Chapter 29 Char #3
“And lonely as fuck.” Betty takes another sip of her drink. “But I told myself, once he graduated and was living his own life, I could start mine. And I did. I dyed my mousy brown hair red, traded my cardigans for corsets, and started carrying myself like one of my favorite television characters.”
I sit up in my seat. “Who’s that?”
“Miss Kitty. From Gunsmoke.”
My head tilts to one side. “Who?”
“Haha. Before your time, doll. It was a Western series on TV back in the fifties. The restaurant I worked at was a saloon that kept reruns playing over the bar. Miss Kitty was this voluptuous redhead who owned the Long Branch Saloon. It was implied she was also a madam of the brothel there. She was hella sexy.” Betty’s eyes take on a dreamy expression as she describes the actress.
“Her character was a proud, resilient woman in a male-dominated world. I loved everything about her. So, I decided to be a modern-day Kathleen Russell. I was going to love ’em and leave ’em.
Never giving my heart away to another useless man.
Instead, I was taking what I wanted and leaving them crawling back for more.
” She dips her chin as if to punctuate her statement before lifting her glass to her lips.
“Wow,” I breathe, utterly impressed with her story of transformation.
“I was leaving my timid past behind and embracing all life had to offer. I knew I’d never trust a man enough to marry again.
Hell, I’d given eighteen years to being a mom and a dad.
It was my time to do whatever, or whomever, the hell I wanted.
So, I did it all. Got tattoos. Learned how to play pool.
And slept with women and men, young and old. ”
Betty leans in as if she’s about to impart the secret of life.
“And if I’ve learned anything, there’s nothing more alluring to a man than a woman who isn’t interested in more.
” She straightens. “Not sure if it’s her confidence they find attractive or simply wanting what they can’t have.
But they keep crawling back, hoping for more. ”
My mind drifts to that first night with Dave. Had wanting more merely been a challenge for him too? A frown tugs at the corner of my mouth. The thought is depressing. And honestly doesn’t align with the man I’ve come to know.
“What’s the matter? You look sad all of a sudden.”
I shake my head. “Just considering whether I might’ve unknowingly been a similar conquest.”
She shrugs. “It’s possible. What man wouldn’t want to have a beauty like you all to himself?” Her eyes narrow, seeming to look at me with fresh eyes. “You really like this man, don’t you?”
“Maybe.” I can’t fight the smile from curling my mouth.
“Well, hold your head high and start expecting men to treat you the way you deserve, and they will.”
My gaze drops to my lap. “That part’s not so easy.
I spent a lifetime being told I wasn’t wanted.
That I was nothing but a burden. That the only way I’d ever have a man was to be under one.
” The verbal abuse from my mother over the years had left me feeling unworthy and na?ve.
Grateful for whatever crumbs someone would toss my way.
“My mother was the complete opposite of you. She blamed me for her lot in life. Then when push came to shove, she chose men over me.”
Without missing a beat, Betty leans over the table, clutching my hand in hers. “Well, there’s a new mother in your life now. And this one will choose you over any man! Every. Single. Time!”
I have to blink back the tears. It’s what Liz and Margaret have done for me. Now this incredible woman. What had I done to deserve such loyalty?
“Bibbidi-Bobbidi-boo.”
“Oh my god.” Laughter through tears. It’s the best medicine on earth.
The following night, Betty takes me on a tour of her favorite places on Amelia Island.
Not the rich, tourist traps like the Ritz Carlton, but The Palace Saloon, Florida’s oldest bar since 1903.
They had pool tables, a lot of cool history, and lively music.
And, of course, Betty entered as if she was the town’s biggest celebrity.
“This place is fantastic.”
“It is, isn’t it? Been coming here for years.”
I grin, taking in the electric vibe of the place. “I need to hit the ladies’ room. I think I’ve had a little too much Pirate’s Punch.” I snort.
Betty points in the direction of the restrooms just as an attractive man in a leather vest approaches, looking at her with hearts in his eyes.
I make my way to the back corner of the bar and quickly take care of business. After touching up my makeup in the cracked old bathroom mirror, I step into the hall, where I collide with a hard body.
“Well, hello.”
My brows furrow. The voice isn’t familiar, but something about this guy is.
He’s tall, with dark hair and an ominous presence.
He’s attractive, but his unwelcome nearness is making all of the hairs on my body stand on end.
I take a step back, contemplating darting back in the restroom.
But I don’t know if there was a lock on the main door.
The last thing I want is to get trapped in there with him.
“Something wrong?”
“No. I just need to get back to my friend.” I point over his shoulder.
“What’s your rush?” He takes a step closer, and my mouth goes dry. Shit. Will anyone see us here if he tries any—
“If you want to keep your balls attached to your dick and not stored in a Mason jar, I suggest you step away from her. Now!”
The dark, looming stranger turns to find Betty standing behind him, a small pistol drawn. It’s pointed at his junk. He lifts his hands as if surrendering. “Meant no harm. Just trying to be friendly.” His voice is far less menacing now that he’s begging for the life of his family jewels.
“She doesn’t need any new friends. Start walking.”
And he does.
My heart rate is flying at the speed of light right now. “Jeez, Betty. I didn’t know you were packing.”
The attractive biker who approached our table earlier stands behind her. “Ha, she keeps it in her gun rack.”
My forehead scrunches in confusion. Until she returns the small pistol between her breasts.
“It’s a bra holster.” She shrugs. “I got tired of looking bloated from wearing it around my stomach.”
She keeps it in her rack. Her gun rack. I throw my head back in a fit of giggles. Oh, how I love this unbelievable woman.
Once we’re back at Betty’s place, I decide to go all in and share who I’ve been running from. It feels good knowing I can trust all of the incredible women in my life with my secrets. Knowing they’d have my back if I needed them.