16
FRIDAY HAD ROLLED around quickly, or so it seemed to Hogan. Maybe it was because he’d enjoyed himself so much despite the threat of trouble.
For days they’d stayed on guard, yet nothing more had happened. While Colt and Diesel only stayed twice with Jason, Hogan continued to spend at least part of each night with Violet, and he enjoyed it a lot. He made love to her, or she made love to him, he thought with a grin, and they’d steal a few hours to sleep together. But to keep up appearances, mostly for his son, he hadn’t stayed till morning again.
Even staying that long would have been a problem except that Colt had assured him that he knew how to lock doors, and he did have Diesel with him. Diesel loved everyone, unless they came to his house unexpectedly.
Hogan thought of himself at seventeen—with a pregnant girlfriend and a hasty marriage. Not once had he considered himself too young to deal with anything that came his way.
He owed Colt the same respect, so he tried to be more understated in his protectiveness.
That protectiveness now extended to Violet and it hurt every time he had to leave her. If Violet felt the same about him going, she never let on. Instead she’d hug him tight, kiss his mouth thoroughly enough to rev his engine all over again, then remind him to lock up as he left.
Violet liked to torture him, but he had to admit, he enjoyed her methods.
Repeatedly, far too often in fact, he thought about moving her into his house. For a variety of reasons, the idea nibbled on his brain. It’d be nice to have her, Colt and Diesel all together. She’d be safe, and he’d have her next to him the entire night, waking with her in the morning.
Sharing everything.
But he wasn’t far enough gone to do that, not to Colt. His son had been through enough changes for a while.
Colt had also seen his father at his worst not that long ago. Hogan wanted to be a man Colt could look up to. He wanted to be a good influence on him.
Hogan sighed. After the past week, he’d gotten so used to looking for trouble he did it now by rote, scanning the street whenever he left her house, occasionally even circling the block once or twice. His gaze searched everywhere whenever Violet was out in public.
There’d been nothing.
Even when Violet and Brooklin had met up, expanding their new friendship, there were no issues. Nathan still had fits about them being out alone together, but the women claimed they were careful.
Currently Brooklin all but lived with Nathan—and Nathan seemed more than pleased. Hogan envied them the freedom to do as they pleased, not that he regretted his son. Never that. He just regretted that he’d been a blind ass for so long.
If he’d have realized what Meg was doing, if he’d been the one to call quits on the marriage instead of being discarded, would it have all been different? Was it his pride as much as anything that had flattened him so badly?
He wondered what Violet would think if she knew the direction of his thoughts. Did she want more from their relationship?
He knew she appreciated the sex; the woman had an insatiable appetite. Just thinking about it, about her and how she enjoyed him, lightened his mood.
“What?” Violet suddenly asked, coming up behind him where he stood in front of the big front window, blinded by the afternoon sunshine. “I saw that wicked smile, Hogan. What were you thinking?”
He turned to her, appreciating her snug tank top that fitted her breasts perfectly, and trim-fitting jeans. Her hair hung in a fat, loose braid over her left shoulder. It looked romantic and sexy and messy, perfectly suiting her.
His shift would start in only a few minutes. It was just past the lunch hour and a small crowd remained in the diner, but no one too close to them. Propping a shoulder on the wall and looking down at Violet, he hedged the truth, saying, “I was thinking about you.”
Splaying a hand to her chest and ramping up her drawl, she said, “Little ol’ me? Why, sugar, I’m flattered.”
Hogan noted that she barely limped now. The bruises were fading, but still, she had enough vanity to keep them covered, preferring concealing jeans over her usual shorts.
“Specifically,” he said, happy to tease her, “I was thinking of your legs.”
“My legs?”
“How nice it feels when you wrap them around the small of my back. Or when they’re over my shoulders and I’m—”
Smashing a hand to his mouth, she silenced him. With raw sincerity, she said, “Don’t do that to me, not while we’re stuck here without an ounce of privacy. We’ve got too many hours ahead of us yet.”
Hogan bit her finger, surprising her, because now they were drawing attention. “I miss your shorts, too. I liked seeing your legs all day while I worked. I considered it a perk of the job.”
“One more week,” she said, seeming somewhat boggled by his public display. “Then all those nasty colors will be off my ankle.”
“It’ll give me something to look forward to.”
“How about looking forward to this?”
