Page 3 of Banking on Love

But then again, I could have hung up or told them to stop calling me. Guess part of me felt sorry for the bastard and didn't want my sisters dealing with anymore heartache.

"Let's go get the drunk," I muttered, climbing out of my car. A few steps and I was pulling open the door.

My father's loud cursing filled my ears almost instantly. He was at the bar, waving a finger in Jack's face, demanding a drink. Everyone, including Jack, looked at me. They seemed relieved.

I offered an apologetic smile and a small wave. Several of them gave me a courteous nod, while the rest gave me a look ofWhy can't you control this lunatic?

If only they knew how desperately I had tried to sober him up. Years in fact. For years I had attempted to get him clean but it was hopeless. He'd just sneak off to the next town over to buy his booze.

I swallowed my pride then made my way over to my dad.

"Hey, Kensi," the waitress, Jenny, smiled, walking by me towards the pool tables.

"Hey, Jenny," I replied.

My father saw me. He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Time to go, Dad," I whispered to him.

"No. Not until they give me my damn keys," he stated, crossing his arms in front of him.

Here we go again,I thought, glancing around the room. All eyes were on us. We were this evening's… well, this morning's show.

"Dad, I'll drive you then we can come back later and get your truck," I retorted calmly.

"Leave my truck here? So someone can steal it?" he scoffed with a look of disgust. "I don't think so."

No one wants your beat-up, death trap tin can,I grumbled internally. It was the truth. The piece of crap was older than me and had been through hell. Pure hell. And I doubted it ever had an oil change.

"Dad, no one in Cupid's Cove will steal your truck," I smiled. Several people around us shook their heads in agreement.

"Can't trust anybody! None of these mother fu--"

Ding. Ding,there goes the sound of the bell.

"Dad!" I shouted, narrowing my eyes on him.

"What, Kensi Wallace?" he snarled back and took up a defensive stance. "No one called you here. So stop being a damn bitch!"

All within earshot gasped. Their eyes widened and they stared in horror. All except one person towards the back, playing pool.

He set down his pool stick and stormed over to us. His facial features were filled with anger. He stepped between my dad and me. The man's cologne filled my nose, making me suck in a sharp breath.

Damn, he smelled good.

"You need to watch how you talk to her," the man said. His voice was deep and smooth as ice. My mouth gaped open slightly.

"And, who the hell do you think you are talking to me like that?" My dad slurred, looking up at my knight in shining…. t-shirt and blue jeans.

"I'm nobody but who the hell are you to talk to your daughter that way? You call yourself a man?" the stranger retorted in my defense.

I bit my bottom lip as giddiness filled me. The man was defending me even though he didn't know me. Everyone in the bar had known me for years and not once out of all the times I stood in this very spot dealing with my dad had they come to my rescue.

Who are you?I wondered, looking at the back of the man's dark brown hair.

"This is a family matter and doesn't concern you," my dad growled.

"It does when you're calling your daughter a disrespectful name. No lady needs to be talked down to…" the man glanced over his shoulder at me, "Ever." His tone was firm but his eyes were soft as he said the single word to me.

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