“Hey, hey,” Eugene boomed from behind the sole counter at The Eagle. The bartender’s shoulders hid most of the bottled spirits in the front of the large mirror. He wiped his hands on his jeans and ran a meaty hand through his curly brown hair. “Welcome home, Royal Marine Fletcher Layne.”
Fletcher’s lips curled into a grin he couldn’t control as he remained frozen in place just inside the pub’s front door.
The handful of patrons at the bar glanced sideways at him and smiled.
Fletcher brought a shaky hand to his mouth and reached behind him with his other hand to grab the doorhandle for balance. The bar counter was set to the far left, and the smaller tables were scattered throughout—some high and round with only two seats, some square and low boasting four chairs. The counter area gleame
