Page 20 of Country Contract

Reaching forward, I grab the knob and work to make it turn, except it doesn’t budge. Mother fucker locked me out. He locked me out after I stopped everything I was doing to come over here to help him.

The Draft has been here for a long time; the old metal door had seen better days, and the rusted edges were catching more and more. The rubber runner at the bottom had rotted and chipped away, breaking any kind of waterproof seal, so whenever we’d have heavy rain, it would flood into the back of the bar. Installing this thing was a two-man job. The old door seemed heavy, but this new door was as heavy as one of my girls, and each adjustment caused my arms and back to ache. Once it was installed, we had to make a few adjustments at the bottom to get the seal we needed without it catching so Silas could open it with ease for deliveries.

“Open the damn door!”

I’m met with silence. Letting out a heavy sigh, I make my way around the building to the front. If he locked the front door too, I’ll break a window to get in. My keys and tools are inside. Silas and I both hit thirty, but that doesn’t mean we stopped playing games and having a good time.We’re both responsible adults when we have to be, and when we don’t have to, we don’t make the other person feel guilty about it.

I pass the dumpster and turn the corner onto the sidewalk, causing a woman to startle.

“Holy shit!” she whisper-yells after a loud gasp. Taking a step back, I put my hands up in surrender, not knowing if this lady has pepper spray or something. A man coming out from behind a dumpster is scary for anyone, even in our small town. I blink a few times before taking her in. She’s definitely new around here; I would recognize this girl if I’d seen her before.

She’s almost as tall as me, and that’s saying something since I’m over six feet tall. She has this creamy light skin with a lovely yellow undertone. It reminds me a little of French vanilla ice cream. She looks icy, too. Her skin stands out in stark contrast to her long, black hair that is twisted into some kind of braid I’ve never seen before.

Dressed in black jeans, black boots, and a long, black, cloak-like sweater, she looks like a modern witch. Black eyes are framed by full lashes. As stunning as this girl is, she is the opposite of my type. She’s tall and thin, with a dark and sinister aura.

She shifts her gaze to meet mine and blinks a few times.

“Easy, little witch, I mean no harm.” I joke and shrug playfully.

I watch as her shoulders relax a pinch before she rolls her head to the side as if releasing the tension in her neck.

“I should hex you after a scaring me like that,” she spits out quickly, before turning and walking into the bar.

Damn, she’s hot in that untouchable, domineering kind of way. Her words were so crisp and articulate, I know she can’t be from around here. Maybe she’s from the city,paying a visit. Then I remember that it’s the offseason and a Tuesday. Family in town? This girl is a real-life sorceress, that sinful goth girl fantasy that all men have but pretend they don’t.

She can tie me up and pour a little wax on me, I think for a moment and chuckle.

I take long strides up to the door of the bar and slip inside. Silas is already back at the bar, pouring drinks for some regulars and talking away. The little witch has seated herself at the bar where I usually sit. I’m leaving to head back to the farm to greet my new guest so she can have it. I wonder for a moment if she could be my guest, then think better of it. She has to be staying at the B and B. Farm life isn’t for this girl.

Walking over to the bar, I step around the back.

“Oh great, you work here. Can I have the menu?” Disapproval coats her tone. I could tell her I don’t work here, and that’s not how we talk to people in this town, but don’t. I just scared her a moment ago, and she’s got her hackles up. I walk over to the stack of papers next to the register. They’re plain cardstock with a menu and drink selection. There aren’t a lot of food selections here, just a small seasonal menu. The food is damn good, made by Silas and his sister. Right now, smoked brisket, seasoned stuffing, corn salad, and breakfast pot pie are on the menu.

Her long, delicate fingers take the simple menu from mine. I didn’t realize hands could be so attractive. Just like the rest of her, they’re slim, yet appealing. Her nails are pointed with the tips painted black. Her lashes flit as she blinks and looks up at me.

Can someone look down on you while looking up? She is.

A humming noise leaves her and the hairs on my arm stand at attention.

Did this girl really hex me?

“What do you want?” I ask.

“The customer service here is top-tier,” she quips.

“There’s a diner across the street, witch. Try the service over there.” Sharon is home already, so I know she won’t get the five-star service she’s looking for.

“You’re telling me to leave?” Her voice is husky and even.

“I’m telling you to pick what you want, not comment on the service.”

“The brisket and corn salad.” She lets out a huff and slides the paper back to me.

“To drink?”

“Water.” Her eyes hold me. I can’t move.

“Won’t you melt?” I joke. A smile almost appears, but it’s gone before I can see it.

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