Until she flagged an edition of the Clearbrook Trickle in his face, he hadn’t noticed that she had it in her hand. Knowing this had to do with the stupid advice column, he asked on an aggrieved sigh, “What now?”
Leaning in next to him, shoulder to shoulder, she snapped open the paper and, sure enough, flaunted the newest “Advice Anonymous” column. “You,” she said. “Shirtless.”
“Me, shirtless?” he repeated, disbelieving that anyone still pushed that particular idea.
“It’s what the public demands. See here? It says there have been numerous requests and that this is just one of many. It’s a movement, Hogan. A movement among the women of Clearbrook.”
Two ladies at a table lifted their drinks and shouted, “Hear, hear!”
Violet gave him a lift of her brows that said, without words, Told you so.
He shook his head, turned his back on the women and said, “We already talked about this, remember?”
Ignoring that, Violet read the piece aloud.
Dear Advice Anonymous,
What would be the odds of success if a group of us (ladies) petitioned Violet Shaw to have her barbecue chef attend to his grills shirtless? I know, I know, it’s a bold request. But he works outside and it’s hot, so it’d make sense. Maybe we could make it a ladies’ night out feature? Violet is a businesswoman, so she’d have to go for that, right?
Signed,
Ready to be brazen.
Violet grinned at him expectantly.
Feeling his ears go hot, Hogan said, “No.”
“Don’t you want to hear the reply?”
Yeah, he had to admit, he did. “Go for it.”
She cleared her throat, then continued reading aloud.
Dear Brazen,
Keep in mind that a petition would require you to sign your name. Your real name. All of your many curious friends would also have to do the same. However, I’m sure if you followed through, if there were enough names on that petition, Ms. Shaw would present your request to the barbecue master, maybe even with a little persuasion. He strikes me as the type who might like to flaunt his wares. What have you got to lose?
Advice Anonymous.
Even before she’d finished, Hogan started walking away.
Laughing, Violet snagged him by the back waistband of his jeans, pulling him up short. “I’m trying to utilize a little persuasion here, Hogan.”
“No.”
“But don’t you want to see the petition?”
Groaning, he tried to pry her loose, but she just fell into step beside him.
It was then that Hogan realized a lot of ladies were watching.
As in—an unusual amount of ladies.
Well, hell.
How had he not noticed that the after-lunch crowd was largely female?
Preferring not to look like a fool by running away, he stopped, gave a short laugh and stared at Violet. Only Violet. He did his best to pretend no other ladies were present, despite their rapt and amused attention.
Like a magician pulling a rabbit from her hat, Violet whipped out the damned petition from behind the Trickle. “Voilà! Thirty-five names, Hogan.” She slapped the paper against his chest, giving him no choice but to take it.
Reluctantly, he glanced down at the names—then snorted. “I see Honor and Lexie on here. And Brooklin.” His gaze snared her. “And you.”
She rolled one shoulder. “I didn’t want to be left out.”
There were several names he didn’t recognize, but too many that he did. “This is a joke.”
“Nope.”
“But some of these women are in their sixties.”
“News flash, darlin’—being sixty doesn’t make you blind.”
Hell, he was a man and it flattered him to get so much attention. He didn’t flaunt, no. That was just stupid. But it wasn’t like he was ashamed of his body. In fact, given how Violet reacted to him, he was starting to think... He shook his head. No, he wouldn’t let this turn him into a vain ass. “This is insane. You know that, right?”
Violet could barely fight off her grin. Her lips kept twitching to the point that he wanted to kiss her and to hell with anyone watching.
It also told him that she was having fun at his expense.
Violet didn’t want him grilling shirtless; she just wanted to tease him. Again.
He’d have to give that some thought.
She said, “I forgot to look at the paper last week. There was so much going on.” Her voice lowered even more. “Remember, that’s when someone tried to get into Brooklin’s house and we found out everything.”
“I remember.” How could he forget? He’d been on edge ever since.
“Then when I got the petition, I realized what it was and grabbed the Trickle. There it was, all spelled out.”
Giving himself time to think, Hogan chose avoidance for the moment. “I need to get to work.” He handed the paper to Violet, but as he stalked away, he heard a sudden roar of laughter.
Feminine laughter.
A smile cracked, yet he kept on walking.
His narrow view of females, once tainted by his cheating wife, was now much more open. He had to admit, these ladies were nuts, Violet especially. But God love them, they were fun.
