Page 82 of Soldier Cowboy
“It made all the difference to talk to someone who’d been through something similar. She had it so much worse and she’s such a survivor. It’s strange to feel grateful about what happened to me, but I am in some ways. I had someone in my life who took this seriously enough to intervene and get me away. And I had you, the man who took me out of the hot mess. Without you, I don’t think I’d have enjoyed these past two weeks quite as much as I have.”
“You’ve had fun.”
“I had a good time evenbeforeyou exercised your conjugal rights.” She winked and took a bite of the sweet potato fry.
He loved that she didn’t pick at her food and pretend to eat like a rabbit. She was a woman who enjoyed a meal that consisted of more than lettuce and carrots.
“I don’t think they’re technically called conjugal rights before marriage, but I get your point. Although I’m not sure whoexercisedthose rights first.” He smirked.
“We’ll call it even.”
He made a motion in the direction of the risers toward the back of the bar. “You probably noticed there’s a concert tonight.”
An area was being cleared for a dance floor, meaning there were fewer tables available. They were sitting at one where Colton could face the door, his back to the wall as he preferred.
“Eve told me.”
“Would you like to stay for it?”
“Really? Can we?”
“Sure we can.”
“I assumed you’d have to get back to the Grange.”
“The ranch isn’t going to be my whole life. There has to be a balance, right?” He set his iced tea down, worrying he was already selling himself a bit too obviously.
She’d see right through this pitch, intelligent woman that she was. She didn’t miss a thing.
Stay with me, Jennifer. Pick me. I’ll make a good husband.
“I know what you mean better than most. Coming here made me realize how much of my work life was out of balance. It’s so freeing not to have to worry about what’s happening on social media. Not to have to makeeverythinga story and content. Only a few weeks ago, I wouldn’t go anywhere to eat without taking a photo of my food.”
They’d left her camera in his truck. “Would you like my phone?”
“No,” she said without hesitation. “I’m going to take a picture in my mind. For posterity.”
She made a clicking sound and aimed toward the food. Then she turned the imaginary camera on him and clicked again.
She pointed to her temple. “That’s going right here. Forever. I don’t have to worry about a hard drive failure or a social media site suddenly closing my account and wiping out all my history.”
“I haven’t had an account in years. What did I miss?”
She blinked until it dawned on her he might be joking. “Nothing.”
“Well, hello there, young Colt!” They were interrupted by Lenny, whom Colton had known his entire life.
Colton stood to shake the old man’s hand, but he was pulled into a hug. Lenny was older now, thinner, balder, and grayer, but the man still had all the raw pulsating restlessness of the energizer bunny.
“I hear congrats are in order! You’re the last brother standin’. Gettin’ hitched, I hear.”
“Uh-huh.” Colton swiftly changed the subject. “You here for the concert?”
“I’m Jackson’s head roadie, or didn’t ya hear?”
“Doesn’t that require a lot of heavy lifting? Amps? Speakers?”
He flexed a muscle. “Still got it. And after the show’s over and we’re all packed up, I have my car service available. For a small fee, I drive everyone home who shouldn’t be behind the wheel, if ya catch my drift.”
