Last Chance Texas, page 8
Nathan drummed his fingers on the bar nervously at Kelsey’s reflection about her aunt. He’d neglected to tell Kelsey that Mimi had a less than stellar reputation. No telling what people might tell her about Mimi once she left the stage.
Like the other song, he recognized this one too. Could I have this Dance? Several couples held hands as she continued singing. He suspected the older people in the room remembered the tune from their wedding receptions.
Once again as the song ended, the audience cheered wildly.
As Kelsey walked back to her seat, several men motioned her to sit at their table, but she ignored them. Within a minute she was seated next to Meredith and Rachel. There were several empty seats next to them, and that’s when Nathan put it all together.
This was a set up, and Jake was responsible.
“Order me another drink, will you, buddy?” Jake was holding up the glass now and suddenly shoved it into Nathan’s hand.
“Nope. I’m outa here.”
“Come on, Nathan. She can’t even see you. One more drink and then we’ll split.” Jake put out an arm, blocking his exit. “Just one more. Then we’ll go. Promise.”
Jerking his arm free, Nathan pulled a stogie from his pocket. “You stay here if you’d like. I’m going outside for a smoke.”
~ ~ ~
Kelsey had barely sat down when Rachel grabbed her by the arm. “Hey, Kels. Let’s go over to the bar and order the next round. It’s probably quicker. This waitress is slow as heck.” Rachel jumped to her feet, dragging Kelsey right along with here. “You stay here and watch the table, Mere. We’ll be right back.”
Rachel skillfully maneuvered her way through the crowd and within seconds they’d made it to the bar. When Kelsey noticed Jake Crenshaw standing at the bar, she grimaced.
“Hey Dallas, Kelsey. Fancy meeting you here!” Jake motioned the women over and winked at Rachel. As Kelsey studied the nonchalant expression on Rachel’s face, she realized her friend wasn’t at all surprised to see him.
It wasn’t until she looked to her left that she noticed him. Nathan stood rigidly, fists clenched as their gazes locked. Judging by the scowl on his face, he was just about as pleased to see Kelsey as she was him. This was clearly a setup.
“You never told me Nathan would be here.” Kelsey hissed out the words as she glared angrily at the latest person to betray her.
The only consolation was that Nathan’s eyes clouded as the distance between them closed. Clearly, he had nothing to do with this.
“Nathan, look who’s here. Hey, Kelsey.” Jake was gushing so profusely she wanted to shoot him on the spot.
Ignoring her, Jake scooped Rachel into his arms, lifted her into the air and gave her an enormous bear hug. When Rachel let out a squeal that would have awakened a pack of sleeping coyotes, Kelsey groaned.
She wondered how long Nathan had been here. Long enough to have heard her sing? She had no way of knowing whether or not he’d been there when she’d gushed on about Mimi like that.
“Hey, there, guys. Imagine running into you like this. What a coincidence. Isn’t this a crazy coincidence, Kelsey?” Rachel deserved an Oscar for the amazing performance she gave. Her mouth curved into a perfect O as she stared dumbfounded at Jake and Nathan. “Well, since we’re all here, why don’t y’all join us?”
“I’m going back to join Meredith. No use making her sit all by herself.” Kelsey started to leave, but stopped when Nathan removed his hat.
Dipping his head slightly, he spoke. “Nice seeing you again, Kelsey. I was just on my way out.”
Judging by the way he was working his jaw, clenching his teeth together and then swallowing, Nathan was apparently as shocked at seeing her as she was him.
When she saw the look of total frustration on Nathan’s face, she decided to smooth over what had become an extremely awkward situation. “I gather you didn’t know about this little arrangement either.”
“No.” His steel gray eyes pierced her as he added, “although I suspect I’m not half as pissed off as you are right now.”
The man was honest to a fault.
“Well, I can see you two have some catching up to do.” Rachel grabbed Jake’s arm, leading him away while Kelsey stood awkwardly, unable to think of what to do next.
“Hey, lady. You got a pretty darn good singing voice.” An elderly man who’d obviously had too much to drink staggered over to where she stood. “Wanna dance?”
Nathan reached over, grabbing the man’s arm, keeping distance between Kelsey and the stranger. “Don’t even think about it. She’s spoken for.”
As awkward as it was, Kelsey felt herself smile. It was almost like watching a rerun of those old westerns where the hero protects the damsel in distress. By now Nathan had draped an arm across her shoulder, shielding her from the inebriated patron.
Nathan stood about six, four, and with those broad shoulders and muscled body, he was no doubt a force to be reckoned with. The man quickly slithered away, blending into the crowd.
“Guess he got the point.” After she said it, Nathan nodded.
He quickly dropped his arm from around her shoulder, as though just now realizing she hadn’t really asked for protection. “Guess he did at that. I’ll just wait outside for Jake. Tell him to take his time. I’ll go for a walk or something.”
