Chapter 6
Bernie had a good feeling about trying out her matchmaking idea when she could practically see the sparks flying between Nash and Clara from the time they saw each other that evening.
She’d been around long enough, and seen vibes between couples long enough, that she could recognize the attraction from a mile away.
The only thing that worried her a little were Clara’s long sighs, but that could be because she was tired from the trip down to Spanish Fort and back that afternoon.
The plan she came up with was to leave them alone in the bar as much as possible.
Someone in her past had said that the best way to get to know someone was to work with them, so she would give them plenty of space to do just that.
“The rooster has crowed, so that means it’s time for a drink,” Hoot chuckled as he crossed the room and claimed a barstool.
“Bernie, can you believe that we got rain this time of year? Not that I’m complainin’.
A rancher never gripes about rain, no matter when it comes down on us, but my gauge says that we got four inches. ”
Bernie hopped up on a stool right beside him. “It’s a strange thing for sure, especially at this time of year. What can we get you?”
“I’ll have a beer. Whatever is on tap, long as it’s cold,” Hoot answered.
“Comin’ right up, Grandpa,” Nash said.
The rooster crowed again, and more than half a dozen customers came inside.
One of the guys removed his hat, pulled a red bandanna from the bib pocket of his overalls, and wiped sweat from his forehead.
“It’s hotter’n a two-dollar pistol out there.
I need something cold in a bottle. You ever realize that this place is a lot like that old television show where everybody knew everyone’s name? What was it called?”
“Cheers,” Nash replied. “You want Coors?”
“That’s right. I always liked that show.
They don’t play good stuff like that anymore.
Coors will do just fine, and don’t wipe the dew off the outside,” he said.
“Bring us six. We’re going to sit over there under the ceiling fan.
It’s the only way we can catch a breeze in this stinkin’, steamy weather. ”
Nash uncapped the bottles, set them on a tray, and nodded toward Clara.
The way that he watched her walk across the floor until the rooster told them more folks were coming inside did not escape Bernie’s eye.
She felt like rubbing her hands together like a little girl.
Yes, sir! All she had to do was give them a little push, and presto!
Wedding bells would ring out all over Ratliff City and her very first attempt at matchmaking would be successful.
“I think Nash might have a little crush on Clara,” Hoot whispered out the side of his mouth.
“I see the same thing,” Bernie said in a low voice. “Any reason either of us shouldn’t like the idea?”
“None that I know of,” Hoot answered. “He said something to me and his grandma this morning at breakfast about having asked her to stay on if you sell him the bar. He seemed all excited about the idea. You know that he is serious about buying it, don’t you?”
“Anyone that works six weeks for free has to be sincere,” Bernie replied and squashed the feeling that she should get behind the bar and help out.
“Trust me, he is.” Hoot picked up his mug and joined two other men about his age at a nearby table.
The next group that arrived was Loretta and Dolly. “Thank God for air-conditioning,” one of them said as they headed to a table.
“What can we get you this hot night?” Clara asked.
“Two margaritas,” Loretta answered.
“Y’all pulling an extra shift this week?” Bernie called out over the buzz of several conversations.
“Yep, one of the weekday gals is getting married tonight and several of the others wanted off to attend the wedding. Who ever heard of having a wedding on Wednesday night? But hey, that means extra money for us,” Loretta answered.
Bernie smiled and figured the mention of a wedding was an omen.
She was definitely getting all the feels that she was on the right track.
Ursula, Luna, and Endora could get ready to sit back and watch her work her magic this fall.
Then, of course, she would talk Tertia and Ophelia into coming back to Spanish Fort and help to get them in committed relationships.
She rubbed her hands together like a little girl when she thought of how happy Mary Jane was going to be to have all her girls back at the Paradise.
What about Bo and Rae? the aggravating voice in her head asked.
She set her mouth in a firm line and drew down her brows.
They will be the tough ones for sure, but after I’ve gotten some experience with the others, they’ll be a breeze.
I have a mission, and I will not fail. Mary Jane is good enough to let me move onto her property and be a part of her family, so I will help her get a houseful of grandchildren.
Clara nudged her on the shoulder on her way back from taking margaritas to the nurses. “You look like you are arguing with someone.”
