Chapter 38 Bailey
BAILEY
“I’ll be back in an hour, Wyatt!”
“Make it forty-five. Nash is picking up a truck from Murky Falls Ranch.”
I gritted my teeth, giving him a tight smile as I shoved open the front door, making the bell over the Gearhead Garage entrance chime a little louder than necessary.
I didn’t mind being back early. I just hated working on anything associated with Liam Parker.
Waving to a car slowing that let me cross Winding Road, I ran toward the bank, slowing only once I reached the sidewalk. Cheyenne was just walking out of the bank in her usual flirty dress and cowboy boots. Red today.
“You know, no one actually sees your feet behind the counter at the bank.”
Flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder, she pretended to be affronted by my comment. “I’ll have you know that my boots have gotten me more dates in one week than you’ve had all year.”
“That’s a low blow,” I replied as I headed down the sidewalk to The Beaver and Boot.
“But necessary. You’ll never get a date if you don’t clean that grease out from under your nails.”
“I’ll have you know I take very good care of my hands. Besides, if a man doesn’t want to date me because of a little grease, that says more about him than it does me.”
“I’m just saying, you should try looking more feminine.”
Tugging the bar door open, I rolled my eyes at her. “I’m not sure wearing a dress at the garage would be conducive to the job, and Wyatt would probably cite me for sexual harassment.”
“I still can’t believe you still work for him.” She shoved past me into the dim bar, making her way to our usual table at the back. “After everything his brother did—”
“He’s not his brother, and I like him. He’s always been nice to me.”
Sliding into the chair, I grabbed the menu, though I knew it by heart. I always got the same thing, anyway.
“You know I don’t listen to that. It’s just…he’s practically Liam’s mortal enemy.”
I stiffened at the name, refusing to look at her and give away the anger I still felt when I thought of him. “Why would I care who Liam’s enemies are?”
“Bailey, don’t give me that crap,” she said, slapping my menu to the table. “Whatever you like to say, I know you still love him.”
I snorted in amusement. “Why would I love a man who cheated on me?”
“Barely cheated,” she corrected. “He kissed another woman.”
“While we were dating,” I pointed out.
“And you had only been dating a few days, and it happened after he broke it off with you.”
“Oh, so I should be perfectly okay with him going after someone else when he was sleeping with me just a few days before?”
“That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it. There were extenuating circumstances!”
I knew precisely what she was saying, but Liam was off limits to me, no matter how sexy or charming he might be. Just because I could still feel his bulging arm muscles wrapped around me, or the way his hand slid up my thigh as he pulled me across his lap…
“Liam is in the past.” Picking up my menu, I focused on the words in front of me instead of the ones ringing in my head. “There are other fish in the sea.”
“Right, but not in our town. Not any that you like, anyway.”
“Well, maybe I’ll have to cast my net wider,” I said just as Lizzy approached, setting down glasses of water for each of us.
“Are you going fishing?”
I glared at Cheyenne, warning her not to say a word. Lizzy was Liam’s baby sister, and if there was one thing she wanted more than anything, it was for her big brother to settle down with someone she liked. Preferably me, which she never tried to hide.
“No, it was just an analogy,” I answered quickly. “How’s the fish and chips?”
“I don’t know why you ask. You always get fried chicken.”
“Well, maybe I’m looking to switch things up.”
Smiling sweetly at me, she snatched the menu out of my hand before I could take it back. “Alright. I’ll get you the platter. You know, so you can switch things up.”
“I—”
“And I’ll have the fried chicken,” Cheyenne said, handing over her menu in commiseration with Lizzy.
“Same drinks, too? Or do you want to go crazy and try something different? I have peach tea.”
“Coke,” I grumbled, not at all pleased with my new order.
“I’ll put that right in,” she said, spinning on her heel, sending her skirt fluttering around her.
“Thanks a lot,” I snapped.
“Hey, what did I do?”
“You ordered fried chicken when you knew I wanted it.”
“Then you should have gotten it,” she answered distractedly, already preening for whoever just walked in.
I started to turn, but she snatched my hand. “Don’t!”
“Why? Who is it?”
“Maverick,” Lizzy said, walking out from behind the counter. “What can I get you today?”
“I’m not stopping to eat.”
“Not even a burger for the road?” she grinned.
That smooth smile he always had on his face easily won over every girl in town, including my best friend. “Alright, darlin’. But onion rings today.”
“And a Coke.”
“Might as well make it two so I can feed Remi. He’s a little cranky today.”
“Why’s that?”
“Another woman shot him down.”
