Page 13 of Before You Can Blink
“Gotcha.”
I liked this girl. Not only was she pretty, but she was easy to talk to—hell, she had more words slipping past my lips in one night than I’d uttered in the past few weeks combined. And since she wasn’t planning on sticking around, we might be able to have a little fun together without things getting too serious. That’s exactly the kind of situation I was looking for.
“Well, can I at least walk you to your door?” Now that I knew where she was likely to be most evenings, I didn’t feel the need to push for more than a chaste goodnight on her doorstep.
Daisy ducked her head. “Sure. There’s an exterior entrance.” She hitched a thumb over her shoulder toward the rear entrance. “Out back.”
Placing a hand on her lower back, I ushered her in that direction, sucking in a sharp breath when the chilly fall air blasted me in the face as we stepped outside.
The girl at my side dug around in her purse until she produced a set of keys that caught the glint of the bar’s exterior lighting. Shifting on her feet, she tilted her head toward the door directly behind her. “So, this is me.”
I shoved both hands in my pockets, rocking back on my heels. “It was nice meeting you, Daisy. Maybe our paths will cross again.” I was going to make sure of it.
She offered me a small smile. “Maybe.”
“If it’s all right with you, I’ll just wait out here ’til I hear you lock up.”
“Oh, you don’t have to—“ she began to protest.
“I know I don’t, but it’ll help me sleep easier tonight if I do.” I flashed her a crooked grin.
“Well, all right.” Daisy fit the key into the lock before pushing the door wide open. Gripping the side of the frame, she said, “Goodnight, Jett.”
“Night, Daisy.” I tipped my hat.
The door latched, and a split second later, I heard the telltale sound of the deadbolt sliding into place. Then, I walked to my truck with a pep in my step despite the late hour.
And to think I almost said no when Wade called me up asking if I wanted to grab a beer.
December
“When should we be expecting your lady friend, Jett?” Ma reached around me to set the small roasted turkey in the center of the table.
“No idea what you’re talking about.” I began loading my plate with the Christmas feast she’d prepared for just the two of us. This was our fifth holiday season without Pop, and my chest still got tight any time I dared to glance at his seat at the head of the table, which remained empty.
Dropping onto the chair across from me, my mother narrowed her eyes. “Don’t play that game with me, boy. Whole town’s buzzing about you and the new teacher cozied up at the bar every night.”
Of course they were. Rust Canyon thrived on gossip. Couldn’t exactly blame them; speculating on other people’s lives was about as exciting as it got around here.
“So, is she coming or not?”
“Not.”
She scoffed. “And why the hell not?”
I poured gravy into the divot I’d made in my mashed potatoes. “Because she’s gone home to Virginia to visit with her father.”
Ma made an unimpressed noise in the back of her throat. “Must not be giving it to her good enough if she’s willing to leave you overnight.”
“Jesus Christ,” I muttered, dragging a hand down my face. This woman had no filter. Every thought that popped into her brain was spoken into existence.
“It’s your own damn fault if you’ve gotten lazy, letting the women ride you after you’re done riding the horses.”
“Enough!” My fist came down so hard on the table that all the dishes rattled.
She clicked her tongue. “I’ll let it slide because your daddy used to get testy when he was backed up too. Make sure to take care of that tonight, you hear? Clean out those pipes so you’re not still in this mood when your girl gets back.”
My chair scraped against the hardwood as I rose to my feet. “You know what, I’ve lost my appetite.”