“I am, and it’s with myself,” Bernie told her. “And for the record, the voice in my head can’t hold a candle to the real me when I set my head to do something.”
“There was never any doubt of that,” Clara said.
Sometime around ten o’clock, Bernie noticed that the temperature had risen in the place and turned the thermostat down a couple of degrees.
Figuring it was all the warm bodies in the bar, she wasn’t a bit concerned until thirty minutes later.
She went back to the thermostat to find that it was now eighty degrees.
“Well, hell’s bells!” she groaned.
“Hey, Bernie, if you want us to leave, just say so,” a guy in the back corner yelled. “Don’t try to fry our brains.”
“Air conditioner is on the blink,” she said. “I could open the doors, but the thermostat says that it’s over ninety degrees outside, so that won’t help.”
“Figure up my tab,” another customer said. “I’m going home where it’s cool, even if the wife is making me sleep on the sofa.”
“You shouldn’t have bought that new fishin’ boat without askin’ her,” Loretta yelled across the room.
“She’ll come around, and when she does, I’ll still have my boat.” He chuckled and headed to the bar to pay his bill.
Bernie figured it up, made change for the bill he gave her, and used a bar rag to wipe away the beads of sweat popping up above her lip. “What do you kids think? Should we close down early or stay open until the right time?”
“We still have customers,” Clara answered.
“If it was already your place, what would you do, Nash?” Bernie asked.
“I’d stay open until the last customer left. When I first came back to Ratliff City, I hauled a bunch of hay for Grandpa. I can take the heat,” he said.
“Okay, then, that’s what we’ll do.” She found the remotes for the ceiling fans and turned them all on high speed. “Maybe that will help a little. The man who works on the A/C can probably get out here tomorrow morning, but it’s too late to call him tonight.”
“Long as it is fixed by opening, we should be fine. How old is the unit anyway?” Nash asked.
“Had it installed two years ago. There’s a separate one for the apartment,” she answered.
“Praise the Lord,” Clara said.
***
“Now would be a good time for a cool-down thunderstorm,” Nash said when the next bunch of people came into the bar.
“Be careful what you wish for.” Clara’s tone was grumpy in her own ears. “You might get a tornado right along with that.”
“Not at this time of year,” Nash said. “Since business is slow, we might as well gather up the empty mugs and get the dishwasher going.”
Clara locked eyes with him. “You aren’t the boss yet.”
“You’ve been testy all day. Is it the heat or are you mad at me?” he snapped.
“What makes you think I’m angry?” she shot back.
“Honey, you’ve been in a mood ever since we were in the storage room. Did I do something to upset you?” Nash asked.
“I’m not your honey,” she said in a low growl, “and the world does not revolve around you just because you look like sex on a stick. Maybe I’m upset over something that has nothing to do with you or this bar.” She didn’t even bother to cross her fingers behind her back.
He flashed a brilliant grin. “So, you think I’m sexy?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said and took a tray to the other side of the room to gather up dirty mugs. She’d loaded six on a tray before she realized she had done exactly what he’d asked her to do and got angry all over again.
Stop this childish behavior, she scolded herself. Be honest and tell him why you are upset. He didn’t do anything but help you carry cases of beer out of the storage room.
She drew in a long breath and held it until her chest tightened before she let it out between clenched teeth.
She needed time to think about how to approach her attraction to him before she talked to Nash.
This wasn’t the time or place—not with Aunt Bernie so close by and with customers lined up at the bar.
***
Bernie made the decision to close up the bar at midnight. There was only one customer left and the thermostat had jumped up two more degrees. “See you tomorrow, Nash,” she said as she followed him to the door and locked it behind him.
He held out the extra key that she had given him, and Bernie shook her head.
“Keep it in case you ever need to open up for me. We’re going to Duncan tomorrow to look at a trailer I can pull behind my truck.
We should be back by five, but if we aren’t, you can take care of things.
Oh, and tomorrow is also the day that the beer delivery guy comes in.
You can sign for my regular order, but don’t let him talk you into that cheap brand.
He always tries to pawn a case or two off on me, and it does not sell. ”
“Got it,” Nash said with a nod. “See y’all then. Do you know what’s wrong with Clara?”