The Heart the Cowboy Broke

by M J Andrews

  “Honestly,” Remi began, “she’s a blubbering mess and these cravings and hormones are insane,” he sighed as he tipped back his long neck.

  “Ah yes, the cravings,” Daisy chuckled.

  “You laugh now sister, but don’t be calling me when you get in the family way and need a Big Mac at 3 am,” he said pointing his beer at Daisy.

  Finn chuckled from beside Remi, “Yes you poor bastard. You got a beautiful woman who tolerates you and let’s be honest… she settled for you. And a beautiful child coming into this world,” Finn said sarcastically from his seat next to his brother.

  “Excuse me, ma’am? Are these assholes bothering you?” Sawyer’s voice boomed from behind. Daisy flicked him a beer with a smile as he took the seat on the other side of Finn.

  “Naw, these assholes are fine. It’s the other assholes I worry about,” Daisy admitted and Finn heard the exasperation in her voice.

  “What other assholes?” Sawyer asked.

  Daisy took a deep breath before leaning across the bar towards her brothers.

  “I can’t seem to keep bartenders. The guys around here get a bit grabby with them and insult the ladies delicate sensibilities,” she put her head in her hands and continued. “Just today, Tina quit because Ricky shot her a wink and made a pass at her,” she huffed.

  “Not all ladies were brought up like you Daisy. You can take care of yourself, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any fancy pants debutant tolerating that,” Remi argued.

  “I think you need to find yourself a male bartender,” Finn offered.

  “I have male bartenders, but I need them to be around in case things get out of hand. They can’t be everywhere, and I can’t find all-male staff,” Daisy argued.

  “You need a hand until you hire someone?” Sawyer asked.

  “No, I still have enough to get around. But I need to find someone, so if you know anyone looking, send them my way,” she asked.

  “Will do little sis. I’ll be sure to send all the debutants this way,” Sawyer joked and Daisy flipped him off before making her way down the other end of the bar.

  A strong hand clapped Finn on the back, “Well if it isn’t McGuire,” a burly voice boomed through the bar. He’d know that voice anywhere and it instantly put a smile on his face.

  “Ethan Ross,” Finn said turning to face his friend. Finn and Ethan had gone through high school together. After graduation, Finn enlisted in the Army, but Ethan went on to the Navy where he specialized in explosives and eventually made his way into the elite Navy SEALs. Finn heard he’d returned and was working with Sawyer at the Sheriff’s department but hadn’t had the opportunity to chat.

  Finn rose and gripped the man in a brotherly hug followed by Remi moving aside for Ethan to take his spot.

  “It’s cool, man. I’ve just been summoned to pick up a quart of ice cream. Apparently, my soon to be daughter already requires Ben and Jerry’s,” Remi sighed before waving to his brothers.

  Ethan chucked from beside Finn, “He’s already wrapped around Charlie’s little finger and the sweetheart ain’t even born yet.”

  “Ain’t just Charlie, that man would do anything for Aubrey,” Daisy said as she moved up to Ethan and handed him a beer. She shot him a wink before she placed a kiss to his cheek, “Welcome home E,” she said to him. Finn didn’t miss the blush that crawled up his friend’s cheeks as he watched Daisy move away to deal with some patrons.

  “What brings you down here tonight, Ross?” Finn asked.

  “I’m meeting a fellow SEAL, Dani. I figured this was as good a place as any,” Ethan said.

  “One of your brothers?” Finn asked.

  Ethan smirked before he tipped the beer to his lips, “Yeah, one of the best. Dani is badass and my ass would have been dead a couple of times had it not been for Dani covering my six.”

  Finn knew the strength of the brotherhood soldiers had with one another. He’d felt that throughout his time in the Army. They relied on each other more than others and when you lost one of your brothers, you felt it in your soul. A man never really came back from war. Not fully.

  With that Ethan’s phone rang and he motioned that he would step out back to take the call. Finn’s eyes were quickly drawn to a newcomer to the bar. She stepped in through the door and all his attention was fixated on her. He’d had his fair share of female company and relationships over time, but there was something about her that just drew him in.

  Her long chestnut hair was pulled back in a braid that reached the middle of her back. She wore military boots, black faded skinny jeans which accentuated her long curvy legs. She had curves for days and the swell of her breasts was barely hidden in a skin-tight black tank and a black leather jacket.

  His eyes soaked her in as he continued to assess the goddess. Her cool complexion was bronzed to perfection. She had beautiful pouty lips that he had the urge to nip and deep blue eyes the colour of the ocean. Their gazes connected and her lip twitched briefly before her facial expression stoned.