Page 81 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

My heart sank. This was exactly the opposite of what I’d hoped for today. Jackson needed some time for himself, not more long nights at the bar.

“So we’re going to hire another bartender.”

“What? Really?” I perked up. “That’s great!”

Thea smiled. “I think so too. It’s been a long time coming.” She turned to Jackson. “And we’ve earned a break.”

“Damn right.”

I wanted to ask if they could afford to take on a staff member, but I held my tongue. I trusted that Thea—and Jackson, for all his complaining—knew the business well enough to make the decision.

They wouldn’t do this if it would put their financial futures in jeopardy. Or Hazel’s. She was still technically the owner of the bar and they paid her a portion of the profits each month.

I guess none of that really mattered anymore. Logan would take care of Thea and Hazel no matter the financial situation at the bar. The man had more money than I’d ever see in my lifetime. Thea and Charlie, if they’d ever gone without before, would never be without again.

Logan Kendrick would make their dreams come true.

Even if that meant letting Thea work her dream job managing this bar and living a simple life here in Lark Cove.

Much like Jackson, Thea didn’t need or want fancy. She just needed her family, their love and a happy home.

Maybe if Jackson wasn’t here all the time, he’d get to settle into a home too.

“Any leads on an employee?” I asked.

“No, but we’re not in a hurry,” Thea said. “We’d rather keep things as they are and wait for the right person.”

“That’s smart. I’ll keep my ears open for anyone looking for a job.” Well, other than myself.

Thea smiled and changed topics. “You’re friends with Leighton, right?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “We’ve been best friends since we were kids. Why?”

“I ran into her at school yesterday when I was dropping off Charlie. She invited me to one of those kitchen party things she’s hosting next weekend. I’ve never been to one, but Logan thinks I need more ‘me time.’ I was thinking of going but was hoping you’d be there too.”

“Yes, I’ll be there and my mom will too. You should definitely come. There won’t be a lot of us, but it will be fun. I’m making my famous wheat chili.”

“That sounds delicious.” Thea leaned her elbows on the bar top. “I was thinking about expanding our bar menu this winter. Wheat chili could be a huge hit with the tourists. Is it hard?”

Before I could answer, Jackson cut in. “While you two swap recipes, I’m going to go change out the keg of Bud Light.”

He leaned over the bar again, giving me another kiss before disappearing into the back.

I got a healthy dose of his backside as he walked away. I’d long admired his behind, but now that I knew exactly what it felt like beneath my hands, how firm his ass was when he was on top of me, it made admiring it so much better.

Thea was grinning when I looked back to her. “You two are so cute.”

I smiled, blushing a little before launching into my recipe for the chili. I was just explaining how I prepped the wheat berries when the front door opened.

Thea looked over my shoulder with a smile to greet her customer. “Hi, there.”

I turned to see a woman walking across the room. She looked to be about as old as my mom, likely in her late fifties, judging by the fine lines on her face and the gray sprinkled through her dark blond hair.

She was wearing skintight jeans with black cowboy boots, the stitching on the toe a bright red. Her black leather jacket was covering an old Rolling Stones tee, one that looked as if she’d gotten it from an actual concert.

“What can I get you?” Thea asked as the woman came to stand at the bar.

“I’m actually lookin’ for someone. Heard he worked here.”