Shock & Roll (Poppy Lewis Mystery Book 5) by Lucinda Harrison

Author:Lucinda Harrison [Harrison, Lucinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lucinda Harrison
Published: 2023-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

Ten

The band’s Vista Tavern gig was a welcome night out. Ryan and I decided to make a date of it. We rolled into the gravel parking lot outside the bar to find the place abuzz with excitement. Never before had I seen more than three or four patrons, but now the door hung open as people spilled out into the night air talking and laughing and having a good time.

“Quite the event.” Ryan shut the car door behind me. “Didn’t expect this, did you?”

“Not at all.”

“Poppy!” Angie’s smiling face rushed toward me, and her hands flailed to catch my attention. A large insulated bag swung in the crook of her arm. “I only just got here, but Harper’s inside somewhere. I brought sourdough samples.” She raised the bag with a grin. “I’m going to keep a close eye on them this time so I can get feedback.”

“Where’s Roy?”

“He’s got shingles, remember? Turns out he wasn’t faking after all.”

“Shingles.” Ryan said. “That’s horrible. I’ll send something over for him.”

“Thanks Ryan. You know he’s too proud to ask for help.” Angie rolled her eyes. “Suffer through it and cry like a baby when only I can see. But enough about Roy, let’s head inside.”

Ryan proffered his arm, and I looped mine into his. Always the perfect gentleman.

The noise grew considerably as we stepped through the doorway and into the cramped and crowded space. Joe was behind the counter, taking an order from a line of customers waiting to put in their own. He was sweating through his plain T-shirt, and the rag he normally used to wipe down the glass wear was slung hastily over his shoulder while both hands were busy pulling taps and taking money.

He caught my eye, and I escorted Ryan to the end of the bar. I could finally introduce my Scotsman, the man Joe had heard so much about.

Joe’s eyes were bloodshot. He wiped the sweat away from his brow with a hairy forearm. “I thought you said this would be a small thing?”

“Cabo said he wanted something small. I have no idea what happened.”

A man shouted from the drink order line, and Joe shouted a four-letter word right back.

“Good for business, at least.” Joe bobbed his head toward Ryan. “Who’s this guy?”

I nudged Ryan forward. “This is my Scotsman.”

Joe’s eyebrows rose, and he gave Ryan a long appraising look. “Nice to meet you. And if you ever give Poppy any trouble, now I know what you look like.”

Most men would have wet themselves at a threat from a large, hairy, leather-clad biker, but Ryan simply adjusted the rimless glasses on his nose and replied, “Likewise.”

Joe grunted, then gave a slow appreciative nod.

“Okay,” I said with a long breath. “Thank you both for being so protective.”

“Hold on.” Joe poured two drinks from the tap and set them on the bar in front of us. “On the house.”

Ryan held up the pint toward Joe. “Cheers.”

“Cheers,” Joe replied, then returned to the snaking line of customers as Ryan and I moved closer to the staging area.

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