Broken Souls: Haven Series

By Michelle Edwards

Two souls connected by one tragedy.

Now a civilian, Derek can take over the family business in Haven, South Carolina. It's no easy mission though when he butts heads with the Grill's spitfire of a manager. He has his work cut out for him, learning the ins and outs of the Blue Ribbon Grill, and convincing Ellie he's more than a name on the lease.

Ellie hates the way Derek thinks he knows the customers, the staff and the business. To her, he's an interloper in a place she considers her second home. Those feelings are only exacerbated when she realizes she can't shake her attraction to him -- even though he stands for everything she's against.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crazy Ink
• Release date: May 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386219651

Michelle Edwards

MICHELLE EDWARDS is the author-illustrator of Chicken Man, winner of the National Jewish Book Award, several other acclaimed picture books, and the Jackson Friends series, which includes Pa Lia's First Day, a Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award winner, Zero Grandparents, and The Talent Show. She lives with her family in Iowa City.

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MICHELLE EDWARDS

Copyright © 2019 by Crazy Ink 

www.crazyink.org

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

Book Layout © Crazy Ink

Chapter One

Ellie

S o you’re selling the place? Dani exclaimed throwing her hands up in the air.

I sighed trying not to let myself show how annoyed I was.

No, I’m not selling it. Jack breathed. He looked calm, but his frustrated tone said otherwise, and it wasn’t even noon yet. He glanced in my direction, pleading.

Ellie, can you help me out here? Jack questioned.

I nodded, running my fingers along the top of the glass in front of me.

"What he is trying to say is that he’s transferring ownership to his son. Nothing will change except there will just be me and new guy telling you what you can’t do." I explained as I sat up straight.

I had been working as a waitress and bartender at the bar and grill for two years. I quickly worked my way to staff manager after Jack’s previous one left without any notice. I did everything for Jack; he just took care of the books. We had a great system over the past couple of years.

"But why?" Dani huffed crossing her arms over her chest. A strand of her blonde hair came out of her ponytail.

I’m just ready to be at home with my wife. Take care of the farm and watch my son run a business that I built with his grandfather. Derek’s sister just had another baby, and I want to be that grandfather to them. Besides, Derek is going to need something to keep himself busy now that he’s comin’ home, Jack explained.

You don’t have to explain yourself to us, Jack, we understand. I looked at Dani and narrowed my eyes. Dani was a great waitress, but she had a lot of sass.

Okay. She sighed.

He’ll be coming by today. He just got home to town the other day, so I wanted to give him some time to adjust.

Adjust to being back in a small town? Where’s he coming from the big apple? Dani questioned.

Adjust to being a civilian. Derek was in the military for the past ten years. He explained as he broke himself from the group and headed upstairs to his office.

I stood frozen in place. I knew one of his sons were in the military, I just didn’t realize it was the one who was taking over the family business. The one who would be here day in and day out and be my boss.

Dani nearly knocked me over pulling me from the trance I was in.

Sorry. What do you think of this new guy? She asked leaning over the bar.

I think we don’t know him yet. And we have work to do. Let’s go get these tables ready for customers. I was back into business mode as I made my way upstairs to the office. Jack was packing up a few things from his desk and my stomach twisted in knots. I hated the fact that I wouldn’t see Jack all the time.

Are you sure your son is ready for this? I asked leaning back against the door frame. Jack and I had always had a great relationship, and I knew I could be honest around him. He was like a second father to me.

Yes. We’ve talked extensively about it. He knows why I want to retire. He’s excited to oversee things. If you are worried about your job, it’s safe. I would never let him fire you. Plus he’d be stupid to do that.

I forced a smile.

I wasn’t worried; I know you wouldn’t let anything happen to me. I just know that the military has a lot of structure and that’s something the team lacks here.

Jack nodded.

Yes, but Derek knows that this place won’t need that type of structure. I know this may be a little weird for you. Especially after everything that happened with your brother.

I’ll be fine, I lied. Truth was I wasn’t sure how it would be. I hadn’t been around anyone military since my brother.

I better go help get the bar ready, I whispered.

He’s a good kid. Just go easy on him; he’s still learning how to be a civilian. He beamed.

I nodded as I pushed the door open and trotted down the steps. My stomach still twisted. I glanced around the bar and grill. John was nodding his head to the jukebox music while the girls danced around the tables.

We definitely knew how to have fun and work. I hated the thought that it could possibility change.

I pulled a rag from the bar and wiped it down shaking my hips to the music. Music helped heal me; it helped fuel us every night.

The door open and slammed shut behind the person. Their boots clanked across the floor.

Can I help you? We aren’t open for another twenty minutes. I asked not looking up from the bar.

Yeah, you missed a spot.

Excuse me? I stood up straight and stared at the man in front of me.

He pulled his sunglasses off his face.  His hazel eyes stared back at me.

You missed a spot. Over there. He pointed to the side of the bar I hadn’t yet touched.

I heard you. I sighed.

Derek I presume? I scrunched my eyebrows.

He began to open his mouth when I heard Jack come down the stairs.

Derek! he cried.

Derek smiled and turned to his father pulling him into a hug.

Hey, Dad.

How was your mornin’? And how are you doin’ being home?

It was fine. I’m doing well. Promise. He patted Jack’s shoulder.

Good, let me introduce you and show you around! Jack beamed.

He seemed really proud that his son was home, and even happier that he was taking over.

Me, not so much.

Chapter Two

Derek

Istood next to my father while he gathered the staff in front of the large wooden bar. It was just as I remembered it, welcoming and warm.

"So this is Ellie your staff manager. She