What they didn’t yet realize was that, finally, he could be fun, too.
And he could turn it all around on them.
* * *
Friday and Saturday evening crowds were always a little rowdier than the workweek. Not in any drunken or destructive way. Just a little louder, more packed, added chaos from the sheer volume of people coming and going. For the first time ever, Hogan resented that Violet was in the diner while he was stuck outside.
If he couldn’t see her, how could he protect her?
Around seven o’clock, Nathan stopped by the grill with Brooklin, both of them looking very cozy together. After a glance around to ensure they weren’t heard, Nathan said, “The cretin I told you about?”
“Yeah?” Hogan’s gaze skipped to Brooklin, and he realized she looked tired, maybe a little defeated. “Bad news?”
“Not really.” Nathan frowned. “He’s still in prison.”
“But...” Damn. Hogan didn’t know what to think.
Brooklin turned her face up to Nathan. “I’ll go find Violet. It’ll give you guys a chance to talk while I update her.”
Nathan stopped her. “If you see anyone suspicious at all, let me know.”
Her smile was sad and fleeting. “I will.”
Soon as she was gone, Nathan pulled up a chair under Hogan’s rainbow umbrella. “She’s stoic, but this is getting to her. We thought for sure it’d be Elle’s father, Richard. But no chance. Given his track record in prison, I don’t know if that bastard will ever get out.”
“Troublemaker?” Hogan asked, then laughed without any humor. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do. He’s caused enough problems that he’s been transferred twice. They got him to the new location only it wasn’t ready, so he got moved again. That’s why it took me a little longer to track him down. But he’s definitely behind bars and likely to stay there.”
“So who’s threatening Brooklin?”
“That’s the million-dollar question.” Nathan sat back, his expression strained. “I love her.”
Hogan’s surprise didn’t last. He smiled. “I figured.”
“I have no idea who’s bothering her or why, but someone is, and gut instinct tells me it’s serious.”
“Could that be emotion slanting things?” Nathan’s reaction amplified his own. Uneasy, Hogan gave his attention to the grill. “You caring more for her could make the problems seem bigger, right?”
“No. At least, I don’t think so.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Never been in love before.”
Hogan understood his confusion. He had been in love before, but things with Violet were different. Somehow...richer. Bigger. More confusing.
Could be his age, too. He was no longer a kid rushing into life and assuming it’d all work out. Older, and hopefully wiser, he knew things didn’t always go as planned.
Sometimes they even went horribly wrong.
He said to Nathan, “Trust me. Having been there previously doesn’t make it any easier.”
That sharpened Nathan’s attention and gradually he smiled. “You know, I was starting to think you were too damn stubborn, or else too stupid, to admit the truth.”
“I hope I’m neither, but I am admittedly reluctant.” And unlike Nathan, he wasn’t about to make a public announcement on his relationship.
Nathan wasn’t the pushy type, so he only said, “Don’t be so reluctant that you miss out on something good,” then slapped Hogan on the shoulder and went back to brooding while he awaited Brooklin.
Minutes later, Jason and Colt showed up with Honor. They went through the usual greetings. Then Hogan took Colt aside to fill him in, just as he’d done every day since the incident. Hogan wanted him aware of everything so he could be on guard.
When he finished, Colt’s scowl was as dark as Nathan’s. “I don’t like it.”
“No,” Hogan said. “Nathan and I don’t, either. But for now, there’s nothing we can do except stay alert.”
“Is it possible it was a fluke? Maybe the bozo moved on already...”
“I’d like to think that,” Hogan said. “But since someone tried to get into her house, I can’t.”
“Yeah.” Colt frowned, then put a hand on Hogan’s shoulder. “I’ll be inside, so I’ll keep an eye out.”
That both reassured and alarmed Hogan. “Don’t take any chances.”
“It’s a crowded diner. No one would try anything in there.”
“We don’t know that. Remember, someone tried to run them both down during the middle of the day in the busiest part of town.”
Colt’s expression darkened even more. “We could be dealing with a nut.”
“We could—so promise me, Colt.”
His smile went crooked. “You think I’ll try to be a hero? I’m not stupid.”
“No, you’re not.” Hogan started to relax.
Until Colt added, “But you also can’t expect me to stand by if someone tries to hurt Violet.” He eyed his father. “I like her a lot. More than a lot. And I like how things are between the two of you.”
Thrown by that casual statement, Hogan said, “You do?”
