“Hi, handsome,” Winona said as he sat on his usual stool, second from the right end, in the dingy, dim tavern. “How’s your mom doing?” She asked it every time he saw her, like a mother figure herself.

“We got her home last night. It wore her out but she’s happy to be home.”

“Good.” Winona slid a tall mug of cold beer to him. “Food?”

“Usual.”

“Got it.”

She disappeared into her kitchen, and Cole noted the place was fuller than normal, which meant close to two dozen patrons needing to drown the Monday blues.

Across the way, at a table near the wall, was a trio of women, good-looking, dressed for an evening out, and blatantly eyeing him. For about two seconds, he pondered the possibility of taking one of them to bed to get Sierra out of his head, but if he was honest, he had zero interest in any of them. He wanted to be interested. Wanted to think about anything but his brown-eyed beauty…

Not his.

Hell. If it was tough to keep his mind off of her at work, it was nearly impossible now, with nothing to occupy him but a mug of beer.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out to find a group text message from Gabe to him, Mason, and Drake.

Aunt Liz says Mom did well today, did some walking around the house, ate well, was in a good mood. Miranda is there now, playing Scrabble with her.

Drake replied, Don’t know who I’m more afraid for, Miranda or Mom.

Both their cousin and their mom were cut-throat Scrabble players. Cole and his brothers had stopped playing the game with their mom years ago because no one could beat her. Miranda could and did frequently.

Mom should be able to sleep well post word battle, Mason texted.

Though Cole didn’t have anything to add—he wasn’t one for extraneous conversation—the distraction was welcome, and it got him thinking.

He opened a new message window on his phone, this one going only to Mason.

You busy? he typed.

Trying to finish at the office. What’s up?

Cole paused before sending the next message, debating with himself. He hadn’t planned any of this, had mostly written off the mention of working for North Brothers. Mostly. But he wasn’t sure how he could continue to work side by side with Sierra when he wanted her so badly he walked around with a semi all day. Wasn’t sure if that need would ever go away.

You eat yet? Cole asked.

Planning to grab something on my way home.

You familiar with Sunshine’s?

Never heard of it.