The Devil Wore Sneakers Read Online Free Page B

too many questions. She averted her face to the window and watched the tombstones and houses slip past to avoid further conversation.
    In minutes, the Mad Moose’s brown clapboards and red metal roof came into view. He turned into the side driveway and parked in a space reserved for tenants. In the rear, a six-foot fence ran the perimeter between the restaurant and his neighbor’s home on the side street.
    “You live here? What happened to your house?”
    “I sold the place last year after I quit my job at the bank.”
    More than two years ago, she’d heard he’d gotten married and divorced. Maybe that had played into his decision. Wait, he was out of work? “You don’t need to treat me to lunch.”
    “Are you afraid I can’t pay?” He shoved down on the door handle. “I’ve got a tab. You’re safe.”
    She scooted out of the passenger side and joined him on the sidewalk. The direct approach seemed the way to go. “How much money did my brother owe you?”
    “No time for polite small talk? You have changed.” He scanned her features as though all her motives were visible.
    An instant of panic flashed through her. No, he wasn’t a mind reader. Ask about Ryan . “Are you broke because of my brother?”
    “Did Sullivan say we argued over money and I shot him?” His eyes flared with heat. “The man is certifiable.”
    “You knew Gage reported your argument?”
    “Gage told me he saw us. I encouraged him to tell the police. I’ve nothing to hide. Your brother was my friend, and as friends, we could disagree. Yeah, we were closer through those years we partied together, but we stayed on good terms.”
    “What about the money?” Ryan survived on credit. “He often lied about his problems.”
    “I’m not a hit man, Lucy. C’mon.” He led her to the front of the bar and grill. “What do you think of the Moose’s new sign?”
    A plaque hung over the entrance. The name, painted in purple, stood out on the stained wood. “What happened to the dancing moose drinking beer? I kinda liked it.”
    “The Moose had a makeover. Customers like the neon ‘Open’ sign in the window. It’s visible for miles at night.”
    She caught herself inching forward to be near him. Quick, squash that idea. “Helps if you’ve forgotten your glasses or had too much to drink and can’t see the building,” she said in a teasing voice to hide her feelings. “You work here?”
    “Owner. Thanks to a small business loan, I bought the place last summer. Too bad my parents moved to Arizona and can’t hang out in their son’s restaurant.”
    “Your dad would love to sit inside and spin his fishing stories.” A warm glow filled her as she remembered his father telling his tales.
    “Yeah, and he’d bore the customers into leaving, but the Moose is my success story.” Liam’s face glowed with pride for a second as he tilted his head back to scan the building. “How about it, Luce? Are you brave enough to enter?” He raised his brows.
    “I bet I’ll love your place.” She pushed through the door. Buying a bar made sense for Liam. In high school, while most kids tinkered with their junk cars, he brewed beer in his basement to serve at his parties, until his parents found out. He’d moved on to his next plan, adding mead to his homemade wine.
    Now she paused inside the building. The familiar barn-board walls sent a wave of nostalgia through her. A few changes were clear. The bar had been extended across the side of the room, where a few patrons sat on stools. On the opposite wall, a fire flickered in the fieldstone fireplace. Booths by the front window encouraged people to sit for a while, and a maple syrup bucket with dried flowers sat near the register.
    “It’s…pretty, and nicer than the restaurants I worked during my college years.”
    His eyes widened with horror. “Pretty? Nicer? No wonder the beer hasn’t been selling. I better rough it up and nail a few rifles over the fireplace.”
    “Then you’re set