Page 5 of Cowboy's Last Stand
Natalie felt Jason’s body tense beside her.The storm was about to break.She moved in front of him in an attempt to recapture his attention.“Listen to me,” she said in a low voice.“You can’t let him goad you into a fight.”
“Why not?I’ll win.”
She placed a hand on his shoulder because he was still focused on Billy.“His uncle owns this bar.And his dad is the sheriff.”
Jason didn’t appear swayed by this information.He looked tempted to unleash on Billy, regardless of the consequences.She wondered if he was a man who enjoyed using his fists.He didn’t strike her as an indiscriminate bruiser, but he hadn’t come here to drink or pick up women.Maybe he was some kind of cowboy vigilante.She sensed an undercurrent of danger in him, a capacity for violence.
“Leave him,” Natalie said.“He’s not worth it.”
Jason’s gaze returned to hers, and he gave a reluctant nod of agreement.Natalie squeezed his arm, grateful for the sensible reaction.She also felt a little thrill at the contact because the man was solid muscle.Then she heard Billy’s chair clatter to the ground, and her heart sank.A glance over her shoulder revealed that Billy had leaped to his feet.
Ugh.What a fool.
Billy spread his hands wide and lifted his chin in challenge.If he meant to appear intimidating, he missed his mark.He was a stocky young man, soft around the middle and unimpressive in build.His cheeks were mottled red, like a little boy in the throes of a temper tantrum.Jason was a head taller, with the rangy, broad-shouldered form of a dedicated athlete.They were not an even match.
Billy’s throat worked as he swallowed.He might have realized his mistake, but he couldn’t back down without losing face in front of his friends.Jason didn’t back down either.He stayed as still as a cougar waiting to pounce on prey.One of the college girls emerged from the bathroom.Everyone in the bar went quiet.
Natalie stepped out of the way because she wasn’t going to risk injury to prevent two knuckleheads from fighting.Her irritation mounted as she imagined the property destruction.If the new decorations got damaged, there’d be hell to pay.
She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for disaster to unfold.
Billy rushed forward with his fists raised and his neck bobbing like a chicken pecking at feed.Jason’s brow furrowed with confusion rather than alarm.In the next instant, Billy’s motorcycle boot skidded in the puddle of spilled beer.His feet slipped out from underneath him, his arms flailed out to his sides, and he went down hard on his butt.
Natalie gasped at the spectacle Billy had created.It was the pinnacle of poetic justice.Hoisted by his own petard, even.
Billy appeared stunned, as if the impact had knocked the wind out of him.He rolled onto his side, wheezing.The seat of his jeans was soaked.Natalie clapped a hand over her mouth to smother a giggle.The blonde in the denim skirt elbowed her friend, who sputtered with laughter.The Stoddard brothers guffawed and pointed.
Everyone in the bar had witnessed Billy’s big flop, and it was exactly what he deserved for acting like a jackass.Billy scrambled upright, red-faced.Instead of adopting another aggressive stance, he cut his losses and returned to his seat.
The opportunity for violence had passed.Jason stayed quiet, letting the tension fade.Billy didn’t glance in his direction again.
“You’re lucky nothing got damaged but his pride,” Natalie said.
“He’s lucky,” Jason replied.“I would’ve been fine.”
“I was talking about the decor.”She gestured to the photos on the wall.“I’m partial to these prints.”
His lips quirked into a smile.“Of course.I apologize for the disturbance.”
Natalie smiled back at him.“Thanks for the help.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“Your drink is on the house.”
“I’d rather have your phone number.”
The regret she felt was palpable, a breathing, aching thing.“I’m sorry,” she said softly.“I don’t want to lead you on.”
He studied her face for several taut seconds.Then he gestured to the jukebox.“What’s your favorite song?”
She named a country ballad she’d danced to at her wedding.Jason went to the jukebox and selected it.The wistful love song started playing.She closed her eyes, awash with memories.Then she pushed aside her heartache and continued doing her job.Jason stood by the jukebox like a sentry, his arms folded over his chest.His posture and expression sent the message that Billy better not make another move.Billy stayed in his seat.Natalie finished cleaning up his mess before returning to her station.
When the song was over, Jason returned to his barstool.He threw some bills on the surface of the bar, gathered his backpack, and nodded a curt farewell.Then he walked out the door without looking back.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur.Customers came and went.Billy bragged about how he would have “mopped the floor with that guy,” which was ridiculous.He’d mopped the floor with his own ass.She rolled her eyes in disbelief.
“Sorry about your new boyfriend,” Billy said to Natalie.“I guess hetook a hike.”
