Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jolene couldn’t stop laughing at her—which felt like old times.
Her friend stood on the other side of the bar at the end of a busy night at The Lucky Horseshoe.
After going through her boxes, she’d taken Neil downtown to do some shopping and grab some dinner with the Prentice boys at the bar.
Her double bacon cheddar bison burger and spicy tater tots had put her into a happy food coma.
But mostly it was the company.
The bar had the same old feels. The exposed wooden ceiling beams, wide-plank hardwood floors, and the 1964 Rowe jukebox all created a warm, rugged charm.
But it was Jolene’s bar rules that never failed to make her feel a sense of pride, in both her friend and the town. Even Neil had commented on them.
They were displayed in Jolene’s crisp no-nonsense handwriting on an old chalkboard her boys had outgrown.
Lay a hand on a woman without her permission—
I’ll ask you to leave.
Fight with a lady here—
I’ll call the sheriff.
No weapons inside.
Again, I’ll call the sheriff.
Spit tobacco on my floor—
I’ll hand you a mop.
If you don’t tip proper,
you’ve earned three years bad luck.
Women came from far and wide on Friday and Saturday nights when Jolene brought in local bands. Beyond the incredible food and music, they felt safe. Jolene said it was her way of continuing what Elena McAllister had begun in Sanctuary Springs.
Women were always safe in her place, and her friend had backed it up more than once. Was it any wonder Jolene Prentice had been her hero and a quasi-older sister? She was as tough as boots with a heart of gold.
And she also snuck Hannah a second helping of her famous tater tots just as Elvis started to croon in the background about a moonlight swim.
Part of her knew it was her friend being generous, but the other part was well aware Jolene was keeping her spirits up.
For a while there, the whole world had seemed brighter.
Then a run-in with her father, hearing about the lumber troubles, and not fitting into most of her clothes had threatened to take down her earlier good mood. Which was why she expected no one brought up the lumber or that billionaire people suspected was behind it.
Now she was back to smiling, even though Jolene had ordered her boys home to a chorus of groans about there not being any school tomorrow. The Lucky Horseshoe was a family place until nine p.m., and then the drinks flowed and sawdust got kicked up on the dance floor as couples took a whirl.
She’d taken a spin herself a time or two tonight until Jolene had given the last call and then herded everyone out but them, not wanting the night to end any more than Hannah did.
Sanctuary Springs still felt like home. She’d touched base with more people tonight, many of them praising her healing abilities and asking about that special salve she used on Dylan’s goose egg. Talk about a thrill. The welcome was filling up a part of her heart that had been homesick.
“This has been one of the best nights ever, Jolene. Thank you.”
“You’ve done your part.” Jolene placed another one of her signature huckleberry margaritas in front of her despite the fact that she was cleaning up the bar. “Girl, you were always part fighter, part saint. No trial was ever going to keep you down for long.”
Everyone had told her she’d survived the fever that had killed Sarah because she’d fought like a wildcat. Later, people had commented how it could have made her bitter or depressed like her parents. Maybe they were right.
“Neil, I swear.” Jolene poured herself another glass of tonic.
“When one of my boys refused to eat his dinner—a rarity, as you could see tonight when they ate like the pig teenage boys they are—Hannah would sit him down in the chair and stand over him like a mama horse until he ate every bite, being both tough and sweet somehow. Even if it took two hours.”
That only made her think about checking on her little foal patient when she returned to the ranch.
“Aye, I’ve seen that side of her myself,” Neil answered with a knowing grin, sipping his water.
He’d told her he was driving tonight. How many times had she described Jolene’s huckleberry margaritas to him? After sampling one earlier, his only drink, he’d agreed it was both unique and memorable.
Of course Jolene had leaned in and joked about how many bears she and the boys had run off when they picked boatloads of the berry every year, much of which she froze to provide the drink year-round.
Neil had shown her the bear spray he now carried around in his pocket, saying he had no desire to have a run-in.
Hannah had only laughed. She’d rather a bear than a prairie rattlesnake any day. Flame had almost thrown her one time when they’d come across one. Thoughts of her horse had her frowning before she stopped herself. Don’t think about her right now. Be present. Enjoy yourself. Drink up.
“If our Hannah stays, where does that leave you, Neil?” Jolene asked, stretching to the side with an obvious wince.
Right now, it was the million-dollar question. Hannah found herself frowning again before she shook it off.
“Do you have a pinched nerve, lass?” Neil only replied, standing up and walking around the bar. “I’ve been wondering as I watched you work. Turn around and let me help.”
She swung around slowly, smoothing her strawberry blond hair to the side. “I do have a crick in my neck, and you didn’t answer my question.”
When Neil laid his hands on her shoulders and started to gently manipulate Jolene’s muscles to release the tension, Hannah could only smile. When Neil offered to help someone without being asked, he was invested. “I think he’s thinking about staying—if Will asks him.”
Jolene suddenly gave a moan and then blanched. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Neil. Last thing you need is a worn-out single mama moaning. Except that feels so much better.”
“Every client he’s ever had says he has magic hands,” Hannah commented with a laugh.
Neil gave her a bland look at the old joke.
Jolene only cackled. “I’d say. Honey, feel free to put them on old Jolene and make her feel better.
Between my boys and keeping this place running, I don’t feel like I ever have a moment to myself.
