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Back in myroom at the motel, I jumped in the shower to wash away the day but put my hair in a cap since it took a long time to dry. No ponytail tonight. I’d let it fall around my shoulders and down my back. I pulled on a pair of my most flattering skinny jeans and a tight-fitting purple sweater people always complimented me on whenever I wore it. I reapplied my makeup and was out the door in fifteen minutes flat. I guess I really wanted to go out. For a drink. Not because Caspian would be there.
Who was I kidding?
I walked the few blocks from the motel to the tavern. The rain had stopped, leaving clear skies. Weather was as fickle as a teenage girl around here. I breathed in the cool spring air, catching a whiff of grass and crabapple tree blossoms. A few stars twinkled above. Clear nights here were spectacular.
By the time I walked into the Bluefern Tavern I’d convinced myself that I was excited merely because of the chance to go out. With my work schedule, it didn’t happen often.
The Moon brothers and my girlfriends were at a big table in the back. Several pitchers of beer had already been ordered and from the looks of things, everyone was on their first mug.
In the corner, a one-man band played his guitar and sang seventies pop songs. Glad to be there, I took it all in for a moment. There was just something about a small-town bar.
Caspian saw me first and stood to motion me over to the table. The seat next to him was the only empty one. Which meant I had to sit there or risk being rude.
He remained standing until I arrived at the table and took the empty chair.
“You look really nice,” he said, dipping close to my ear.
He’d changed into jeans and a flannel shirt and looked darn nice himself. Even though he was an artistic chef through and through, a little cowboy made him even sexier.
“Thanks, I needed a shower after working all day,” I said, inches from him. Glancing around the table, I saw that everyone seemed occupied with their own conversations and were paying no attention to us.
“You smell nice.” Caspian grabbed a full pitcher of beer and poured me a mug.
“Not like grease?”
“No, not grease. May I get closer to give you a better assessment?”
“Yes, fine.” I held my breath as he drew ever nearer.
“I get rose and jasmine. There’s vanilla too. Yep. definitely some vanilla in there. I love vanilla.” He slammed the table with the palm of his hand and grinned flirtatiously. “I know what it is. You smell like a sun-drenched patio garden.”
A sun-drenched patio garden.My mouth and throat felt as if I’d just swallowed a teaspoon of flour. Had anyone ever said anything as sweet or made my pulse rival a hummingbird’s wings? “Such an evocative image,” I said, flirting back.
“What about me? Do I smell permanently of kitchen grease?” Caspian tugged at the collar of his shirt, revealing the hollow of his neck.
The urge to touch him strong, I placed my hands under the backs of my thighs. “You smell nice. Like wet cedar and patchouli, with a hint of bourbon.”
He chuckled. “Strangely specific.”
“Takes one to know one. In fact, I match your sun-drenched garden metaphor with…a mountain trail in early autumn.”
“Do you like autumn?” His eyes held my gaze.
“It’s my favorite season.”
“Well then, we’re in agreement.”
Feeling shaky with desire mixed with excitement, I gratefully took hold of the frosty mug and took a drink. Bitter and hoppy, just the way I liked it. They knew how to make and drink beer out here. God bless Montana.
I’d been in here a few times with Finley, and we’d always had a good time. With the red-and-white-checkered tablecloths and dark wood floors, it had a vintage Montana vibe. They made a mean french fry, too. “I love this place,” I said, loudly.
Just as I said it, the musician stopped playing. Everyone seated at the table turned to look at me. Including Soren, who weighed in from the other end.
“This old dump?” Soren asked. “It’s been here for a coon’s age.”
“Those are the best kinds of places,” Sammie said. “As long as they don’t have ghosts.”
Sammie and Finley sat on either side of Soren, like two petite blonde bookends. Honestly, they could be sisters. And here I was, tall, big-boned, and brunette.