“Yeah. Everything is starting to feel... I don’t know. Normal again.” Colt shook his head, troubled, then asked, “Would you prefer for me to go away to school? I mean, you and Violet would have the house to yourselves then and—”
“Violet has her own house.” And they didn’t have the money for him to live away on campus. Not yet, anyway. Choosing his words carefully, Hogan said, “If all things were possible, what I’d prefer most is for you to have choices so you could decide what it is you want.”
“I already know what I want.” He shifted, looked at the people not that far from them, then to Hogan’s face. “I was going to talk to you about something tonight, but I don’t know... This feels like the right time.”
Alarm slammed through Hogan. He said over his shoulder, “Jason, watch the grills for me.”
Jason, who’d been talking with Nathan, said, “Sure,” and without breaking the conversation went to poke at the ribs.
Hogan stepped aside with Colt, not far enough for serious privacy but it was all they had. “What’s going on?”
Colt tried for a strained smile. “Nothing life or death, or even all that serious, so relax.”
Hogan didn’t think he could relax until he knew what had put that particular look on his son’s face. He tried his own smile, and for the most part, managed. “I’m all ears.”
Colt drew a breath, visibly girding himself, and said, “I’m going to graduate early.”
All the tension fell from Hogan’s shoulders, making him almost limp. No girl was pregnant, Colt hadn’t been in a wreck, no mentions of drugs or any number of other things that he always took for granted because Colt was that type of young man, as honorable as good men twice his age.
“Jesus...” He laughed. “You had me there.” Now able to draw a deep breath, Hogan said, “So, what’s this about graduating early? What does that mean?”
Colt’s smile went crooked. “What were you thinking?”
“That maybe I was going to be a grandpa early.”
Snorting, Colt said, “No, I’m careful.”
Hogan stared over that unintended admission, then shook himself. He wasn’t obtuse. Colt was a good-looking kid, big, fit. Of course... He shook his head again and said, “Good. Not that you couldn’t tell me if anything like that ever—”
“Relax, Dad, seriously. I’m not a drug addict, haven’t robbed a bank, and I definitely haven’t been careless with a girl.”
Sharing the truth, Hogan said, “I couldn’t really imagine any of those things. But in all seriousness, for any problem, ever, I’m here, okay?”
“I know, thanks. But it’s nothing like that. There’s a special program at the school. I can graduate in January, which will give me half the year to work and save for college, and then—”
“January?” That hit Hogan like a ton of bricks. “Graduating early is about working more?” His guts cramped. His son already worked too much. Maybe not as much as Hogan had at his age, but Colt didn’t have a new wife with a kid on the way.
“It’s about me getting on with my life. I’m acing school, you know that.”
“You’re freaking brilliant and it unnerves me. I have no idea where you got all those smarts.”
Raising a brow and giving Hogan a look, Colt said, “I know exactly where I got my brains.”
Damn, it was nice to be admired by his son. Really nice. Hogan took his shoulders in both his hands. “Then you’re smart enough to know that high school isn’t only about study. It’s about social stuff, too.”
“Out of school, I’d have more time for dating.” Then he dropped another bombshell. “I’ve decided the local college would be better, too. Remember, we checked into it—”
“I know there are choices here, Colt.” His son wanted to be a mechanical engineer. For two years, he’d talked about more prestigious colleges. MIT and Stanford were out, so he’d been focused more on the University of Michigan—which still would have been a financial stretch.
But now he was ready to settle for sticking closer to home?
“They have a decent program.”
Hogan shook his head. “But it wasn’t the choice you wanted.”
“Not at first,” Colt agreed. “But things changed.”
Yeah, they had. Colt’s mother had died, Hogan had lost his job, they’d moved—
“I don’t mean the past,” Colt said. “The more I’ve thought about it, the more I like the idea of sticking around. I like it here now.” He shared another crooked grin. “And you know you’d miss me.”
“A lot.” He’d gotten used to having Colt at the diner with him. He valued the extra time they had to chat.
That didn’t mean he wanted his son to give up on his goals.
“I’ve been thinking, too,” Hogan said. “I could take a second mortgage, and—”
“You said it, Dad. They’re my choices. Right?”
Hogan didn’t want to, but he nodded. “As long as you’re making those choices for the right reason.”
“I am. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’m pretty pumped about it.”
