Page 42 of I Want Crazy (Loco, Texas 3)

Rand gave her a hug as she passed, as did Red’s sisters, but Red hung back until everyone else went inside. He stopped in front of her, frowning. “What’s wrong? You look like you’re going to cry.”

“No one is coming,” she said dejectedly.

“You don’t know that.” Red put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s only seven.”

“Come on, Red,” she said, fighting her tears. “I offered the first round free. If they were coming, they’d be lined up at the door.”

She felt the warmth of his lips on her temple and wanted to lean into him. To absorb his strength and bury her head in his chest. But she couldn’t lose herself in him if this was a mistake, couldn’t let herself need him.

Pulling away from him, she headed back inside. Smiling and hugging her new friends as she passed, she finally made it behind the bar, and yelled, “Who wants a drink?”

&nb

sp; The loud cheers eased her disappointment, and she tried to think positively. The people of Loco would come around eventually.

* * *

Red didn’t like the way Jessie looked, like someone had kicked her puppy or something, and he wanted to fix it. It wasn’t a surprise that the citizens of Loco hadn’t shown up. He hadn’t been shy about voicing his earlier opinions of her “improvements.” Apparently, he hadn’t been as convincing with his retraction.

Pulling out his cell phone, he called Finn Meyers.

“Officer Meyers.”

“Hey, it’s Red.”

“Red, hey, buddy, you behaving yourself?”

“Shut up, I need a favor.”

“Only if you ask nicely.”

Red ignored Finn’s teasing. “When are you off duty?”

“Heading in now, why?”

“Can you make a loudspeaker announcement?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“First round free at the former Watering Hole. Big-screens with the sports package.”

“Uh, Red…”

“And tell your girlfriend to come down too.”

“Red, we kind of had plans…”

“Please, man. I wouldn’t ask you if it weren’t important.”

“Wait, didn’t I almost have to arrest you for protesting that place two weeks ago?”

“Things change,” Red grumbled.

“So…how was that kiss again the other night?” Male laughter met his ear. “I heard you were rounding home before Deputy Hill caught you with your pants down.”

Gritting his teeth and cursing small-town life, Red snapped, “Shut up,” before hanging up on Finn’s last whoop.

* * *

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