Chapter Fifteen
“Coming through with virgin cocktails for the pregnant lady of the hour,” Ursula said as she came sashaying to the high-top table at Oscar’s Watering Hole.
The bar had a country vibe with a clash of intimate corners and an open dance floor.
The bright, buzzing lights of beer signs cut through the dimness, feathering the walls that were covered in yellowed-with-age and peeling posters of country music legends.
Margo sat with CaDee’s crew of friends, and she liked them. They welcomed her like they’d known her all their lives.
When Ursula, a beautiful blonde with the friendliest smile, set the pink and umbrella-topped drink in front of Margo she slurped some of it up through the straw, nearly choking.
She pulled on Ursula’s sleeve and whispered in her ear, “Those aren’t virgin cocktails.
That has enough alcohol to burn the tar off a driveway. ”
Ursula laughed and responded in a hushed tone, “Don’t worry. CaDee has a mocktail, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings by shoving it down her throat that the rest of us are drinking the good stuff.”
“Gotcha,” Margo said as she drank more. She wasn’t pregnant so she planned to party like a rock star.
“Wow, these are delicious.” Tansy, a petite raven-haired beauty with big blue eyes chugged half of the sweet concoction.
“And we get a fruit salad to boot,” Aasia picked up the toothpick speared pineapple and nibbled. “Delicious mocktails.”
“You all don’t have to lie to save my feelings,” CaDee laughed. “I saw the bartender spike your drinks. It’s okay.”
“Sorry, but I only have a babysitter on special occasions, so I need to enjoy every minute that I’m out of the house,” Ursula said around her straw.
“Touche,” Aasia piped up.
“You don’t have any children,” CaDee lifted a brow.
“No, but I have a fiancé. Same difference,” Aasia snickered.
“How long are you visiting Fin’s Creek?” Tansy asked.
“I’m not sure…yet.” Margo hoped the women didn’t ask too many questions because she couldn’t give them solid answers.
“Is this really a baby shower if they’re here,” Tansy pointed with her chin to the group of cowboys strolling into the bar.
Margo swiveled in the chair to watch the Creed’s Creek crew fill the barstools. Where was Hawkeye, she wondered? Her heart kicked up when she saw him. He’d been lagging.
She felt dizzy and couldn’t blame the alcohol.
Over the last few days, she’d met each of the hands. They all had different personalities, but she liked each of them.
“I don’t mind that they’re here,” Aasia said in a lowered voice, fanning herself with a napkin. “Each one is hotter than the next. Especially Hawkeye. What I’d give to see what’s under those nice-fitting jeans.”
Margo picked a cherry off the toothpick and popped it into her mouth.
Aasia was right, Hawkeye was hot as hell.
A funny pressure filled her chest. He also confused the hell out of her.
Since they’d visited the prison two days ago, he seemed distant.
Sure, they’d talked, but when she asked when he planned on showing her the ropes on the land, he made up lame excuses.
If she didn’t know any better, she’d say he didn’t want to be near her.
She couldn’t help but take it personally.
She’d kept herself busy with her writing. The words were flowing.
She curled a strand of her hair around her finger and practically salivated as he slid up onto a barstool like he was saddling a horse.
He offered the cute bartender a wide smile and she didn’t bother to hide her interest. It wasn’t jealousy that Margo was feeling deep in her gut. Just maybe a twinge of envy.
They had seemed to be getting along better and then…boom. He was different again.
A sour feeling filled her stomach. He could have about any woman he wanted, and going from what Tansy and Aasia were saying, they would be the first in line.
“I’ve tried to gain his attention—lord have I tried.” Tansy sighed impatiently. “I wish finding chemistry with him was as easy as the formulas in the lab.” She’d mentioned earlier that she worked as a scientist in a hospital lab. That meant she had a big brain.
Didn’t men love smart women and a beautiful petite body to boot?
Tansy pushed the ends of her long hair off her shoulder. She gave the impression that she had tons of confidence and was comfortable in her skin. Not a hair was out of place.
Ursula grunted. “Would you want a man who works as much as those cowboys do?” Realizing what she said, she looked at CaDee in apology. “Sorry.”
“Honey, no reason to apologize. It’s like training a dragon.
He’s about as stubborn as one too. After all these months he realizes that a happy wife means a happy life.
He must be home by dinner, unless there’s an emergency.
When a man loves a woman, he can make the necessary changes.
After all, marriage is about give and take. ”
“What do you think?”
