Page 12 of Tied to Trouble

***

AFTER ACCOMPLISHINGhis mission, Az let himself wearily into the front door of the Golden G and headed for the liquor cabinet in the living room. The old stick-built home had been created during a time when families were expected to be large, with plenty of family members running around.

Improvements had been made since his great-grandparents' time with modern updates, but the bare bones of the old home were still as warm and welcoming as they had always been. Hardwood floors, the huge oak planks still hanging in the ceiling, and the stone fireplaces in most of the rooms for heating were all part of the yesteryear charm of the 1800s era.

Az loved the place, but he also intended to build his own home one day. The stone fireplace in the living room didn’t hold a fire, it was too warm this time of year. A 72-inch flatscreen television had been put above the fireplace, but nothing was on. The lights were low, so he automatically assumed his brothers were in their rooms or out at the barn.

Going straight to the liquor cabinet on the left side of the room, he took a bar glass from the glass cabinet above the small wooden bar, poured himself two fingers of tequila, and swallowed it. It went down with a slight burning sensation that was still soothing as he slid onto one of the three barstools, and his thoughts focused on the aggravating girl he’d just spanked.

He’d been furtively watching Mandy with Sam Pickering from behind the mirror over the bar all evening. Since the Saddle had become so popular in the last few years, Rusty Perkins, the owner, had replaced the regular mirror with a viewing mirror. It allowed him to observe the patrons and get a heads up when trouble was brewing. Being able to call the sheriff early had saved him a lot of money because repairs from brawls started by rowdy patrons were expensive. With the mirror, he didn’t have to ban anyone, and business was better than ever because his bar was safer.

Az knew Mandy was drinking too much too fast, even if the Mojitos were a mild drink. He’d also noted that she hadn’t eaten anything but a few french fries. And there was little doubt in his mind as to Sam Pickering’s intentions. No way was he letting that happen. He took another sip of his drink.

“Kind of late to be hitting the booze, isn’t it, little brother?”

He swung around to see the big, barrel-chested body of his oldest brother, Hugh, rise from a lounge chair in front of the fireplace and turn to face him. “Didn’t you get enough of that at the Saddle?”

“Only one reason a man drinks alone, and that’s a woman,” chuckled another deep voice. His other brother, Aaron, rose from another chair to join them.

“You’re right, Aaron, that has to be it,” Hugh agreed.

Az eyed the two men sourly and tossed back the rest of his tequila shot. They reminded him of Hoss and Little Joe Cartwright from the old TV series, Bonanza.

“Well...if it isn’t Little Joe and Hoss...in the flesh. Since you are both older than I am by four and two years, respectively, I don’t consider either of you experts on the subject of women.”

“Little Mandy giving you fits again?” Hugh’s warm blue eyes twinkled and danced as he joined Az at the bar and poured himself a drink.

“Look who’s talking,” Az jibed. “You can’t even hold onto a woman, let alone give advice.” He grinned at his brother’s scowl. “That must be why you’re both sitting here in the dark alone instead of out on a date on a Friday night.”

“We just haven’t found the right one yet,” Aaron assured him, joining him and Hugh at the bar.

It was uncanny how much Aaron’s teasing face and dark hair resembled Little Joe with more modern clothing.

Az’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? What about Anna? I thought you two were going to tie the knot for sure.” Az poured himself another drink. “Whatever happened to her?” he chided.

Aaron grinned. “Nah, it was never serious. Anna wouldn’t have been happy living on a ranch, she was a city girl.”

“And I just haven’t convinced Mary yet that she can’t live without me,” Hugh piped up.

“Yeah, right...it’s more likely you’re both running scared.” Az grinned derisively when the barb found a niche, and Hugh flushed.

“No, I’m afraid it’s Mary who is running scared,” he said glumly. “I asked her to marry me, but she hasn’t made up her mind yet.”

“Why not?” Az asked as he and Aaron both stared curiously at their older brother.

Hugh looked uncomfortable. “If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because I paddled her little butt a while back. She’s been kind of cool towards me ever since. Says she needs time to think.”

Being a typical dominant male, Aaron asked, “Why would that bother her? It’s just par for the course in a relationship.”

Az stared at him in amazement. “It is? Since when?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve never spanked Mandy’s butt,” Aaron taunted. “A girl as feisty as her?” He shook his head.

“Mandy and I are just friends.” Az flushed slightly, his throbbing hand denying the lie.

“You’ve been hovering over that little girl since you were kids,” Aaron replied scornfully. “Don’t bother telling me you aren’t in love with her. Damn, man—you always have been.”

Az scowled at him, tossed back his drink, and then set the glass on the bar. “Even if I were, I can’t think about marriage right now. Besides, she isn’t in love with me.” He stalked out of the room, leaving his brothers staring thoughtfully after him.

---