by Linda Cooper
It was odd to think that we were in Canada; that we were all starting over with someone we loved. “Let’s make this worth it.”
I’d spent so much time focusing on the past, so much time thinking about my Becky, but now I had Sam to think about. Now I was going to make the most of my life. I may never be able to go back home, but that was okay, I’d make this home. In reality, I had all I needed. I had my four best friends and my girlfriend—hopefully soon to be fiancé.
Afterwards
Rain pounded against the tin roof. Everyone was still getting used to the sound and living in a small town, but it was becoming something that everyone actually enjoyed, not just something they had to do in order to be able to afford to live and stay away from authorities as much as possible.
“Hey!” Jade yelled from the kitchen. Pots and pans clattered around her. “Someone come here!”
Ashley came running. “What is it?” Everyone followed behind her, and when they entered the room, Jade stood tall, her hands on her hips and a bead of sweat running down her forehead. “Look!” She pointed towards the counters that had once been brown; they were now stainless steel like they should have been when they’d bought the restaurant.
It had taken almost all the money they’d managed to pool together, but it would be worth it. It had to be, right? This was their life now.
Luke was the best cook they had; though everyone else wasn’t bad, he knew how to mix and match flavors.
Luke grinned widely. “It looks … clean.” Something they wouldn’t have been able to say when they first got the place.
The place was cute. It was a bar out in a town of 200, not something anyone in the group was easy to say.
“It looks great!” Sam squealed.
Jade beamed with pride at herself. “It does, doesn’t it!?”She laughed softly. “I didn’t think I would get it anywhere this nice, but damn, I’m impressed with myself.” Luke pulled her into his arms and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
“I’m impressed with you too, babe.” Her cheeks turned bright pink.
Jas barked in the main room. They all made their way out to see what, or who, she was barking at.
The door opened a few seconds after they entered the main area. Wood walls, wood floors and a wood counter. It was very country; very hillbilly was more like it. An elderly woman stepped inside, followed by what the group assumed was her husband.
They both smiled. “We heard someone had bought the bar; we didn’t expect you to be so young.” The woman looked around at each of us. “I’m Grace.” She extended her hand out for us to shake.
“Jade.” She introduced herself. “Luke, Dom, Preston; Ashley, Sam and Katie.” She pointed to each one of them as she said their names, and everyone shook hands.
“Well, welcome to the town. I hope you can make yourselves at home. What brought you here anyways?”
“Um,” Dom spoke quickly. “Just a cheap restaurant.” He was quick to make up an answer. Something they hadn’t thought about doing. It had been stupid. They knew so much of their cover story, but they didn’t know why they were there? Stupid.
The old man paid little attention to the people, instead focusing on Jasmine, the small white pit-bull that had grown to love people. Jake focused his attention on them as well.
“So what are your plans for the place?” the woman asked.
“We’re not too sure yet,” Sam spoke. “We’d like to get it into a full restaurant eventually, but we’re starting off nice and simple. We’re going to clean up and open the bar.” She motioned to the old dirty counters and shelves against the wall for liquor bottles. “Once we get the place cleaned up and a few updates to the bathrooms, we are going to work on getting the kitchen legal and going,” she said smiling.
“Oh lovely! It will be nice to have a restaurant in town. Do you eight have a timeline for your plans?”
“We’re hoping to have it all done by next summer; if not—well, we’ll just take it one step at a time.” It sounded like something Dom would say. He smiled as the old woman looked him up and down. She smiled widely.
“Well, it’s nice to have some young blood in the town. I’m sure we will see you around.”
“Of course.” They all waved as the two left the bar.
No matter what happened in her life, those four boys had always been there for her, they had always protected her, and they deserved to be happy. They were making that happen. They were making their own lives, finally living for themselves instead of her—and finally in love.
Click here to check out my new stepbrother romance series!
Bonus
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading my book – it means the world to me that you invested your time and money in it! As a bonus, I invite you to join my email list! This way you will never miss a new release and even get new kindle books for FREE – because I will notify you when they are on free promotion on amazon!
Click here to get instant access!
If you liked this book, I’d like to ask you for a favor. Would you be so kind and leave a review on amazon? It’d be very much appreciated!
With love,
Linda