Margo didn’t realize Aasia was speaking to her until every eye at the table was directed on her. “About what?”
“About Hawkeye.” Aasia wagged her thin brows.
Resisting the urge to down the cocktail on a oner, Margo said, “He’s handsome, of course, but a bit of a brooding grump.”
“So, you’re attracted to him, huh?” Ursula said as she swirled her straw around her drink.
“I didn’t say that,” she said a little too rushed.
“You don’t have to,” Tansy said. “It’s written in the flush climbing into your cheeks.”
What could she say without revealing that she did think he was attractive? Being in Fin’s Creek, surrounded by amazing townsfolk it was easy to forget that someone meant her harm.
A week had passed without a glitch. No predators lurked around the ranch.
Knowing Hawkeye better, she did feel like she was learning what made him tick. His dark side had grown on her.
“I don’t blame you for the attraction,” Aasia cooed.
“Our wild scientist here has a thing for Bear,” Tansy said with a grin.
Aasia cleared her throat. “If I didn’t have a fiancé, maybe, but it is what it is.” Her gaze skimmed the bar.
“Bear’s crazy about you. Obviously,” Tansy said with a flip of her lush hair.
“But you do have a fiancé.” CaDee playfully nudged Aasia with her elbow. “A British millionaire at that.”
“As your bestie, please tell me when you two get married and you move into his mansion you’re taking me with you.” Tansy batted her long lashes. “You won’t even know I’m there.”
“He doesn’t have a mansion. He’s a simple man,” Aasia said.
Something in her delicate expression made Margo wonder if the woman was as happy as she should be if she were engaged. She wore an engagement ring the size of a boulder, but every woman knew money didn’t churn out joy.
“Anyway, I’d like to make a toast.” Ursula gained everyone’s attention. “Congratulations to my best friend on her baby bundle. I can’t remember what life was like before you showed up and wrestled my cousin into commitment.” She raised her glass. “Cheers, y’all.”
They all clinked their glasses.
“Thanks, ladies. I can’t tell you how much each of you mean to me.
Aasia,” CaDee shifted slightly to look at her friend.
“You are logical, sweet, and never fail to give me pointers on cleaning hacks. Tansy, you’re spunky, funny, and I’m forever grateful when you let me borrow your “presigner” clothes.
Ursula, you are the greatest friend a woman could ask for.
” Alligator tears filled her eyes as she turned to Margo.
“And to the newest member of our circle. I’m enjoying getting to know her and I hope she decides to stay in town. ”
“Wait, I thought you two said you’re cousins? You already know each other, right?” Tansy asked.
“We were never close. Now we’re changing that,” Margo stated, noticing that CaDee was a bit flustered by her verbal fumble. “I’m curious, what is “presigner” clothes?”
“Preowned designer clothes,” Tansy said proudly. “None of us can afford new Gucci but there’s a consignment shop about an hour away where I can grab gently used Gucci.”
They all laughed.
“Please don’t be upset, but I’m going to go speak to my husband.” CaDee pushed back her chair and slowly got to her feet, off balanced by the baby bump.
“Conjoined at the hips,” Tansy said in a poetic tone. “Well, that was fun while it lasted. I’m going to find some music on the jukebox. Who ever played this sad stuff should be whooped with a limp noodle.”
Aasia checked her phone, a frown curving her lovely lips. “Excuse me, Margo. I need to go make a phone call.”
“No worries. You go right ahead,” Margo assured her.
Alone at the table, she picked up a tortilla chip from the bowl, dipped it into guacamole and chomped on it thoughtfully.
Laughter came from the bar where the crew had gathered.
She thought she might join them, but she wouldn’t be able to keep her attention off Hawkeye.
She felt like she could be invading his personal space.
She was a bit sad.
Several times she’d almost let it slip to the ladies that it was her birthday.
The less personal information the women knew about Margo the better.
Just as CaDee had slipped up, Margo could see herself doing the same thing.
Luckily, she responded fast to clear up how she and CaDee were getting to know one another.
With a subtle glance in Hawkeye’s direction, she saw that he was chatting with cowboys she didn’t recognize. There were plenty of them at the bar.
Her birthday was just another day so why did she feel exceptionally depressed?
No one needed a partner to make them happy.
Yet, there were things about a relationship that she appreciated.
She loved to cook but hated to cook for one.
She missed not having someone to crawl into bed with, not for only mind-blowing orgasms but also to talk and share details of life.
Someone who would hold her and give her hugs.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself.