To Love Someone (Baytown Boys #14) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,2
search, never find.
Pushing those thoughts down, he focused on the cool breeze and salt air, allowing them to fill his senses. I sure as hell have tried a lot of other places, so this is just one more to discover.
Evening had descended by the time he crossed the last mile of the bridge to Fisherman’s Island. Now, the long straight road ahead brought out the urge to let loose his desire for speed, but the sight of a patrol car sitting in the median kept him in check. The last thing he wanted was to be stopped. It was his experience that law enforcement looked on the outside of him and made certain assumptions. Having to call Zac and Jason to get him out of jail was not a great way to start his visit.
Passing a grocery store, the only major store he’d seen, he turned at the first traffic light he’d come to, seeing the sign pointing toward Baytown. He was careful to slow down to follow the speed that decreased as he neared. Giving in to the desire to take a look around before contacting Zac or Jason, even at night, he drove around the perimeter of the town, surprised that it only took him a few minutes to complete the task. Christ, did Zac really grow up in this tiny-ass town? And Jason decided this was the place to land?
He’d passed a pub on the main street, and a little liquid courage seemed like a good idea. Parking just down the street, he locked his bike, grabbed his helmet, and stepped inside Finn’s Pub. His shoulders immediately relaxed as his gaze scanned the interior. The pub looked as though it retained the original look and appeal of days gone by. A dartboard hung on the wall to the right and an old fireplace and sofa sat on the left. Old brickwork walls and wooden floors looked to be from the previous century. A polished wooden bar ran the length of the right side with tall, mismatched chairs. The left side of the bar held tables and booths.
It was a slow night, which worked for him as he walked to the end of the bar and took a seat. The music was loud, but voices could still be heard. Laughter, the sound of camaraderie, and the antics of the two men behind the bar, whose looks were so similar they must be related.
“Looks like you’re new around here,” one of the men said, his smile wide. “Well, you’ve come to the best fuckin’ bar on the Eastern Shore.”
Just then, the other man walked up and shoved the first one in the shoulder. “Aiden, shut the hell up. You know this is a family establishment.”
“Chill, Brogan! Look around, man. You see any kids in here?”
“Will the two of you stop arguing and get the man what he wants to drink? By the way, brothers dear, the books are finished, and I’m getting ready to head home to Gareth and little Finn.”
The quick verbal exchange had only taken a few seconds, but the man sitting at the bar felt his lips twitched upward, something that used to happen more often but now was rare. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Aiden and Brogan were brothers and the beautiful woman who’d taken command must be their sister. He could appreciate her beauty, but with the wedding band sparkling on her finger and the mention of a child, he simply nodded his appreciation and ordered a beer. Leaning against the back of the stool, he enjoyed his drink and continued to observe the easy camaraderie between the two barmen and the pub patrons.
He must’ve given off the vibe that he wasn’t there for conversation because other than checking to see if he wanted another drink, he was left to himself. Finally, he glanced at the old clock on the wall and knew he could not put off the real reason for him coming any longer.
Tossing money onto the bar, he offered a chin lift to the largest brother still slinging drinks and headed outside to his bike. By now, darkness had settled over the sleepy town, the street lamps casting gentle light on the quiet street. Pulling out his phone, he checked the GPS and knew he didn’t have far to go but didn’t want to leave his bike unattended. Even in a small town, trust was hard to come by.