When they entered, the music pounding from the jukebox banged Justin’s eardrums. The usual Monday night pool crowd appeared to be there.
Justin grasped Miranda’s hand and led her to the bar. He turned to her. “Hungry? Mickey has decent bar food.”
“I can go for decent.” She slid onto a barstool, and he took the one beside her.
Mickey, a former pro bodybuilder, looked like he was in his early fifties, but had to be in his late sixties. He kept in shape and didn’t need a bouncer—he did a fine job alone kicking troublemakers out on their asses. Justin wouldn’t even want to cross the big man, who stood at six-six and looked like he was still a pro in the ring.
“Hey, Mickey.” Justin gave a nod to the man. “How’re you doing?”
“Good, real good.” Mickey’s face cracked into a smile. “That little girl of yours must be growing up fast.”
Justin nodded. “Too fast.” He turned to Miranda. “Meet Mickey, who you no doubt figured is the owner.”
He looked at Mickey. “Miranda bought some property from Maxine. She’s working with kids and horses.”
“Hi.” Miranda extended her hand.
Mickey took it. “A pleasure, ma’am.” He released her hand and braced his palms on the bar top. “You two drinking, eating, or talking?”
“All of the above.” Miranda smiled. “What do you recommend on your menu today? I’m starving.”
Mickey plopped a couple of menus on the bar and slid one to Justin and the other to Miranda. “Short ribs are great tonight, which means you can’t beat the short rib nachos.”
“My favorite.” Justin looked at Miranda. “I can never get enough of those. Big plate, plenty to share.”
“Sold.” Miranda left her menu closed. “I’d like something domestic and cold to drink along with it.”
Justin held up two fingers. “Make it two.”
“You got it.” Mickey pushed away from the bar and headed into the back.
“Good guy.” Justin turned his stool to face Miranda. “I’d just hate to get on the wrong side of him.”
“I can see why.” Miranda glanced at the doorway he’d ducked into before looking at Justin. “He’s built like a Mack truck.”
“He was a pro bodybuilder but retired about twenty years ago.” Justin shook his head. “I don’t think he ever slowed down on working out.”
Miranda slid off her sweater as she let her gaze drift around the bar, over the pictures that covered the walls, of Mickey and famous guests, rodeo stars, and pictures taken during local rodeo events.
She rested her sweater on her lap. “Who are those people in the pictures?” She gestured to the framed photos. “I take it they’re well-known folks?”
He pointed toward the first one. “That’s Mickey with Kade Fields.”
“The hottest country music star out there,” Miranda said.
Justin nodded. “Then there’s Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, and Brad Paisley.” He gestured to another set. “Rodeo stars there, like world champion bull rider, Creed McBride, from Prescott, and a bunch of other cowboys and cowgirls.”
Miranda nodded. “Looks like Mickey knows a lot of famous people.”
“From what he says, he met his share during his pro wrestling days.”
She settled her gaze on the pool tables. “So that’s where I’m kicking your ass.” She glanced at his seat. “And yes, it’s definitely a nice one.”
He sure liked how she checked him out.
“Drink up.” Mickey arrived with their beers, then turned to the next customer.
Miranda sipped from her beer mug then set it down. “Nice and cold, just the way I like it.”
Justin took a swig of his own beer. “How long have you been shooting pool?”
“Since college.” She pushed a chunk of her long dark hair behind her ear. “I’m out of practice, but I still think I can take you.”
“I’ve been playing since I was a kid.” He laughed. “Let’s make a wager.”
She gripped the handle of her mug. “How much?”
“Not how much, but what.”
“Oh?” She raised a brow. “What do you have in mind?”
He needed to come up with something that would keep her close to him. “Since I’ll be winning, we’ll be going fishing for rainbow trout up in Black Canyon Lake on the Mogollon Rim this Saturday.”
“My, aren’t we cocky?” Miranda laughed. “I’ve never been fishing, so that would be an interesting challenge. Not so sure about fish guts.”
