Page 74 of Moonlit Thorns

I nod in affirmation, but when I walk away, I’m not sure I will. Asher’s answer might make me fall harder for him than I already have.

Saturday night when I swing by the house is a bust. My mother is much the same as she has been over the past weeks. Her doctor says there’s not much more we can do unless we want to move her into a facility for more extensive treatment.

I don’t know if that’s the right call, and even if I did, it’s not as though we have the money for it. According to Luke, he’s keeping the business afloat but just barely. Our father drained the coffers, and Luke is trying to rebuild them at the moment, though I have no doubt he will.

He was headed out on a date shortly after I arrived, so I wasn’t able to visit with him. My grandmother retired early for the evening, saying she was tired.

I could go back to Midnight Manor and see if Asher has returned yet, but that’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid doing. I want to prove to myself that I don’t need him, that I haven’t fallen for him, so instead, I head to Black Magic.

I’m surprised I don’t find Sawyer behind the bar when I take a seat on one of the bar stools. Instead, there’s a well-endowed woman with a tight T-shirt, daisy dukes, and long blonde hair.

“Hey, what can I get you?” she asks with a smile.

“I’ll just have a beer. Whatever’s on special.” I have to drive back to the manor, so I don’t plan on getting shit-faced. I just plan on staying here long enough to prove to myself that I’m not racing back to Midnight Manor because I’m desperate to see Asher.

“Coming right up.” She opens the beer fridge and pulls out a bottle, then grabs the bottle opener from the waist of her jean shorts.

“I was surprised not to see Sawyer when I walked in.”

“He’s moving to days. I guess the owner doesn’t want to work as much anymore, so she was looking for someone to work some nights. So here I am.” She tosses the beer cap in the garbage behind her and slides the bottle over to me.

“Thanks.” I tip the nose at her before I take a sip. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before, and with a town as small as ours, I’m sure I would have. She’s stunning, and I don’t think I’d forget her. “Are you from around here?”

But when I ask, she seems to get a little uncomfortable. She shifts in place, and the corners of her mouth tighten.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Sorry, I wasn’t trying to pry.”

She waves me off. “Sorry, no, it’s fine. I live about fifteen minutes from here, but I don’t get out much. I’m Cinder.” She stretches her hand across the bar, and I take it.

“Anabelle, nice to meet you.”

“Boudreaux?”

My forehead wrinkles. “Do we know each other?”

Again, she looks uncomfortable. “Oh no, your brother has been in here a couple of times, that’s all, and he mentioned he had a sister named Anabelle.”

I nod and smile again. No doubt Luke would be chatting up this beautiful woman when he comes in here.

Cinder and I chat periodically when she isn’t busy helping customers. When she is, I just read the book I brought with me.

It’s busier than normal in here tonight, and I recognize most of the people, though I’m not really friendly with any of them. They’re all older than I am. All my high school friends booked it out of town as soon as graduation was done.

The patrons keep Cinder fairly busy, and it’s clear to me that she’s used to working hard. She doesn’t get flustered at all when some of the local drunks pester her.

I decide I like her, and her presence here makes me look forward to coming in on Saturday nights. Maybe the two of us could even form a friendship of sorts.

The two of us are chatting over the music when the voice behind me makes me still.

“Anabelle, it’s been a while. You’re a hard woman to track down these days.”

I turn to see Galen. He’s dressed in his sheriff’s uniform, so he must be on shift tonight. I do not feel like dealing with his bullshit. Why will this man not take a hint?

“Hi, Galen.” I give him a small smile, then turn back around to Cinder and continue our conversation.

Before I can say a word, he sidles up beside me, leaning his side on the bar and invading my space. “Where have you been? Every time I swing by your place, your brother says you’re out, but he won’t tell me where.”

“Well, maybe you should take that as a hint that it’s none of your business.” I give him a saccharine smile then lift my beer to my lips.

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