Damn, but Colt seemed dead set on things. “I want to meet with the counselor, hear about this program, and we have to talk about it more.”
“Sure. I got you some literature on it. It’s on the kitchen table at home.”
Home. Did Colt truly feel like Clearbrook was now home? Hogan hoped so, because for him, it felt more like home than anyplace they’d ever been. “All right. I’ll look at it tonight.”
“I better get to work.”
Stopping him, Hogan harked back to their original conversation. “If you see anything at all suspicious tonight, come get me.”
“Sure. If there’s time.” He slung his arm around Hogan’s shoulders, reminding his dad that while he was a whole lot leaner, he was now a few inches taller. “I won’t play hero, but I’m also not going to hide in a corner, okay?”
Hogan put him in a headlock, they both laughed, and then he heard Sullivan say, “You’re not burning my share of ribs, are you, Jason?”
Hogan released his son and glanced at his grill. “Damn it.” He quickly shouldered Jason aside and hit the dancing flames with a spray bottle of water.
Both Sullivan and Lexie had joined the growing crowd outside. Sullivan explained, “We were going to sit inside, but it’s jammed. Friday nights are getting busier than Saturdays.”
“I know,” Hogan said. “We’ll have the upstairs ready soon. Then hopefully the younger crowd will fill that space and leave the main floor more open.” In a town the size of Clearbrook, plans were seldom kept quiet. Most everyone knew about the expansion of space.
“I better get in there,” Colt said. “But don’t worry, Dad. I’ll crawl out, my head covered, and get you if anyone looks at me funny.”
Hogan threw a dish towel at him, grinning as his son ducked inside.
“You’ve done a great job with him.” Sullivan stared after Colt. “I wish all young adults were that well-adjusted.”
Lexie wrapped an arm around him. “Thanks to you, more of them are.”
“She’s right,” Hogan said and saluted Sullivan with the water bottle. Being a true badass, Sullivan ran his own karate school for kids with behavioral issues. Hogan respected him a lot.
He was also in prime shape. If the ladies wanted to see someone without a shirt, they should be after Sullivan. He could make them all blush.
Then again, few people other than Lexie felt comfortable hassling Sullivan. From the first meeting on, Lexie had deliberately provoked him, flirted outrageously and eventually chased him down. They were yet one more happy couple to view as an example.
Hogan frowned at himself. An example of what?
He didn’t feel like figuring it out, not at the moment, because another idea had just crowded his brain.
Ladies’ night. Could he possibly convince Sullivan to take part? What about Jason? Nathan?
He was considering things when Jason brought up the awning that would go over his area.
“Violet wants two walls as well, to help shelter you from inclement weather.”
The way his brother said it, Hogan knew those were her words. “When did she decide that?”
“She called me Wednesday so I could reconfigure my plans.”
Hogan grumbled. “You’d think the rainbow umbrella and table would be enough.”
“She’s locking you in,” Honor said.
The men all looked at her. “What do you mean?” Jason asked. “Why would she want to lock Hogan in?”
“Figuratively, I mean.” Honor glanced at each of them, apparently amazed that they didn’t understand. “Come on, guys. Violet’s a businesswoman, and Hogan is good for business.”
“He’s good for her,” Lexie added, apparently in agreement with her best friend. “That factors in, too.”
Nodding, Honor said, “So of course she wants him as comfortable as possible. I mean, Screwy Louie’s wouldn’t crumble if Hogan walked out, but look at all the recent changes. Things are on the uptick, and they both look happier. Violet doesn’t want to backtrack.”
“She has the hots for him,” Lexie insisted with bobbing eyebrows. “And honestly, Hogan, I think you owe me some gratitude for suggesting you work here.” She managed a haughty expression. “I feel instrumental in this whole business and personal relationship.”
“Agreed.” Straight-faced, very sincere, Hogan said, “Thank you, Lexie.”
The guys grinned, but both Lexie and Honor oohed in astonishment.
“You realize how lucky you are?” Lexie asked in disbelief.
“Yup.”
Her tone cautious, she said, “Wow.”
Honor pressed a hand to her heart. “Oh, Hogan, seeing you happy makes me happy for you.”
He drew back. “You’re rushing ahead, hon.”
“Let her rush,” Jason said.
When Honor pulled him into a big hug, her head on his shoulder, her arms tight around him, Hogan went with the suggestion and let her. Honor always had a funny effect on him, making him feel valued. He grumbled near her ear, “I’m not eloping or anything.”
