He left me on read for a moment, the little typing bubble flashing on and off before he finally sent a short reply.
Marcus
Yes, sir.
With that settled, I stood to make coffee just as Hattie poked her head into the office.
“Mr. Brooks?”
“Come in,” I said, a little confused that she didn’t use the intercom.
“Sorry, sir.” She cleared her throat. “Got a message from Marcus. Asked me to pop in and make sure you were actually here. I told him you were, but figured I should check.”
I huffed a laugh, shaking my head as she moved to the coffee station and added sweetener to my mug without asking because she knew how I liked it.
“I must really be going off the rails if he’s sending out a search party.”
“You’ve been acting unusual,” she said plainly, handing me the mug. “We’re all just a little worried.”
“Worried?” I blinked at her. No one but my family’s ever worried about me, I thought to myself. “I guess marriage changes a man.” I shrugged, hoping to end the conversation right there.
“I suppose you’re right.” She patted my arm like Grams would’ve and whispered again on her way out, “I suppose you’re right.”
She didn’t believe it. Not for a second. But she left me alone anyway.
I pulled my phone back out and fired off one more message to Marcus.
West
You could’ve just asked for a proof-of-life photo. No need to get Hattie involved.
Marcus
Sorry, sir. Didn’t want to risk alerting the enemy to my concern.
I chuckled, sliding my phone back into the inside pocket of my suit jacket and sat back down at my desk. I had a change of clothes in the closet. My plan was to work through the night and crash on the office couch. If I got enough done, maybe I’d head out to Harmony Haven earlier than expected.
Everything went as planned, and I left work early, telling everyone that the contracts were done and the portfolios were reviewed. I’d barely slept, but adrenaline had taken over. The only thing keeping me upright was the idea of seeing her and ending our awkward texting.
I swung by the penthouse to change and grab the keys to my truck. My truck. Domestically made, reliable, and sure to make Blue see I wasn’t completely made of stone. I threw on a pair of jeans for the same reason. Not the borrowed kind, my own. They fit like they were supposed to.
I didn’t stop at the lake house as I rode into town. I went straight to Fiddlers, knowing she’d be there, knee-deep in preparing for the night. I pulled around back and parked beside her car, spotting Marshal behind the wheel of the SUV off to the side. His eyes widened when I hopped out of the truck, probably thinking he needed to alert someone. But as I got closer, recognition hit and he nodded.
I could see him about to slip behind the wheel again when I redirected toward him.
“Everything okay, boss?” he asked, rolling the window down.
“Yeah. Head back to Atlanta. Enjoy the weekend. Marcus is off too. I’ll drive Blue to the city Sunday. You can bring her back Tuesday.”
“You sure you don’t want me to stick around?” Marshal asked, glancing toward the bar. He was thinking about the Murphy brothers. He’d been told to keep them out, especially while Blue was inside.
But she wasn’t going to need backup. Not with me there. I didn’t plan on letting her out of my sight, and I didn’t need Marshal sniffing around this weekend. Not when I had to finally do something that I only wanted Blue knowing about.
“I’m sure,” I said, and he nodded, hesitated, then finally drove off.
I palmed the keys to my truck in my hand, switching them back and forth as I made my way inside through the back entrance. I headed for the office first, hoping she’d be in there.
Of course she wasn’t. She’d be behind the bar, right where she always was. In control. Calm in the chaos.
