Page 72 of The Devil in Blue Jeans
Her gaze fell to Hannah, being hugged by her friend. Charly offered a small smile of comfort before she walked away.
“We need to get to the airport,” Jaxon said, twining his fingers with hers.
...and motivation to live our lives to the fullest, stayed on Charly’s mind as she went to the airport with her parents. They parted ways in the terminals as they took their flight to Ann Arbor, and she and Jaxon took their flight home.
By the time she was seated on the plane, she felt those words said by the clergyman resonate inside her. She would do exactly what he said—she wouldlive.
The flight home was exhausting, and by the time they arrived at the bar, she thought she should have gone home. But the moment she walked into the bar and was hit by a wave of noise and energy, she awakened. The bar felt electric, filled with laughter, chatter and life.
As the door shut behind them, Willow, who stood on stage, asked the crowd, “Tonight we are playing the Battle of the Sexes. Each game will be a series of skill-based challenges. Participants will compete in arm wrestling, darts, a dance-off and beer pong.”
The crowd roared in approval, and Charly breathed in the excitement in the air, needing this more than anything. Around her were women and men, some cowboys, some not, but everyone was happy and that filled all the cold spots in her soul from the funeral with heady warmth.
She moved toward the bar where Gunner and Eli were sitting on stools, with Aubrey behind the bar.
Aubrey caught sight of her and moved to her in an instant. “Thank goodness you’re back,” she breathed, throwing her arms around Charly tight. After being thoroughly squished to death by her hug, Charly felt right where she belonged. Aubrey glanced over Charly’s face thoroughly before she said, “It’s been a very long day for you. Are you sure you want to be here tonight?”
She nodded. “Honestly, this is exactly where I want to be right now.” She needed love—and Willow and Aubrey were her people. The women who had seen her through all the good times and hard times in her life.
“Come sit down and I’ll get you both some drinks. You both look like you need one,” Aubrey said. The long embrace she gave Jaxon let her know that she’d forgiven him for his misgivings and he’d been accepted into their little family.
Gunner rose. “I’m sorry to hear of your loss, Charly.” He offered her a hug, as did Eli.
“Thanks,” Charly said, taking a seat on the empty stool. “I appreciate it.”
Aubrey poured two beers, and dropped them in front of them before making her way to a customer at the end of the bar.
Charly grabbed her beer and chugged it, attempting to ease the weariness of the day, as Jaxon pulled up a stool next to her. He tugged her in between his legs as they watched the game go on amidst laughter in the crowd.
It wasn’t until Jaxon hugged her from behind that she realized the game had ended with the ladies declared the winners, while she’d been drinking her beer absentmindedly. Gunner’s melodic voice suddenly filled the room, the crowd now filling up the dance floor. Exhaustion suddenly sank into her, reminding her she probably should have gone home.
“You’re home.”
She blinked into focus, finding a teary-eyed Willow in front of her. “I’m home.” And it occurred to her that she felt more at home in Timber Falls than she’d ever felt in her life. “I missed you.”
Willow gave her a warm smile, opening her arms. “I missed you too.” She threw herself around Charly, holding on tight. “I wanted to be there with you.”
“You couldn’t have been. You had to be here,” Charly said, pulling away from Willow’s embrace. “Besides, you were there anyway. In here.” She placed her hand over her heart. “Always in here.”
“Don’t you know it,” Willow said. She kissed Charly’s cheek then added, “I better go help Aubrey.”
“Do you need my help?” Charly asked.
“Gosh, no, you go rest,” Willow said firmly, leaving no room for argument. “Breakfast tomorrow at the Sparrow?”
Charly smiled, knowing she had a million questions she’d have to answer. “Always.”
After Willow waved goodbye to Jaxon, he wrapped his arms around her again from behind, pulling her tight against his chest. “Ready to leave?” he asked.
The crowd cheered as the band began playing a slow song and Gunner’s warm gravelly voice spread throughout the bar. Charly set down her empty bottle, stood up and clutched his hands. She wanted to end this night with a happy memory. “One dance first, then we’ll go,” she said with a smile.
“That we can do.” He took her onto the dance floor and they swayed together under the dim lights.
She rested her head against his chest with one of his hands resting on her back, the other lower on her bottom. The air was infused with his woodsy scent and she melted into him.
Until he tucked a finger under her chin and then she met emotion-packed eyes. She’d seen Jaxon be many things before—many sexy,sexythings—but nothing compared to him now. His gaze seemed determined and decided as he stepped closer to her.
Her breath caught in her throat when he smiled warmly at her, and the crowd slowly faded from around her.
