Page 47 of Soldier Cowboy
“Yes, I started with pineapple juice, orange, added the rums, both light and dark and grenadine.”
No wonder Jennifer found this punch dangerously easy to drink.
“But did you get the right ratio of juice to rum?” Beulah said. “It’s there in the recipe book.”
After some discussion between the ladies, it became clear that Clementine had put too much rum in the mix. Aboutthree timestoo much.
“Oh dear.” Clementine raised a hand to her throat, grimacing.
“That’s it, Clementine! You will never make the punch for the Ladies of SORROW meetings again.” Beulah shook a finger.
Jennifer heard many voices then, all arguing over who should make the punch next time.
“This is what happens when we veer from our rules. First, we let a man of Stone Ridge inside our quarters. And next we get his fiancée drunk,” Beulah said.
“You can’t blame this on Colton!” Delores shouted.
Colton took the empty cup from Jennifer’s hand and hauled her up. “I’m taking her home. Looks like you’ve done your damage.”
“Oh, Colton, we’re so sorry,” Beulah said. “Clementine didn’t mean it. She’s got to have her eyes checked again. When was your last exam at the optometrist?”
“I guess I’m due,” Clementine said, sounding miserable.
“Please don’t feel bad,” Jennifer said, reaching to hug Clementine. “It was a simple mistake to make. And the punch was really, really, really good.”
Bonnie Lee opened the door for them. “We’ll see you two soon. Get her home and pump her with plenty of water and she’ll be fine within a few hours or so.”
“You’re so pretty,” Jennifer said, hugging Bonnie Lee. “And I love you.”
“Oh, honey. I love you, too,” Bonnie said. “I can’t wait for you to be my sister-in-law.”
“That’s right!” Jennifer swayed and pointed to Bonnie. “But not really because I’m—”
“We have to go.” Colton pulled on her arm and walked her to the truck. “You don’t want to get sick here.”
Jennifer’s hand flew up over her mouth. She’d almost blown their cover. Colton would be mad after all this work. They were in deep now. Plus, now she wanted to make Chernobyl or Cheryl or whatever her name was feel super bad about what she’d done to Colton. It was bad enough to break up via email but then she went off with his best friend?
On the ride home, Colton drove slowly, looking concerned about the interior of his truck (leather) and kept asking her if he should pull over. He obviously thought she might puke. But Jennifer didn’t feel sick in the slightest. She was, however, highly emotional, which was how alcohol tended to affect her. Her inhibitions lowered, she could no longer bite down on the tears threatening.
Colton was being so nice, and he deserved all the happiness in the world after what he’d been through. Some people really sucked. Like Cherywinkle, or whatever her name was.
“You’re so nice. I’m sorry about your girlfriend and your best friend. That’s horrible.”
He quickly glanced from the road to her. “Who told you about that?”
“I overheard them talking about how she dumped you for your best friend. You didn’t mention that part.”
“It’s ancient history.” He scowled.
“Friends should never do that to friends. He was a shitty friend.”
“Yeah, he was. An opportunist.”
“Now Ireallywant to make her jealous.”
“You will, without even trying.” Colton chuckled, shaking his head.
She didn’t know what that meant, but she was definitely going to put an effort into this one way or another. Poor, poor Colton.
