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“Bad news, Junie.”
“No, please don’t. I can’t handle more bad news, Dawson,” I whine, like a little girl.
It’s been a rough couple of days. I’m pouring through everything, but I swear Dawson didn’t ruin my order with Holden. Wherever that call came from, it wasn’t my bar or Dawson’s cell. It’s damn weird and sadly just one in a bunch of things. There have been so many little things fucking up that I’m starting to wonder if I walked under a freaking ladder, or maybe broke a mirror.
First, the AC wasn’t working when I got here. Katie did her best to handle that. She called the HVAC company. Somehow, the core on the outside unit got a freaking hole in it. The guy said it happens all the time, especially on units mounted at the back of a house or business. It sucks, because I just had that unit replaced. That’s going to be a cash hit I wasn’t expecting. After buying the place, plus all of the renovations and buying my house… I’m close to being broke. I got a shit ton of money from The Rat—which is a great name for Greg and just one of the reasons Ben makes me happy. It was a lot of money to shut me up about the abuse and threats. I took it, because I just wanted out and the only way he’d let me go was if I promised not to damage his reputation—the slime. I thought at the time it was more money than I’d ever need, but simply put, it doesn’t take long to go through a lot of money when starting over. Still, I’m okay. This is my home now. I’ve put down roots, and I’ve invested to make it my home. I’m done with moving, and I’m standing on my own—which is something my mother never did.
Of course, that resolve only works if more shit doesn’t break down. After the liquor issue—which had me running to the Liquor Barn in town and trying to buy enough booze to cover what Holden didn’t have, and the AC… I’m starting to worry. The company couldn’t fix the AC tonight. They said it would be tomorrow, because they needed to replace the coil. I thought about closing for the night, but since I’m bleeding money, I stubbornly refused. I put up a sign saying the AC was on the fritz. People still came in, so whatever. It’s hotter than hell, but maybe they’re so drunk they don’t care. I have some fans.
“Sorry, Junie, but we’re out of Jack, and I just opened the last of the top shelf Tequila.”
Fuck.
Those are our two biggest sellers and the night is only half over. I don’t know what I’m going to do, and I’m about too hot to worry about it. I want a cold shower and to be back in bed with Ben.
“Did someone call for air conditioning?” My head jerks up to look at the front door as I hear Ben yelling over the crowd.
My eyes go round, and my heart flips over in my chest. I feel like I might pass out. Ben comes striding in rolling a dolly with two window air conditioning units. Behind him is Gavin with one unit, but it’s bigger than the ones that Ben has.
He walks over to me, stopping out from the bar because of his load. I walk around like I’m in a trance.
“What…” I have to stop because my throat goes tight. I look at his face, his beautiful face, and something takes root that never has before. I don’t even know how to explain what it is.Faith? Trust? Belief? Hell, maybe it’s even love…“What did you do?” I ask him, and I have no idea if I’m talking loud enough for him to hear me. I’m completely stunned.
“Taking care of my girl,” he says and if it wasn’t love before, I most likely am now. My knees feel weak as jelly.
“Ben…How did you… I mean…”
“Katie called me. She wanted me to talk you out of opening tonight. I know you’re too stubborn for that. I did the next best thing.”
I don’t even think. I wrap my arms around him, and I kiss him. Right now, right here, and in front of everyone—including my brother. As it always does with us, the kiss goes deep and hungry, and I don’t care about that either. I lose myself in our connection and in this man.
Never.
Never in my life has anyone done something like this. Ben did it without a thought, without me saying anything. I can’t wrap my head around it. He did it for me, not because he had to. He did it because he wanted to make things easier for me. He did it…because he cared.Not to mention, these units aren’t cheap. I know. I priced them. Ben doesn’t seem to be hurting for money, but I’d wager a guess that a small-town sheriff doesn’t make amazing pay.
“God, stop the kissing before I have to burn out my damn eyes,” Gavin complains from behind us.
It’s enough to make us break apart a little, not much because Ben’s arms are still around me.
“He insisted on coming, and I figured you’d get upset if I killed him,” Ben jokes, giving me a playful smile as his dark eyes twinkle.
“Probably,” I murmur. “You didn’t have to do this, you know.”
“I know. I did it because I wanted to.”
“I could fall for you, Sheriff.”
“I’m banking on it, Junie.”
“Can we get on with this? Watching you make out with my sister is going to ruin my appetite, and Luna’s cooking my favorites tonight,” Gavin growls. When I look over Ben’s shoulder, though, Gavin is smiling at me, his face relaxed, he’s laughing silently and he’s staring at me. He’s happy and…so am I.
“There’s something you should know, Junie.”
“What’s that, Ben?”
“Before you fall for me, you should probably know that I have to fight myself daily to keep from killing your brother.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