“I’ll take care of gutting the fish.” Justin adjusted his position on the barstool and rested one elbow on the bar as he faced Miranda. “I’ll teach you all you need to know about baiting and hooking.”
She grimaced. “Worms on a hook.”
“Maybe PowerBait, depending on just how squeamish you are.”
“I’m not squeamish.” She shook her head. “But the thought of hooking a worm isn’t appealing.”
He grinned. “Then PowerBait it is to start, earthworms later.”
“My turn.” She looked thoughtful. “If—when—I win, you have to wear a pink T-shirt to pool night next Monday.”
“Oh, hell no.” Justin shook his head. “No pink.”
Miranda laughed. “It’s that or Hello Kitty.”
No way was he losing this bet—he was taking her fishing. He dragged his hand down his face as he considered the stakes. “Okay, you’re on. We leave this Saturday at six a.m.”
“We’ll see about that.” She tilted her head to the side. “You’ll look adorable in pink or wearing Hello Kitty.”
“Adorable? Not even close.” Justin groaned at the thought. “I’m not losing this bet.”
Mickey showed up with a huge pile of nachos that made Miranda’s eyes go wide. “Holy crap,” she said.
Justin grinned as Mickey set the platter down and gave them each a small plate. “Dig in.”
Miranda did and made a sound of pleasure. “This is freaking amazing.”
Justin had to agree. He never got tired of Mickey’s short rib nachos.
When they finished eating, Justin ordered another beer for each of them. After they had beers in hand, they walked over to the pool tables, Justin carrying Miranda’s sweater. He set it and their beers on a nearby high-top.
They lined up quarters on one of the tables as they waited for a couple to finish their game. Justin had known the pair for years, and cracked jokes with Hector as they played. Jenny grinned at Justin with appreciation for distracting Hector whenever it was his turn.
Belatedly, Justin hoped Hector wouldn’t turn the tables on him. Last thing he wanted to do was wear pink to play pool next Monday. Hell, Miranda might get him a pink T-shirt with Hello Kitty on it and he’d have to go into hiding. Kaycee loved Hello Kitty when she was young and would probably get a kick out of it. One thing was for sure—no one would ever let him live it down.
Jenny won and Hector took a position beside the pool table. “Paybacks are a bitch as they say, amigo.”
Justin groaned. Me and my big mouth.
He introduced Jenny and Hector to Miranda.
Miranda greeted the pair then chalked her cue. “I’m going to enjoy this.”
“Ladies first.” Justin blew out his breath as he racked up the balls. Here goes.
“Eight-Ball.” Miranda had a nice stance and grip. She aimed and made the break straight-on left-handed and sank the five ball. Her stroke and follow-through were excellent, and he had to admit probably better than his own.
“Solids” She lined up her cue on the red ball. “Three, right corner.” She sank the three, then proceeded to make a bank shot, pocketing the seven ball. She failed on a jump shot, missing the two ball.
Miranda groaned and stepped back from the table. “Have at it, Justin.”
Justin shook his head. She was damned good.
He moved to the table and immediately Hector started in on him.
“Can’t beat your pretty brunette,�
�� Hector said. “Might as well give up.”
No way was Justin wearing pink or Hello Kitty.
He did his best to ignore Hector, who wasn’t finished. “Your form sucks. What did you bet?”
Justin looked at Miranda, silently pleading she wouldn’t mention the shirt.
She just grinned and shrugged.
Growing up, Justin had plenty of experience ignoring his four brothers and two sisters, so he eventually tuned out Hector, who hadn’t stopped needling him.
Justin called his shot then curved the cue ball, striking and pocketing the ten. He called a corner shot, hugged the rail, and dropped in the fifteen. He set his jaw and managed to make a bank shot to sink the eleven, which put him ahead.
Feeling more confident, he aimed at the cue ball, took his shot, and glanced off the fourteen.
“Damn,” he muttered. He’d hoped to clean the table and not give Miranda another chance to beat him.
