Wyatt had already considered that. “It is what it is, darlin’.”

Josie offered a smile. “I’ve already ordered replacement glassware. There’s a restaurant and bar warehouse in Eugene that supplies my tables and I’ve already given them a call. If you can go and pick them up, that would be great.”

For the next hour, Wyatt, Matt, and Luke cleared out the dozen tables and chairs that were unsavable, cleaned the room, and mopped up the liquor that had fallen in sheets on the walls and stuck.

Wyatt took note of a couple of holes in the walls. A little drywall and paint would show up the rest of the bar. It was really hard for him to do anything halfway, but since Josie was already paying for the broken glassware and helping with the tables and chairs, it was the right thing to do. He already knew Luke would be on board with helping with the manual labor.

Outside, the gravel kicked up from the parking lot, which prompted Josie to step out while they finished the cleanup.

“Lunch is here,” Josie said when she walked back in.

Melanie had her hair pulled into a tight ponytail, and her short shorts hid enough of her ass to keep him guessing, but not enough to think she was trying to hide something.

He licked his lips and leaned the broom in his hands against the wall.

Hope ran in behind her mom and wrapped an arm around Wyatt’s waist before he could say hello. Her tiny arms felt strange and strangely comforting. “Mommy said you were hurt.”

He knelt down and leveled his face with hers. “I’m okay.”

Hope’s tiny smile fell and her hand reached to touch the tender spot above his eye. Wyatt held his breath, hoping she wouldn’t push too hard and make him wince.

He didn’t need to worry.

“That looks bad.”

He glanced at Melanie, who was watching the exchange. “Your mom took good care of me.”

Hope leaned in, lowered her voice. “Did she put that stingy stuff on you?”

Wyatt made a silly face and nodded.

“We should probably take that away from her, huh?”

Holding back his laugh at the seriousness of Hope’s face was the most difficult thing he’d ever done.

After swallowing hard, he bit his lip and said, “I think the stingy stuff helps clean cuts and stuff.”

Hope pushed out her lower lip. “But it hurts.”

“Yeah. It sure does.”

There was an argument stuck between Hope’s brain and her mouth, but she held it in and pressed her lips to Wyatt’s forehead.

“Kissing it better.”

The tiny punch in his heart was unexpected.

He patted her head as he stood, left an arm on her shoulder as they both faced Melanie.

“I thought you might need food.”

“Food never sucks, Mel.” Luke was the first one across the room. “My stomach finally feels like it can eat.”

“Considering last night’s indulgence, I’m surprised.”

Luke wiped his hands on his jeans and pulled up an operable chair to a sturdy table.

Melanie had brought several sandwiches, potato salad, and a full container of cut up summer fruits. Considering the slim delights in his refrigerator, Wyatt was happy to fill his stomach with someone else’s idea of lunch. He made a mental note to buy some groceries on his way home from Eugene.

“How are you feeling this morning?” Melanie asked him as the others gathered around the table to dish out a portion of food.

“Like I’ve been in a bar fight.”

“So you’ve been in them before?” she asked.

He shrugged, knew there was a fine line for a woman when it came to fighting. “I’ve blocked a punch or two before. A couple in high school, usually over a girl.”

“Humph.” She regarded him from the corner of her eye before walking behind the bar.

“Not bad, Mel,” Luke told her from across the room.

“You better offer a deeper compliment than that if you ever wanna free meal off me again,” she told him.

“You women are never satisfied.” Luke waved his sandwich as he spoke.

“Says the man who is going to be very hungry if he doesn’t start shoveling out the sugar!” Melanie teased.

Luke started to hum and licked his lips. “Oh, Mel-Bel, this is the best damn sandwich I have had all summer. My mom needs to take notes.”

Melanie rolled her eyes as she walked around the bar with several cups filled with ice on a tray. “Your compliments suck.”

Luke winked and bit off half his sandwich with one bite.

“I like your sandwiches, Mommy.” Hope was in the process of removing the crust from hers and nibbling on the inside.

“Thanks, sweetie.”

Wyatt was about to add his thanks when Hope added, “But Aunt Zoe’s cookies are waaaay better than yours.”

The mention of Zoe’s name had a couple of heads turning toward Luke. The man was brushing crumbs off his shirt while speaking with a full mouth. “She has a point, Mel-Bel.”

“Yes, yes I know. Good thing sugar is bad for you or I might have to bake more and make you eat my mess.”

“No need to eat bad sugar when there is good sugar out there,” Josie said, and Matt agreed.

Wyatt enjoyed the friendly banter from the sidelines until the conversation found a break. He walked up beside Melanie and placed a hand on the side of her neck and kissed her surprised lips. “It was delicious.”

Her cheeks turned pink when he stepped away. “It was just a sandwich.”

Then, to tease, he added quietly, “I wasn’t talking about the food.”