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“A night out will do us all good.” The words were barely out of Jessy’s mouth when a horn honked outside. “That must be Laredo. He said he’d pick me up. See you later.”
In place of the tall neon letters that had once identified the place as Harry’s Hideaway, lights shone on a painted sign that proclaimed the new name, THE OASIS. In smaller letters were the words “Bar and Grill.” Brightly colored pennants were strung along the covered porch, and the parking lot was packed with cars and pickups of every shape and size.
Chase leaned on his cane and surveyed the changes to the building. “Looks like this new owner spent his money where it matters—on a new roof and a fresh coat of paint.” He arched a questioning glance at Cat. “What did you say this fellow’s name was again?”
“Gordon Donovan,” she repeated patiently.
“Donovan,” he murmured to himself, then asked, “Do we know where he’s from?”
It was Laredo who answered him. “From somewhere in Wyoming, I heard.”
Chase was too wise to accept rumor. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough. At least it doesn’t look like he has any ideas in his head that this place is more than a local watering hole.”
Behind him, Trey leaned close to Sloan to add quietly, “From the sounds of it, there are a lot of thirsty people in there tonight.” The steady hum of voices and muffled music that emanated from the building offered its own brand of proof.
“I just hope there’s a place for us to sit,” Sloan offered in response.
“Don’t worry about that,” Cat assured her. “I called to have a table reserved for us.”
“Then let’s don’t be standing around out here,” Laredo declared and gave Chase a joshing prod. “Get the lead out of that cane and let’s get going.”
Chase cut him a look. “We’ll see how fast you move when you’re my age,” he declared and started forward.
With Chase leading the way, they trooped inside and were immediately surrounded by the seemingly nonstop chatter of voices interspersed with laughter and the distinctive dinging of slot machines.
The interior lights had been turned low, creating an abundance of shadowy spaces, not only in the bar but in the eating area as well. It was the first change that Chase noticed on the inside.
Bells went off somewhere to his right, and a cowboy hooted at his luck. The sudden flurry of excitement drew Chase’s glance to the slot machines that lined one whole wall.
“Looks like he got rid of the pool table,” he remarked to Laredo, then used his cane to gesture at the long bar, its dark wood polished to a high shine. “But he kept the old bar. There’s been many a cowboy who rested his boot on that brass foot rail.”
“I imagine so.” But Laredo never bothered to glance at the old bar. He was too busy studying the trimly muscled man who approached them, clutching a sheaf of menus. “I think the boss is coming,” he murmured to Chase and faded back a step to observe.
The man came to a halt in front of Chase, his feet coming together in military precision. “Welcome to The Oasis, Mr. Calder.” His mouth curved in a polite smile. “The name’s Donovan. Glad you could come tonight.”
Slightly startled, Chase frowned in suspicion. “How did you know who I am? Have we met before?”
“No sir. But your picture has been in the newspapers. That made it easy for me to recognize you.”
“I guess it would,” Chase mumbled, annoyed that he hadn’t considered that. To cover what he regarded as a slip, he reached out to Cat. “This is my daughter, Cat Echohawk.”
Cat extended a hand in greeting. “Welcome to Blue Moon, Mr. Donovan.”
His gaze sharpened on her as he briefly gripped her hand. “You’re the one who called to make reservations. I recognize your voice.”
“That was me,” she confirmed with an easy smile. “I knew you would be packed tonight, and I wanted to be sure we’d have a table.”
“I have one waiting for you,” he assured her.
But Chase hadn’t finished the introductions. “This is my daughter-in-law, Jessy Calder. She heads up the Triple C for me.”
“Ma’am.” Donovan acknowledged her with a respectful nod that Jessy returned.
“My grandson, Trey Calder, and his bride, Sloan.”
Donovan’s smile widened a bit. “You must be the newlyweds I’ve heard about. Congratulations, a little after the fact.”
Trey shook the man’s hand and left it at that while Sloan smiled and offered a warm, “Thank you.”
