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Chapter One
The cool spring air had Siobhan O’Brien tugging up the collar of her jacket. She stuck her hands in her pockets and strolled across the parking lot of Dewey’s, the local cowboy bar.
She had an interview with Scarlett Conway, the bar owner, for a bartending position. She’d been a bartender in an upscale restaurant in Denver, Colorado, for five years before moving to Clifton, Montana.
Siobhan’s grandmother lived in the little town, convincing her to move here. Her grandmother owned a local shop that specialized in candles and craft supplies. At first, Siobhan wasn’t thrilled with living here, but it grew on her, and she fell in love with it.
She stood on her toes at the double doors and tried to peer into the windows, but she wasn’t tall enough. She stood five-six, but the windows were up high. Taking a deep breath, she knocked. Scarlett Conway told her the bar didn’t open until four and closed at two every morning except Sunday.
She heard someone unlocking the door, then it opened, and a woman with red hair smiled at her.
“Hi. Siobhan O’Brien?”
“Yes. Scarlett?”
“Yes, ma’am. Come in. It feels like it’s getting colder.”
“It is. I love spring, though.”
“Me too. It will warm up soon… or snow. Do you mind if we sit at the bar?”
“That’s fine.”
“Your resume is impressive. I’m familiar with this restaurant in Denver.” Scarlett tapped the paper.
“It was a great place to work.”
“So, why did you leave?” Scarlett tilted her head.
Siobhan sighed. “I fell in love with a man who would come into the bar. If you know that bar, you know it’s upscale, and only the rich have access.” She shrugged. “We fell fast, but Garrison started getting jealous of men hitting on me. It’s a bar. Of course, men are going to hit on the bartender. We argued one night, and he stormed out.” Siobhan took a deep breath. “He was speeding, lost control of his truck, and hit a tree. He died instantly. I had to leave there.”
“I’m so sorry. I can understand wanting to get away. This is a cowboy bar; trust me, theywillhit on you. You’re a beautiful woman, and cowboys are a different breed. Some can be wild, others can be as sweet as can be, but all of them can break your heart. Some of them live here, but others are just passing through. They’re just looking for a good time. But most of them back off if you tell them. Many don’t have much money, but what they have, they spend it all in the weekend.”
“I can handle them hitting on me. It’s the ones who can’t take no for an answer and think money will buy them anything. I saw a lot of that.”
“You seem to get a little angry talking about them.”
She huffed. “Yes. Like an idiot, I started seeing a man in his thirties before Garrison. That was the common age for men in the bar. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. He offered to pay for my apartment and always bought me gifts. But I did some investigating, and it seemed he was also involved with two other women at the restaurant. I’m glad I didn’t get involved with him. He wasn’t a good man. I hate men sometimes.”
Scarlett laughed. “Doesn’t every woman?”
“I don’t doubt that for a second.”
“Your hours would be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, four until close. I’m here every night, but Laura Blackstone is who you’ll mostly work with.”
“Am I replacing someone?”
“No. We’re swamped on those nights. I needed more help.”
Siobhan glanced around and saw a band stage, tables surrounding the dance floor, a game room, and a billiard room.
“It’s a great bar.”
“Thanks. How about you make a few drinks?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Siobhan jumped off the stool, strolled around the bar, and looked at Scarlett.
“Tom Collins, Sex on The Beach, and a Toasted Almond,” Scarlett told her.
