Page 14 of Tattered and Torn

A set of half doors behind the bar swings open, and out walks a stunning woman with a single long braid of silky black hair. Her skin is burnished a deep golden hue with hints of auburn. Her eyes are as black as obsidian. Clearly, she’s Native American.

“You must be Gabrielle,” she says to me in a low, sultry voice. Like Jennie, she doesn’t stand on ceremony. She pulls me into a brief hug. When she releases me, she looks me directly in the eye and says, “Welcome to Bryce. We’re glad you’re here.”

I feel the sincerity behind her words. “Thank you.”

“Can I get you two something to drink?” Ruth asks. “It’s a bit early, but who cares? It’s five o’clock somewhere, right?”

“Not for me, thanks,” John says as he pats his stomach.

I laugh. “Can I take a rain check? I just had a slice of pie and some coffee next door. I’m stuffed.”

Ruth nods. “Any time. And I certainly understand. I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to have a slice of one of Jennie’s pies.” She gestures back toward the bar. “If you don't mind, I’ve got some beer mugs to dry.”

John and I sit on barstools while Ruth takes her place behind the counter and gets to work. There’s a TV on in the back corner of the bar playing a baseball game, but the volume is off.

“So,” Ruth says to me. “You left the big city to come out west to the mountains. What do you think so far?”

“It’s beautiful out here. And from what I’ve seen of the lodge, it’s incredible. I haven’t seen much of the mountains yet, mostly just forest.”

Ruth nods to John. “You heard her, Burke. Take her sightseeing up in the mountains.” She looks at me. “Do you ride?”

“Horses, no.” Laughing, I shake my head. “Only in my childhood fantasies.”

Ruth gives John an enigmatic smile. “Then you’ll have to teach her how to ride, Burke.”

“You know, I think I’ll take you up on that beer after all, if you don’t mind,” he says. “Tap.”

“Sure thing, cowboy.” Ruth fills a glass and hands it to him.

Ruth and I chat, and she invites me to come with Hannah to the next GNO—girls’ night out.

After he finishes his beer, John checks the time. “I guess we’d better get you back to the restaurant so you can make your dishes in time for supper.”

We thank Ruth and head back out to the truck.

As we’re walking back to the truck, I cross to his left side. Now I have an unrestricted view of the left side of his face. Even shaded as it is by the brim of his hat, I can easily make out the tight, puckered skin that covers his cheek and jaw. Parts of his beard are missing on that side of his face. I imagine the hair follicles were destroyed. Whatever happened to him, it only affected his left side. When he catches me looking at his face, he frowns.

Without a word, he unlocks my door first, then walks around to the driver’s side. He still looks unhappy when he climbs up into the driver’s seat. Without a word, he starts the engine and backs out of the parking space into the road.

Would it be wrong of me to ask what happened to him? I don’t know the proper etiquette in a situation like this. Would that be rude? I’m curious about him, and I want to know more, but I don’t want to offend him or make him uncomfortable.

“Are you okay to drive?” I ask, instead of what I really want to ask—what happened to you?

He side-eyes me. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You drank a beer.”

He chuckles. “It was just one. I assure you, I’m fine to drive.”

“Okay. I was just asking. Thanks for the tour and for introducing me to your friends.”

He nods. “No problem. And they’re Hannah’s friends, not mine.”

“I don’t know about that. They seemed to like you well enough. I’ll be placing some orders soon with Maggie and Jennie. When they’re ready, would you mind driving me into town to pick them up? Assuming the Jeep isn’t available yet.”

“Sure,” he says, sounding more than a little reluctant. “I’ll check on the Jeep. See if I can do anything to hurry it up.” He points down the road. “It’s at Micah’s Auto Repair, which is half a mile down the road.”

“Thanks.” Unfortunately, I can’t help feeling like he’s only too eager to be rid of me.

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