Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Andi
Red twisted the cap off a longneck and took a slow sip. “So, Andi,” he said, leaning back against the bar, “how was your first night?”
I lifted a finger to my chin and tilted my head.
“Let’s see…spilled beer on myself, broke a few mugs, got felt up by a drunk jackass, and witnessed a bar fight before I’d even learned everyone’s name.
” I cracked a grin—one I’d quickly recognized was a default reaction forged by survival.
Smile through the pain and all. “Honestly? It wasn’t the worst night I’ve ever had. ”
Red barked out a laugh and Norah shook her head, chuckling into her beer. “You handled it like a champ,” she said.
“For the record, though,” Red said, his expression turning serious for the first time that night.
“I don’t tolerate that kind of crap in my bar.
Anyone who puts their hands on my staff, or any woman, without permission gets one warning, if that.
” He took a pull of his beer. “He tries that shit again he’s outta here for good. ”
“Amen,” Norah cheered, tipping back the rest of her beer before looking over at me.
“You did good keeping your cool, but if you ever want to learn how to shut that kind of thing down fast, I can teach you a few tricks. Two very over-protective older brothers made sure I can drop a guy twice my size if I need to.”
A small laugh bubbled up from my chest. “Seriously?”
She nodded and shrugged. “Doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”
“A little know-how can go a long way,” Red added with a nod of his own. “Not that I think you’ll need it much around here. Folks usually have better sense and manners than Gus displayed tonight, but still. Better to have it and not need it.”
“Thanks.” I sipped from my bottle, grateful for their support and the liquid chill as my body started to cool down from running around all night.
My legs ached, and my jeans were still damp from the beer spill, but something about the place felt…
weirdly good. Like I’d survived something and earned a seat at the table.
“You think you’ll stick around?” Norah asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. I think I might,” I said and shared a look with Red. “That is…if I’m hired.”
“You survived the night, so the job’s yours. We’ll make it official tomorrow, so plan on coming in a little early.” Red polished off his drink and tossed the empty in the trash. “All right, ladies. Let’s get this place closed up so we can go home.”
We all stood and scattered to our end-of-night duties.
Red started counting out the drawer while Norah and I wiped down tables and stacked chairs.
Once the floor was clear, I grabbed the broom and swept up the night's mess—peanut shells, dust, a few forgotten napkins—while Norah hauled out the trash.
A little while later, Red handed us each a folded set of bills and waved us off into the night. “Drive safe. See you tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” I said, pocketing the cash as I followed Norah out into the warm night air.
We walked side by side toward our trucks, the gravel and dirt crunching beneath our boots.
“So,” Norah said casually, “where are you staying?”
I hesitated, then shrugged. “Nowhere yet. Belle mentioned a motel, so I was gonna grab a room for a few days while I figure things out.”
She stopped mid-step and gave me a somewhat horrified look. “The Roadside Lodge?”
I winced at the appalled tone she used. “That’s the one.”
“Oh, no. No, no, no. That place is gross,” she said, looping her arm through mine before I could protest. “You’re coming home with me.”
I blinked at her. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. We’ve got plenty of space out at the ranch.”
The ranch? I really was in another world.
I huffed a laugh but still felt a little uneasy. “You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough,” she said, giving my arm a gentle squeeze. “So, what do you say? Stay in a yucky motel where the room smells like mothballs? Or come stay with me and sleep in a nice soft bed where the room smells of clean country air?”
I didn’t know what to say to that. She wasn’t just being nice—she meant it. I could see it in her eyes. And the truth was, I was exhausted. The thought of clean sheets and a safe place to crash sounded like heaven.
“You sure I won’t be in the way?”
“Positive.” She smiled. “Now, come on, Andi. Let’s get you home.”
There was that word again: home.