Page 11 of The Devil in Blue Jeans
Billy shifted in his seat and raised his hands defensively. “They never mentioned anything about a cocktail lounge to me,” he claimed. “I thought they planned to keep things the same. I only realized something was up when they began renovations.”
Jaxon ran a hand through the scruff on his face. “Is there nothing we can do? Say something to them so they’ll go back to the laid-back Western bar everyone loved?”
Billy gave him a crooked smile as he placed both hands flat on his desk. “Have you met the ladies?”
“I have,” Jaxon answered with a firm nod.
“Then I think you’re quite aware that they aren’t meek and mild,” Billy replied dryly. “I’ve already learned that lesson. If you want to tell them how to run their bar, go right ahead.”
Jaxon snorted. “Marriage has softened you up, buddy.”
Billy chuckled. “Nope, it’s made me smarter. I know when it’s best to keep my mouth shut. Good luck getting them to change their minds.”
Again, Jaxon snorted, shaking his head. “Fine, I’ll handle this on my own.” He rose and grabbed his coffee cup before adding sarcastically, “Scaredy-cat.”
Billy kept laughing as Jaxon headed for the door. Before he stepped out, he turned back to Billy. “If I can’t convince them, what can I do to buy back the bar?” He needed to fix this. The townsfolk loved Timber Falls. They loved the small-town feel. They loved the rustic experience, the country music, the dancing and the great beer. ThenewNaked Moose had none of those elements.
Jaxon had a heavy heart as he thought about how his bar was no longer brightening up the town. He’d brought something unique and special to the area—a lively hangout spot, a cozy refuge, a place where anyone could laugh, dance and let loose. Now that was all gone. This new bar catered to the tourists, not those who lived and loved the town.
He was so damn mad at himself. He’d been so busy filling his father’s boots since his death to save his family’s legacy, he suddenly realizedhislegacy was being threatened. He’d brought life, good music and great people to Main Street. This new bar brought fancy drinks, luxury and pop music. All things that were great—just not in Timber Falls. He wouldn’t let Charly, no matter how drawn he was to her, ruin the special place he’d created to bring the town together. A place, considering how annoyed some people were, that meant a lot to them.
Billy lifted his brows at Jaxon’s question. “You really want to buy the bar back?”
Jaxon nodded. “If it means correcting a mistake I’ve made, then yes.” He’d have to drain his savings and use his inheritance to hire staff to run the bar in his absence, but what choice did he have?
“Well, if you mean that,” Billy said, leaning back in his chair, folding his arms, “you’d have to cover their renovations and offer them more than what you sold it for to make it worth their while to move to a new location. Do you want me to talk to them?”
Jaxon smacked his hand against the door frame. “Leave it for now. Let me see if I can get them to change their minds about their vision.”
Billy snorted. “Good luck with that.”
Jaxon ignored Billy’s doubt and headed for the front door. “Nice to see you, Sara.”
He got a glare in return. “Goodbye, Jaxon,” Sara muttered.
Sighing, he exited the office and hit the road again, unsure what he’d done to deserve a glare.
On his way back home, he tried to think of a way to steer Charly toward making the regulars happy by not turning the bar into something so...big-city.
A plan began to form in his head over dinner, and by the time he picked up Gunner and Eli to head back into town, he’d decided that a delicate approach was probably the best way to present the situation.
Charly simply needed to get to know him and life in Timber Falls, and then she’d realize what she was taking away from the town by not keeping the bar Western themed.
On the drive back to the bar at twenty minutes to eight at night, Jaxon drove easy down the country road when he noticed someone waving at them from a pulled-over truck off to the side.
“Oh, shit,” Eli agreed from the back seat.
“It’s Lee,” Gunner said. Lee was Isabella’s husband.
“That doesn’t look good,” Jaxon said. His truck’s engine revved loud as he hit the gas pedal.
Lee was waving wildly when Jaxon finally reached him. He slammed his truck to a stop, threw it in Park and hopped out, running to Lee.
Lee’s face had drained of color and his lips were pressed into a thin line, like he was about to be sick. His hands shook and his voice quavered. “Isabella’s in labor. She won’t make it to the hospital. I forgot my cell phone—” He looked around frantically, clearly struggling to keep his composure despite the fact that he had no idea what to do next.
Isabella let out a screech, prompting Jaxon to glance over his shoulder at Eli. “Call 911.” He looked to Gunner. “Grab one of my sweaters from the back.” He rushed toward the passenger side of the car.
Isabella was lying sideways across the armrest, halfway out of the car. Jaxon placed a hand on her arm. “I didn’t mean you should have the babynow,” he said lightly, trying to ease her worries.
