Chapter 4
four
The Swing Inn was slow for a Friday night, not that Cordy was complaining. Yeah, she’d miss the extra tips, but her feet already ached, and she had five hours till closing.
She had to work until she delivered—she needed the money—but now that she’d hit her ninth month, she was feeling the pregnancy in every inch. From the thickening of the hair on her head down to her feet, which had gone up a full size, no body part was left unscathed.
Cordy rubbed her belly as she looked over the bar patrons, laughing, drinking, and socializing. No matter how tired she was, she loved seeing people enjoying themselves.
Even so, she wanted to get off her feet. “Just a few more weeks,” she told her baby. “Then I get to meet you.”
It was finally sinking in that she’d be a mom very soon. With all the mess in her life, Cordy hadn’t had time to face her new reality. There was always another baby item to get, another class to take, or work to occupy her. And grieving Reed had taken up all her emotional energy for a time.
But tonight was quiet, so Cordy’s thoughts were loud. She’d put the ad back up in the Donut Palace, but no one had replied so far. The class started next Tuesday, and she was seriously considering showing up alone. She’d already registered, putting down a fake name for her partner. What were they going to do, toss a pregnant lady out?
What she definitely wouldn’t do was call Chance Kessal. Tomcat. He’s a tomcat.
Pierce Bautista, the teenager who worked in the kitchen, came in from the back. “Hey, Cordy!” He was always so happy to see her; it made her feel like a celebrity.
“Hey, Pierce, how’s it going? Shouldn’t you be off by now?”
“I’m finishing up.” He took a deep breath. “Also, I have to talk to you.”
She put down the bar towel she was holding. This sounded serious, and Pierce was never serious. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”
“Did you pick up that rack of clean glassware?”
Cordy looked at the rack under the bar she’d just brought in. “Um, yes? Is something wrong with it?”
Pierce looked like he might cry. “You can’t… you can’t be lifting things. What if your belly pops and the water comes out, and that means the baby is born too soon?”
That was such a mad rush, it took Cordy a moment to process. Wait, Pierce was worried about that ?
She put a hand on his arm. “Buddy, it’s okay. The baby isn’t going to come early because I picked up a crate of glassware.”
“Are you sure? Because I heard?—”
Cordy shook her head to cut him off, not wanting to hear whatever a seventeen-year-old kid might have heard about childbirth. “I promise you, I am fine. The baby will not be born in this bar. I swear it.” She patted his arm, trying to get the worried look off his face.
“I guess,” Pierce said, sounding anything but convinced. “You should still ask me to carry any crates for you. If I’m here.”
“I promise I will. It’s very sweet of you to offer.”
Pierce perked up. “Good. Also, in case you do have the baby in the bar, I’ve been reading up on how to deliver one. There are a lot of really awesome stories about women delivering in cars. Or elevators. Or even planes!”
All of those sounded worse than having her baby in the Swing Inn, and that was a pretty awful thing to begin with. Cordy held in her sigh. “I’m glad you’re on it. Hey, you should probably head home. It’s getting late.”
“Yep.” Pierce did finger guns at her. “Don’t forget, I’m lifting all the crates from now on!”
“I won’t. Have a great night, dude.”
Cordy shook her head once Pierce was back in the kitchen. He was a great kid but a little overeager sometimes. She hoped he gave up on the idea of her delivering in the bar, although she would take him up on carrying heavy stuff for her.
She smiled down the bar as Sam Ulker, one of her favorite regulars, grabbed a seat. The Ulkers were a big family in Star Crossed Springs—Mr. Ulker, Sam’s uncle, was always in the Donut Palace when Cordy was there.
Sam raised two fingers in a hello. Cordy started pouring him a tall banquet beer before he could even ask.
“Thank you,” Sam said, taking a long sip. “Slow night tonight.”
“I don’t mind,” Cordy said. “You get some quiet to wind down.”
Sam was the town handyman and came into the Swing Inn at least once a week after work. He said nothing revived him like a cold beer poured by the prettiest girl in Star Crossed Springs. He always winked at Cordy as he said it.
She knew it was only flattery since Sam was madly in love with Janine, who ran the Star Crossed Springs Mercantile. Janine was an independent woman who vowed she’d never settle down, but Sam hadn’t lost hope, probably because Janine would invite him over whenever she got an itch for companionship.