It wasn’t until Nathan moved toward the door that she realized how ridiculous this was. “This is silly. Today’s been a crazy day. The girls and I will be heading back to Dallas in a couple of days. We may as well enjoy our time here. You’re more than welcome to join us, Nathan. I mean it.”
“No, I, umm, you probably . . .” he appeared to be at a loss for words now, as though perhaps wanting to accept her invitation but needing reassurance.
The man smacked of insecurity. He needed her to beg.
“Nathan, really. Come join us. I want you to.”
They stared at one another for several seconds, and she decided that one thing Nathan probably excelled at was reading people; figuring out their motives. She couldn’t take her eyes off him, and she found herself sincerely hoping Nathan would agree to join them. She definitely didn’t want him to leave. As they kept their gazes locked, he finally smiled, albeit weakly.
When he nodded and began following her to the table, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She’d known this man less than twenty-four hours and already keeping him at arm’s length was proving more difficult by the minute. There was something about him that drew her in and if she wasn’t careful, he’d screw up her plans.
Kelsey quickly shrugged off the notion that a man she barely knew could change her mind about something this important. She’d stick to her original decision to sell off Aunt Mimi’s property and use the proceeds to undergo in vitro. The goal from the very beginning had been to have a child without entering into a relationship. One divorce under her belt was quite enough. She’d be a single mom without the baggage of a relationship. That’s how she wanted it; that’s how it would be.
Then why in the world are you inviting the guy to sit with you?
~ ~ ~
To Nathan’s relief, Kelsey appeared at ease with him, in spite of the fact she’d turned him down for a date only hours earlier. They sat across the table from one another, and as he watched her lean back, laughing at a joke Meredith had told, Nathan decided that no matter how Kelsey Malone felt about him, he definitely liked her. She made him laugh; made him poke fun at himself.
“You’re awfully quiet over there.” Kelsey threw him a teasing glance; her eyes crinkling at the corners as she tilted her head to one said and scrunched up her face into what looked like a fake pout. “If you’ve got another minister, priest, rabbi joke, now would be as good a time as any to give it a whirl.”
She was referring, of course, to the string of stupid jokes Jake had forced them to endure.
“No, no. I’m not much of a comedian, I’m afraid.” The comment flew out of Nathan’s mouth before he realized. When everyone at the table nodded in agreement, he wished he’d kept his mouth shut.
“Damn straight!” Jake laughed so hard he snorted.
At least I don’t bore people with jokes recycled a million times.
“Say, Nathan, Jake told me you went to A & M. Got any Aggie jokes?” Rachel looked expectantly at him, as though certain he’d think of one.
Nathan quickly picked up his beer and took a swig, aware everyone was still looking at him. He didn’t cotton to this much attention and wished everyone wasn’t staring at him.
Kelsey appeared to be studying him now, an odd expression on her face; kind of a cross between amusement and worry. He felt so out of place he almost regretted agreeing to stay.
When the disc jockey started a familiar tune, Jake grabbed Rachel by the hand and led her to the dance floor. Meredith walked over to the bar to order a drink. It was just him and Kelsey now.
She smiled over at him and pointed toward the dance floor. “Don’t suppose there’s a chance you know the Texas Two Step?”
When he didn’t respond, she picked up her beer, gingerly took a sip, and slowly set the mug down. When she slowly ran her tongue across her top lip to get off the excess foam, he nearly came undone. Her dark eyes glistened under the lights of the room and this time, he couldn’t really describe the look she was giving him.
You’re one sexy woman.
It’d been years since he’d danced, but he figured now was as good a time as any to see if he still had it in him.
“It’s been a while, but what the heck. Let’s give it a shot.” The voice that uttered those words had to be someone else’s. Yes, someone had sneaked into the Blue Depot and performed a lobotomy on him without his knowledge.
Have you completely lost your mind? Have you told her about your two left feet?
“I’m in!” Kelsey shot out of her seat like a cannon, no doubt eager to actually see him in action.
Before he realized what was happening, she’d pulled the two of them out onto the tiny, crowded dance floor. The place was packed, and he suspected she might change her mind since every square inch of the floor seemed occupied. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Kelsey gripped his hand tightly, winding her way through several people, maneuvering both of them with great skill. Several people nodded at her, as though they remembered this was the woman who’d been on the karaoke stage an hour ago. When several of them parted to let her pass, Nathan fell into step with her.
When he placed an arm about the small of her back, she moved closer. To his relief, when he held out the other hand, she quickly linked her fingers through his. Her skin felt unbelievably smooth, and he regretted never taking the time to put something on those callouses of his.
But when he moved closer, she didn’t lay her head against his chest like he’d hoped she would. They were close enough, just barely, to give one of them an opportunity to make that happen. When she kept her thick, curly hair an inch or so from his body, he took the hint. They’d both be keeping a safe distance from one another.
At some point, he’d have to tell her about his plans to keep Mimi’s land. Even if she never decided to claim it, he’d have to tell her. He owed her that much.
Time was running out. He needed to level with Kelsey. But not just yet. Later. Because right now the only thing he could think of was holding Kelsey Malone in his arms and dancing the night away.
