Page 9 of Lady Luck's Kiss
Grinning, he thought about how stupid the other guys would say that was. Stupid and poetic like some lovesick fool. Stretching his legs, he tried to work the muscles that were clenching in his body and glad he was considering hanging up his spurs. Tonight’s events would hurt and be felt tomorrow.
After the rodeo, usually the guys would take off and have fun down at the local bar. This arena, however, sported a large barn-like building that was dedicated to catering events and such. So, this evening’s escapade would be held in the dance hall instead of a drunken watering hole.
Most times, Jack avoided going out with the younger guys, instead opting for relieving some of the aches and pains he was susceptible to. Tonight, he considered heading home but part ofhim was curious if the enchanting and mysterious Charlie would be there.
Crossing the field, he could hear the music from outside the dance hall and see that the entertainment was in full swing. Entering the room, he shook several hands that were extended towards him and moved through the crowd, searching for her, the woman that had preoccupied his mind all evening long.
Couples swung around the wooden plank floor to the music and some gathered around a few barrels that were set off to the side to serve as tables. It wasn’t as rustic as it appeared. The barrels had glass tops, and everything was polished until it shined.
Making his way through the crowd, he glided around hoping to catch a glimpse of her plaited hair. He thought, for one moment, he had spotted her in the throng of people but, thankfully, the woman turned just before he tapped on her shoulder revealing that it was someone else. Grabbing a beer from the bar, he turned around and stood there eyeing the room and feeling like the greatest optimistic fool ever.
… Until he saw her.
The braids were gone and in their place was a cascading length of hair down past her shoulders. Each wavy lock looked to be sun-kissed by the dim lighting provided by the wagon wheel chandelier above her. He knew it was her by the way she turned just barely, and he saw the outline of her face and… those lips.
People would die for those lips. Caesar knew it the moment he laid eyes on Cleopatra. Cities fell for Helen of Troy. Songs were written for hundreds of women over the years that had captured a man’s fascination with one simple thing that was cataclysmic… and for him? It wasthosered lips.
Jack swallowed.
6
CHARLIE
Charlie wasn’t sure why she let Beth talk her into going to the dance hall instead of heading home. The boots were starting to pinch her toes and, honestly, after her bout of anxiety in the restroom, she wasn’t feeling so fresh. Chewing gum and rinsing her mouth after being sick wasn’t doing the trick.
She wanted her dental floss.
And Listerine.
The hall was gorgeous. Dim lightbulbs that flickered like candlelight were on each wagon wheel suspended from the ceiling. The wood plank floors appeared like they had been salvaged from a barn and sanded down, giving it a down home look. It was crowded, but not overly so. Beth was more interested in seeing what was going on and was hoping she could meet a guy.
Charlie just wanted a Dr. Pepper.
She was done with beer for the night… or maybe for life.
“You look like a kid with these!” Beth exclaimed, waving Charlie’s braids around. “A wittle-itty-bitty kiddo!”
“Stop that, Beth. You know it’s a lot easier to keep it up than it is to run around with it down.”
“Why? Because of tangles?”
“Yes, that and it gets hot.”
“Lop it off, my dear Watson!” She hollered back over the music and patted her own hair.
Beth had a long braid with a wide swath of bleached hair that looked adorable on her but was never going to be attempted on her own hair. Beth called it her ‘wild skunk streak’. It was wild all right… just like her friend.
Charlie liked having her hair a decent length and a decent color. It made her feel feminine, girly, and she needed that feeling on days when she was up to her elbows in oil and grease. She shook her head - minus any smile in that moment.
“Party pooper!!” Beth cried and pulled a rubber band off the bottom of the braid she was holding. Stretching it quickly between her fingers, she shot it over the heads of other dancers into the air.
“What’d you do that for!”
“Live a little and relax!”
Sighing, Charlie unwound the braid and shook out the wavy hair. She unwound the other braid, intending to put it in a single braid when the rubber band snapped in her hand. Groaning in frustration, she saw Beth’s eyebrows wiggle in a silent taunt and sighed.
Beth had won this round.
