Page 13 of Blame It On Midnight

Montana in July was hot, but the evenings were cooler, and she shivered a bit as she hopped out of the truck. She’d found a spot at the edge of the lot, which was nearly full, and spied a group of revelers heading inside. Two men and two women, dressed in jeans, T-shirts and cowboy boots. Double dating Montana style. It was a Saturday night, and in a town like this, there wasn’t much to do besides hitting up the local watering hole to drink and dance until your feet fell off.

Music echoed from inside, and the crowd was singing along to the band. She took a moment to listen and nodded slowly. They were good. This night might not be a total waste after all. Collins walked across the lot and pushed inside, immediately getting a blast of heat, beer, and grease. Every honkytonk she’d been in smelled the same, and a sliver of excitement rolled down her spine.

The dance floor was full, folks were line dancing to a pop song that had been given a country makeover. She hummed along and made her way over to the bar, smiling when she spied the bartender from earlier that day.

“Long shift,” she said, ignoring the blatant interest from a group of folks as she slid up to the bar with a smile. Jo, who was in the process of filling a jug of beer, gave a nod and shook her head. “New hire called in sick and Millie Sue is at a party, so here I am trying to keep up.”

“Want some help?” The words fell from her mouth before she could think about them. But the bar area was three bodies deep from one end to the other, and Jo couldn’t possibly serve them all.

“Have you worked in a bar before?”

“No,” Collins replied with a smile. “But I’ve been slinging beer and making cocktails since I was seven. My family hosted a lot of parties, so I’ve had a lot of practice.”

Jo handed over the jug and four glasses to a group of men and then slowly nodded. “I’m probably crazy for doing this, but let’s see what you got.”

Collin’s elbowed her way around the edge of the bar and ducked underneath the counter.

“You take this end, I’ll manage the rest. I’m logged into the system. You just hit here for a new order, then choose your poison. Beer. Liquor. Draft is small or large, or a jug. If anyone wants to order food, tell them to find Danny or one of the other servers. We don’t have time to deal with that, and we have no wine, so…” Jo stood back. “You got this?”

“Hell yes.” Collins turned and smiled at the group of men waiting to order. The one in front, a tall guy with dark wavy hair that fell to impressive shoulders, the kind of smile that told Collins he was used to getting his way when it came to the ladies, leaned forward and winked.

“Hey, darlin’. Never seen you before. Maybe I can show you around when your shift is over.” His eyes did a slow roll down her body.

“I’m not your darlin’ and I’m not interested in a tour, so maybe give me your order and you can go find someone that line will work on.”

“Jesus, Dillon, I ain’t seen anyone shoot you down that fast since Paula Becks kneed you in the nuts at prom.”

Collins laughed as the men ribbed their pal and ordered two jugs of beer. She grabbed the jugs and began to fill them, eyes on the crowd. This is what she needed. A distraction that wouldn’t make her feel like shit in the morning. And maybe if luck would shine her way, she’d be able to forget about Benton Bridgestone. Even if it was only for the night. A girl could wish, couldn’t she?

Collins smiled at the next couple in line. “What can I get ya?”

Chapter Five

Benton dropped Nora off at her mom’s place and managed to do it with a half-smile in place. He’d decided a long time ago that he’d never be the parent to talk shit about his ex, especially in front of their daughter. Nora was smart. She picked up on things, and if he could shield her from the animosity between him and Daisy Mae, he would.

She danced all the way from his truck up to the door of the condo Daisy Mae and her new man, Nick, were renting. Her purple backpack glittered under the moonlight, and he spied her stuffed bunny, Leroy, dangling over the edge. The thing was so ratty he didn’t think it would survive another cycle in the washing machine, but she’d had it since the day she was born and slept with it every night.

Daisy Mae opened up the door and held her arms open. Nora raced into the embrace, and his chest tightened. He didn’t hate the relationship Daisy Mae had forged with Nora. He just didn’t trust it.

“I’ll get her to school in the morning.” Daisy Mae glanced over the top of Nora’s head.

Benton nodded, then dropped a kiss onto Nora’s cheek. “You be good for your mama, you hear?”

“I will.” Nora hugged him tightly. “Don’t miss me.” She whispered.

He smiled at their game. “I will miss you every single second of the night.”

“Silly daddy,” she said with a giggle. She turned and disappeared inside, leaving him and Daisy Mae alone.

“You look good, Benton.” He hated this. The polite way they had when they weren’t tearing into each other.

He lifted his chin. “You too.” It was the truth. Always a petite thing, she’d been nothing but skin and bone less than a year ago. Her addiction problems being the culprit. Since she’d come back to Big Bend, she’d put on weight and was halfway to being the woman he’d fallen for years ago. But the past was long gone, and he wasn’t interested in revisiting it with her. Especially not when she put up a roadblock at every turn.

Benton stepped back and gave a small nod, then turned and headed for his truck.

“That’s it?” Daisy Mae’s voice rose. “You can’t even talk to me anymore?”

He paused and glanced over his shoulder. “Make sure she’s in bed by nine and brush her hair out real good. Her curls are tangled from the pool. I put that special conditioner in her backpack. It helps.”

---