Page 66 of Last Call

“Hold the fire extinguisher,” Pete deadpanned.

Fallon stared at Pete. They both laughed.Some things never change.

Riley rolled into Fallon’s arms.

“Tired?” Fallon asked.

“Relieved and relaxed.”

“Mm. That’s because I have laundry duty the rest of the week.”

Riley giggled. “It helps.”

Fallon sighed.

“What was that about?” Riley asked.

“Huh?”

“The deep sigh. Did something happen when you and Pete were on the porch?”

“No. I’ve been thinking about Murphy’s.”

“What about it?” Riley wondered.

“Carol’s right. It needs more changes. I think she’s taken them as far as she can.”

Riley propped herself up.

Fallon sighed again. “It needs more than some menu changes and social media accounts, Riley.”

“Are you worried it will go under?”

“No. But things have changed. Look at all of us. The town is aging.”

“Aging? With all these kids we’ve added?”

Fallon laughed. “Poor choice of words. People are settling down. Dale and Pete aren’t sitting in their spots every afternoon. People have kids. I just think it needs some changes.”

“Any idea what kind of changes?”

“A few. I own twelve acres. There’s room to expand.”

Riley sat up. “Expand?”

“Do you know how many times people have asked to hold wedding receptions at Murphy’s? Graduation parties? Baby showers? There aren’t a lot of venues close by.”

“You want to turn the pub into a banquet hall?”

“No. I don’t. But what if we built onto Murphy’s?”

“Is this about what Carol told you last night?” Riley asked.

“Yes and no. Something needs to happen,” Fallon said. “Carol and Charlie know more about the business than me.”

“Are you thinking of asking Charlie to come on board?”

“I know you think this is me trying to bail everyone out again.”

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