Christian #2
When I reached The Rooster, the place was hopping — much livelier than usual for a Wednesday night.
It was the middle of winter now and I think most locals were just needing a break from being snowed in.
The tourists were the ones looking for a secluded getaway or heading up to the mountains for skiing or snowshoeing.
I scanned the crowded space, recognizing some of the usuals, even Frank Miller, Romy and Hazel’s father, who probably shouldn’t be here.
It seemed like Sage was doing a good job taking care of him though.
Pretty sure I saw her give him a light pour in his whiskey soda.
Thankfully there was no sign of Clayton, though it wouldn’t stop me from keeping an eye out for threats.
The douchebag could still be creeping around here somewhere. The night was still young.
She still hadn’t seen me as I hobbled over to a two-topper close to the bar, propping my leg up on the other chair, so I could watch her work.
She and Tessa were the only ones bartending tonight.
Like a well-oiled machine, they were slinging bottles, mixing cocktails, pouring beer on tap, all while also collecting payments with smiles on their faces.
“Is he hot?” Tessa was asking Sage.
My ears pricked at that. Was she talking about me? Tessa had to already know if I was hot or not. Who was she talking about?
Sage laughed. “Hot enough to be confident to take his clothes off.”
“Where did you find this guy?” Tessa set a drink down at the bar for a customer, before rinsing her shaker.
“Another local artist recommended him.”
“I’m sorry I have to work that day. I’d like to see that.”
“Girl, if this goes well, then I expect I’ll have him back.”
A sour taste filled my mouth. What the fuck?
I strained my ears to make some sense of this conversation.
Jealousy twisted my gut. She couldn’t be seeing someone else.
I mean, I knew she had some pent-up energy.
I could practically feel it vibrating off her and I swore just last night I heard a steady buzzing sound while I slept.
She’d taken doctor’s orders very seriously. Too seriously, if you asked me.
“Let me know next time for sure.” Tessa loaded her tray, stepping away from the bar to deliver drinks to a few of the tables.
On her way back she spotted me. “Hey Christian, I heard all about your wreck. I’m so sorry. That’s rough. You doing okay now?”
“Thanks. Three weeks post-op now and I’m doing all right. I was just getting a little stir crazy being laid up at the house.”
“Oh yeah. Sage told me about the property you bought. Sounds like it’s a fixer upper.”
I shouldn’t feel insulted by that, but suddenly I felt protective of my little hell hole of a cabin.
“It’s got good bones with a ton of potential.
It’s just a little rough around the edges.
It’s nothing a little paint and a few updates can’t fix.
” I hoped Sage could see the potential too. “What were you and Sage talking about?”
Tessa’s head tipped, considering for a moment while she rested the tray on her hip. “Oh, she was just telling me that she’s having a nude model at the studio.”
My brows shot up at that. “A nude model?”
She giggled. “Yeah. Don’t you think that’s so innovative of her?”
“Yeah …”
“She’s just so impressive and such a hard worker. A true artist and business woman. It’s just what we need in our little town. A gallery of local artists, a studio for paint nights. Something to draw locals and tourists. It will add to the authentic small town vibe, too.”
“I’m so proud of her.” But my words felt automatic. “When’s she having this nude model over?”
Tessa’s brows pinched. “She didn’t tell you? It’s tomorrow night at seven.”
“Oh, wait,” I said, rubbing my temple, pretending to recall a memory. “Yeah. She did tell me. I remember now. Must be the pain killers the doc has me on or the concussion. Everything’s been a bit foggy.”
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “Completely understandable. I’m sure it takes some time to recover. Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Ice water, please.”
“Sure thing.”
The wheels were already spinning. There was no way in hell some good looking asshole was going to pose naked for my wife.
Fuck that! I should be the only one dropping my pants for her.
It made me sick to think she’d be alone in her studio with some nude model.
He may be nice to look at, maybe even a nice guy, but people like that had to be old and hairy.
Right? Someone who maybe looked good in the seventies — the days of caring, long gone for him.
Maybe this is what she felt like she needed right now.
Tessa dropped off my water and I sipped it while I watched Sage hustle back and forth behind the bar. Her eyes flicked to me, a soft smile on her lips when Tessa told her I was here. She mouthed, “Hi.”
“Hi,” I mouthed back, lifting my water glass in salute.
She shook her head, a smile still on her face. Her expression said, you shouldn’t be here but I know nothing I say will keep you away.
That’s right, baby. I can’t stay away. So, get ready. There’s been a change of plans. Better tell your model your husband took his job. I know exactly what you need.
I parked my truck in the back alley behind Sage’s building so she wouldn’t see it out front on the street.
I wanted her to be surprised, to see this as a romantic gesture.
Jude claimed I needed to work on my game.
Jealous, possessive, whatever you want to call it — I wanted Sage to realize the lengths I’d go to prove to her that this was a marriage worth pursuing.
A real marriage I was wanting to keep. And if this was the start of making Sage fall in love with me, to fully strip in front of her, to show her what I had to offer, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Leaving my crutches behind, I hobbled up the two steps to the back door.
It was unlocked and I cataloged that bit of information away for later.
She needed to have this door locked, especially when she was focused on painting.
Anyone could come off the street and sneak up on her.
Clayton may not be around right now, but he could show up at any time.
I stepped into the work room. A guy who looked like he was in his late forties stood beside the industrial-sized sink and wire racks of paint and supplies.
A towel was wrapped around his waist. I had to give it to him, he looked fit and probably waxed his chest. But he was short and a little on the pale side.
I didn’t think he was Sage’s type at all.
“Hey there,” I said in greeting. “Sage wanted me to tell you there’s been a change in plans.”
His bushy dark brows raised. “She did?”
“Yeah, I know it’s super last minute, but she thought it would be fun to have her husband model instead.”
“Her husband? Really?” I knew he’d probably seem surprised, but now his eyes were narrowing on me like he didn’t believe that was who I was.
“Yes, really.” I held my hand with my wedding band and then dug my wallet out of my back pocket to fish out a couple of twenties.
“For your trouble in coming out here.” I gave him another bill.
“And that’s for the recommendations you’ll give when people ask what places they should check out in Willows when they’re in town. ”
He took the money slowly, hesitating for just a moment before retrieving his clothes. “I guess I’ll just …” He pointed to the bathroom connected to the work room.
I nodded. “Thank you for understanding. Sorry for any inconvenience. Go ahead and leave the towel in there.”
While I waited for him, I found myself browsing the canvases propped against one wall.
Each one was a landscape. Evergreen forests, sagebrush, pastures, and mountain ranges.
I stalled on one, looking at two masculine eyes looking back at me, a forest reflecting in the irises.
My irises. My chest swelled. It made me impatient for this guy to leave.
I felt like this was a turning point we both needed.
I didn’t think it was possible, but I was falling more and more in love with Sage every day.
Once he was gone, I shed my clothes, boxers and socks, until I was completely nude.
I set my knee brace off to the side. I figured the brace wasn’t very aesthetic for the painting she was doing and I could just walk slowly out there.
And the bruises — well, those just added rugged character.
Marks of a bull rider. Hopefully she had a chair or sofa I could sit on while she worked.
I wrapped the towel around my waist, limped to the door, and pushed it open.
Then immediately froze.
A half dozen faces sat behind canvases –– some of which I’d known since childhood — swung in my direction.
Marine’s hand flew over her mouth, an excited scream escaped from Mrs. Houghton and Mrs. Campbell, and then there was Sage standing behind them all.
Her mouth hung open in complete shock and then right before a laugh could escape, she pinched her lips together.