Page 27 of Dragged Home for Christmas

“Then whyareyou here?” Sam asked.

Murphy held a bunch of posters in one hand. “I’m asking store owners and anyone who’s interested if they can display one of these.”

Mike went over to him and took one. The jolly red Santa and green reindeer stood out against the beige paper. “Toys for Tots?”

Murphy nodded. “We aim to stuff a police cruiser with new and unwrapped toys for Cape Cod families in need. The collection points and times are printed on there. I’m here because the toy drive starts today.”

Jim arched his eyebrows. “Patrick, you see any toys around here? It’s a bar, not a day care center.”

“Hey, I’m telling everyone, okay? So if you’re out shopping and you see something, put it in your cart. Doesn’t have to be expensive.”

“Thank you, Officer.” Ashley gave him a warm smile.“I think it’s a wonderful cause. I’ll keep an eye out.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Murphy’s cheeks reddened even more. “Well, that’s all I came for. I’ll be on my way.”

“Sure you can’t stay for a coffee or a cookie or something?” Ashley beamed at him.

Mike bit back a smile.

“No, ma’am, but thank you.” Murphy gave Mike a nod. “Welcome to Provincetown, Mr. O’Neill.”

“Thank you, Officer Murphy. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”

Especially if Ashley has anything to do with it.

Murphy took a card from his pocket. “Here’s my number, in case you ever need to call.” Mike went toward him, hand outstretched, but Murphy handed it to Ashley. He nodded to the others who stood by the bar. “Good day to you.” Then he went out onto the porch and headed for the steps.

Ashley walked over to the door. “Tell me he isn’t gay,” she murmured, fanning herself with the stiff card.

Elliott snickered. “Actually?” She whirled around to face him, eyes wide, and he held up his hands. “He’s straight, he’s straight. And single, at least according to the gossip mill. Okay?”

She grinned. “You just made my day.” She slipped the card into her pocket.

Mike chuckled. “That poor guy. He doesn’t stand a chance.” He glanced at the others. “I’ve had an idea. It’s to do with the club. Sam’s been telling me about the liquor license. I think we need to talk about this.”

“I’ll make us a fresh pot of coffee.” Anthony went out onto the porch.

“Can we talk in the lobby?” Ashley rubbed her arms. “It’s colder than a banker’s heart in here.”

“That’s because we haven’t turned on the heating in here,” Elliott told her. “We’ve had to cut corners. Paying the heating and electricity bills ate up most of our savings.”

And they did that because of Nick.

Mike resolved to pay them all back. Somehow.

Five minutes later, everyone sat around the space heater, warming their hands on coffee cups.

“I want to ask your opinion,” Mike began. “If we opened the club downstairs for a couple of nights a week, but made it a booze-free zone, do you think people would still come?”

Anthony snorted. “They don’t come for the booze, they come to dance their feet off. And if you get a great DJ, we’ll pack ’em in.”

“Sure, some guys would stay away, but yeah, I think it would work,” Sam added.

Mike sipped his coffee. “If we’re going to do this, then we need to work out exactly how much money we have to play with, because therewillbe expenses. We’d need sodas and water, for one thing.” He grabbed the notepad he’d found at the front desk. “I’m going to go through all my stuff and see what I can sell. There are books, prints…” He glanced at Ashley. “First thing I’m gonna do is take the U-Haul back to Boston, then pick up my Jeep. And once I’m back here, I’ll sell it.”

Ashley frowned. “But you’ll need a vehicle. Unless you plan on walking to the store.”

“We have a car you can use,” Sam told him. “Plus, there’s Nick’s old station wagon. It still goes—just about.”

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