Page 298 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

I wanted to ask why, but it wasn’t my business. She mustn’t have stayed long the last time she came to town. Woodland Falls was so small someone couldn’t sneeze without everyone finding out about it. Plus, I’d lived in this town my entire life, if she ever lived here, I’d remember.

She was probably a city hotshot looking to make a few bucks. Times were tough in small towns across Montana, but never tough enough to sell to some city slicker.

Even though I knew I should leave her to it, I wanted her to keep talking. Her voice soothed something in my soul. Just because I didn’t date didn’t mean I wasn’t lonely. No, lonely wasn’t the right word. I was happy on my own. At times though, I wished for a conversation with someone who didn’t know my past.

Or my mistakes.

Mia cleared her throat, moving the tumbler aside to grab the envelope. “I guess I should read this. Ashton almost had a fit when I signed the papers straight away.”

I chuckled. “That sounds like him. He likes rules.”

“I gathered that. But the sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can get back to Seattle.”

Knew it.A city slicker wanting to make a quick buck.

Mia slid paperwork from the envelope and started reading. That was my cue. Most people who sat at the bar wanted to chat for whatever reason. They yearned to offload their guilt over a bourbon, sought reassurance or needed advice. I loved owning Cole’s bar for those exact reasons. The sense of companionship, comradery. The ability for someone to divulge their secrets, so they didn’t eat them alive.

Pity, I couldn’t do the same.

To give her some privacy, I wandered to the main seating area and gathered empty plates and glasses. The kitchen staff did a stellar job keeping the main area serviced, but every now and then I enjoyed the break and it gave me a chance to chat with the locals.

“Are you freaking kidding me?” Mia squawked.

I stilled, torn between finding out what happened, and giving her privacy. In the end, the need to make sure she was okay won.

I rounded the bar. “What’s up?”

She waved the documents in the air. “This. This is what’s up.”

I frowned, waiting for the punch line.

“Ugh!” She shoved the documents back in the envelope and gathered her purse and jacket in a flurry. “Do you know where Ashton’s office is? I need to speak to him right now.”

I grabbed my cell from my ass pocket and checked the time. “He has an office on the main street, but he won’t be there at this time of night. I can call him if you like.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll call him.” She threw her hands in the air. “I can’t believe I was this stupid.” She slid off the stool. “Thanks for the drink.”

Urgency to make her stay slammed into me from nowhere. I couldn’t let her leave. And it had nothing to do with her being the first woman in fifteen years to capture my attention.

Okay, maybe it did.

“Wait.” I tossed the dishtowel on the counter. “It’s pouring outside. Let me drive you.”

“To Ashton?”

“Yeah, he’s my brother. He lives out of town and the roads are unforgiving in weather like this.”

She scanned the bar. “Don’t you need to be here?”

I waved off her concern. “Nah, someone else can close for me.”

Her shoulders dropped with a heavy exhale. “That’d be great. I don’t exactly know my way around.”

“Just give me a second.” I grabbed my cell and dialed Liam. He answered on the first ring.

“Yeah?”

“Something’s come up. I need you to close for me.”

Given Liam’s silence, clearly his brain tried to figure out the reason behind my request. I barely held back a giant eyeroll anticipating how much shit he’d give me.

“Hmm. Does this have anything to do with a certain brunette in the bar tonight?”

“Will you close or not?”

The shithead chuckled. “Yeah, on my way.”

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