Page 12 of Starting Over with You (Beer League Belles #2)

CHAPTER

NINE

Dean

Most days, I love living in a small town. Everyone knows everyone. When someone is in trouble, people step up to help, and I hardly ever pay for a coffee.

I tip my chin toward the table where the Belles sit in the middle of Noelle’s Nibbles, the town’s local coffee shop.

Not only does Noelle, the owner, make sick-ass treats, she also makes the best coffee.

Plus, it looks like Santa’s reindeer took a huge jolly dump in this place.

It’s the middle of summer, yet I feel like I’m going to step outside and it’ll be snowing.

That’s how good the ambiance and tasty treats that Noelle creates make you feel.

The Belles—Kitty Winthrop, Fable’s granny; Jett’s great-grandma, Bea; his grandma, Hazel; and his momma, Maggie—all sit together with a treat and a tea in front of them.

I could tease them for being out past their bedtimes, but they did just buy me a coffee, so I’ll let them be.

Noelle sends me a bright grin that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

I’ve known Noelle for a long time. Like everyone else, we grew up together, and after her parents passed ten years ago, I’ve tried to look after her. One glance and I know something is up.

I lean in, hoping no one hears me as I ask, “You okay there, Noelle?”

She nods, but that smile she sends me is only a mask. “Yeah, just tired.” She leans in. “Big Seb got a bit lost last night.”

I draw in my brows. “What? Why didn’t you call?”

Noelle lives on a small plot of land between the Reindeer Rumpus Ranch and the mountains.

Her parents’ house, now hers, is basically in Sebastian Lawson’s backyard.

Her daddy and Big Seb were best friends, and when she lost both her parents, she moved in to her family home.

Big Seb is a force to be reckoned with, a huge personality and a loving but stern man.

Unfortunately, his mind isn’t what it used to be. He’s got early-onset dementia.

My voice is lower as I lean in even closer. Big Seb doesn’t want anyone knowing the truth. Thinks it’ll ruin his business and doesn’t want people feeling sorry for him. “I talked to Little Seb last week. He said things are finally settled, and he’ll be coming into town next week.”

Noelle’s eyes widen a bit, and her cheeks turn bright red. She has had a huge crush on Little Seb since we were kids, and I’m pretty sure he’s the reason she hasn’t ever had a relationship.

Can’t judge her. Same, sister.

We’re two like souls in that matter.

“Big Seb didn’t tell me that, but he was real off last night.”

I reach out, taking her hand in mine. “Call me.”

She nods, her eyes full of gratitude. “I will.”

I give her a wink that has her giggling, and I grin back.

I know the effect I have on women, especially when I’m clean-shaven with only my lip sweater on display.

I turn to look over my shoulder, and I see Bea eyeing me.

Her eyes are full of appreciation and trouble.

She’s pushing ninety and still a damn menace.

“I tell you what, Dean Moore. I don’t know how you fight fires in those tight little cargo pants.”

I snort at that, shaking my head as the whole shop breaks out in laughter. I’m not embarrassed, though. No, I know she’s only picking at me. “What do you expect? All that working out I did with Jett has me packing two hams in these pants.”

More laughter ensues, and I take it as a win when her face matches her bright-pink hair. Bea winks, and I flash her a wicked grin as I hold up my cup to thank her. But then Hazel says, “Well, when you split ’em, you know who to come to.”

Her words are teasing, but she’s undressing me with those eyes of hers. Little cougar. I smile graciously. “Yes, ma’am. I do.”

The Belles all shoot me man-eating grins that sweet older ladies shouldn’t have. “I tell you what, it’s a crime no one has locked you down,” Hazel announces, and I snort.

“Ha! You all know I’ve got my hands full.”

“Well, if you don’t mind an older lady, I volunteer,” Bea tells me with a twinkle in her eye.

Everyone is laughing, catcalling, and I keep my gaze locked on her.

I love this woman; she has been a pillar in this community my whole life.

She brought me juice boxes and PB&J sandwiches before and after games.

A little innocent flirting to make her day is the least I can do.

She made a mean PB&J. I think she added honey.

“Ms. Bea, we both know I couldn’t handle you.”

The room explodes into mayhem at that comment. Bea’s face is darker than her hair, and I tip my drink at her. I’m about to walk out, knowing I made her night, when Kitty calls out, “I heard Kenleigh is back in town.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning like a fool. I haven’t seen her yet, but damn if I don’t feel her back in town. I feel the anticipation like the rumble of thunder before the storm descends. My chest is tight as I say, “I may have heard the same.”

“Hopefully, you two have grown out of getting arrested together,” Kitty teases, and I chuckle with a lift of my right shoulder.

“Listen, my record is clean. All that happened before I was an adult.”

“Doesn’t mean we all don’t remember,” Maggie reminds me, and I laugh at that .

“Oh, none of y’all forget a thing,” I confirm as the bell above the door rings, and we all look at the newcomer.

My brother-in-law walks in with his hands tucked into his belt as his handcuffs jingle and jangle.

He’s almost as tall as me, but way leaner.

He’s stronger than he looks, but he’s lanky as all fuck.

His dark-blond hair is buzzed tightly along the sides with a nice comb-over that makes him look like a put-together officer.

But being married to my sister? He’s got to have a few screws loose.

He nods toward me, and I do the same as he comes to stand beside me.

“You worried, Officer Jenkins?”

Matt fights back a smile as he looks over at Bea. “Whatever would I need to be worried about? I’m married to the most gorgeous woman in town, and we have three wonderful kids.”

Suck-up.

Bea waves him off. “Such a sweet thing you are.”

“But we all know how wild Sadie can be,” Maggie reminds us, as if we could forget. “With Kenleigh being back in town, Lord almighty, everyone better start hiding their livestock and all the liquor.”

More laughter follows, and I mean, they’re not wrong. Matt lets out a booming laugh before shrugging. “I’m not worried a lick, Ms. Maggie. My girl does no wrong.”

I scoff at that and hook my thumb at him. “Says the guy who didn’t grow up here.”

That brings about all kinds of hooting and hollering.

The place fills with stories of how the girls did so many things to torment everyone.

Sadie stole a car once when she was twelve.

She couldn’t even reach the pedals, but Missy could, so Sadie sat in Missy’s lap while she pushed the gas.

Kenni was in the back, grinning the whole time.

Then Kenni stole her daddy’s handcuffs and used them to handcuff Michael Riggs to the flagpole outside of school.

Naked. All because he told people that Sadie gave him head after a football game.

I would have kicked his ass, but everyone seeing his small dick was enough of a punishment, really.

Kenni would have been caught by the cameras, but Missy shot them down with her daddy’s gun while Sadie stood beside her, grinning like she was holding the gun herself.

I snort at the memory, until Matt leans in. “Jasper called.” He’s the owner of the Thirsty Pine. “They’re at the Thirsty Pine, seven sheets to the wind and dancing on the bar.”

I close my eyes, shaking my head.

“Let me guess. They’re doing the Coyote Ugly dance?”

Matt’s eyes widen. “Yes, and I heard Sadie singing ‘Can’t Fight the Moonlight.’”

Fucking hell. Kenni’s been here, what? A couple hours?

I look over at him, and I see the worry etching his face. Before I can reassure him this is normal for those three, my phone starts to ring.

I don’t even have to look at it to know who it is.

I let my head fall back as I groan out, “Hello?”

“Deannnnnn!!!!”

Fuck. My. Life.