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All three of them turned and looked at me, eyes wide. Annabelle gasped in horror and shook her head.
“Did the mayor invite you to play as her partner?” Harley asked.
“Yes.” What had I missed? Ladies’ bunco wasn’t a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
“Oh, no. No. You go. Amaryllis needs to get to know you before she’ll get behind The Stomp and all you’re doing at the winery.” Annabelle sounded like a scolding mother. “Anytime we bid a city job, I wrangle an invite to that game. Amaryllis Lee Graves uses bunco to test your mettle. See if you’re worthy of her support. Without her, everything in Elmer will be a little bit harder.”
“Alright, bunco today. Austin tomorrow for plumbing and lighting fixtures. If you have any recommended suppliers, I’d love a list.”
“I’m sending you an email now.” Annabelle poked at her phone again. She obviously was the organizer in the partnership. “Now, who’s your DD for today?”
“My what?”DD? Did they play bunco differently in Elmer? Was this a kind of bunco second that would back my play or something?
“Designated Driver,” Harley explained.
“I don’t think that will be necessary. It’s bunco at the VFW hall in the middle of a Monday.” As I spoke, I could tell I was wrong. The expressions on the three faces staring back at me said there would be day drinking in my future and I should plan accordingly.
“Yeah, your brother ended his round of bunco by punching Cami’s brother and going to jail.” Harley chuckled at the memory.
“His car got impounded, too,” Annabelle added.
“Wilson never told me that.” My brother went to jail and punched Cameron’s brother, the sheriff. How—awesome and unlike him.
“It was not his finest moment. And that version isn’t entirely true.” Atley had both hands in his pockets and was scuffing a boot across the dusty floor.
“No, it is. Al, the custodian at the VFW hall, saw it all go down. Even helped load your passed-out drunk brother into the sheriff’s cruiser.” Harley relished dishing up the gossip.
“I’m a little scared.” I planned to call my brother for the full story as soon as I sobered up from my bunco experience.
“Nah, Wilson deserved it. I’m sure Amaryllis isn’t planning the fireball treatment for you.” Harley winked at me. It didn’t make me less concerned.
“I can call an Uber.”
“That’s not going to work; Wanda plays in the game. She won’t be available.” Annabelle cocked her head like she was trying to think of another option for me.
“Elmer only has one Uber driver?” I’d finally found a reason to miss Chicago.
“Yep. Some Friday and Saturday nights during tourist season, a few scabs will come in from other towns to work the main square. Otherwise, it’s all Wanda.” Harley was a fountain of useful Elmer information. A few drinks at The Pub and I imagined I’d get filled in on a lifetime’s worth of stories.
“Word to the wise, don’t get in the car with her if she’s got Dwight riding shot gun. The flatulence,” Annabelle said and shuddered.
“Who’s Dwight?”
“Her dog.” Attley had the barest hint of a smirk on his lips. He enjoyed watching the ladies indoctrinating me into the workings of Elmer.
“Is this the same Wanda who’s dating Melvin?” I asked him as the two contractors had a side conversation about their respective schedules for today.
“Yes.”
We looked at each other and I leaned toward him without thinking. He took a step; we were almost close enough that we could have been slow dancing. Breathing was difficult, my chest tight and my heart racing. Less than a foot between us. It was so easy to forget we weren’t alone. I licked my lips in anticipation. Half a step and I’d taste him again. His hand lifted to pull me toward him.
Yes, cowboy, take me away!The crazed nymphomaniac in my head screamed, tossing her suddenly superfluous vibrator to the ground with a whoop of triumph.
“I can take you.” Harley’s offer cut through the throbbing connection between Atley and me like a guillotine.
No… She’s not the cowboy.My inner nympho pouted.
Atley put his hand down and stepped back, giving me room to turn and look at Harley without brushing his chest. What a bummer. I’d love to brush up against him… or rub, you know, whatever.
