Ryan laughed. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I’m sure he’s angry about it. He ignored me Thursday and Friday. I have no idea how Monday will go and that starts my third week here. One more and I’ll probably be leaving. Please, let’s just dance.” Ryan took Alyssa’s hand, and both pushed through the crowd and made it to the dance floor. They joined in the dance, laughing as they danced along.
An hour later, they perched on the barstools and ordered coffee in heavy ceramic mugs that warmed their palms. Ryan, ever cautious, insisted on sobering up before the drive back to the B and B, even though neither of them drank that much, she was feeling the three whiskey sours she had. She caught Siobhan’s eye with a wave.
“Another coffee for the road?” Siobhan asked.
“No, thank you. Could we get our purses?” Ryan’s fingers tapped against the worn wood.
“Yes, I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks.” Ryan’s gaze followed Siobhan down the narrow hallway. “I just noticed the platinum band and diamond on her left hand. That gorgeous cowboy must be her husband. Damn, I thought I liked her.”
Alyssa nearly choked on her coffee, a drop escaping and rolling down her chin. “God, me too,” she said as she picked up a napkin and dabbed it away.
Siobhan returned and handed them their purses.
“I hope you ladies had a good time tonight.”
“May I ask you something?” Ryan leaned forward.
“Of course.”
“Is that man your husband?” Ryan nodded toward the hot cowboy, his T-shirt stretching across broad shoulders. His black cowboy hat setting low on his forehead.
Siobhan glanced over, then back to Ryan. “Yes, he is.”
“He’s absolutely gorgeous,” Ryan said with a laugh.
Siobhan grinned. “I know. I fell for Liam the first time I saw him.”
“I can see why. I want you to know that if I hadn’t had a few drinks, I never would have said that, but he is very handsome.”
“I agree. You’re not driving, are you? I can get you a ride home.”
“Alyssa is driving, and she only had one drink. Have a good evening. I hope we get to see you again before we leave Clifton.”
“I do too. Be safe now.” Siobhan wiped the gleaming bar with a checkered rag, collected their empty glasses, then turned away to place them in the deep sink.
Ryan and Alyssa gathered their purses, weaved through the crowd, pushed open the heavy oak doors with their glass inserts and stepped outside into the night.
“Oh, my God! It’s freezing!” Alyssa gasped, her breath forming clouds in the starlit air.
“It is,” Ryan agreed, pulling her arms around her as they made their way to her rented SUV.
Once they climbed inside, Alyssa started the vehicle and started laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“We said it was freezing. Look,” she said as she pointed at the outside temperature on the dash and Ryan laughed.
“Fifty is cold to people like us,” Ryan said, giggling as Alyssa drove out of the parking lot.
****
Monday morning, Seth entered the barn with a steaming cup of coffee, tendrils of vapor curling into the biting spring air. He exhaled slowly, watching his breath crystallize in front of him like mountain fog.
“Damn cold this morning,” Cull said as he approached, the leather of his work gloves creaking as he tugged them on. His Appaloosa followed three paces behind, ears pricked forward, no lead rope necessary.
“You’d think we’d be used to this by now,” Seth said, shaking his head as he blew across the coffee’s surface, sending ripples across the dark liquid.
