Page 23 of Sneak Attack

At least Selma was in Nashville, and I didn’t have to worry about her walking in.

I could do this. I’d been in town over a week and had made a couple trips to Frank’s. No one had kicked my ass or slashed my tires yet, and if I really considered it logically—no one had even looked at me twice.

It was entirely possible this meeting with Nora could go just as smooth.

And it wasn’t like I had to stay for hours.

A quick bite to eat, a conversation and maybe a drink. Then I’d be back to Marley, warm dinner in hand for her when she woke up.

Pep talk done, I headed toward the front door.

I could do this. Ireallyneeded to be around some animals.

And soon.

CHAPTER9

EDEN

The inside of Buckin’ Brews was as rustic and original as I’d hoped for. Sure, walls had been torn down to open up the space to one massive room. There were glass walls making the brew tanks beyond visible and there was the ordering counter with white subway tile behind it to lighten up the space, but other than that, I could still smell the scent of leather and horses and hay.

“You made it!”

Nora’s cry was nearby, and I turned, immediately finding her shoving out of the only line of high back wood booths.

I grinned, unable to help it, and laser focused my eyes on her. As long as she didn’t scream my name, everything would be fine. And if I didn’t see anyone else, maybe no one would see me.

Fat chance of that but considering the place didn’t go up in flames once I crossed the threshold, I was good for now.

As soon as I reached her, we both did that awkward handshake, hug, thing where I held out my hand to shake hers and she lifted her arms to hug me.

We laughed, waved instead, and she slid a menu across to me. “Have you been here yet?”

“No.”

“We have to order at the bar, but this is their list of beers and everything else they have. Once we get our drinks, I can show you why I wanted to meet you here, if that’s okay.”

Curiosity piqued, I scanned the list. I wasn’t much of a beer drinker, at least nothing fancier than a Corona in the summertime. Wine and mixed drinks were more my thing, so I flipped their drink menu, found what I was looking for.

“Ready.”

“Awesome.” Her smile was sweet and soft, and we slid out of the booth. Two women were helping customers down at the other end of the bar, so I figured the wait would be a while.

Half the town’s population under forty must have been at this brewery. Made sense. Sunday afternoon. Football. Wasn’t much else to do except have a few drinks and play corn hole, which I saw outside. Past the patio were men in T-shirts and khaki shorts lined up and ready to play.

Fortunately, with a quick scan of the place, everyone I saw was unrecognizable. Relief settled over my shoulders, helping me relax.

I didn’t know anyone here, and that was a good thing.

“Hey Nate!” Nora called, and I turned right as I went to eat my words.

At least I could, if I could remember how to breathe. Think. Talk.

Nate Beckham. Same blond hair, shorter and styled neatly, sweeping to the side. He’d grown a lot in the last seven years. Hilary’s younger brother.

He was sixteen the last time I saw him.

Ravaged.

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