Sam had told Cordy all this during his visits, including stories about the people at his jobs. He had a way of looking at the world with a wry amusement Cordy loved. He’d finish any story about Janine with “Someday that woman will marry me,” and Cordy could tell he believed it. She always replied, “I’m sure she will.”
If Cordy asked him, Sam would be her partner for the class, no questions asked. But she didn’t want to impose on him, and what would Janine think?
Maybe she should ask, though. She was running out of time.
“It was a rough day,” Sam said. “Had some plumbing issues over at the bed-and-breakfast to take care of.”
Cordy made a sympathetic noise. Plumbing stuff was Sam’s most hated job. “At least you have a cold beer now.”
“Served by the prettiest girl in Star Crossed Springs.” Sam winked at her as he raised his glass.
“My pleasure,” Cordy said, meaning it.
Sam set down his beer and cleared his throat. “I heard about what you put up in the Donut Palace. That ad.”
“Oh.” Cordy went still, wondering where this was going. Was Sam going to offer himself as a partner? Should she turn him down? “What about it?”
“You’ve got to be careful.” Sam wagged a finger at her. “Lot of weirdos out there who might take advantage.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Cordy said dryly. Considering no one had answered the ad, not even the weirdos wanted to take advantage of her.
Well, almost no one had answered the ad except for Chance. Hot, smoking hot, but completely unsuitable, Chance Kessal. Hard to imagine him in a birth class.
Even as she was remembering how his jeans had clung to his thighs as he’d stalked up her stairs, the man himself walked through the door. Chance pulled off his hat and ran a hand through his hair, his lips curving in a wicked, knowing smile.
How did he do that? He walked in and immediately commanded her attention.
Behind him came his brothers, Rye and Quint. Cordy knew Quint —she’d seen him in the Donut Palace. She didn’t think she’d ever seen Rye in the Swing Inn before, although she had seen him around town. The Kessals were hard to miss.
“Cordelia.” Chance said her name like she was the best thing he’d seen all day. Her body responded in spite of her better sense. “We’ve had a day. I hope yours was better. Mind getting us three Coors?” His eyes flashed with knowing humor. “We could’ve had drinks at home, but beer tastes better when you pour it.”
She’d seen him do this countless times—charm the dickens out of a target—so she ought to be immune. Heck, she’d seen him do it to Gina, Kris, and Annie, who were sitting in the bar together right now!
But tonight Cordy’s insides warmed with appreciation. Maybe it was his thighs in those jeans that were making her susceptible.
Quint rolled his eyes while Rye gave her a shy smile.
“Do you have to pour it on every time?” Quint asked his brother. To her, he said, “Sorry.”
“No problem.” Her tone was bright, bracing. The kind that said she knew they were here for a good time and she’d help them achieve it. “Three Coors coming up. They ought to wash that day away in no time.”
As Cordy poured the beers, the Kessals said hello to Sam and a few other people in the bar. She wondered what had happened to make it a day as she worked the tap. Chance wasn’t one to complain about anything, but something in his tone struck her.
Gina came over to say hi, hugging Chance a little longer than necessary. Her hands lingered on his shoulders and her smile was inviting. It looked like Gina was aiming for a two-night stand here.
Cordy watched from the corner of her eye, one hand on the tap. Could Gina do it? Could she land Chance Kessal twice?
Chance was flirting back, so maybe… But no. Chance was taking a step back, his smile turning impersonal. He was shutting her down. Very subtly, very masterfully, but he wasn’t interested.
Gina picked up on it right away. She pulled her hand back and her smile hardened. But her expression was resigned, not angry. Well, it was worth a try, her face said.
“Everything good?” Cordy asked as Gina walked by.
“Yep.” Gina laughed. “Watch out for that one.” Her tone was affectionate, but Cordy took her words very seriously.
“All the Kessal boys are here,” Cordy said when she returned, trying to lighten the mood. That was her job, after all—pour the drinks, be a distraction or a sympathetic ear if needed. Honestly, she really did love it, meeting and talking to all kinds of people.
“Not all,” Rye said. “We’re missing Lane and Bowie.”
She handed him his beer. “I don’t think I’ve met them.”
“Bowie’s in Missouri. An actual professor, if you can believe it.” Chance’s smile asked her to laugh with him.
“Professor of what?”
“Animal science. He figures out how to feed cattle better.”
