Sunshine and Whiskey: A Garden Falls, TN Romance

by Allie Kay

  Sunshine & Whiskey

  Garden Falls, TN

  Allie Kay

  This is a work of fiction. All people, places and

  events are products of the author's imagination

  and are used in a story of fiction.

  None of the contents should be

  construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events,

  locations, organizations or persons,

  alive or deceased, is completely coincidental.

  Sunshine and Whiskey

  A Garden Falls, TN novel

  Copyright 2018

  Original Copyright 2014 Allie Kincheloe

  Cover by: Allie Kincheloe

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  1. Talia

  2. Sean

  3. Talia

  4. Sean

  5. Talia

  6. Sean

  7. Talia

  8. Talia

  9. Sean

  10. Talia

  11. Talia

  12. Sean

  13. Talia

  14. Sean

  15. Talia

  16. Sean

  17. Talia

  18. Talia

  19. Sean

  20. Talia

  21. Talia

  22. Sean

  23. Sean

  24. Talia

  25. Sean

  26. Sean

  27. Talia

  28. Sean

  29. Sean

  30. Sean

  31. Talia

  32. Sean

  33. Talia

  34. Sean

  35. Sean

  36. Talia

  37. Sean

  38. Sean

  39. Talia

  Take Your Time

  About the Author

  1

  Talia

  "Why couldn't that bouncer have given me the good handstamp? Nothing says baby like a handstamp that says Underage." Karly glared down at the red ink on her hand like it was poisonous.

  "You are underage. He's just doing his job."

  "That's beyond the point." She slouched down in her seat and pouted. Drama queen Karly liked to be the center of attention and wasn’t particularly choosy on how she got the attention. Positive or negative—it was all attention to her. Probably a result of being the youngest child. “I’ll be twenty-one soon anyways. He could have fudged it a couple weeks.”

  “Months,” I fake-coughed and got a glare from my sister.

  “I hate you, Talia.” Karly said. “I won’t come back here if I have to get another baby stamp.”

  “Wah.” I twirled my hand so that the blue stamp on my hand was clear to Karly and flipped her off. I liked to annoy my sister. Only thirteen months apart, she and I had been practically inseparable most of our early years. These days, I felt a good decade older though. “Poor Karly got the ugly red stamp and can’t sweet talk the bartender into giving her a beer tonight. The horror!”

  Karly stuck her tongue out at me. “I mean it. I am not coming back here.”

  “You know you will, because there aren’t many cool places to hang out in Garden Falls. I can’t believe you guys hadn’t been here before. But the next time we come here, you will be twenty-one and can get the pretty blue stamp like Talia, Anna, and I have. And bonus for us, we won’t have to hear your whining.” Claire rolled her eyes at my sister and I couldn’t help but laugh at the two of them. They bickered like old ladies, but they were a lot of fun, and they had planned this evening to try to cheer Anna and I up after our ‘boy trouble’.

  Anna’s husband had crashed into a construction site a few months back and still lay unconscious in the hospital. It didn’t look like he’d ever wake up. She’d spent practically every waking moment at his side. I was surprised they convinced her to come out tonight even.

  My boy troubles were far less heartbreaking. I’d merely finally gotten the guts to break up with my jerk boyfriend, Caleb.

  “I look like a dork.” Karly crossed her arms over her chest. “This place is stupid.”

  "You are a dork, Karly." Anna shook her head. She pointed at the bar. "Maybe if you’d quit complaining for five seconds you’d have seen the eye candy behind you."

  Karly and Claire spun in their seats.

  I leaned over and whispered in Anna’s ear, “You are just trying to distract them, aren’t you?”

  Anna smiled at me, though the happiness didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Maybe I am, but if it stops some of the bickering it’s worth it.”

  I wrapped her in a hug. “I’m glad you came out tonight. I’ve missed you.” My dad and Anna’s were not only best friends, but business partners. We’d grown up together, and Anna was practically my big sister. I hated that she was going through hell and I’d been so self-focused that I hadn’t been there for her. “I’m going to be a better friend to you from now on.”

  “You’re gonna make me cry. Stop it.” She nudged me and stabbed a finger in the direction of the bar again. “And you didn’t look. Behind the bar, both totally daydream-worthy.”

  My gaze followed her gesture. Two guys stood pouring drinks, both well-built and hot enough to attract plenty of attention. Two girls draped themselves over the bar trying to get close to the taller man. Their skimpy dresses and spiked heels were drawing male gazes from all parts of the club. One of them reached over and laid a hand on his tattooed forearm, her intentions clear even from this distance. He shook his head, smiling as he pulled away from the flirt's grasp. He sat a couple beers in front of them before turning to another customer.

  “He’s certainly giving off quite the bad boy vibe.” I sighed. “Not sure I’m interested, even if he is hot. Besides, look at all the attention he’s getting. You know I just got out of a really bad relationship. Caleb is still calling and texting me so many times a day that I may have to change my number.”

