By the Book

Chapter Twenty-Two: Surviving the Donovan Way

The Proud Cougar wasn't exactly what most people would picture for Thanksgiving night. A small, unassuming saloon tucked away in Canby, it boasted dim lighting, a long polished bar, and a back patio strung with mismatched fairy lights. It wasn't glamorous, but it was exactly what I needed after a night like this.

Tyler pushed open the heavy wooden door, holding it for Ben, Miles and me to step through. "I'm telling you, Kara, tonight's the night I finally win."

"You can keep telling yourself that," I shot back, unwrapping my scarf as the warmth of the saloon greeted us. "But we both know how this ends."

"You two are ridiculous," Ben muttered, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. He didn't sound annoyed, though. In fact, there was the faintest hint of a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Miles followed behind, his easy smile intact. "I'm sensing some history here," he said, raising an eyebrow.

Tyler grinned, slinging his arm across my shoulders as we walked further inside. "Oh, there's history, all right. A long and storied tradition of me proving I'm the superior sibling."

I rolled my eyes but didn't bother shrugging him off. "Superior at running your mouth, maybe."

"See?" Tyler said, addressing Miles like he'd been waiting for backup. "Classic deflection. She knows I've got her beat."

Miles chuckled, his gaze flicking between us with growing amusement. "Sounds like I'm in for a show tonight."

"Oh, you have no idea," Tyler said, steering me toward the back patio with exaggerated pomp. "This is the Donovan sibling equivalent of the Olympics. It's all about endurance, strategy, and not puking in public."

"Really aiming high there," I muttered, earning myself a squeeze on the shoulder.

"You've got to dream big, sis," Tyler quipped, releasing me as we reached the patio.

The back area was just as I remembered it—cozy and slightly mismatched, with heaters glowing faintly in the corners and a string of fairy lights swaying gently in the breeze. The place was nearly empty, save for a few staff members I recognized from my time working here. They waved as we passed, and I gave a small nod in return.

"Still the same," I said, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"Yeah, but now you're on the fun side of things," Tyler said, pulling out a chair and plopping into it like he owned the place.

He claimed the seat across from Miles and Ben, leaving the chair beside him for me. I dropped into it, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face just as a familiar face appeared, a knowing grin already lighting up her face.

"Well, well, if it isn't Kara Donovan," Isla said, planting a hand on her hip. "Thought I'd seen the last of you when you hung up your apron."

"Somehow, I always end up back here," I replied, my smile growing. "Guess I'm a creature of habit."

Isla arched a brow, her gaze sweeping over the table. "And you brought an entourage. Which one of you is the troublemaker?"

"That'd be me," Tyler said immediately, raising his hand like he'd just won an award. "And I'll take a double Jack and Coke. Kara's having a double Malibu and Diet Coke."

"You're awfully confident, ordering for me," I said, raising a brow at him.

"Am I wrong?" he shot back, smirking.

I huffed but grinned, turning back to Isla. "And green tea shots for the two of us."

Isla jotted it down with a laugh. "Some things never change. What about you two?" She nodded toward Ben and Miles.