He twisted to see Cort at the table behind him. He and Marlow were together, watching Shayna and Andy in high chairs. Wade, Bobbi, and Gloria were with them.
Shayna hadn’t stopped smiling at Gloria from the moment the woman sat down and started a game of peekaboo from behind her hands. Andy had loudly claimed his little sister by saying, “My baby.”
The buzzing conversation in the room grew quiet when Butler started listing Brogan’s “good deeds and acts of heroism”—As if I’d done anything heroic—and proclaiming that the town would honor him by putting his photo next to Cort’s on the wall of the tavern. Okay, Brogan was military, and Cort was military, so that wasn’t so bad, but still he felt his neck getting hot.
Chairs screeched on the floor as everyone stood and applauded. Cort lifted his glass of cola in a toast. Andy loved the fanfare.
Brogan, not so much.
Butler loudly cleared his throat. “Before we proceed—”
Proceed with what?Brogan wondered.
“—we have a few special guests.”
Leaning close to Pixie, Brogan whispered, “What now?”
“Shh,” she replied, still with that teasing smile.
Dee Pearson made her way to the front of the room, with Gunther Prader beside her.
Brogan barely bit back his groan. He scanned the crowded room and saw Gunther’s wife, Lily, and son, Toby. Toby waved at him; so, naturally, Brogan had to wave back.
Given how she could embellish a simple act, Dee should have been a storyteller instead of a music teacher. The way shetold it, Brogan had saved her from certain death during a horrendous storm. She went on to tell everyone that he still visited her to help with her heavy groceries, like big bags of dog food, canned goods, and lawn supplies. She shared every small gift he’d ever brought to her: flowers, treats for her dog, and a new cake pan she had mentioned wanting.
More applause exploded around the room.
Brogan seriously wanted to sink lower in his seat, but hey, a SEAL didn’t do that, so he sat tall and dipped his head in gratitude.
Gunther started in next, also claiming that without Brogan’s help, he would have died in a truck fire. He shared how Brogan had rescued his dog from the truck, earning an “aww” from everyone. Then he boasted—As if it was a big deal—that Brogan and Pixie had come to visit his family a few times now, always offering to lend a hand.
When the applause died down this time, Brogan hoped that was the end of it. He was starting to get hungry, damn it.
Instead, Ellen and Benny took the floor. Ellen stood behind her son with her hands on his shoulders and let Benny do most of the talking. Brogan had to admit, hearing the tale from the kid’s perspective, it really had been a miracle that he’d gotten to Benny in time. Ellen shed some quiet tears while Benny showed off the scars on his forehead and forearm.
Ellen finished up by saying that thanks to Brogan’s quick reactions and ability, she still had her son. She said she’d never again let him on the dock without a life preserver.
Brogan gave a firm nod of satisfaction. In his opinion, every kid who was near the water should be wearing one. Accidents happened all the time, and that one really could have ended in disaster.
Of course, Robin, owner of the Docker restaurant, came up next and announced to everyone that he’d helped her to come up with a safety protocol, which she’d posted near the docks.And she even shared that he’d donated a dozen life preservers, which she’d customized with the restaurant’s logo.
Pixie hadn’t known about that one, so she turned to him in surprise. Covered by more clapping, Brogan whispered, “I did that while you were working. Didn’t think to tell you about it.”
“More like you were being modest, but that’s okay.” She gave him a quick kiss.
When the room quieted again, Cort walked up to the front.
This time, Brogan didn’t bother hiding his groan. “There might be one more thing I haven’t told you.”
“I know,” she said. “But Cort shared—and I love the idea.”
Cort faced everyone. “Last year, when Marlow moved here, I petitioned to change the rules.”
Everyone was back on their feet instantly, the cheers louder than ever.
Marlow joined Cort, all smiles, and announced, “Bramble is the best town ever!”
The noise became deafening. Concerned, Brogan checked on Shayna, but she was taking her cues from Andy, and Andy was loving it. Eyes wide, his little Sugar flailed her arms and squealed loudly.
