Page 49 of Make My Heart Malt

Rylee nods.

“Oh, we’re only discussing Dessa’s new man,” Nora says.

“And that’s my cue to leave and for all of you to do some work around here.” Jake hoofs it toward the front door.

“You don’t want all the dirty details?” Nora yells to his retreating frame.

“Nope!” Then Jake disappears through the doorway.

“The other day, I tried to talk to him about vibrators, and I actually saw his cheeks turn a dusty rose.” Nora throws her head back in laughter.

“I'm going to need a replay of that conversation.” I hike my purse higher on my shoulder. “I’m going to put my stuff away.”

“And I’m out for the night. You kids have fun.” Rylee pushes her stool out and rises to her feet. With the stack of papers in hand, she’s out the front door, and I make my way to the employee room, dropping off my purse and coat.

When I return to the bar, Lach is standing on the step stool in front of the chalkboard. “What do you think?”

Nora and I twist our heads at the same time. Nora laughs and I shake my head, but I can’t hide the smile on my face as I read the words “Dessa Needs A Cocktail Minus The Tail.”

Sadly, he’s not wrong, but there’s only one cock I need. I miss Garrett.

“You’re missing a person.” Nora tugs Lach off the stool and moves it a few inches to the right. Underneath she writes, “Garrett’s Cocktail.”

For the rest of the night, I steal glances at the board and think of Garrett. How can I not? His name is front and center. He told me I can always call him when I'm off work. My 2 a.m. is his midnight, so it’s not so bad for him, but also I have work hair and that’s just not always sexy.

After a few hours, the crowd quiets. Lach restocks the coolers while I run a rag over the bar top.

“So, Garrett’s convinced he lost the game because he didn’t have his lucky penny.”

Lach peers at me. “Lucky penny?”

“Yes. Apparently, players have superstitions when theytake the field. Some have a routine, or in Garrett’s case, he had a lucky penny he’s always had with him. The day of the game, he lost it.”

“What’s so lucky with his penny?”

I give him all the details about where the penny came from and the machine that made it.

He closes the cooler and breaks down the box. “I’ve seen those kinds of machines. They make like a little souvenir trinket.”

“Yeah, he got it at Earl’s Logging Camp just north of Harbor Highlands. After the wedding, we went there, and the owner said he got rid of the machine because it was broken.” I toss the rag under the counter and refill a pint glass for a customer. “It would be a pretty bad ass present if I could get it for him,” I muse as I stare off across the bar.

“That seems like a fun task, trying to track down that machine.”

An older man, well into his sixties, clears his throat at the end of the bar. “I know someone who’s done a lot of picking for antiques and collectibles throughout the years. There’s a chance he might have what you’re looking for, or maybe knows someone who does.”

My eyes widen. A tiny glimmer of hope sparks inside me. “Are you serious?” I stroll to the end of the bar where he’s seated.

“I can give you his number.”

“That would be amazing and better than what I had, which was nothing.” I grab a coaster and a pen and pass it to him.

He scribbles a name and number and passes it back. “You can tell him Otto told you to give him a call.”

A delighted smile lights up my face as I stare at the number on the coaster. I hold the key to possibly the bestChristmas present ever. “Thank you so much. This means a lot to me.” I tuck the coaster into my back pocket.

The next day, I called Jack and describe the penny machine. He knew exactly what I was talking about, and he’s pretty confident that he has one. The only caveat is I’ll have to come out and rummage through his five storage buildings, hoping to find it. Since I’m making it a habit of visiting strangers’ homes who live in the middle of nowhere, I convince Lach to come with me. Plus, he also has the day off.

“Thanks for coming with me. I really appreciate it,” I say, glancing at Lach in the driver’s seat. I did a little research on penny machines, and I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to fit one in the rear of my SUV, so I asked Lach to use his truck for easier hauling.

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