Page 4 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“Thank you.”
“You decorated?”
“I picked out a few things.”
“You have a good eye.”
She nodded at the praise.It felt nice to be admired for something other than her looks.Customers tended to offer the same tired compliments.
“What are you doing after this?”
Her smile faded.Although she’d fielded this question from men before, she was still caught off guard by it.She was caught off guard byhimand the temptation he presented.She’d never had the slightest urge to hook up with a stranger.She rejected guys like Billy left and right.Jason was ten times hotter than the average customer, but she couldn’t go out with him.So Natalie gave him her stock answer: “I’m going home to my son.”
Jason didn’t seem surprised by this news.It was almost as if he’d expected her to say no.“How old is he?”
“Five.”
A crash of broken glass sounded on the other side of the bar.Billy had knocked a bottle off the edge of the table with his cue.The college girls he’d been trying to impress giggled behind their hands as they walked away.They appeared to be laughing at him rather than with him, which didn’t bode well.
Natalie let out a groan of dismay.She grabbed her mini-broom and dustpan.
“Is that guy bothering you?”Jason asked.
“He can be a nuisance.”
“You need some help?”
“Absolutely not,” she said and meant it.The last thing she wanted was a confrontation that Billy would turn into a barroom brawl.She went to sweep up his mess, aware of the stranger’s eyes on her.
Billy was aware of it too.He moved closer to speak with her.“You’ve been flirting with that hiker all night.”
“It’s none of your business,” she said in an even tone.
As she swept the glass into a neat pile, Billy shoved another bottle off the table.It spilled across the floor in a long arc.“Oops,” he said, his lip curled.“Better fetch me another.”
Natalie gritted her teeth in annoyance as Billy returned to his seat.She longed to dump the pile of glass in his lap or pour the remainder of the beer over his stupid head.Although he deserved it, she didn’t retaliate.She needed this job to make ends meet, and it wasn’t wise to escalate him.Billy was a mean drunk with poor impulse control.She looked around for someone to escort him outside.
The bar’s owner, Buster Hendricks, doubled as a bouncer when the need arose.He was also Billy’s uncle, and he wasn’t afraid to throw Billy out.But Buster wasn’t in his usual spot, and her glance toward the bar didn’t go unnoticed.Jason seemed to think she was requesting his assistance.He rose from his barstool and headed her way.
Damn it.
Billy bristled with anticipation, and Natalie’s stomach filled with dread.She expected Jason to make a beeline for Billy, maybe grab him by the collar and yank him to his feet.Billy needed to be taught some manners, but she doubted they’d take.
Instead of starting a brawl, Jason crouched down beside her.He retrieved a stray piece of glass with his bare hand and tossed it on the pile.
Natalie let out a slow breath of appreciation.This cowboy was a class act.His demonstration of kindness and solidarity spoke volumes.It reminded her there were good men in the world, men who respected women.At the same time, she knew Jason’s public show of support would enrage Billy.
“Are you looking for work, man?”Billy called out.“Down on your luck?”
“Ignore him,” Natalie whispered.“Please.”
Jason didn’t heed her advice.He rose to his feet, eyes narrowed.Natalie abandoned the pile of glass and stood with him.
“I heard they need a janitor at the Chicken Hut,” Billy said.
“Why don’t you clean up your own mess?”Jason replied.
Billy donned his signature sneer.“Because I like to watch her do it.She looks so pretty on her knees.”