~ ~ ~
Kelsey glanced past Nathan’s broad shoulders, her eyes focused on the bar as the two of them slow danced. The music had switched to a mellow tune, and she was aware that Nathan’s grip on her had tightened. She found making eye contact with him more difficult now.
She’d memorized the way he looked, from the deep blue chambray shirt he wore that perfectly matched his eyes, down to the dark blue, creased, snug fitting jeans.
“You okay?” His husky voice startled her and she quickly glanced up at him.
“Of course.”
When she didn’t add anything to the comment, he loosened his grip on her, as though aware she felt uncomfortable.
Actually, scared was a more accurate term. Scared to death of the way this man made her feel.
The music stopped and Nathan slid his hands down her back, before releasing her. But even as they made their way back to the table, the heat of his touch lingered.
She stopped so suddenly, Nathan plowed into her. He instinctively placed his strong arms about her, as though trying to make sure he hadn’t hurt her when their bodies collided.
“You all right?” He asked that question a lot, each time, choosing a different way to say it.
“How about we go over to the bar and get a drink?”
She wondered if she was being too forward, if Nathan would think she was more interested in him than she really was.
Whatever that truly meant was anyone’s guess.
But she wanted to get to know him better. And if this West Texas cowboy thought her too forward, tough.
“Sounds like a plan.” He placed an arm about her, pulling her tightly against him. “Sure beats listening to those preacher, priest, and rabbi jokes Jake tells.”
Actually it was minister, not preacher, but the comment made her laugh. She liked Nathan’s sardonic sense of humor a lot. For the incredibly short amount of time the two of them had known each other, Kelsey felt a sense of familiarity with him.
They pushed past the throng of people lining the bar. Nathan had little problem elbowing his way past the bar patrons, thanks to his six foot four, or whatever it was, frame. Within a minute, they’d reached the bar to place their drink orders.
“What’s your pleasure?” Nathan’s way of asking her what she preferred to drink was a bit old school but it amused her.
“A light beer.”
“Sure thing.” He smiled at her as she spoke and placed the order. Minutes later the bartender handed them their drinks.
“How about we take our drinks out on the patio?” As practical an idea as it was, to wind their way outside with the drinks and enjoy the cool, evening air, she panicked. Her mind raced back to the time they’d spent at his clinic earlier. Although she’d had absolutely no intention of letting this man so much as touch her, in a matter of minutes she’d completely let down her guard with him.
Nathan Wainwright came across as a fairly naïve, country fellow, but she suspected, deep beneath that good ‘ole boy exterior of his lurked a man who’d like to continue where they’d left off at the clinic.
So why wasn’t she stopping him?
~ ~ ~
Nathan checked his watch: twelve-thirty. If they stayed at the bar much longer, they’d close the place down. Although he’d be putting in a full day of rounds tomorrow, he felt amazingly refreshed. Of course, Kelsey had something to do with that. He’d switched his drink to ice water, as had Kelsey. The two of them had spent the last hour and a half out on the patio, talking about everything from jobs to art. As women went, she was easy to talk to. And of course, she was an amazing listener.
He’d already made the decision to tell her about the land tomorrow. She’d leave on Sunday, so that would give them plenty of time to discuss what would become of the property. And then she’d either kick him to the curb, or try and work out a compromise.
“We’ve been out here quite a while, Kelsey. We’d probably better head back in.”
A lazy smile crept across her face as she nodded and then handed back the jacket he’d loaned her.
Instinctively he placed his hand across the small of her back and guided her back inside. When he saw the haze of smoke filtering across the bar, he realized he never had gotten around to having that smoke.
The two of them made their way back over to the table and took their places. Jake sat slumped down, his arm draped across Rachel’s back. The guy did everything so casually. When Rachel laid her head against Jake, his lips brushing against her hair, she murmured something no one else could hear. She closed her eyes, a look that could only be described as dreamy sweeping across her face.
Rachel was apparently a much easier sell than Kelsey.
Jake suddenly pulled Rachel closer to him. “Looks like someone’s getting sleepy. Guess we better let you girls go home. Rachel and I plan on having breakfast together, don’t we?”
When she smiled weakly, Jake pulled her even closer, if that was humanly possible.
Nathan leaned back in his chair, wishing he was half as smooth as Jake. But he wasn’t. And truthfully, he doubted Kelsey would put up with a clown like that.
Meredith was the first to jump to her feet. As she did, Nathan punched Jake in the arm, motioning him to stand.
Within a minute the bill had been settled. Kelsey made a move toward the door and Nathan quickly followed her. She stopped suddenly and turned to face him. In spite of how late it was, she looked surprisingly refreshed. Her eyes sparkled under the soft lighting surrounding the bar. Once again, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
He wanted nothing more than to see her again. Particularly since they had some unfinished business to settle. On several accounts.
But he’d been burned once. Getting to spend the entire evening with her had been a rare treat, but he wouldn’t push his luck. He wouldn’t take a chance at being turned down again.
