“You know.” His eyes turned to flint.
“No, I don’t. Some vague mention of an article in the newspaper that I haven’t read doesn’t mean I know anything. If you want to share, I’m all ears.”
“Not today.” He tapped the table. “I think I need to go.”
“Okay. I know it sounds silly, but will you be okay driving home?”
He chuckled. “The ginger ale didn’t hit hard.”
“Maybe not, but you look tired.”
“Perpetual state of being—nothing interesting going on here.”
“That’s fair. Sometimes I don’t get enough sleep either. I try hard though, because yawning when I’m with a patient isn’t a good idea.”
“No.” He rubbed his forehead. “Healing Horses Ranch.”
See? He has been paying attention.
“Feel free to use my name. Chances are Rainbow will answer the phone. She’ll take care of you.”
“Rainbow, eh?”
“Yeah.” I nodded.
He rose.
I rose as well.
With an odd salute, he headed for the door.
After long contemplation, I took our melted drinks—still half full—to the bar.
The older gentleman took them from me with a nod. “Another?”
I sighed. “I think I’m going to treat myself to a whisky. But, like, half?”
He grinned. “How about a Lemon Drop shot?”
Intrigued, I nodded. “Just one. I’m driving.”
“You should be fine.” He set about making the drink.
“How’d you know I was looking for that?” I took the drink from him.
“You don’t strike me as the whisky type. That said, I serve whatever someone asks for.”
I saluted him and took the shot. Then swallowed and gasped. “Holy shit.”
He grinned and accepted the shot glass back. “Another tonic and lime?”
“Uh, no. Just an ice water.”
“Coming up.”
Once he handed me a glass, I pivoted to scope out my friends.
Both Jai and Demetrius watched me with light in their eyes.
