Page 16 of Two Weddings and a Shoot Out

She had a couple things that were on her list to accomplish for the commemoration celebration, but maybe Regina needed some stuff from Wichita. Hope could make it a weekend and get away from the man who made her forget every self-preservation instinct she had.

“Mimi, are we doing something fun this summer? Can I play on a T-ball team?” Benji asked.

“I don’t know if it’s too late. I can check if you’d like to,” Hope said.

T-ball might throw a wrench in her getting out of town for weeks on end, but she wanted Benji to have everything he hadn’t when he lived with his dad. She felt so much safer with his dad in jail and unable to hurt her or Benji.

Benji threw his arms around her waist and hugged her tight.

“I love living with you, Mimi,” he whispered.

She leaned over and kissed his head. “I love living with you too. I’m so glad you’re mine.”

Chapter Eleven

Maureencamebackfromthe bathroom at Nelson’s. She checked out where everyone was as she tried to decide her next move. Should she ask Compass to dance?

Compass didn’t think she knew because he’d tried to be quiet, but she’d heard him rubbing one out in the shower tonight. She’d left to go borrow a shirt from Regina for tonight and gotten back before he’d finished in the shower. He couldn’t hear the door to the bedroom over the shower, and she’d heard his groan as he came.

Peck, one of the brothers who’d started the bar and had sons who now ran it, walked over to her.

“A little bird told me that someone might need a little nudge, and I never turn down holding a beautiful woman in my arms. May I have this dance?” he asked.

She glanced over his shoulder and saw Meg smiling and nodding at her.

“I would love to,” Maureen said, allowing Peck to lead her to the dance floor. Peck was handsome, and any other woman would probably jump all over him if he showed interest, but the big lug sitting at their table had caught her attention, and no one else interested her.

Peck led her around the dance floor to the slow song the band was playing. The band had been one of the reasons everyone wanted to come because Regina had said she wanted to support a local band. Maureen was impressed with their songs. They played a mix of slow and fast songs from a variety of eras.

“How are you liking Kansas after South Dakota?” Peck asked.

“I love Bluff Creek. Everyone is so nice. And I love the bar. Have you had it a long time?” she asked.

“It seems like forever. My brothers and I raised our boys in the apartment above the bar. Whiskey, Hennessy, and their families, along with Schaefer, live there now. The bar, along with our other properties, has built a good life for us and our kids. Now, if Bill, Burt, and I can get the rest of the boys to find families, we can die happy.”

“Die happy? You’re still young. You have a lot of time to find someone, too.”

He chuckled and grinned. “I’m too set in my ways. I’m happy to be a grandpa. Besides, she’d have to be really special for me to consider living with someone. I’m not as lucky as Compass.”

Maureen huffed and didn’t say anything.

“I’ve known him a while. Be patient and give him a little nudge,” Peck said, then chuckled. “Incoming,” he whispered.

“Can I cut in to dance with my date?” Compass growled.

“Well, I don’t know. She’s quite lovely in my arms. I mean, you may have brought her, but you didn’t seem to be seeing to her needs, now did ya?” Peck teased.

Maureen waited to see what would happen. Peck seemed to enjoy pushing Compass’ buttons.

“Happy to knock some sense into you,” Compass growled and moved Maureen out from between him and Peck.

Peck stared at Compass, then nodded. “Man’s not a man if he won’t fight for the woman he wants,” he said and walked off the floor.

Maureen stared at Compass, waiting to see what the exasperating man would do.

“May I have this dance?” he asked, holding his hand out.

She nodded and placed her hand in his, allowing him to pull her close. Why, oh why did it have to feel different with the man who seemed to not be getting the hint she wanted more?

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