The horse’s answer was to turn down the street where Conrad’s was located. Wyatt laughed. “Smart horse.”
Inside the saloon, the familiar smell of sawdust, sweat, and stale beer met him instantly. It was quiet in Conrad’s tonight, but he saw deputies Raphael Zepeda and Caleb Johnson sitting at one of the tables, enjoying a beer after their shift.
“Hey, it’s Wyatt Left Standing!” Raphael hailed him, calling him by one of the nicknames he sometimes heard. Though from Raphael, it was good-natured teasing. He wasn’t offended. It wastrue. Instead, he laughed. “Haven’t seen you in a while. Come join us.”
“The ranch has been busy. This cold weather is challenging.” He took a seat and signaled to Connor, the original Conrad’s son, behind the bar. “But I managed to make it into town to beat the marshal at chess tonight.”
“You must be proud of yourself.” Caleb said. “Not many can beat Devlin. Apparently, Wyatt Never Wed, you’re better at chess than love.”
Wyatt shrugged. “Maybe I am. I have to admit, the win felt pretty good.”
Connor brought his beer. He took a sip. Ice cold with very little foam, just the way he liked it, then he took several long swallows and drained the mug half-way. “Oh, that hit the spot!”
They settled into catching up on what was happening in their lives as well as the lives of their mutual acquaintances. It was a great way to pass the time. “Can I buy you both another beer?” he offered.
Raphael rose from his seat. “Thanks, but I gotta get home. Ventura’s waiting for me.” He laid a couple coins on the table. “See ya around, boys.” He pressed two fingers to the brim of his hat and left.
“You can buy me another.” Caleb finished the beer in his mug and gestured with it. “Holly is visiting her mother in Santa Fe.” He paused. “Besides, you shouldn’t drink alone.”
Wyatt signaled to Connor then asked, “How long have you been seeing Holly?”
“About six months now. Lucy introduced us.”
Connor placed two more mugs of beer on the table.
“You should talk to Lucy, Wyatt. I’m sure she could find someone for you.”
“Maybe I should.” Though he said the words, he wasn’t sure. Katie had hurt him deeply, but it had been three years sinceshe left him standing at the altar like a fool. Maybe it was time to start over, to find someone new he could care about. He was tired of being lonely.
“Couldn’t hurt,” Caleb said. “All I know is that I’ve never been happier. Holly has a special way about her.” He smiled broadly. “I’m gonna marry that girl.”
Wyatt wasn’t the least bit surprised. “You should. She’s a lovely young woman and I’m glad you’re happy. You deserve to be.”
Caleb turned serious for a moment. “So do you, Wyatt.” He finished his beer and said, “Morning seems to come around earlier and earlier every day. Thanks for the beer.”
Wyatt waved away his thanks. “Be safe out there.”
Caleb gave a quick nod and left the saloon, the batwing doors swinging with his departure.
Wyatt stared at the door until it stopped moving, then finished his beer. He laid several coins on the table and stood. He waved at the bartender. “Thanks, Connor!”
“Sure thing, Wyatt.”
He left the saloon, Caleb’s words on his mind. He deserved to be happy.
With that, he headed straight to Lucy Hart’s. She was the best, and only, matchmaker in Serenity.
When Lucy answered his knock, he said, “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No, of course not. Come in, Wyatt.” Lucy opened the door a little wider, allowing him to come into the warm house. “Did you need to see Ben? Are you all right?”
He removed his hat and held it in his hands, rubbing the brim. “Yes, ma’am, I’m fine. I don’t need to see Ben, but I…uh…I would like to talk to you, if you have the time.”
“I have the time.” Her eyes lit up as if she suspected the reason he was there. “Follow me. Ben and I are having a cup of coffee. Would you like one?”
“Uh…sure.” He wanted a wife. Someone to love. Not coffee. But he followed her into the homey kitchen, where the aroma of fresh baked bread and brewed coffee lingered in the air.
Ben sat at the table, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a cup of coffee in front of him, reading theSerenity Times. He looked up. “Wyatt! So good to see you.”
