Page 2 of Crewe (Nelson’s Honkytonk Saloon & Bar #3)

Chapter Two

R yanne kicked back on the couch, leaning her head back. Her children, Freya and Wyatt, were hanging out with Vivi’s children and Ellie’s kids with Peck, Burt, and Bill. It was a nice break, though she loved being a mom.

Her parents usually gave her a break from the kids, but they were on a month-long road trip.

Her dad was into Civil War battlegrounds and wanted to tour all the sites.

She was thrilled they were having fun and were well enough to do that.

They’d all moved to Kansas to have milder winters than Minnesota for her dad’s arthritis.

Vivi plopped down beside her, handing her a drink.

“What is this?” she asked.

“It’s a Coke. The kids are gone, and honestly, if we drink alcohol, I’m going to fall asleep on your shoulder, and I’ve been looking forward to us all hanging out,” Vivi said.

Ellie sat in the chair and kicked her feet up on the coffee table. “Me too. I adore my kids, but sometimes I just want ten minutes to myself where no one asks me what’s for supper, are there any snacks, and can they play video games.”

Ryanne chuckled. “I hear you. All Wyatt asks about is, ‘Can I play this game?’ I’m sorry, but there is more to life than sitting in front of a screen and playing a game.

I made him and Freya a construction paper tree with leaves they can put on it when they read a chapter from a book, or we read together.

Freya is reading Junie B. Jones, and Wyatt is reading The Magic Tree House books.

Today, he scowled at me when he asked to play a video game, and I asked if he’d added any leaves to the tree since he last asked.

He stomped off, muttering how horrible a mother I was under his breath.

I mean, if he didn’t sound like I did when I was younger, it would have been funny.

My mom always warned me she hoped I had a kid just like me. ”

Vivi and Ellie chuckled.

“I think I need to make something for Peck, Bill, and Burt. I couldn’t ask for a better father-in-law, and what do I call them?

Uncles-in-law? They all treat me like a daughter, even though technically they are uncles.

Maybe I should just go with fathers-in-law for all of them.

The kids love spending time with them, and the men love all the kids.

Listen closely,” Vivi paused. “It’s quiet, and no one is needing anything,” Vivi sighed.

Ryanne sat beside these women who had become close friends and actually felt a little uncomfortable. They were staring at each other, and it almost felt like they were trying to make the other person say something.

“Oh my gosh, will somebody just spit it out? Is one of you pregnant? Does somebody need to be taught a lesson? I mean, I really enjoyed that cheater getting his in the bar a while back,” Ryanne said, pausing, waiting to see if either woman was going to say anything.

“Okay, so I’m, I mean, we’re just curious if you’re dating someone we don’t know about,” Ellie blurted out.

“Umm, no. And why would you think that?” Ryanne asked.

Ellie stared with her eyebrow cocked at Vivi. She adored these women, except when something was going on that she didn’t know about.

“Well, you haven’t seemed interested in any of the Nelson men,” Vivi said, blushing.

“Woman, how can you still blush at questions, because I know you and Whiskey get up to some interesting things in the bedroom. These walls are definitely not soundproof,” Ellie said wryly.

“Oh, like you’re Miss Keep Quieter with your ‘Oh, Hennessy, right there, honey,’” Vivi imitated.

Ryanne laughed until her sides ached, listening to these two bicker back and forth .

“I’m not interested in the Nelson men because I will not blur the line between boss and employee, and since everyone owns a part of all the businesses, then that takes them all out of the running.

And honestly, sometimes it’s just easier to let Randy take care of my needs.

He doesn’t leave the toilet seat up, and he also doesn’t leave me pregnant again,” Ryanne said.

“Randy?” Vivi asked.

“My vibrator,” Ryanne said.

“She’s got a point. Hennessy forgot to put the seat down, and I fell in during the night because I had my eyes closed,” Ellie said.

Ryanne wondered what it would be like to have a man to get irritated with when they left the toilet seat up.

She’d never had that before. Her first time having sex had been with a long-term boyfriend who’d been comfortable, like that pair of shoes you’ve broken in.

It was easy to slip them on, but after a while, you realized they didn’t fit the way they were supposed to.

Freya and Wyatt’s dad, well, he’d been the man she picked up because she was lonely and for once wanted to experience that all-consuming love.

Unfortunately, he’d been a dud. Despite him being a one-pump chump, she’d still gotten pregnant with twins.

She didn’t regret the one-night stand because she adored her children, but sometimes, late at night, she wanted to go home with someone who saw her and thought she was perfect.

“Whiskey ate that chili again that makes him gassy. Which is fine—have the chili. But don’t fart in bed.

And they were those silent ones that I don’t know he’s done until I move the covers and bam, my eyes water.

Then he cracks himself up, and he laughs until tears come out of his eyes.

Sometimes the man I dearly love still acts like a teenager,” Vivi said, shaking her head.

Ryanne chuckled. It had taken some time getting used to the teasing between the cousins and brothers.

When she’d first gotten the job at the bar, it had taken her a while to figure out which three cousins belonged to which dad.

Burt, Peck, and Bill all had three sons by three different women.

None of the nine women stayed around after the boys were born.

So the brothers raised their sons all together in the large apartment above the bar.

Although they were cousins, the nine men acted like brothers.

The teasing and the bets between the men were a source of entertainment for everyone, especially those coming to the bar.

“Hey, I saw Quinton was wearing the pink penalty shirt today, but when I asked what bet he lost, he walked out without saying,” Ryanne said.

Ellie giggled. “Oh, I know. He bet Schaefer and Halligan that he could beat their time on the obstacle course. Unfortunately, he didn’t put any qualifiers on running the course,” Ellie said, laughing.

“Oh no, what did Halligan and Schaefer do?” Vivi asked.

“Halligan ran the course first, then Schaefer. Schaefer had the fastest time, with Halligan twenty seconds slower. When Quinton started to run the course, Schaefer grabbed his shorts and pulled them down his legs. Quinton fell, shorts around his ankles, and as he fell, he racked himself on the fire hydrant they’d used for an obstacle. ”

Ryanne laughed until tears ran down her face. Now she knew why he didn’t want to discuss it. These Nelson cousins were ruthless teasing each other, but she’d never been around more caring and loving men toward children.

“The pink penalty shirt was the best thing I ever instituted because at least it slowed down the betting. Before, there were multiple bets every day and sometimes for the stupidest things,” Vivi said.

“How are you doing with your parents gone?” Ellie asked.

“It’s been fine. I’m glad they are taking some time for themselves. Peck, Bill, and Burt decided that they were honorary grandparents to the kids. The kids are loving it,” Ryanne said.

She listened to the women talk and chimed in periodically, but hanging with these women gave her too much time to think.

Vivi and Ellie’s question about dating had her thinking of the Nelson cousins, or one cousin in particular.

Crewe had spent two weeks perfecting the mozzarella grilled cheese and chips before finally deciding it was perfect for her last week.

He was sweet, caring, and always listened when the kids talked.

He’d become a good friend. And those arms of his, with the muscles.

Who knew a tight black T-shirt and a well-worn pair of jeans, along with a chef’s apron, would be a turn-on.

She’d be lying if she said she’d never imagined how his closely trimmed beard would feel against her skin.

When the carnival had been in town, he’d taken her and the kids to ride the rides, get cotton candy, and play the many games.

She’d be kidding herself if she didn’t admit she’d imagined them as a family.

But she needed this job. She was making some money from her nature photography but not enough consistently to depend on.

The salary from the bar and rent-free apartment was a blessing that she couldn’t survive without.

Despite how Crewe made her feel, he was off-limits. Safety and security were more important than her own needs.