Page 108 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“He’s very… intense.”
“Intense is good.”
“We had an argument.”
“About what?”
Natalie tried to summarize the conflict with Jason.“He thinks I’m living in the past.”
Gail sipped her own tea, not commenting.
“He also thinks I should quit my second job.”
“Hmm.”
“I like working at the Night Owl.”
“I know.”
“I’m an independent woman,” Natalie said, feeling disgruntled.“I don’t need a man telling me what to do.”
“Of course not,” Gail said.
Natalie studied her friend’s face.“You agree with him.”
“No,” Gail said.“I’m on your side.”
“But?”
“There’s nothing wrong with having a second job,” Gail said in a careful tone.“You’ve got a son to take care of and bills to pay.I just think it’s your way of staying busy… and staying single.”
Natalie tilted her head to one side.“What do you mean?”
“Honey, I know how it feels to be alone.Long weekends are the worst.The nights go on forever.”
Natalie remembered the endless nights after Mike’s death, followed by nonstop invites from friends who wanted to get her out of the house or keep her company.Had she started working at the bar to escape her grief and solitude?To avoid social gatherings?Perhaps.As an added benefit, she had a ready-made excuse for not dating.She was never free on Friday or Saturday night.
Gail patted her hand.“I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“What do you think I should do?”
“About the job or the man?”
“Both.”
“Has he asked you to quit?”
“No.”
“Then don’t worry about it.Keep the job and the man.Maybe you’ll eventually decide that you’d rather spend your nights with him.”
Natalie finished her tea in silent contemplation.Gail was right.She didn’t have to plan her entire future this minute.She could continue working at the bar and continue seeing Jason.Like Jason always said, they didn’t have to agree on everything.
Alma, the reference librarian, came into the breakroom.Her eyes were bright, her hands fluttering with nervous energy.“There’s a good-looking cowboy out front,” she said.“He’s asking for you.”
Natalie’s brows rose in surprise.“Me?”
Alma smiled and nodded.Natalie exchanged a glance with Gail, who appeared delighted by this news.Natalie rose to her feet and smoothed her hair.Gail practically shoved her out of the breakroom into the main hall.
