around Andi a handful of times, but she’s always been easy for me to talk to. In a way, I think she is going to be my Colorado Kelsey.
“The look on your face is a little depressing,” she says. “Do you have a special someone back home? You look totally bummed out right now, and guessing a guy has something to do with it is usually right 98 percent of the time.”
“Is it really that obvious?”
“Yes, it is. You look mopey,” she says. “When was the last time you saw him?”
“Two weeks ago.” I shrug. “I was supposed to go home and see him this weekend, but Liam went instead.”
She doesn’t miss a beat. “Why didn’t you go?”
“My father thought it would be best if Liam went to get more training.”
“But don’t you own this bar, don’t you get to make the decisions on how he’s trained?” she points out quickly. Has she been planning these questions? “You should get to make those decisions, right?”
I should, yes, but not until I get those papers. I smile, not wanting to get into that discussion with her.
“Hmm, you have a pretty good point there, rookie,” I say. “You might just be my favorite employee right now.”
“I’m basically your only employee right now.” She laughs. “Besides the other people you hired and Liam, but I don’t know how much he counts as an employee of yours since he is always doing what your dad says. How does that work anyway? Do you guys share this place or what? Why’s he setting most of the rules, and why is he controlling Liam’s training?”
I freeze and stare blankly at her. Now that she mentions it, my father does seem to be controlling most of what Liam does and something isn’t right about the ownership papers taking this long. I press my eyelids closed and drop my chin to my chest. Please do not let this be another one of my father’s schemes to keep Logan and me apart. I’ve been denying it since the day I got here, but enough is enough.
“My father’s a smart man. He has a plan for everything,” I tell her and fake a smile. I sure hope she believes me because I need to change that ASAP. “I seek his advice every now and then, and it makes sense to have Liam train in a fully functioning bar if he’s going to be managing this place on his own.”
“Okay.” She hops off the stool and heads for the door. “I won’t pry anymore because I need to get going, but it’s Friday. Just go home. What are you going to get done here that you can’t get done there?”
Nothing crosses my mind.
“I just might do that,” I tell her, still staring at the door after she’s left. Why didn’t I think of that?
My ringing phone grabs my attention. I let the unfamiliar number go to voicemail because I’m that girl. I screen any call that comes from a number I don’t recognize. Immediately my phone chirps w
ith a voicemail. I punch in the password as I gather my purse. If I want to get on the road, I’d better start packing now.
Resting my phone between my ear and shoulder, I lock the door just as the voicemail begins to play.
“Hi, Ms. Connelly. This is Allen with Feature Your Cable Company. I am calling to confirm the setup for tomorrow morning. Arrival time should be anywhere between nine and eleven. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me on my cell, (303) 859-1597. Have a great day.”
The voicemail ends and I stand motionless on the sidewalk outside the bar. So much for visiting Logan this weekend. I start heading for my place again when it occurs to me, I may not be able to see Logan, but I sure can call that lawyer and find out what’s taking so long to transfer ownership.
Logan
Inviting Liam to stay with me this weekend is a huge step for me. I want to like him for Sara’s sake, but at the same time, I still see him as competition. I don’t like competition. I’m confident Sara loves me and only me, but I’m no idiot to deny that unplanned things happen. And with Liam being the one who’s there with her, I still don’t trust him, and I definitely don’t want to give him a reason to think he has the upper hand.
So finding Abby inside my apartment the second Liam and I step inside is the last thing I want to deal with, and it sure as fuck doesn’t look good.
“Abby, what’re you doing here?” I say, groaning the moment I see her sitting my couch. My voice is firm, but I don’t care.
“What do you mean, Logan?” She rolls her eyes at me.
“I mean, why are you are on my couch?” I ask, attempting to stay calm. “And could you please put some clothes on?”
I throw a blanket at her and then turn off the TV, tossing the remote onto the couch next to her. Dammit, Conner. I swear, if he’s hooking up with her, I’m going to beat his ass. I warned him about her and yet, here she is, in my apartment.
This definitely doesn’t look good.
“Stop acting like you don’t know why I’m here.” She grabs the remote and turns the TV back on. Then she rests her feet on my coffee table and crosses her ankles. “Hey, Liam.” She winks and then removes the blanket covering her body. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. This is a crazy amount of trouble. I rub my hands down my face and shrug at Liam. I still don’t understand why she’s wearing only a t-shirt. Probably means Conner is around here somewhere. I glance around the apartment. He’s nowhere to be found. Where the fuck is Conner? This is not what I wanted to come home to.
