Page 4 of Wanted: Forever (Murdock Brothers #3)

Parker

Annoyed that I couldn’t settle after my shift, I texted my best friend to meet me at the diner. Nora Baker worked for herself and luckily was up early.

My dad’s impressive baritone floated out into the diner. Joel Olsen was a big personality and I loved him madly. I waved at Luisa, the morning waitress, then slipped through the swinging doors to the kitchen.

“Hey, Pop.”

“Baby girl! How are you?” He shoved his spatula into the slot then backed away from the massive cooktop griddle full of home fries, pancakes, and a staggering pile of onions and peppers. It wasn’t a meal without my dad’s famous peppers and onions at the ready. He hugged me, lifting me off my feet.

“Ooof. You just saw me yesterday.” I patted his shoulders and melted into him. I hadn’t realized how much I needed the hug.

“I’m making up for lost time.” He set me down. “You look tired.”

“These night shifts are killer. I can’t wait until Tanaka is off the bench. I don’t know how he does it.”

“You don’t really need a night shift, do you?” He went back to the cooktop and flipped the pancake just before it burned. I was definitely ordering those. He pulled out strips of bacon and set them to sizzling.

My stomach roared. “Obviously we do, I caught one of the Murdock boys trying to steal Daisy last night.”

My dad’s laugh boomed out. “Been awhile since Daisy took a ride out of the fountain.”

“It’s not funny.”

“Oh, c’mon Parker, it’s funny. I’m glad those boys are back in town. It’s been boring around here.”

“I’d prefer that they didn’t break the law.”

“Which one got nabbed?” He grabbed a mug and filled it from the pot of coffee ever at the ready. He added a dollop of half and half with a pinch of raw sugar before handing it to me.

“Cash.” I hummed at the first sip.I should be winding down, but I was pretty sure nothing would keep me up after I got some silver dollars in my belly.

“The Million Dollar Arm, Cash?”

“I guess. I didn’t keep up on Cash Murdock.” Lies. I paid far too much attention before I left. Even if he never noticed me.

“Coach Kozlowski pinned all his hopes on that kid making a name for him.”

“Did he get hurt?”

“Nah, just didn’t have the heart for it. He played because it was fun, same as when he played baseball for me. I’ve never known anyone as naturally athletic as Cash.”

“Well, he managed to get Daisy off the fountain and into his truck by the time I found them.”

My dad’s head tipped back as he laughed. “I wonder where they were going to plant her?”

“Well, we aren’t finding out. Two of my officers are going to get it back up in the fountain today.” I took my cup. “I’m meeting Nora for breakfast.” I went on my toes and kissed his cheek.

“Good. Then you get some rest.”

“Yes, Pop.” I pushed through the door and smiled at Luisa. “Is my back booth open?”

“You know it. I just sat Nora over there.”

“Thanks.” I threaded my way through the few tables to the line of booths along the back of the diner.

A few hello Chiefs slowed my roll and I chatted with a few patrons.

I was getting used to the small-town nature of this job.

Most of the time I dealt with gossip or a grievance that I catalogued away for the future.

Finally, I got away from Mrs. Dawson who thought the city should include a street sweeper once a month for beautification purposes. Good luck, that definitely wasn’t in my budget. I told her to talk to the mayor on that one.

I sat across from Nora. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.” A carafe of coffee was already on the table and I refilled my cup.

“Heard we had some excitement last night.”

I rolled my eyes. Nora was engaged to one of the elder Murdock brothers. “Was Sully in on it?”

Nora’s green eyes danced. “Pretty sure they’d have been a little more organized if my guy was in on the fun.”

“You’re probably right. I know Cash couldn’t do it all on his own.”

“Good luck getting any of the guys to own up to it.”

I sighed. “How are you doing?”

Nora fiddled with her ring. “Good. I need to go dress shopping soon. And I was wondering if you wanted to be my maid of honor.”

“Oh.” I sat back against the teal vinyl. “Wow. Me?”

Nora grinned. “You’ve always been one of my best friends.”

“I’d love to. Just don’t make me wear pink.”

She laughed. “I think we can make that work.” She pulled out her phone and pushed it across the table. “I was thinking of something pretty simple. Since you’re the Chief maybe you could put a good word in for me when I ask to use the beach.”

The Pinterest board was full of autumnal colors and a deep burgundy plume of feathery things along with some wildflowers that suited Nora’s laid-back style. “Next fall?”

“This.”

I blinked at her. “You work fast.”

She laughed. “I don’t want to wait and Sully is ready to lock me down.”

I pushed the phone back toward her. “It looks amazing. I think I can make a few calls to make the beach permit happen.”

She squeezed my hand. “It happened so fast, but...”

“You’re disgustingly happy.”

Nora sighed. “Yeah.”

I caged her hand for a minute. “I’m so happy for you.”

Luisa slid up to the table. “What can I get you?”

“Pancakes and all the butter with lots of bacon.”

Luisa grinned. “Got it. And you, Nora?”

“Actually, that sounds good but swap bacon for sausage for me.”

“I’ll be back with that in a few.”

As we filled our bellies, the conversation revolved around the wedding and the Murdock Brothers social media accounts that had continued to blow up. They had expanded from hot and shirtless to a You Should Know series that might be even more of a viral sensation.

In the end, the chat with Nora helped even me out and pushed back how annoyed I’d been with chatterbox Cash. Before I left, I added a shopping date to my calendar in nearby Saratoga Springs.

Evidently, I’d be helping to plan a wedding.

I couldn’t help myself from stopping in at the station on my way home.

Cash had been arraigned first thing in the morning and was standing in the parking lot with his brother, Cam.

He waved at me with a shit eating grin that negated my relaxing breakfast. The exhaustion post pancakes had dissolved away leaving my system revved.

Annoyed, I stepped on the gas and turned the corner off Hope Street toward my two-family home I’d mortgaged my life for. I lived on the upper level and was slowly working on the lower floor to rent out.

The house had been neglected for a long time and needed a lot of work.

Instead of finding my bed, I exhausted myself by stripping wallpaper for an hour.

Annoyed, even though I knew Cash would get off easy. I’d bet the judge gave him a slap on the wrist and asked him how the Giants were doing in training camp.

I scraped off layer after layer of cabbage roses tinged with smoke until I was too exhausted to stay upright.

But his stupid face reappeared in my head while I showered off the sweat and long night.

The smug smile and those shoulders should not be sticking with me, dammit.

The jerk was far too charming for his own good. And I didn’t trust charming.

Ever.

I flopped on my bed and fell asleep in my towel, those gray eyes and their stupid crinkled corners following me into dreams.