“I know,” she said, just as quietly. “But you are getting on with your life.”
Huh. Yeah, maybe he was.
With one more squeeze, Hogan released Honor. “It’s a nice thing, having a sister-in-law.”
“Almost as nice,” she said, “as having a brother-in-law.”
Jason, pleased with that exchange, smiled at them both, then led his wife away so they could eat.
When Hogan thought of Meg this time, when he thought of all she’d taken, what hit him was that her actions had put him here, right where he was this very minute, surrounded by very genuine people, working a no-stress job he loved, alongside a woman who matched him in nearly every way.
He’d loved Meg—he couldn’t deny that. If she hadn’t cheated, hadn’t died while walking out on him, he’d be with her still, a faithful, dedicated husband to the bitter end.
But what he felt for Violet was as different as night to day. He and Meg had each accepted their designated roles. Until she’d changed, they’d taken on their responsibilities without question, without much complaint.
But with Violet, everything was shared.
Everything.
And that made it so much better.
Ten minutes later, Hogan was still standing there, staring at the grill, breathing harder under the weight of realization, when Violet slipped out to visit him.
“My,” she said, giving him a hip bump, “with that blank stare on your face, I don’t think it’s my legs occupying your thoughts this time.”
Hogan turned to see her, really see her, and felt his heart expanding. She did look happy. And beautiful.
She looked like his.
“Hey.”
She cocked her head to the side. “You okay?”
Actually, he was better than okay. He felt at peace. “You visited with Brooklin?”
“I did. I feel so bad for her, Hogan. She thinks she’s somehow responsible, but she has no idea what’s happening or why.”
“Nathan will figure it out.” He glanced over at them where they sat alone beneath the shade of a tree. “He’s in it for the long haul.”
“Brooklin is, too. But with this big mystery, she’s afraid Nathan could get hurt.”
Hogan scoffed. “He’s the sheriff. Before that he was SWAT. Pretty sure he can take care of himself.”
“That’s what I told her, but she reminded me that Nathan had been hurt once, and once was more than enough.”
Huh. Yeah. Hogan looked at Nathan, at the scar on his face that now just seemed a part of him, like his hair and eye color or his height. But thinking of it, he had to agree. “Maybe it was a fluke.”
“How Nathan got hurt? No, I don’t think so. He wouldn’t take it so personally if that was the case.”
“Probably not.” Had Nathan’s gut instinct once failed him? If so, that’d explain why he was doubly determined to keep Brooklin from harm.
Violet sighed. “We’ll all be careful and eventually we’ll find the jerk who’s giving her a hard time.”
Hogan brushed away a few tendrils of dark red hair that had escaped her braid. He saw the dampness across her cheekbones and the flush in her cheeks, proof that she’d been rushing to keep up with customers. “How’s your foot?”
“What foot?”
He slid his hand around to her exposed nape. “The foot that’s still bruised and tender.”
“It’s on the bottom of my leg, right where it belongs.” She tipped back her head to stare up at him, her tone casual but her expression probing. “Hogan, since when did you start all this familiar touching in front of people?”
Looking at her mouth, he asked, “What people?”
Her lips curled. “You can be so funny.” She rested against his supporting hand for just a moment. “Okay, so you no longer care if folks around here see you getting cozy with me. You gotta know, sugar, I’m fine with that.”
“Yeah?”
“It was never my problem in the first place.”
True, he’d been the ass. But ever since she’d gotten hurt, he’d had the urge to show everyone the truth.
Now was a good time to start.
“Good.” He bent to kiss her nose, her chin, then briefly brush his mouth over hers.
Violet blinked at him. “I’m starting to think there’s something in the air today. You know, Colt just told me I was one of his favorite people, and I needed to promise him I wouldn’t hesitate to tell him if I saw anyone fishy. Then he gave me a hug. Like...a four-or five-second hug.”
Hogan grinned. “I hope you promised him.”
“Not exactly, no. If I did see someone suspicious, the very last thing I’d want is for Colt to get involved. He’s young, your son, an employee, and one of my very favorite people, too. All reasons why I’d want to protect him, not drag him into harm’s way.”
That gave Hogan something new to chew on. “So you two get along that well?”
“We do. He’s mature beyond his years, but still with all that boyish charm. And he’s a real sweetheart. I’m going to miss him something awful when he goes off to college.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“Not tonight, but I have, yeah.” She gave a wistful sigh. “He said he’d miss me, too.”
