Perfect Night (Mason Creek)

“I’ll have to go back and check.”

“If you could. I’ll take half that, even a quarter could get us through the night. Then, I can straighten things out with Wilder tomorrow.”

I swore she blushed. Did she have a thing for Wilder? He was a good-looking guy.

When she came back, she said, “This is what I can get you.” She told me the amount and arranged to get it in my car.

It was less than half of what I needed, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. “Can you put it on my account?”

She nodded.

“You know we should hang out some time,” I said.

“Yeah.”

We didn’t make exact plans, but now that Jessie had Miles and his adorable son, even I knew we wouldn’t be hanging out as much.

I drove back to the bar and made a few trips to haul in the meat with the cook’s help. On the last trip, I ran into Jack.

“We need to talk,” I snapped.

“Yeah, but I think you need to deal with your boyfriend first. He’s asking for you out front.”

Evan had been my fiancé, and what I had with Aiden was new. Still, I wasn’t sure who he was referring to after all the comments he made about my personal life. I brushed passed him and breezed into the main bar area.

When I spotted Evan talking to Darcy, I didn’t miss a step. I found that I had no reaction to their closeness.

“Hey Emma,” Darcy said like we were best friends.

I ignored her. “Evan, what are you doing here?”

His carefree expression shifted quickly into a frown. “Is that how you greet your fiancé?”

It didn’t matter that we’d gained the attention of everyone in hearing distance. It was time the town knew my relationship status.

“I told you the other day, we aren’t together anymore.”

He glanced around before flashing me a placid smile. “With everything that’s happened, I can understand that you’re confused about our future, but I’m not. I’m here because I want us to work.”

There wasn’t an admission of love, which suited me fine. I didn’t think either of us had really loved one another. I’d cared, not so much anymore, especially after seeing this side of him.

While he’d been going on, I’d worked the ring off my finger. I took his hand and placed it in his palm. “This should clear things up for you. We’re done.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, his tone turning hostile. “There’s no turning back.” I let my eyebrow arch in answer. “Fine.” He held up the ring. “I don’t need this back. It’s not like it’s real, though no one noticed. Not surprised in this hick town. Though I’d planned to give you a real one once we were married.” He set it down on the counter. “Keep it as a reminder of what you’ve lost.” Then he left the bar.

Darcy was on her feet. “Make your choice Emma. You can’t have them both. Evan or Aiden. I know who I would choose.”

I said nothing. She shrugged and followed Evan. They deserved each other, I thought.

When I spun around, everyone who’d had front seats to the show turned as if minding their own business. I didn’t care. I was free. I didn’t look at the glass ring, uncaring if anyone took it.

On the way, I pointed to Jack. “My office, now.”

For a second, he was startled. I was too. That was the first time I’d claimed Dad’s office as mine. As I continued forward, I’d accepted that I’d made up my mind about several things after reading Dad’s letter.

“Close the door,” I commanded when we went in.

Jack did, albeit a little slowly. “Emma?”

I held up my hand. “You’re not my father. I don’t need lessons from you on how to run this bar. And don’t try to deny it.”

He kept his mouth shut.

“Whatever game you think you’re playing ends now. And let me tell you, I’m not going anywhere. If you can’t work under me, then quit now. But if you stay, you’ll treat me with the same respect you treated my father. Your choice.”

He stared at me, creating an uncomfortable silence I wasn’t willing to give into. I folded my arms instead.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked.

“You know, I’m really tired of being asked that question today. I’m not a little girl.” I pulled a copy of Dad’s will from under a pile and handed it to him. “Dad left me the bar. He trusted me and you need to as well if you want to continue working here.”

He glanced down at the paper and I watched as he scanned the page. When he looked up, I saw the anguish on his face. “This is all I got, Emma. I’m not qualified to do anything else.”

That wasn’t true. He could go to work for the mill or the ranch if either would have him, but I didn’t say that. “Then, you’re going to have to work with me, not against me.”