Page 63 of No Going Back

Marcus nodded. “Good call. I hope he can find his footing again. I hope they all can.”

“Me too. Anyway, I told him the time to be here was in a few weeks, as the weather was warming up and a project he’d enjoy would be ready.”

Sean laughed. “You’re a master manipulator, Epic. Glad you mostly use your powers for good.”

Marcus agreed then checked the time. “I’ve got another hour. Let’s make some more progress.”

* * *

Branna was glad she had a ton of skills that would help her run the pub—saloon—because she didn’t have many when it came to complex woodworking or building. Installing the bathroom fixtures was easier, but she would never be an expert. Turned out her carving skills were just as shaky.

Aisling laughed and waved her hands. “Not so hard or you’re going to go right through the wood. Then we’d have to start again, and nobody wants that.”

Branna laughed and dropped the chisel to shake out her hands. “This is so much harder than I thought it would be and I knew it would be hard.”

Josie Ellis patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m pretty good at most artistic ventures, but this is super challenging for me, too. I think Aisling’s been pretending not to be artistic, but she’s secretly an expert.”

Aisling rolled her eyes. “Not even for a second.”

The other women around the table scoffed, and the banter continued. Branna had enlisted Aisling’s help for a surprise for Sean. He’d done so much for her, and she desperately wanted to do something wonderful for him. Something important.

Aisling had loved the idea and had been happy to help. She’d also recruited the other women from Midnight Lake and sworn them to secrecy. Piper, Tansy, Bella, Tessa, Josie, and Lia were all helping.

Lia’s hand didn’t have the mobility or dexterity for carving, but she’d put herself on clean-up and gopher duties.

They’d been working at the sawmill on the edge of the Midnight Lake property for days, and Branna enjoyed the company of these women. They were kind, funny, and super smart.

Over the days of working together, she’d learned that each of them had been through their own versions of hell. They knew the feelings bouncing around inside Branna, making them easy to talk with.

Yet another reason to love the town of Phail.

Troy, Marcus, and the men of Midnight Lake had also helped her on the other half of her secret project, and they were as amazing as the women.

She couldn’t wait to surprise Sean. And then she couldn’t wait to get back into the pub.

As if reading her mind, Josie asked. “When do you think you’ll be ready to open the Saloon?”

The town already knew the building as the Saloon so Branna was working to get herself thinking of it in the same way. After a lifetime of thinking of the pub, it took some work to switch her thinking around. From a marketing standpoint, it would be silly to mess with an established name, especially one she didn’t hate.

She shrugged. “Not sure yet. Sean’s got some work I can’t help him with right now, so I haven’t seen the progress in a few days. But the new appliances for the kitchen should be in next week, so I’m hoping soon after that.”

Piper smiled. “It’ll be great to have a gathering place in town. The diner is amazing, but the Saloon will fill in the gap for evenings.”

Josie nodded. “We’re lucky here at Midnight Lake. With so many of us living in the same space, we see each other all the time, but it’ll be nice to get to know the people from town better.”

Lia swept up more shavings. “With some of us spending half our time here at the Lodge and half the time in town, it’s going to be great. Tell me you’re going to serve some kind of food. I hate cooking.”

The others chorused in agreement, making Branna laugh. “I’m thinking mostly bar food. Easy things to pick at and share. Maybe some specialty nights.”

Suggestions flew around the sawmill and had Branna laughing. “I don’t care if Phail was founded by a Scot. I’m not serving haggis!”

Aisling stood. “As another woman with an Irish background, I agree. Haggis is revolting. On the plus side, we’re done. Let’s brush it off and have a look.”

With a shock, Branna realized her new friend was right. And not only about haggis. Her project was done, and it was amazing. “Wow. It’s so much better than I imagined. You’re incredible, Aisling. And I can’t thank you all enough for helping me finish it.”

Tansy patted her hand. “You’re welcome. This is what we do. We’re so glad you’ve come to Phail.”

They all laughed at the absurdity of the statement. Piper chipped in. “Sounds like a perfect time to use the town’s tagline. Come to Phail to succeed.”

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