AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Someone we know?”
“I don’t think so. She’s new in town. In fact, my new bartender is the Sheriff’s girlfriend.”
“Are you shitting me?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Anyway, I’ve got to go and get those groceries before the supermarket closes.”
“It’s three in the afternoon. The shops don’t close for hours.”
Brody’s radio crackles to life and saves me from my brother’s questioning look. His colleagues are asking for extra assistance getting an injured hiker down the mountain, so he grabs his gear and is out the door without saying so much as a goodbye.
I head out myself and can’t help but glimpse inside the police station. There’s no sign of Meredith or Sheriff Thompson. For a moment, I debate whether or not I should ask my cousins Wren, Willa, and Winnie if they know anything about the Sheriff’s relationship, but I don’t want them to think I’m crazy. I’m not the kind of guy who gossips, so they’d get suspicious right away. I only listen to gossip when I’m mixing drinks for my customers and have no choice. Why does this even bother me so much? Meredith is not mine to claim.
I give the police station one last glance before heading back outside. I decide not to go and buy any groceries, but to head to the gym instead. I need to let some of this frustrated energy out, and I need a punching bag for that.
Chapter Three
Meredith
Telling Caleb McAllister that Sheriff Thompson was my boyfriend probably wasn’t the best idea I’ve had in a while, but I panicked when he asked me about my visit to the police station. I couldn’t tell him the truth: that the stipulations of the Witness Protection Program instruct me to check in with Sheriff Thompson on a regular basis.
In my defense, I didn’t realize the guy was near retirement age. Until our meeting yesterday, I’d only spoken on the phone with him. I hope Caleb doesn’t think I’m some sort of gold digger. Not that I’m aware of Sheriff Thompson being rich. And what if the man had been happily married? I could’ve gotten the poor guy into a lot of trouble. Fortunately, he wasn’t wearing a ring and there weren’t any pictures of a woman in his office. But I need to be smarter about the lies that I tell.
Ugh. Why did I have to witness that horrible crime and why did the killer have to see me? If none of that had happened, I’d still be happily working as a chem lab assistant and would be able to see my friends and family. I miss them so much. They don’t even know where I live now. The only thing I could tell them before moving out here was that I’d be safe but wouldn’t be able to return home until after the trial.
I give Furball another one of the treats I bought her yesterday and fight the urge to cry. I need to be at the bar in half an hour, so I better get a move on. I don’t want to be late on my first day working there. I spent last night reading all I could about being a bartender until my head spun from all the information. Furball gives me one last nuzzle before I get up. I’m happy that I’ve got her to keep me company in a town where I don’t know anyone. Well, except for Sheriff Thompson, Caleb McAllister, and two out of three of his triplet cousins, that is.
I arrive at the bar five minutes early and head inside, a mix of nerves and excitement whirling around in my stomach.
“Hello,” I call out.
Caleb appears from the storage room, the muscles of his arms straining under the weight of a full crate of beer. Holy smokes, does he always walk around looking that hot?
“Hi, Meredith.” He puts the crate down on the counter. “I’ll be right there.”
He hauls another box of liquor to the counter and hands me an apron. “Ready for your first day?”
I shrug. “I think so. You’ll be here the entire time, right?”
“I won’t leave you to fend for yourself during your first shift. Don’t worry. I’m here for you.” He grabs a beer from the crate on the counter. “Let’s start by stocking the fridge, okay?”
“Great.”
I follow his lead, grateful that he doesn’t mention the whole boyfriend thing. It’s probably best to keep things strictly professional anyway. After we’re done restocking the fridges and shelves, Caleb gestures to the rows of bottles behind the bar.
“Ready for your next lesson?”
I nod.
“These right here are our basic spirits: vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and whiskey. Each one has its own distinct flavor profile.”
He grabs a bottle of vodka and cranberry juice, demonstrating how to make a simple vodka cranberry. “Start with a shot of vodka which you measure with the jigger. Then add cranberry juice and finish with a wedge of lime. Easy enough, right?”
“If you do it, yes,” I say with a smile.
“Here, why don’t you try one yourself?” Caleb hands me an empty glass.
I do my best to mix the drink as he showed me. I manage, maybe with less finesse than him, but it tastes damn fine.
