Page 2 of Hooked on Marshall (Hooked #9)

Two and a Half Weeks Later

The only light in the bar is from the streetlight outside. The rest of my immediate family is on their way back to my sister-in-laws home to finish celebrating my brother’s life. They all helped clean up here from the public celebration.

And now I’m at a crossroads.

Jace, Mark’s bar manager, shut down his bar early that night.

It remained closed for three more days until a longtime friend of the family suggested opening it as a way for people to commune and remember Mark in the place that has become a staple in our small town.

Having the same skill set as my brother, I happily made myself at home in his office to ensure things were as they should be.

I was relieved to see that Mark was as meticulous about his paperwork as me.

At first, I figured I would stick around long enough to hire a finance manager and show them the ropes so it could still provide a source of income for Gina and her daughters.

Then she found out that she was to receive a handsome settlement from the company of the truck that ran into Mark.

As it goes, the driver was drunk, and the company didn’t want the hassle of a court case.

Even though Gina would certainly prefer to have Mark alive and well instead of the money, we could all sense that she was relieved for it. And after another day or two, I felt as though she would be even more relieved to let go of the bar, too.

Gina supported Mark when he bought the vacant restaurant space that was a pizza parlor when we were kids.

She even helped him with the remodeling when she wasn’t teaching.

But it was Mark’s dream, not hers. So, I can’t say that I’d blame her for wanting to let go of it now that he’s gone.

Too much of a reminder of his absence, I suppose.

The problem is, I’m not sure I want to let it go.

Sure, the place was jumping with people in the weeks after Mark’s death as a means of comfort and solace and a form of closure.

But I knew it was more than that. What he’s done with this place is nothing short of amazing.

A part of me wishes I’d have agreed to partner with him on it instead of opting to open my own place in the city.

A sound from the back of the house snaps me out of my musings. I push through the door and pull up short when a woman screams.

“Who the fuck are-”

I stop short as I slap on the light and find one of the servers and key holders with one hand on her heart and the other on her head. Her eyes are closed, and her breaths are labored.

“Shit, Lana, I’m sorry,” I sigh. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” she mutters as she nods. “I just…I forgot my phone.”

I nod and step back as she walks into the bar to look for it. She’s back in less than a minute. As is the norm for her, she makes little to no eye contact with me. I’m not sure why, but if I decide to stay here and take over, I’d like to find out.

“Let me walk you to your car,” I say lightly. “It’s dark out now.”

She nods and waits by the back door. I turn off the lights and gesture for her to step outside.

While not a bad area, the back lot where employees park has just one streetlamp on a far corner.

But as soon as we step outside, the motion light comes on.

I keep pace beside Lana as she heads for her car.

Then I stand by while she unlocks her door.

Before she gets in, she looks at me more directly than she has ever before.

I am briefly stunned by her beauty. Even more so when I watch her eyes moisten as she speaks to me in a voice full of emotion.

“I really am sorry about your brother,” she half whispers. “He was a very good man.”

“Thank you,” I say softly. “I appreciate that.”

She holds my gaze for a beat longer. Then nods once and slides behind the wheel.

I step back as she closes the door and watch her drive away.

I’m rooted to the ground as my brother’s voice rolls around in my head about life being sweeter when it's shared with someone you love. For whatever reason, the sight of Lana’s face just now has finally made me consider the merit of those words.

I’m not saying that it’s going to be Lana. But she’s the first woman who’s made me pause in quite some time. Maybe it’s my still emotional state about Mark’s death.

Or maybe it’s something else?

I sigh heavily and head for my Jeep. A vehicle that was a bit out of place in the city, but sure fits in here at home.

I stop again at that thought.

For the past six years, I’ve considered the city my home. And this place as simply my hometown.

“Wow,” I breathe.

With a small smile, I head to Mark and Gina’s house, intent on doing whatever I can for them for tonight and for as long as they need it. And maybe I can figure out what I need for myself while I do that. Wherever it may be.