Except in the bathroom now, you’ll be happy to know.
Hannah, do you remember when the boys used to come in any old time?
Now they won’t get close ten feet if I’m in the shower or the ladies’ room. ”
“Ah, the old days.” Hannah sipped her margarita, remembering Dylan sitting on the floor waiting for her in the hallway after she’d gone to the bathroom, saying he’d missed her. “They’re growing up.”
“Aren’t they?” Jolene rolled her shoulders. “Thank you, Neil.”
“You’re most welcome.” He came around the bar and resumed his seat. “You have it flare back up, let me know.”
“I will.”
Jolene didn’t look her way, which only made Hannah cover her smile. If she knew her friend, she’d say Jolene was a little smitten. Neil was harder to read.
“Well, we’d best get back to the ranch,” Hannah announced, finishing her drink and lifting the glass. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll be back for more of you.”
“Talking to a margarita now.” Jolene took her glass with an amused look. “You get your head back on, honey. Ten bucks says Ben will probably be up waiting for you.”
Her belly fluttered. Would he? She felt a smile spread across her face before she pressed her lips together. There she went, acting smitten.
Jolene started wiping down the counter after clearing their area. “Man gives you both his truck and makes a healing space for you on his spread—letting you treat a foal he’s been heard say might be the most special horse he’s ever come across—he’s working hard for some redemption.”
And she might be just the woman to give it to him. God, was that the margaritas talking?
“I told you he was different,” Jolene said pointedly, leaning on the counter.
“Not that I don’t think you should be smart and make him work for it.
But from that smile you just stopped short, I’d say you’re making up pretty good and remembering why you two got along so well.
He’d always given you anything you wanted back in the day. ”
Except Scotland.
When her old anger didn’t surface, she pressed her hand to her heart.
Was it finally gone? Maybe not all the way.
That was really hopeful. But now that she understood and heard him apologize…
she’d been right. She felt reborn. And all because of Ben McAllister working as hard as she was to heal the past. Somehow that made her all warm inside.
Made her look forward to learning more about the man he’d become.
“Whatever you’re thinking, the answer is yes,” Jolene offered with an irreverent snort, poking her in the arm. “Girl, I can read you like a book. Ben McAllister can still make you light up like the sun.”
Neil studied his shoes while Jolene’s observation caused her pulse to pick up. Her friend was right. He sure as hell still could. Something she did need to be wise about.
“Jolene, you still open for drinks?”
Hannah stilled as Owen Kincaid walked in with his ridiculous bowlegged stance followed by a couple of cowboys. Hard living was stamped all over him, from his beady yellow eyes to the dull shine of his scraggly long brown hair.
Amber’s brother had never failed to make a move on her growing up, telling her he was a bigger and better man than Ben McAllister.
Her rebuffs had only made him turn mean, pinching her and grabbing her in ways that scared her.
Ben had punched him a few times, putting a stop to it.
The way he looked her up and down suggested he needed another good punching.
“Nope, Owen, we’re closed,” Jolene said, crossing her arms over her plaid shirt, her oval face turning into a flintlike mask.
“But little old Hannah’s here at the bar.” He strode over quickly before Jolene could come around the bar, sending her a cocky smile. “I haven’t had a chance to welcome her back. Come on, Jolene. Don’t be a hard case. Let me buy her a drink.”
“No, Owen.” Jolene shook her head, eyes narrowed. “Last time you were in, you broke rule number one. That means you don’t get any special favors.”
“Let’s let little Hannah decide, although she’s not so little anymore.” He tipped his broad-brimmed cowboy hat back and looked her over like she was fresh meat. “You’ve filled out nicely. Now that you aren’t with McAllister, maybe you’re ready for a real man. Want to go somewhere?”
“No, Owen, I really don’t.”
He licked his lips slowly as his eyes turned hard. “Oh…so you’re still all high and mighty. Well, just wait until you and my sister meet. She’s mighty angry you’re back.”
Hannah fought the shiver. Amber was frightening on a normal day, so she couldn’t imagine how awful she could be now, given the circumstances.
“Owen Kincaid, I told you to leave,” Jolene bit out, striding closer.
Neil finally stood, towering over Owen. “You heard the ladies. The bar is closed. You’d best head out.”
“You’re the fellow they say wears a dress, right?” Owen snickered. “Boys, what do you think about that? A man wearing a dress like a woman.”
The smile that spread across Neil’s face portended trouble. Jolene slapped her hand hard on the bar. “Owen, if you don’t leave now, you won’t step foot in here for another six months. I’ll put you on the blacklist.”
He lifted his hands in mock surrender and started backing up. “Fine! You’re all super touchy tonight. I was only trying to buy the lady a drink. Hannah, I’ll see you around. Seeing as how we’re neighbors with you at the ranch next door and all.”
Blowing her a kiss, he headed to the door laughing with his cowboy friends in tow.
When he left, she made a gagging motion. “He still makes my skin crawl.”
“If he doesn’t, something’s wrong with you.” Jolene gave a frustrated sound. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that, Hannah. Especially in my place.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” she told her friend. “I’m going to have another margarita since Neil is driving. Neil, sit down and have one of my tater tots. I am not letting Owen Kincaid ruin my night.”
Having one of those spicy treats herself, she suppressed another shiver as she remembered him saying he’d see her around.
She had a bad feeling she would.