Page 42 of You Shouldn't Have Come Here

I laughed and picked up our empty beer glasses. “Want another?”

Grace nodded, and I left her standing there. After I ordered another round, I turned back and spotted Joe leaning against the table beside Grace.

“Here you are, Calvin,” Maxie said, setting the beers down.

“Thanks. Go ahead and put it on my tab.”

“You got yourself a looker there.” She pointed over at Grace. I followed her finger and found that Joe had moved a little closer to her. “Glad to see you out and about.” She tilted her head. “But you might want to keep Joe away from her,” Maxie warned.

“It was an accident,” I said in a low voice.

“Some people around here don’t believe that.”

I shook my head. “Don’t go on believing them rumors.”

She squinted her eyes, and I knew then that some of her famous advice was coming my way. Maxie was more than the town’s barkeep; she was the town’s therapist too. Unofficially, of course—she didn’t have a degree. She just knew everyone’s problems and knew what everyone needed to hear.

“What one person calls a rumor, another calls the truth. I wouldn’t be so quick to determine which one it is.” She slapped the palm of her hand against the bar top, picked up a wet rag, and started wiping it down.

“He’s my brother, Maxie.” I tilted my head.

“Ted Bundy had a brother,” she quipped.

“Half brother.” I turned back toward Grace and Joe, watching him closely.

Maxie had a point. Maxie always had a point.

When I reached the table, I wedged myself between the two of them.

“Whoa, bro,” Joe said as he fell back a step or two.

“Didn’t see ya there, little guy,” I jabbed.

I handed him the beer, but his eyes lingered on me for a few seconds. The golden liquid finally distracted him, and he brought the glass to his lips.

“Here you are, Grace.”

“Got another one of those?” ahigh-pitchedvoice called from behind me. I turned around to find Charlotte. Her long, silky brown hair hung freely and her freckles were prominent. She must have been outside today.

“Hey, Char,” I said, pulling her in for a half hug.

“I saw Joe’s truck when I drove past and decided to stop. Didn’t think I’d find you here too.” She tilted her head.

“Didn’t think I’d find myself here either,” I said.

“What’s up,Char-Char? Long time, no see.” Joe swooped in and gave her a hug just as I released her from mine.

“Yeah, I know. You’ve been skimping out on the ranch chores. Got me picking up your slack,” she teased.

“Sorry about that.” He looked at me briefly and swallowed hard. “I’ve been tied up.”

Joe pointed at Grace and Charlotte. “You two meet?”

“We have,” Grace said. “Nice to see you, Charlotte.”

“Yeah, you too.”

“Let me get you a beer,” I offered.