Page 50 of Whispers of Sweetwater

Hayden’s jaw tightened. ‘She’s been behind that bar for over thirty years. Knows everyone in this town, and everyone knows her. Could be she’s keeping her lips shut to protect herself, or maybe someone else.’ He paused, his tone dipping into something more thoughtful. ‘Either way, I’m curious now. And that’s a problem. Because when I get curious, I don’t let go easy.’

Brianna’s stomach knotted. ‘Should we ask her?’

He shook his head. ‘Not yet. Not here. I’ll try and talk to her privately in the next few days. Away from the bar, somewhere she doesn’t have an audience.’ The table fell quiet again, the clatter of cutlery and hum of the pub rushing back in, heavier than before.

‘Moving on, are you two going to pick what you want to eat?’ Gavin broke through the hush, his grin easing the tension. ‘I’m Hank Marvin over here.’ He gave his slightly tubby belly a pat.

Tilly laughed and nudged him with her elbow. ‘You ate two meat pies for lunch, so don’t act like you’re wasting away.’

Brianna smiled, grateful for the shift in tone. Hayden leant forwards across the table, his smirk tugging one corner of his mouth. ‘Bri, after how you chowed down on the steak burger at the Gum Boot, I’m guessing you’re a steak-and-chips addict?’

Her cheeks warmed as she shot him a mock glare. ‘Excuse me, I was hungry that night.’

‘Hungry enough to demolish half my chips too,’ he teased.

Tilly grinned, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. ‘Oh, this is going to be fun. I like her, Hayden. She keeps you honest.’

Brianna ducked her head with a laugh, but her pulse betrayed her by skipping at the way Hayden’s eyes lingered on her while his smirk softened into something gentler. She raised a playful eyebrow, her finger running slowly down the menu. ‘And let me guess, you’re going to have the roast of the day?’

‘Classic never fails,’ he replied, tipping his chin at her with an easy smile.

‘Predictable,’ she shot back.

‘Reliable,’ he countered smoothly, eyes glinting.

Tilly let out a laugh. ‘God, you two sound like an old married couple already.’

The table erupted with chuckles, though Brianna felt the heat rise in her cheeks again as the weight of Hayden’s gaze anchored on her, making her want to reach across the table, and tear every single inch of clothing from him, so she could …

Brianna, stop it!

The meal passed with laughter and sharp humour, but the lingering shadows of suspicion never fully lifted for Brianna. From Sharon’s glances, she was clearly aching to tell them something.

Once dinner had been demolished, and their stomachs had time to settle a little, Tilly leant across the table with a cheeky grin, waving a menu like a fan. ‘All right, you lot, tell me, who’s ordering dessert? Because I’m only getting one if someone’s splitting it with me.’

Brianna laughed. ‘I’m two cocktails in and susceptible to peer pressure. What are we having?’

‘Sticky date pudding with extra butterscotch sauce,’ Tilly said without hesitation. ‘And I need assistance eating it because I plan to finish every last bite.’

Hayden and Gavin exchanged amused glances while the women ordered dessert and another round of watermelon margaritas. As the minutes slipped by, the conversation moved from old pub stories to ridiculous local rumours, from favourite childhood meals to how the twins had shoved crayons up their noses that morning. Tilly and Brianna were in stitches at one point, both giggly from cocktails and trading stories about their past teenage antics. The two women clicked like they’d known each other for years, shoulders touching as they leant close to swap stories. And the hours passed unnoticed as the pub thinned out, plates were cleared and drinks were slowly drained.

It was nearing eleven when Brianna leant back in the booth, cheeks warm, laughter still bubbling under the surface. ‘I haven’t laughed like this in forever,’ she admitted.

‘Same,’ Tilly said, grinning as she pointed a wiggling finger in Brianna’s direction. ‘You’re stuck with me now, vet girl.’

And for the first time, Brianna let herself believe she might actually belong here.

Hayden glanced at his watch, then leant back with a grin. ‘We’d better hit the road before they lock us in and hand us bar towels to earn our keep.’

Gavin stretched with a groan. ‘I wouldn’t survive a night shift. Not without a bucket of coffee.’

Tilly reached for her bag, wobbling slightly as she stood. ‘You might need to carry me, Gav. The margaritas were a little too friendly.’

Brianna laughed, steadying herself with a hand on the table. ‘Tell me about it. I might need a shepherd’s crook just to make it to Hayden’s LandCruiser.’

Both men stepped in naturally, Hayden at Brianna’s side, offering an arm without a word, while Gavin looped his arm around Tilly’s waist with practised ease.

They made their way towards the door, both women still giggling about something the other had said, weaving through a few remaining patrons, Brianna and Hayden a picture of closeness and laughter and something that felt dangerously like belonging. The short drive back to her cottage passed in a companionable silence, the kind that didn’t need filling. The night air was warm, crickets singing merrily as Hayden turned onto the gravel drive, pulled to a slow stop and cut the engine.