“Ooh, I’d better add in extra onion rings,” she said, skirting around the bar and into the kitchen.
As soon as Maverick started scanning the bar, I twisted away from him, hoping to avoid any lectures I might receive this time around.
“Bailey Bennett,” he chuckled as he strode over.
“Ugh,” I grumbled, annoyed that I was caught.
“He’s so hot,” Cheyenne hissed.
“You think everyone’s hot.”
“Not true. I never went after Liam.”
“That’s because—”
The words quickly died on my lips. I wasn’t about to argue over a man who no longer belonged to me.
“How’s it goin’, darlin’?”
“Same as always.” I forced a smile, hoping he would back off and not give me the third degree today.
“Still at the garage?”
“You know I am. It would have been all over town if I had quit.”
Clucking his tongue, he snagged a chair and twisted it around, then sank into it, resting his forearms on the back of it.
“I heard a rumor that Michael and his girlfriend are sticking around.”
“Mmm,” I hummed, wondering where he was going with this.
“And I also heard that Liam’s got the all clear on his burns.”
“Well, that’s fantastic, Sheriff. Is there a reason you’re telling me this?”
“Oh, no reason. Just spreading the good word.”
Cheyenne snorted in amusement, burying her face in her hands to cover for her blunder.
“Sheriff, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but I’m not interested in Liam Parker or any of his family.”
“No?”
“Not in the least.”
“Well, then I guess you wouldn’t be interested in knowing that his brother’s name has been cleared.”
That was interesting, but after my whole life had been splashed over the town, I wasn’t about to share in the spreading of gossip.
“Oh, look. Our food is here,” I said as Lizzy brought out our meals.
“Fish and chips for you,” she said, sliding my basket over.
“And fried chicken for you. Your order will be out in a few, sheriff.”
Lizzy winked at him before walking away.
Grimacing down at my fish and chips, I reluctantly opened the tartar sauce and dipped a bite of fish in.
“Not your usual,” Maverick said, eyeing the fish warily.
“Nope, but I wanted to try something new.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes,” I snapped, getting frustrated with his odd interrogation techniques that consisted of sitting here and annoying me until I finally gave in and spilled my guts to him.
“Interesting. And what sparked this adventurous nature?”
“Well, when you’ve eaten the same thing since third grade, it’s only inevitable that change is necessary.”
“I see,” he frowned.
“Yes, precisely. Fried chicken is great, but maybe I don’t want that kind of meat anymore. Maybe I want fish!”
“Fish is a good choice. I mean, if you get it locally. I wouldn’t touch anything that might wander into town.”
“Maybe I will,” I argued, slamming my fish down. “Maybe I’ll go out and find some fish in Colorado. Or maybe even New Mexico!”
His frown deepened at my declaration. “Not sure they have fresh fish in New Mexico.”
“Well, then I’ll go to California!”
“That’s just hippie fish. No true Montanan would dare get fish from California,” he argued, narrowing his eyes at me.
“Well, I might. I’ll bring all the fish back here, and I’ll eat it all in front of you, so the whole town can gossip about how I went out and found myself new fish!”
The sheriff’s eyes widened in fear. But whether that was because I was ranting at him or because I was threatening to get fish from another state, I wasn’t sure.
“Now, hang on, darlin’. There’s no need to cause a kerfuffle in town. The last thing we need is everyone down at City Hall getting all worked up about import taxes.”
“Well, maybe I don’t care. Maybe I’m tired of playing by the rules of this small town. Maybe I’m sick of everyone judging me and the fish I choose.”
“I’m…not sure anyone’s judging you,” he answered warily.
“Oh, they are,” I laughed. “Trust me, there isn’t a single person around town who isn’t gawking and gossiping about which fish I choose to take home at night. They’re all out there, laughing and snickering behind my back about how the last fish I chose turned out to be cold and smelly.”
“Can’t say I’ve ever found folks around here to be that judgmental.”
“Well, they are. Every last one of ‘em has been watching me for weeks, wondering what fish I’ll choose next. Well, let me tell you, I might surprise them all and choose…pigs next!”
Something in his eyes flickered, and he leaned in real close, lowering his voice. “Darlin’, I could be wrong, but we aren’t talking about fish, are we?”
Cheyenne snorted, shoving the last of her chicken in her mouth. Pissed, I shoved my chair back and stormed toward the door.
“Do you want me to wrap this fish to go?” the sheriff shouted. “Or do you think the town would judge you for it?”
Rolling my eyes, I stomped out of the bar and didn’t look back once as I headed back to work.
I was never eating fish again.