Page 45 of Worth the Wait

“I tried to tell her that no one dresses like this in the middle of the afternoon here,” I said, waving my hand toward my sister. “Or ever,” I added even though that wasn’t necessarily true.

People got dressed up in Sugar Mountain for all kinds of things—holiday parties, weddings, events, reunions, dates.

“Good. Then, I’ll crush my competition.” She grinned, and my dad and I shot each other a look.

“Competition?” he repeated before I could.

“Yeah. Didn’t Patrick mention having a younger brother?”

My dad let out a laugh so loud that I thought it might shoot him right out of his recliner as he leaned forward, holding his stomach. “Oh, sweet girl. That boy’s hung up on the bartender at the saloon.”

My jaw dropped. “How do you even know that?” I asked, wondering exactly what I’d missed since I’d been away.

“I have ears.” He cupped a hand behind his right ear.

“And?” I pressed because that hadn’t even remotely answered my question.

“And the guys at the shop gossip like high school girls.”

“Now, that makes more sense.” I blew out a breath.

My dad’s auto shop was a mini gossip mill, which I always found entertaining, unless someone I cared about was the topic of said gossip. Then, it wasn’t fun at all.

“What shop? What guys? Are they cute? Rich?” Sarina fired off like our dad was a dating app and she was filling out a questionnaire.

“Dad owns an auto repair shop. He also fixes up and restores old cars. He’s the best mechanic in a hundred miles.” It was my turn to sound proud. “People go out of their way to come to him.”

“Wow.” Sarina sounded impressed.

“Okay, you two, go. I’ll be here.”

My dad wasn’t fond of compliments. They always made him uncomfortable. Unless the person was complimenting me. Then, he seemed to thrive on them.

“You’re sure it’s okay if we leave? We literally just got here,” I asked, suddenly feeling guilty.

“Of course. Go.” He waved us off and pointed at the keys to his truck hanging on the wall. “We can’t sit here for the next three days and stare at each other the whole time.”

“We won’t be gone long.” I tried to sound reassuring, but I had no idea how long we’d be gone for.

“It’s fine. I’m fine. Go enjoy yourselves. And, Sarina, try not to break Matthew’s heart. We might start to get a reputation for destroying O’Gradys if you do,” he said with a smile, but the one that had been on my face instantly dropped.

I knew he was only teasing, but the truth apparently stung.

SHE’S REALLY HERE

PATRICK

After leaving Jeremiah’s place, I was a mix of every kind of emotion. There was no way in hell I could go back to the wedding barn and work on it. Typically, the resort was my reprieve. Burying myself in my job usually gave me a sense of peace and purpose. But right now, I knew that I’d fuck things up with my head swimming the way it currently was. I probably couldn’t even read a blueprint if I tried.

Hammer?

What’s a hammer?

I needed a beer. Or maybe a shot of something stronger that might numb me a little and dull the feelings that were waging war inside of me. I pulled over to the side of the road, reached for my phone, and fired off a text to Matthew, asking where he was. He responded instantly, the way he always did. My little brother’s phone was glued to his hand at all times, it seemed.

The saloon. Why?

On my way.

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