Page 125 of Small Town, Big Storm

“Can I have a Cedar Hollow Kiss?”the woman beside me asks, her eyes wide, her tone dreamy.

I bite back a groan, keep sipping at my Storm Warning.

It’s definitely the best drink on the menu.

Either that or it’s because Poppy mixed it for me.

“You can have a Shepherd Hall kiss,” my teammate says, waggling his eyebrows even as he starts pulling out ingredients.

The woman giggles.“Can I have both?”

This time Idogroan, but even as I do it, I keep my eye on Poppy.

She’s smiling at Shep’s antics, but she’s starting to flag.I need to get her into bed.

Luckily, the bar is quieting, only the group of female tourists that Shep is serving, Clover and Clem, and Gertie, Tommy, and Roger of the curmudgeon crew remaining.

Shep leans over the bar, busses his lips over the woman’s.

But he does it looking at Clover.

Whose cheeks flush and she looks away, jaw clenching.

And it doesn’t surprise me that she and Clem make their exit a few minutes later.

What does is that Shep stays where he’s at, mixing Cedar Hollow Kisses and watching Clover’s back as she walks out.

“You can walk her home,” Poppy murmurs.“We’re okay here.”

Shep cuts a look in her direction.Then exhales, doing some jaw clenching of his own.“Nah, she’s fine on her own.”But he’s not convincing anyone, not even himself given the doubt in his voice.Still, he’s a stubborn fuck, so he just finishes the tray of drinks and delivers it to the women.

“Shep!”Gertie calls.“Yoohoo!”She holds up her empty water glass, silently (or not so much) asking for a refill.

Poppy giggles again, but I’m too busy watching Shep dodge Gertie when she tries to feel his muscles (though, not the ones on his arms).

He yelps but manages to collect dirty glasses and close out tabs and generally make himself useful for a change.

Then the bar is empty, and we’re sweeping and mopping, wiping tables and stacking chairs.

I snag the trash and carry it to the dumpster outside, shoving the lid open enough to toss it inside.

As I’m securing the top, movement catches my focus, and I turn to see Rain walking across the dark parking lot, his footsteps clipped and his expression thunderous.

A glance behind him clues me into why that is.

Riley’s stomping away, the door to the Cedar Hollow Inn slamming shut.

“She pissed you didn’t get to the gutters?”I call.

Rain misses a step then turns and glares at me.

Then he starts walking again.

“Christ,” I mutter, and even though it’s not a very Harrison thing to do, I follow him.

And then I apologize.

Sort of.