Page 54 of Cowboys at Coconuts

“As long as they have food and beer, it’s fine by me.” Larry kept pace with her. “I don’t want to get separated and have to hitch a ride home.”

“Good point.”

They crossed the street and entered the two-story brick building. The face of a bloodhound on a red sign welcomed them. The honky-tonk was packed. A band of five young boys played on the stage. A giant photo of Blake Shelton filled a screen in the background. Luckily, two women seated near the dance floor reached for their purses and stood.

Like a vulture, Hope made her way to their table. “Are you leaving? Sorry to rush you but we’ve had a long drive and an eventful day.”

One woman gathered a to-go box, and the other smiled. “The table’s all yours.”

“Thank you.” Hope waved Larry over, and they sat down. A server wiped the table and set menus in front of them. Plucking a pad out of her pocket, she poised her pen above the paper. “What’ll it be, folks?”

“Beer for me,” Larry said.

“I’ll take a margarita and some water.”

The young server plunked her pad inside her shorts. “Are you gonna eat?”

“Yes,” Larry and Hope both said in unison.

“Give us a minute. This is our first time here,” Hope said.

After they decided on pimento cheese dip, a Blue Tick burger and Kiss My Ass Quesadilla which fit Hop’s mood, she sipped her margarita, studied the party crowd, and tried to relax. After all, she rarely got out of Crystal City. Even though this was an emotional journey for the record books, she told herself to have a little fun. Still sad and shocked about Montana, she was happy Larry had had a small breakthrough.At least he realized who I am, even if he doesn’t have a single memory of raising me.She made a mental note to see if he’d try therapy to try and get his memory back. Hypnosis. Anything. But for now she was mentally and physically exhausted, and two hours of fun sounded like paradise. Everyone else seemed to manage it. Maybe it was her turn.

When Larry stepped outside for a cigarette, a stocky man wearing overalls and a cowboy hat approached her. Tipping his hat, the stranger said, “Howdy, ma’am.”

Hope studied him. Men didn’t usually approach her. Unsure how to react, she said, “Howdy. Everyone is so polite here. I should send some of my students for training.”

“Are you a teacher?” the man asked.

“No, a high school counselor.”

He chewed on his bottom lip. “I’m not very good at this.” Then, the man extended his meaty arm. “My name’s Tucker.”

“Hope.”

“Beautiful name.”

Not accustomed to compliments from the other sex, Hope felt pink creep up her neck. “Thanks.”

Shifting from boot to boot, Tucker asked, “Are you with that man? The older guy? I don’t want to butt in.”

Hope giggled. “No, he’s my dad. Well, make that the dad who adopted me and doesn’t remember me.”

The cowboy’s eyebrows furrowed. “Huh?”

“It’s a long story.” Waving both hands in the air, Hope said, “I’m here to have fun. Mind if we don’t get into all that?”

Grinning, Tucker said, “Fun’s my middle name.” He extended his hand. “Care to dance?”

Hope’s mouth went dry.Oh, my God. What’s going on?“Um, sorry. I don’t dance.”

Cocking his head, the cowboy asked, “You don’t or won’t?”

Hope patted an empty chair at the table. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t know how.”

As the server set platters of steaming food on the table, Hope glanced out a large window. Happily, Larry was still outside.

The larger man filled the seat and eyed her French fries. Scooting the dish toward him, she said, “Eat one. I’m much better at eating than dancing.”

---