Page 6 of Piece Of Me

“Zach, had to head out of town and we were already down a bartender, so I came in. I don’t mind. I miss it.” She paused. “Do you want anything?”

“I’m fine.” He smiled. “This is a good look for you.” Millie blushed and his smile widened.

“Well, by the rate I’m going, I’ll be as big as a house by the time this baby comes along. If only I had cravings for watermelon or green grapes instead of chocolate and cheeseburgers.”

Taz chuckled. “Nothing wrong with that.”

“It’s not fair.” Millie Sue made a face. “Cal’s sister craved oranges and apples and she only gained thirty pounds when she was pregnant. I’ve already hit that milestone and I’ve got a few months to go.”

“Her name Scarlett?” Taz asked.

“What?” Millie was staring down at her belly.

“Cal’s sister. I think I met her today at the post office.”

Millie yanked her head up and laughed. “Mary Margaret Christchurch was in to pick up her son, he’s a dishwasher in the kitchen, and told me Scarlett was prancing around town in her nighty.”

“I don’t know about prancing, but she was wearing an interesting outfit.”

“Huh. That must be why Cal was watching Hank.”

“That her kid?” Taz asked, more curious than he should be.

Millie nodded. “She has a six-month-old. Sweetest little guy.” She patted her belly. “I hope this one takes a cue from his cousin.”

“You having a boy?” Taz grinned.

“I don’t know. Feels like it?”

“Who is she married to? Anyone I know?” he asked casually, not really sure why he was asking in the first place.

Millie shook her head. “No husband. The father’s not in the picture. He’s not even on the same continent.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why are you so interested in Scarlett?”

“I’m not. I was just…” He fiddled with the brim of his ball cap. “She seems different is all. How come I’ve never met her?”

Millie gave him a long look and at first, he wasn’t sure she would answer. “She’s been keeping to herself since she came back to Montana.”

“She’s not keeping to herself anymore,” he replied with a chuckle. “Where was she before?”

“Touring around Europe. Then Bent had his accident last year and she came back to Big Bend. Her home base has been New York for the last couple of years. Still has a place there, upper west side I think.” She grabbed up a cloth. “Look, Scarlett’s story isn’t mine to tell, and I don’t feel right talking about her with someone she doesn’t know.”

Just then Jennifer and the twins were back, a large bag of barbecue and sweets in hand. Taz paid for the food, and once he had the girls pointed toward the exit, he looked back at Millie and winked.

“Why don’t you guys bring Scarlett to the party tomorrow.”

“Now why would I do that?”

“I’d like to meet her. Seems a shame there’s a Bridgestone out there I haven’t met. Not properly anyway.”

Millie looked shocked at his admission. And maybe if Taz was thinking straight, he’d be more than a little shocked himself. Yet the picture of Scarlett Bridgestone standing in the post office in a see-through nightshirt, pink cowboy boots, purple hair and all, intrigued the hell out of him.

Millie finally found her tongue. “She won’t come.”

“Can’t hurt to ask.” He nudged the girls forward. “Don’t tell her the party is at my place.”

“Taz Pullman, what are you up to?”

He ignored the question, took another step, and paused. “You might want to pass along the dress code though.”

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