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But the main feature was the bar

It was another antique, and she bet in its heyday it had been a glorious piece of art The dullwith her fully stocked collection of liquor bottles, the taps, and her cocktail-creating section The length and width wereher to seat over a dozen people

Raven loved stuff She ht not kno to restore or decorate properly, and she couldn’t care less about frilly curtains or bedding or sofa pillows, but a good, solid antique spoke to her She enjoyed spending soe store, the Barn, and seeing what else she could pick up

Pride flowed rich in her veins When she’d decided to buy the bar, it had been aleable fro to touch her father’s life insurance money, Raven decided it was the only way to buy the pub After restoration, she was even able to reopen the restaurant At first, she kept theher faed her real live culinary chef, they decided to step it up and give the cornerstone restaurants in town cos the locals flocked in for The steaks were oversize and thick, and the few vegetarian dishes offered were creative and satisfying, not the usual rabbit food ht of Her staff ell trained, well treated, and always backed up But what kept the crowds booinable She’d finallydoing what she did best

Working her ass off

Yeah Things were good

The past surged up and tried to sucker punch her, but she stepped neatly away and allowed herself to let it go Hadn’t she learned her lesson? Steeping herself in a world that could only provide bitterness and regret wasn’t so as she h toand a lot to do Besides a brief staff session and awith a new cocktail idea that combined fresh raspberries and mint, which were in season

Raven headed behind the bar and got to work

Chapter three

Dalton walked through the saloon doors and took in the scene

My Place was beco since it was located just outside of Harrington, away froton was a well-knon that drew tourists by the busload to explore the marina and artsy shops and seafood restaurants Nestled close to Greenwich, it was also a town that boasted pure ates It was an easy coazines as the best hidden secret in the Northeast Dalton had been sad when he’d seen how rown He rown up in But the locals had clai to leave Main Street and all its pretty trappings for a pub food, cocktails, and a pool table

The place was packed, and classic Michael Jackson blared froaame flickered on the dual televisions The Mets were on He’d actually beco his tiroup of young wo and sipping soave hi at it The scents of sweet potato fries, grilled meat, and draft beer drifted in the air