Page 3 of Bragg's Love

A woman lets out a long-suffering sigh. “No son of mine was dropped on his head.”

Crap. Is this the mother of the Bragg brothers? Poor woman. Raising five hellions must not have been easy. Do I introduce myself? Probably not the best time considering I’m yelling at her son, but it’s not my fault her son is an asshole.

“We came here for Project Do Over, but the way things are going we need to switch to Project Enemy,” Sage comments.

How in the world did I miss Sage, the self-appointed leader of the town’s gossip gal gang, sitting there? In addition to being a nosy Nelly, she thinks she’s the best matchmaker this side of the Mississippi. No thanks. I have no interest in being matched with Miller.

Liar,my inner hussy calls.You want him to pick you up and push you against the nearest surface.Shut up, I tell her. You’re not the boss of me.

I point at Sage. “There will be no matchmaking. Do you understand? I will not be a pawn in your game.”

“But will you be a pawn in Miller’s game?” Feather – another member of the gossip gals – asks.

I ignore her. I can’t with the gossip gals today. I just can’t. They’re crazy and annoying and interfering on the best of days. And today is not the best of days.

I return my attention to Miller. “The expansion will create a shadow over my garden.”

He scratches his neck as he considers his answer. “Not all plants need sun. Maybe you can re-arrange the plants in your garden.”

“Re-arrange my plants? Have you lost what’s left of your mind?”

He shrugs. “I don’t understand what the big deal is.”

“You wouldn’t,” I grumble.

“Um, Eden.” Moon – who I’m supposed to be congratulating on her new diner – approaches. “While I appreciate the show you’re giving my customers, I think it might be time to take this conversation elsewhere.” She thumbs her finger toward the gossip gals. “Somewhere private.”

“No need. There’s no talking with this neanderthal,” I say and stomp to the door. I stop with my hand on the doorknob.

“Congrats on your opening,” I tell her because I may be spitting mad but I’m not a bitch who fails to acknowledge her friend achieving all of her dreams.

Her boyfriend, Riley, wraps his arms around Moon’s waist and props his chin on her shoulder. My eyes shift to Riley’s brother, Miller. Knock it off, eyes. I don’t long for him.

“Thank you.” Moon smiles and waves me off.

I scowl at the grumpy brewer one more time before opening the door and marching away.

Chapter 2

Miller – a man who knows he’s a grump and doesn’t care

Miller

Iroll the new keg ofNaked Falls Nude IPAinto place to replace the empty one and fit the coupler on the top. I hold the handle and twist the coupler clockwise until it’s firmly in place before pressing down on the handle to lock it.

“Miller,” Elder bellows down the stairs.

I ignore him. My twin doesn’t come down to the basement where the kegs are stored unless he’s forced to. He’s convinced the basement is haunted by Mr. and Mrs. Martin, the couple who originally built the house in whichNaked Falls Brewing– including our bar and restaurant – is now established.

Personally, I think he says the basement’s haunted to avoid changing the kegs. Fine by me. Changing the kegs is one of the few moments in the day I can get peace from my brother.

“Get up here.”

I guess there’s no peace from Elder today.

“Stop hiding in the basement and come up here.”

I’m not hiding in the basement. Changing the kegs is an essential part of maintaining a bar and restaurant.

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