Lots and lots to think about, Hogan decided.
Kristy came out, needing more ribs to fill her orders. Hogan loaded her platter full.
Violet sniffed the air. “Even though you’ve been serving those for a while now, they still make my mouth water. I don’t suppose you have any other specialties to share?”
“I grill a mean steak.”
She shuddered. “Too expensive.”
“Huh. Well...” He pretended to search his mind, then offered, “I’m good in bed. Does that count as a specialty?”
She opened her mouth, closed it, then laughed and patted his chest. “I’d sure count it, but I don’t want it on the menu.”
His inclination was to kiss the sassy smile off her mouth, which would require something more than a peck, maybe some tongue, too. Unfortunately, too many customers sat around them, enjoying the balmy evening while dining with friends and family. Honor and Jason were at a nearby table, with Honor glowing at them like a proud mama. Lexie and Sullivan sat with them, Lexie once again bobbing her eyebrows.
Nathan and Brooklin were farther out, seated across from each other, leaning in close to talk, their body language intimate.
Knowing they were being watched, Hogan said, “When I get you alone...” He left it open-ended enough to entice.
“Oh, I hope it’s something good.” Violet propped her hip against his rainbow-covered table and held out a gift bag.
“What’s this?” Hogan eyed the colorful tissue paper.
“It’s a little something for you.” A wicked light glittered in her blue eyes, and she couldn’t suppress her smile. “Go on. Open it.”
Curious, he set aside his tongs and pulled the puff of tissue paper off the top of the bag.
Inside was a shirt.
He knew exactly what it would be. Grinning, he withdrew it and shook it out.
Sure enough, Barbecue Master, in a special flame font, blazed across the front of a supersoft black T-shirt.
“Look at that,” he said, flattered that she’d had it made for him. “I like it.”
“It’s your size, right?”
He checked inside the collar, saw it was a large and nodded. “Yeah.” He smiled at Violet’s expectant expression. “Now it’s official. Thank you.”
“Put it on.”
Pausing, wondering what she was up to, Hogan repeated, “Put it on?”
Violet nodded.
He glanced around, recognizing many familiar faces, some of them not well-known to him but he’d dished up their food many times.
Fortunately, he didn’t see any strangers who could be a threat to Violet or Brooklin.
But he did have everyone’s attention. In fact, ladies had crowded out of the building and were now watching from around the front wall. “You mean...now?”
“Yes.” Her mouth twitched with suppressed hilarity. “I want to see it on you.”
“Violet—”
She leaned in and whispered, “I was encouraged to ask. But as your boss, I certainly don’t expect you to—”
“I’ll do it.”
Her eyes went comically wide. Two beats of silence passed before she demanded, “What do you mean, you’ll do it?”
Hogan almost laughed. So, she’d thought he wouldn’t? She’d come out here to razz him, fully knowing women would watch? Violet was quirky, and he adored that about her.
Trying to pretend confusion, he asked, “Why not?”
Her mouth pinched.
“Do it,” Honor said, starting a chant. “Do it, do it, do it.”
Others joined in, proving they’d all known what was happening.
“Hogan,” Violet said, fresh color on her cheeks, “you don’t have to—”
“Oh, I don’t mind.” Funny, the more she protested, the more he wanted to call her bluff. He lifted a hand, said loudly, “You’re all about to be disappointed.” Then he stripped off his shirt.
Raucous cheers rang out from the ladies, while the men booed him.
Colt stood in the doorway from the prep area, an ear-to-ear grin splitting his face.
Someone, probably Lexie, gave a loud wolf whistle.
Mrs. Arbuckle, at least eight-five, playfully shouted, “Oh, my heart!”
“Here.” Violet shoved the new shirt at him. “Put it on already before you kill someone.”
Fighting off a laugh, Hogan bent and kissed her mulish mouth before pulling on the shirt and smoothing it down. The kiss was to let everyone know that he’d done this to tease Violet, not for any other reason.
Not for any other woman.
Holding his arms out to his sides and doing a slow turn so everyone could see, he called out, “What do you think?”
More cheers filled the air, scaring birds out of the trees.
Hogan snagged his arm around Violet and hugged her close. He knew without a doubt, here, with Violet, with all the crazy neighbors and family, with his smiling son, was exactly where he needed to be.