Page 59 of Coulda

Before she could ask any questions, Amber’s phone rang with a video call. “Maisie? Where are you?”

“Washington. Sorry I can’t be there. Tell Rio I’m glad he and the bar are okay.”

“Here. Talk to him yourself.” Amber passed the phone over.

“Sparky?”

She stood and whirled to see her parents standing behind her. Everything had been so crazy, she hadn’t seen them since they’d gotten back from the cruise. Amber stood and threw her arms around her dad’s neck to hug him before moving on to embrace her mom.

She saw Rio end the phone call and wave to catch the nearest bartender’s attention. To her delight, the young man rang a brass bell she hadn’t noticed before and announced, “Murphy in the establishment!”

Cheers of “Murphy!” filled the air as longtime patrons greeted the former owner. Amber could see how touched her dad was and her mom’s eyes teared up.

As Jack Murphy stepped forward to shake Rio’s hand, Gretchen Murphy whispered to her daughter, “He was a bit nervous to come tonight. I think it bothered him not to be the guy in charge that everyone wants to talk to after so many years. That was very nice of your fellow.”

“Rio’s an amazing guy. He always was.”

“So, you two are serious?” her mom probed.

“Yes. He’s building a house for us, and we’ll get married eventually,” Amber shared.

“You’ll let me help plan the wedding?”

“I wouldn’t want anyone else’s guidance. It won’t be anything big,” Amber warned, not wanting her mom to get too crazy.

“It’s your wedding.”

Amber turned at the sound of her phone ringing again. Rio answered the second video call of the night and began chatting with Beau.

Something clicked in Amber’s mind. “Excuse me, Mom. I’ll say something to Beau quickly. Come sit with us,” she urged as she moved to look over Rio’s shoulder.

“Hi, Beau!”

“Hi, Amber. Just checking in on Rio. Sorry I’m missing the party. I should be back in town soon,” Beau reported. “Shoot. I have to go. See you soon.”

Amber met Rio’s gaze and asked, “Did you notice that was the same couch?”

“The same couch?” Rio echoed.

“He was sitting on the same couch as Maisie was. Did he sweet talk her into letting him stay at her house?” Amber grinned as she considered what that could mean.

“There are a lot of beige couches in the world, Amber,” Rio warned.

“Not with those pillows. It was like a mirror image of the pattern but in opposite colors.”

Rio just shook his head and carefully stood to greet her parents. “Jack and Mrs. Murphy. I’m glad to see you.”

“You’ve made a few changes in here. It looks good. Does that freezer still leak?” Jack asked, leaning in confidentially.

“No, sir. That was the first thing I replaced. The repair guy couldn’t believe it was still working,” Rio reported.

“I babied that freezer for years,” Jack said with a laugh before sobering. “So, you and my daughter?”

“Yes, we’re together.”

“There was always something between the two of you—an undeniable friendship.”

“I love Amber, Jack. I plan to take very good care of her.”

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