Chapter 14 #2
“So, you’re the protective type, huh?” She bumped against him, gaze fixed on his sister. Tara laughed at something Dax said before playfully slapping his arm.
“With Tara, not as much as I should have been. I’m glad she’s here. She deserves to have some fun.”
The wistful note in his voice piqued her curiosity. “Is she having a rough time? Is that why she’s here?”
“I don’t want to get into that now.” He grabbed another empty glass to fill. “You deserve some fun, too. You ever go out there and dance?”
She wrinkled her nose, irritated he’d evaded her question. “Nah. I’ve got two left feet. Besides, this is the part I love. Standing and watching people having fun in my bar. Knowing I’m carrying on traditions that have been passed down since before I was born.”
“Really?” he asked, frowning down at her.
Memories washed over her, of all the times she stood there in front of a similar scene, as well as memories passed down to her that she hadn’t experienced but wished she had. “Yep. To me, this night is almost as special as Christmas.”
“Why’s that? Does Honky-Tonk Santa make an appearance at some point?”
She grinned at the picture he painted but shook her head. “Nothing so eclectic.”
“Then what?”
“My parents met on a night just like tonight,” she said, wishing they were both with her in this moment.
“This bar belonged to my grandparents. They were the ones who insisted on having an annual line dancing event when the rodeo was in town. My dad was working one night when my mom came with friends from a few towns over. He asked her to dance, and the rest is history. They’ve been happy and in love for close to thirty years. ”
“So your parents fell in love at a dance and gave you two left feet? Damn shame,” he said, clicking his tongue.
She burst into laughter then smacked him with a nearby dishcloth. “Are you ever serious?”
“Only when I need to be.” He winked at her then returned his focus to Tara. “Dax will see that side of me if he doesn’t take Tara back to her seat soon.”
“Dax is harmless. A lot like you, really. Too busy having fun to cause any real trouble.”
Something in Reid’s eyes made her stomach drop, but it left before she could figure out its meaning.
“Sometimes it’s the ones you think are joking through life who have the least to laugh about.”
Before she could ask more questions he’d probably ignore, he pushed away from the counter and helped a man with scruff covering his jawline and a baseball hat pulled low over his eyes. After he poured a double whiskey neat, he glanced over his shoulder. “Eve, have you met Ben yet?”
She hadn’t, but the man’s hunched shoulders and scowl didn’t make her want to change that. She forced a smile and busied herself by wiping down the bar. “Don’t believe I have. Nice to meet you.”
Ben grunted something that sounded a little like you too then sipped his drink.
“His bark’s worse than his bite,” Reid said.
“Does he bite a lot?”
A deep, husky chuckle rumbled from Ben’s chest, and she swore a hint of a smile lifted the corner of his mouth.
Okay, so he wasn’t as scary as she first thought.
“Not as much as he used to. He’s helping me and Madden out with some security work. Might make it permanent if it goes well.”
“Hope you enjoy Cloud Valley,” she said. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
He gave a brief nod then shifted to face the band.
Hooking a brow, she glanced at Reid.
He gave a tiny shake of his head.
Frustration simmered in her veins. She couldn’t ask about Ben, couldn’t ask about Reid’s cryptic statement, couldn’t step outside and scream, because God forbid she go anywhere alone.
As if sensing she needed a break, Becca hurried over and lifted two fingers. “Need two more local ales. Kitchen’s closed, so things will start to slow down. We’re going to survive another year.”
Eve poured the drinks and passed them to her best friend. The band would wind down in another ten minutes then they could start the lengthy process of cleaning up and getting the place ready to open for brunch the next day.
Exhaustion and the lingering fear tightened her muscles and threatened to steal her joy.
No. She’d worked too damn hard for the success of this night. For once she wanted to step out on the dance floor and experience every part of the evening.
She poured herself a shot of her favorite whiskey, taking it in one quick swallow.
The liquor burned her throat and warmed her belly as well as bolstered her courage.
Before she could chicken out, she rounded the bar and grabbed Ben’s hand, yanking him to his feet.
“You come to my bar, you can’t just sit and watch.
Let’s go, cowboy. Show me what you’ve got. ”
Ben’s eyes flew wide, but she refused to take no for an answer. She led him to the dance floor, linking their hands and facing him with a grin. “Don’t worry. I suck at this.”
He flashed a small smile before spinning her in a smooth circle then resting a palm on her waist. “Don’t worry,” he echoed her words. “I’ll take the lead.”
Closing her eyes, she gave in to the music and the stranger who twirled her around and made her feel like she knew what she was doing. Stress melted away, and for a few minutes all her worries floated far away, as if they belonged to someone else.
When the song ended, she opened her eyes, thanked her surprising partner and found herself face-to-face with Reid, who stood on the edge of the dance floor.
She swallowed hard. If looks could kill, Ben would be a dead man.