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“No. No. I appreciate it, but you got to make a living too. I can stay with Travis. Let me take a look at things and figure out when I’m leaving.” I squeeze the older man’s arm and he gifts me another warm smile. “It’s all good.”
He can be one mean son of a bitch. There’s many a rancher or passerby that won’t step foot in this joint because they made the mistake of crossing Oz Barker. But underneath his gruff exterior and no-nonsense attitude is a big ol’ gooey heart of gold.
“It ain’t my business.” He shifts from one foot to the other. “But who’s the father?”
Dammit. Of all the things I’d hoped he wouldn’t ask…well, at least not today. There’s no question I can trust Oz. Unlike Lynette, he’ll take any of my secrets to his grave.
“Um…” I start to look away, but he pinches my chin, keeping my head in place. “Ridge Kincaide.”
“Holy shit, woman.” He tilts his head back, releasing his grip on me, and lets loose a belly laugh. “You sure know how to aim high.”
My eyes bulge and I gawk, surprised at the insinuation, and my high-pitched voice doesn’t hide my offense. “I didn’t do it on purpose!”
“Not suggesting you did. Just saying, if you were looking to get yourself into a lifelong pickle with endless heartache…you hit the fucking jackpot.”
“Yeah, thanks for telling me something I don’t already know.” My arms fold across my middle.
“You tell him?” He’s suddenly serious and I nod, not wanting to get into this. “And what did the mean motherfucker say?”
“Not much.” I shrug. “I didn’t give him a chance.”
“Well, if he causes you any trouble, you come see me. I’m always looking for an opportunity to go toe to toe with a Kincaide.” Sarcasm drips from his deep rumble. I bark out a laugh and he joins in as he holds the door open for me.
We saunter into the main area of the bar, greeted by the familiar twang of country music blasting from the stereo system. A few more people have come in since I ran into the washroom, including my best friend, Kelly.
“Hey, Lacy.” She jumps off a stool and pulls me in for a hug. “Hi, Oz.”
“K-girl.” He winks and moseys past us toward the office.
“Hi, Kel. You’re early. Doesn’t your shift start at nine?” I slide behind the bar, and she settles back onto her seat.
“Yeah, but I thought I’d help Lynette.” She leans in and cups a hand to one side of her mouth, lowering her voice. “Since you have your appointment.”
I smile at her attempt to keep my pregnancy on the down-low. Next to Travis, and now Oz and Lynette, Kelly’s the only other person I’ve told. Well, except for Ridge, obviously.
“Thank you. That’s sweet of you. But honey, are you sure working the bar is the best way you can help?” I’m teasing but also dead serious.
She spills more drinks and breaks more glasses than anyone else when tending bar, which isn’t often. Oz won’t allow it. Kelly’s a klutz. Can’t help it, she comes by it honestly.
From as young as I can remember, the girl was always scraping, breaking, or bruising something. And at first, she tried to hide her daddy’s beatings on her butterfingers or lack of coordination, but Travis was quick to figure out she was lying.
“Why you ungrateful girl.” She slaps the bar top and her long, blonde hair sways from side to side. “I get up early, way before my time, to help my bestie and this is how you thank me? Givin’ me sass?”
I giggle, grabbing her hand for a squeeze. “I’m sorry. I just wonder if Oz knows you’re going to be on bar while I’m gone.”
Today is my first doctor’s appointment about the baby, and I’m grateful Kel’s here to cover for me. She won’t take a dime from me for the hours she covers my shift. The girl makes more than me on stage, and she also won’t cry on Oz’s shoulder. Sadly, there are girls who’d say yes to helping me, only to moan about it behind my back.
“All I can do is try my best. I mean, how hard can it be to pour a few drinks and bring the guys their beers?” She tosses her hair over her shoulder, glancing at the cowboy two stools down, and winks.
From a few feet away, a man growls and we both look in that direction. Travis. He’s standing ramrod straight, angrier than a bull, and shooting daggers at Kelly.
“Oh, look who’s here, the town grump.” Kel throws her own verbal knife his way before turning her back to him.
She waves to the older cowboy still lusting after her like he’s dying of thirst and she’s the last drop of water on earth.
Kelly’s a beautiful woman, inside and out, and without a doubt, the biggest draw in the club. She makes Oz a boatload of money. The girl’s so popular she only works a few nights a week.
“Why don’t you put some clothes on,” Travis snarls at my best friend, and I push at him before he gets in her face.
