Page 3 of The Locksmith's Promise

They were the reason I didn’t often join them.

Not that they weren’t good girls, they were.

And I’d grown to love them in my own way in the months I’d played with the band.

But they reminded me of the one I lost.

Eleven years later, it didn’t hurt any less.

Eleven years later, I still didn’t want anyone else.

My hand tightened into a fist as my knee began to bounce. “I’m moving back home.”

Barrett, Lucky, and Lenny turned to stare at me as one.

I wiped my sweaty palms down the worn thighs of my jeans. “My f-father,” I stumbled on the word, “passed away a few months ago. I’m going home to tie up loose ends.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Barrett rumbled.

“I’m not,” I admitted.

Lucky tipped his beer down his throat. “How long are you going for?”

I shook my head shortly. “I’ve got unfinished business. A lot of it. If things go the way I hope they do, I won’t be back.”

“Well, fuck!” Lenny exclaimed, slamming his bottle down on the table. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that many words in a row.”

I allowed a hint of a smile.

Lucky tilted his shaggy blond head back and eyed me. “I’m sorry to see you go, man. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

Barrett leaned back and jerked his chin up with a small smile. “You already know what you’re looking for.”

I nodded shortly.

Those eyes that missed nothing flashed. “Or who.”

I nodded. “Who.”

Gifting me with a rare grin, Barrett stood up and extended his hand for mine.

Taking to my feet, I clasped his hand, then pulled him in for a hug. “Thank you. You don’t know—”

“I do,” he replied quietly. “Make sure you invite us to the wedding.”

I snorted my disbelief. I couldn’t afford to hope for the best, not when its failure to arrive delivered such devastating consequences.

Barrett’s hold on me tightened. “Eyes on the prize, man. Eyes on the prize.”

If anyone knew about that, it was him.

I breathed in his faith and nodded shortly. “Eyes on the prize.” Drawing back, I met his gaze. Calling myself a million times a fool, I claimed it. “I’ll see you in Moose Lake next summer.”

He grinned. “Count on it.”

I shrugged. “But I’m telling you now, if that woman ever agrees to marry me, we’ll be celebrating after the wedding. I won’t give her a minute to change her mind.”

He laughed. “I don’t blame you. I did the same.”

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