  “Talia, no one said anything about dating him. But you can certainly admire the scenery. I see you picked a favorite though. Tall, dark, and handsome is most certainly an excellent choice.”

  I watched as he joked with the other bartender. The broad smile on his face drew me in. Something about him tugged at me like gravity. “I’m going to get us some drinks.”

  Anna laughed. “Sure, go get us some drinks. We’ll just ignore the waitress when she comes by then.”

  Ignoring her, I made my way around the edge of the club. I’d never been here before so I absorbed every glorious detail. Lush green plants in rough-hewn planters gave the illusion of privacy to the booths along the edges of the room, the natural element adding depth to the ambiance. Beautiful stained glass windows depicted garden scenes and looked almost biblical in content, yet somehow didn’t feel out of place in a crowded nightclub. A long wooden bar, lighter in color than the walls, stretched along the right-hand side. Spying an empty stool at the back, I made my way around and slid onto the leather seat.

  The taller bartender I’d been eyeing came my way. My eyes went straight to his massive chest and I had to crane my neck up to see his face. Way up. Towering well over six feet, his shirt stretched taut across his muscular frame. Tattoos peeked out from beneath the rolled sleeves of his plaid shirt, but his broad shoulders threw shadows across his arms and kept me from making out their design.

  Holy scorching hotness.

  “What can I get you tonight?” His deep voice carried well
over the peppy din of the music. That low rumble shimmied down my spine, pebbling my skin with each delicious syllable. One look into those eyes and I lost all ability to form words.

  I didn’t find my voice until he winked at me and repeated his question. His look of utter self-confidence made me want to slide right under the bar and die.

  Embarrassment burned in my cheeks and a choked little sound escaped my throat. “Oh, um… just a beer, please, I guess. Whatever you recommend.” He opened his mouth to speak but shook his head and seemed to talk himself out of it before he turned to get my drink.

  The dark hair and five o’clock shadow intrigued me. My eyes followed his motions as he grabbed a glass from behind the bar and held it under the tap. His movements were controlled, precise. The other man behind the bar knocked a few napkins to the ground. My bartender bent to get them and my mouth dried completely out. The rear view was just as appetizing as the front. Oh my… I grabbed a napkin and fanned myself.

  A shocked squeak escaped me when a lanky hand grasped my wrist and yanked me off the barstool. I’d been so absorbed in staring at the perfection in front of me that I hadn’t seen Caleb coming. I gasped at the murderous expression on my ex-boyfriend’s face. I was in for it now.

  “Come on, you ignorant bitch.” Caleb jerked me behind him. “I’m tired of you ignoring my calls. We are going to talk whether you like it or not.”

  Now, I had no shame admitting that I read romance novels, but I mean, what girl doesn’t? And when the heroine was being drug around by some caveman-like jerk was when the as-of-yet-unmet hero always showed up and rescued her. Sadly, I’m not the heroine of any story and when I twisted my ankle, stumbling and losing my balance, no sexy prince on a white steed galloped up to save me. I was on my own tonight.

  Instinct called for fight or flight, but I’d learned the hard way not to fight Caleb. After living with him for almost a year, I recognized all warning signs. As pissed as he was, by leaving with him I’d be signing my own death warrant, especially since he’d clearly been drinking.

  But how could I get away? Caleb wasn’t a big guy, but still stronger than me.

  A new book lay on my bed, untouched, waiting for me to bury my nose in it, to lose myself within its pages. I’d planned to spend the night lost in my own little literary world, escaping my reality and submerging my soul into a world where men protected women and guys like Caleb never got the girl. Claire and Karly had talked me into coming tonight to see Anna and look how that was turning out, but I should have stayed home.

  I wished I’d stayed home now.

  Caleb twisted my arm until tears welled up in my eyes. His bony fingers dug into my flesh. “Stupid whore. I saw you trying to flirt with that bartender. I’ll teach you to look at someone else. Just you wait.”

  2

  Sean

  “I suggest you let the lady go now.” I glared down at the boy in front of me. He had the blue of a 21+ stamp on his hand, but he was still a boy. A man would treat his woman better. The pretty redhead beside him struggled to free her wrist from his grip.

  “I’ll take my girlfriend wherever I want.” The tremble in his voice didn’t line up with the confidence in his words. “Fuck you.”

  Conversations stuttered to a stop and the noise level in the club dropped several octaves. An anxious yearning filled the air, hanging on held exhales. Any second now, I fully expected to hear someone begin chanting, “Fight, fight, fight.” People might say they didn’t like violence, but my experience said otherwise. These people wanted nothing more than to see some asshat get a beat-down.

  “This is my club. People don’t get hurt in my club.” Unless I’m doing the hurting. “And I don’t let girls leave with guys when they are clearly unwilling.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I sent my fiercest scowl down at him. “She stays. You go. Now get the hell out of here.”

