Page 51 of And Then There Was Us
Chapter Twenty-Three
BRIANNA’S HEART FELT as if it might explode. She couldn’t believe she’d told Hugh what she wanted, and when she saw the dark, wild look in his eyes, a shock of apprehension ran through her—and just as quickly excitement chased it away. He held the door to the tavern open as they returned.
“Did you say you get a couple months off? Months?” she asked as he helped her take off her coat.
“I usually take off some of November, December, and January. I’m an on-again off-again road warrior for most of the year.” Hugh looked around the busy bar.
“A road warrior?” She grabbed her towel from behind the bar and looped it over her belt, then grabbed an order pad as she noticed two couples settling into the booths.
“The race schedule runs thirty weeks out of the year. When I race the circuit, I’m on the road a lot of that time. Listen, you need to work. I’ll sit down and have a soda and watch you for a minute or two.” He raised his eyebrows with a coy smile. “Then I’ll take off so you’re not distracted. You can call me after Layla’s asleep and we can talk.”
Road warrior? What was I thinking?The thought of being apart for even half of that time was too much. She felt her heart breaking and knew she couldn’t mask the ache.
“Okay,” she managed. She headed for the new customers before Hugh saw her face.Thirty weeks. I can’t do this to Layla. Or myself.Hugh settled into a seat at a nearby table, and her heart twisted; her stomach ached. She took the customers’ orders and went behind the bar to make their drinks.
“So? Did you show or tell?” Kat whispered.
Brianna’s lower lip trembled.Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
“Bree? Oh, Bree. What happened?” Kat took the glass from Brianna’s trembling hand. “Honey, what happened?”
She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Tears tumbled down her cheeks.
“Mack?” Kat called.
Mack came behind the bar and stopped cold when he saw Brianna’s tear-filled eyes. “What happened?” Mack shot a look at Hugh and took a step in his direction.
Brianna grabbed his shirt. “Mack, no,” she whispered. “He didn’t do anything. It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?” Mack kept his eyes trained on Hugh.
Brianna glanced across the bar at the same time the door to the bar opened and Layla and Mrs. Cranston walked in.
“Oh, no.” Brianna wiped her eyes.
Layla ran up to the bar. “Mommy! Mr. Cranston had to go to the hospital and I need to stay here.”
Brianna looked at Mrs. Cranston. She had a frightened look in her red-rimmed eyes. “What happened?”
“We’re not sure. He had chest pain, and you know Mr. Cranston. He could have had it for weeks before saying anything. I’m sorry, Brianna. Your mom is out until midnight with that evening job, and I didn’t have anyone else to take her.”
“Don’t be silly. Go, and thank you for bringing her here. Do you need a ride to the hospital?” Brianna came around the bar and hugged Mrs. Cranston.
“No, thank you, dear. I’ve got my car. I’d better go.” She hurried out the door.
“Of course. I hope he’s okay.” Brianna put her hand on Layla’s shoulder and looked at Mack. “Mack.” She glanced down at Layla, then at the full tables and booths.
Mack blew out a breath. She could see that he needed her to work. Brianna took Layla’s hand and walked her to the end of the bar. “You can sit here and color while I work.”Shoot, shoot, shoot.
“Brianna, she really needs someone to watch her. We’re too busy for you to do both, and we can get into trouble with her at the bar.” Mack’s gaze was soft, and Brianna knew he wasn’t trying to be a stickler, but he was right. She was too busy to be a mom and a bartender. Something had to give.
Hugh came to the bar, and Mack moved beside him.
Brianna shot a look at Mack. “Mack, please.” She caught a glimpse of Kat, who was rushing from table to table.
Mack crossed his arms.
“Hi, Mack.” Hugh smiled at Mack, then narrowed his eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