That made sense. She couldn’t imagine one of Chance’s brothers teaching philosophy or anything like that. “He’s older? Younger?” She passed a drink to Quint.
“Older.” Chance started counting on his fingers. “Bowie comes first. Then Quint, then me. Rye here is next, and Lane finishes it off.”
She stuck her fist on her hip. “Five boys. Your poor mother.”
Something flashed across all three of their faces. Cordy immediately realized her mistake.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She put her hand to her chest. “Jeez, I put my foot in it. Did she recently pass?”
“No,” Quint said gruffly. “It’s been over a decade. Not recent at all.”
“But you still miss her,” Cordy said gently.
“Of course,” Chance said.
Her gaze and his met and held. Chance’s mouth was still smiling, but his eyes were sad. It twisted up something too uncomfortably deep inside her to see that.
Vulnerable. That was the word for his expression. She wasn’t sure she could handle it.
“Maybe someday you can bring Bowie and Lane around,” she said, changing the subject. “I can finally meet them.”
“Bowie will be here at the start of his summer break,” Chance said. “He always comes home for a visit then.”
Cordy noticed he didn’t say anything about bringing Lane by. Interesting.
“I’ll have a drink ready for him then,” she said. “What does he like?”
“Straight bourbon.” Chance shuddered. “Can’t touch it myself—bad memories from a night drinking too much of it.”
“That’s cheap tequila for me.” She set his beer in front of him. “I heave every time I smell it. Luckily, we only stock the good stuff here.”
“You can tell me off if this is too personal,” he said, “but when are you starting maternity leave? And when will you be back?” Chance flashed her a smile. “I was being serious when I said I would miss you.”
She could almost believe he meant it. Maybe he did. Maybe that was Chance’s secret—he truly believed everything he whispered into women’s ears. Sincerity was damn attractive.
“I’m going to work right up until the baby is born,” she said. “Then I’ll be gone six weeks.”
Cordy had calculated it down to the penny—that was exactly how long she could afford to be without work. Sometimes, when she thought about what could go wrong and derail her careful plans, she broke out in a cold sweat. So she tried not to do that.
“That’s all?” Chance frowned at her. “Seems like not enough time.”
She didn’t let herself stiffen, although she did take offense. What would he know about any of it?
The baby wasn’t even here yet, but it felt like everyone had already decided Cordy couldn’t do this. Even the teachers in the baby classes, who were trying to help, only made Cordy feel completely unprepared. Just once she’d like someone to say, “You’ll be fine; you’re doing great.”
She put on her best customer-service smile. “Didn’t you say you were going to miss me? I can’t stay away too long.”
“Don’t buy anything he’s selling.” Quint leaned against the bar. His expression flickered, and his voice dropped. “Damn shame about Reed.”
“Thank you,” she said, her chest tightening. “It was.”
“Ruby is friends with Reed’s sister, Hailey,” Quint said. “The whole family is still pretty torn up.”
Cordy’s mouth went dry. Hailey had been warming up to Cordy before Reed had died. If Hailey thought like her parents that Cordy and Reed were doing the whole co-parenting thing wrong, she hadn’t let on. Cordy wouldn’t have called them friends, but she and Hailey were getting friend ly .
But after Reed’s death, the brakes had slammed on their budding friendship. Cordy had seen Hailey in the Mercantile one day, and the other woman practically ran away. Cordy hadn’t tried to talk to Hailey again.
She was still trying with Reed’s parents, though. After Chance had left her apartment, she texted them about the baby being the size of a pineapple. But again, no response.
“Yes.” Her voice was strained, but she couldn’t make it behave. She couldn’t think of anything to say, and she always had the perfect reply. It was what made her a good bartender.
Chance flicked an irritated look at his brother, but when he turned back to Cordy, he was all sunshine again. “How’s your noodle dog?”
“Good.” She seized on the opportunity to talk about something else. “We took a nice long walk today, and he got to sniff lots of bushes.”
“I’m amazed he made it off the couch.”
“Well, he was fast asleep when I left for my shift.”
“You have a poodle?” Quint asked.
“No, not a poodle, a noodle.” Chance shook his head. “He’s a greyhound. And limp like a noodle.”
“You guys have dogs?” she asked. She noticed Rye hadn’t said much. He must be the quiet one.