  The shaggy-haired punk shoved the redhead away without a word. She teetered and wobbled after her abrupt release.

  He backed off but didn’t break eye contact with me. He eyed me up, his expression saying he was ready to go to battle.

  Try me, fucker. I haven’t had a good fight in ages. My fists clenched in anticipation.

  He looked away. He’d clearly had enough to drink to want to mouth off, but not enough to brave a physical altercation with the likes of me. The scrawny turd shot her an evil glance and snapped at her, “We’ll talk about this later when you don’t have your new bodyguard beside you.” The little asshat stomped out of the club, two friends following like they were on a tow trailer attached to his ass.

  I exhaled, my breath a mix of disappointment and relief. As much as I wanted to knock that punk’s teeth into his stomach, customers taking swings meant the cops got called. There wasn’t much I hated worse than a damn cop setting foot in my club. Except maybe abusive assholes like that guy.

  I turned my attention back to the redhead. She cradled an already bruising wrist against her chest and looked up at me. Her eyes, the most brilliant shade of green, brightened with tears, her shoulders started to shake, and I just couldn’t fucking breathe. Something in my chest twisted in the face of her pain, and something like fire roared over my heart. My arms ached for her. It took every single ounce of self-control I had to keep my hands to myself, to not sweep her into my arms, carry her to the back, and make her mine. What the fuck was wrong with me?

  “Aww hell, don’t cry. Come on.” Laying a hand on her shoulder, I steered her gently toward the back of my club where we could have some privacy and she could pull herself together. The crowd parted easily to allow us passage. Unlocking the door, I pushed her into my office and over to the couch. “You want me to call you a cab? Or someone to pick you up?” I asked, careful to keep my voice calm. I didn’t want to spook her. She’d had a rough night already, and I didn’t want to send her into a panic.

  She sank down onto the couch and sniffled. I stood next to her and patted her shoulder, murmuring that it would be okay. I rubbed my chest with the other hand, trying to rub away the ache that started at the sight of her tears.

  Sobs racked her shoulders and I couldn’t take it anymore. Sitting next to her, I pulled her into my arms. I brought my hand up to rub her hair and brushed my lips across the top of her head. Those sweet arms of hers slipped around my waist and I had to strangle back a moan. I fought down the rush of desire when she shifted closer and her soft curves pressed temptingly into my chest.

  Her tears slowed, but she sniffled and struggled to regain her composure. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

  “Shh,” I reassured her. I tightened my arms around her and inhaled the clean scent of her shampoo. As her tears slowed, the tightness in my chest eased. She affected me far more than I wanted to admit. More than she should have.

  Fuck, it’s been too long.

  When she’d sat down at my bar earlier and turned such a pretty shade of pink, I thought I might take her home tonight. Forget my voluntary vow of celibacy for the evening. I’d dusted off my game and been ready to get my flirt on. I normally liked my women bold and sassy, ones who could stand up for themselves, but something about her shy smile reached out to me. Then I turned back around just in time to see that little fucker drag her off the barstool and into the crowd. I’d have stepped in, even if I wasn’t personally attracted to the girl, but this woman had definitely made an impression on me.

  “Let me ask you something. What’s a pretty girl like you doing with a bozo like him anyway?” I moved to brush a lock of hair out of her face and she flinched, just slightly, just enough to send that familiar ball of dread plummeting into my stomach.

  “The most popular guy on campus noticed the bookworm.” She shrugged. “Caleb and I broke up recently. He’s not taking it well. You’ve seen just a glimpse of his temper. I can’t thank you enough for all your help tonight.”

  “You’re afraid of him.” I phrased it as a statement, not a question. And it didn’t surprise me a bit when she only nodded.

&
nbsp; I’d seen a lot of abused women in my time, and this one’s behavior screamed abused, from the wary eyes that jerked to the slightest motion and the involuntary retreat from a touch. She’d been hurt. More than once.

  She looked up at me with her sad eyes and I inhaled a ragged breath. There was something broken in her that called to the busted part of me. Like called to like, I guess. And the shadows in her eyes made me want to protect her from jerks like that Caleb.

  I wanted to kiss her. But I shook my head, trying to shake some sense into my stupid self. She had things rough enough without a guy like me lusting after her.

  And Lord knows, a girlfriend didn’t make my to-do list. Or even my want list. I’d worked too hard to get my shit together, to get Garden off the ground and make it successful. I wouldn’t throw years of work out the door for a teary-eyed redhead. And her on the rebound to boot.

  Rebound relationships never work. Everyone knew that.

  Just my luck that the first woman I’ve found seriously attractive in a while turned out to be entirely off limits. I pushed a hand through my hair and swallowed that regret right down. “So, do you need a ride home or something?”

  “I came with my friends.” She waved toward the bar. “I should probably go back out there before they file a missing person’s report.”