Page 72 of Sweet Home Louisiana

“We do not have a policy against drinking on the boats,” Maddie told him.Though theyshouldand that was going to be on the next partner meeting agenda.They evenserveddrinks on the Bayou and Beer tour.That was stupid as hell.There needed to be some changes around here.She could be the bitch that got shit done with the Snickers bar guyandwith the Landry boys.They wanted her here?Well, she was here.If they regretted that, it was all their own fault.

Just like these guys getting their tour cut short.

“But,” she continued, “you have to follow the captain’s instructions, and failure to do so will jeopardize your tour no matter your state of sobriety.”

“All the reviews say this place is a big party and that you can’t miss these tours.Well, we didn’t get our tour.”

He wasn’t smiling anymore.He looked like he was getting frustrated.Seemed that maybe he wasn’t used to being told no.Maddie was fine giving him this life lesson.Actions had consequences.Especially when he was messing with someoneshecared about.

“You need to take that up with your friend.And each other.Him standing up repeatedly on the boat was putting you all at risk.We want you to have a good time, but safety always comes first.You all could have kept him in his seat.Or you could have cut him off at the bar when you saw how much he’d had.So…” She shrugged.“No refund.”

“We want our money back,” the guy said, his tone firm now.“My sister is a lawyer.You don’t really want me to call her, do you?”

Oh, he hadnotjust threatened to sic his lawyer on her.

Maddie pushed a piece of paper across the counter and pointed to the bottom third.“These are the rules and regulations you agreed to.Number five states that you will listen to and abide by everything the captain tells you above and beyond what’s spelled out in numbers one through four.You signed this when you gave me your money.”She slid her finger down.“And right here it says that refunds will not be granted if you fail to follow the above outlined guidelines.I guess your sister might just have to take that up withourattorney if she doesn’t agree that your signature binds you to this agreement.”

The guy squinted at the page.

She really hoped he couldn’t read the nine-point font at the bottom of the page because she was totally lying about the refund policy.That wasn’t in there.But it would be by the end of the day.

The guy pushed back from the counter with a sigh.“This is crap.We just wanted to see alligators.”

She breathed out in relief.“You coming in here demanding your money back after you were all a bunch of asses?”Maddie asked.“Yeah, thatiscrap.”

He glanced back at his friends, then looked at Maddie.“How about we leave him here and you take the rest of us out?”

Maddie’s eyebrows shot up.“There isno wayI’m babysitting your drunk friend.Forget it.”

“You’re being unreasonable,” the guy countered.“I’m going to—”

Before she could cut him off, he was lifted off his feet and thrown into his crowd of friends.Owen turned on him, blocking Maddie’s view.

“Don’t even think about finishing that sentence,” Owen told him.

His voice was low and angry.

Maddie’s heart started pounding and adrenaline flooded her system.

She told herself it was surprise and alarm, but…it wasn’t.Even in that flash of time where her brain was still processing what was going on, her body was responding.

To Owen.And his protectiveness.

Oh boy.

She should stop him.She should tell him she was okay.She should put a hand on his shoulder and calm him down.He was definitely overreacting.

But she didn’t.

And that was something she knew she was going to think about—and probably regret—later.

Instead, she leaned to look at the guy on the other side of Owen’s wide shoulders.

The guy had his hands up in surrender.“Hey, man, I just—”

“You’re not listening to her, but you will tome,” Owen said.“It’s time for you to leave.”

“I didn’t mean—”

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