“The ranch dogs aren’t really pets, so they don’t count. But Dad has a pet dog,” Quint said. A look passed between him and Chance. “A basset hound.”
She mock pouted. “And you made fun of my dog? You should know that Iggy won two of the races he was in.” She held up two fingers to emphasize how impressive that was.
“He came off the track?” Chance asked.
“Yeah.” Cordy’s chest pinched as she remembered when she first got him. “He’d only ever lived in a crate before that. He had no idea how to be a dog. Normal things like the dishwasher and the TV frightened him because he had never seen that stuff before.”
“He seems pretty chill now. You must have done a lot of work with him.”
Cordy’s heart swelled because she had. Iggy had been worth it all. “He’s a great dog. Just one minute.”
She went down the bar, ready to serve the man who’d walked up. But she stiffened when she saw who it was.
Oh no. She made her face hold the smile even as panic lurched inside her.
Brad, Hailey’s husband, stared her down. “We needed something to eat.” He didn’t bother with a hello. “This is the only place open serving food. I couldn’t take her into the Red Dog.”
Wow, he couldn’t have made it any more clear they were here very much against their will.
“Of course you can’t go to the Red Dog,” she said with fake cheer. “What’s your order? I’ll have the kitchen get right on it.”
“Two cheeseburgers with fries. A Coors for me, house red for her.”
Cordy made the mistake of looking up. She locked eyes with Hailey, sitting in a booth across from the dance floor. Hailey looked utterly miserable. Cordy felt the exact same but couldn’t show it because she was working.
“It’ll be right up.” She punched in the order, blinking to clear her vision.
Cordy felt a presence looming over her—a shift in the mood that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. After so many years bartending, she’d developed a sixth sense about how people were feeling. She got that kind of tickle whenever a fight was about to break out.
When she glanced up from the computer, Chance was right there. His expression seemed friendly, but somehow it wasn’t. “Hey,” he said to Brad. “Everything okay?”
It was a perfectly reasonable thing to ask, but every one of Cordy’s nerves went on high alert. She couldn’t explain why because Chance wasn’t a troublemaker. If anything, he was the one who would talk down anyone who wanted to start some shit.
She’d never seen Chance act even slightly tipsy. He was always one hundred percent in control of himself. Whatever he was doing right now, it wasn’t the alcohol talking.
What was he doing?
“Chance?” She tried to get his attention. It didn’t work.
“I’m fine,” Brad said tightly. “My wife is hungry, though. Can I just pay already?” His gaze raked down Cordy, lingering on her belly.
Cordy swallowed hard. She’d done nothing wrong, but still, it hurt to know she was a horrible trigger for their grief. That just by existing and carrying Reed’s baby, she caused them pain.
“The order’s in,” she said. “I’ll bring the check when you’re finished. Or... I'll have Reg from the kitchen bring it. He can get you taken care of.”
That way, Brad and Hailey would be spared from interacting with her.
Chance put a hand on Brad’s shoulder. His smile had somehow gone sharp. “You can go back to your wife now.”
Oh, there was definitely a warning there.
Cordy closed her eyes and wished she were at home—or anywhere but here. Then she forced them open because this was work, and she couldn’t give in to her emotions.
Brad looked between them, his body deflating. “That’s all we wanted,” he finally said. “Just some food.”
The space between them was silent for a long moment.
“It’s coming.” Cordy felt like she was apologizing. “Chance, let him go.”
“I’m not stopping him. See?” When Chance released Brad, he seemed to push him backward, although Brad didn’t move.
Brad stared Chance down, long enough that Cordy was about to grab Reg to help her defuse the situation.
Finally, Brad went to sit next to his wife. Hailey looked as upset as Cordy felt. Great.
“I don’t need your help,” she said darkly to Chance as she finished typing in the order. “I really don’t.” She couldn’t even look at him, she was so worked up. Honestly, he could have made it a lot worse. She had everything under control, and he didn’t need to butt in. Again.
“Of course.” He sounded completely unperturbed. It made her teeth grind together with helpless frustration. “Have you found someone to go with you to that class?”
Cordy felt her back teeth strain in their sockets. “Sure did.” She sent off the order and stretched her lips in the fakest smile ever. “Thanks for asking. Sorry, but I need to get back to this.”
With that, she turned her back on him. Whatever kind of help Chance was offering, she didn’t need it.