Miranda bent over the table, her fine ass right in front of him. He imagined coming up from behind her and—
She made a jump shot and dropped the one into the pocket.
Justin groaned, both from her making the shot and him getting distracted with a fantasy in the middle of playing pool.
Hector cheered on Miranda, tossing Justin a grin every time Miranda made a shot.
She had one ball left on the table when she slipped and sent the cue ball into a pocket and scratched.
Miranda let out a huff of breath. She was far more competitive than he’d realized. He figured he might have just met his match in more than one way.
“You’ll look adorable in a pink Hello Kitty shirt,” she said with a grin as she passed him, getting in her own jibe.
Hell no. The comment only served to make him more focused and helped him block out Hector who had started up again.
Justin sank all his balls, one after another. He would win, damnit. Finally, he lined up on the eight ball and had to take a few deep, even breaths as both Hector and Miranda heckled him.
He steadied his aim, tensed his jaw, and narrowed his brows. It was a complicated cut shot that he’d had problems with in the past, but this time he had to make it.
Steady. Easy goes it.
He blocked out images of pink Hello Kitty shirts and focused on the ball.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Justin took the shot. Hector jeered, Jenny shouted, and Miranda yelled, “No” as he watched the ball…
The eight-ball angled, hugged the rim, then dropped into a side pocket.
Justin let out a deep breath. No pink in his future, unless Miranda was wearing it.
Chapter 6
Miranda barely held back a laugh. If Justin only knew she had purposely scratched on her last shot. She wanted to go fishing with him this weekend more than she wanted to win and see him in pink. At least not yet. First, she wanted him all to herself.
She watched him bump fists with Hector and give Jenny a quick hug before he made it to her. He slid his arms to her waist and settled his hands on her hips. His expression was both relieved and cocky. One of these days she’d take that cocky look right off his face and beat his butt at pool.
“You were worried.” She tilted her head and looked into his eyes as she raised her voice to be heard over the music. “I came this close to beating you. If I hadn’t scratched…”
He smiled down at her as he drew her closer. “I admit you had me visualizing pink. That’s one bet I didn’t want to lose.”
“Next time,” she said.
He shook his head. “You might kick my ass next time.”
She smirked. “Chicken.”
“Hell, yes.” He laughed. “I saw you play. You’re a little pool shark.”
“Ha.” She pressed her body against his. “Guess I’m stuck going fishing with you this Saturday.”
He studied her face, his gaze becoming more intent. “Did you scratch on purpose?”
She raised her brows. “Why would I do that?”
His expression grew cocky again. “Because you want to go fishing with me.”
Miranda shrugged. “Guess you’ll never know if I did.”
“Mmmm-hmmm.” Justin pressed his nose against her hair and audibly inhaled. “You smell so good.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “Double or nothing?”
“What?” He raised his head and looked into her eyes. “Nope. I’m taking my win and leaving with it and you.”
He brushed his lips against hers before smiling. “Ready for another drink?”
“Would you read too much into it if I suggest we kick back and have a drink at my place?” She placed one hand on his chest. “It would be nice to talk without yelling over the music.”
Maybe then she could tell him…everything.
He cocked his head to the side. “It’s always going to be up to you, Miranda. We can go to your place and no matter what, you have the final say.”
She couldn’t get enough of staring into his beautiful eyes. “Let’s go plan our fishing trip.”
Justin paid the tab, helped her into her sweater, and they walked out of the bar hand-in-hand. She liked the gentle strength of his grip and could almost imagine how it would feel having him hold her close in the most intimate ways.
Miranda’s belly flipped. Soon, she and Justin would be alone at her place. She didn’t plan on letting it go too far, but what if she gave in to this incredible desire for him? She’d never felt anything so strong in her life as the feelings he was bringing out in her.
He helped her into his truck and shut the door. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. While Justin strode around the truck, she pulled out the cell, checking to make sure it wasn’t her parents. Her mom had called earlier in the day and mentioned her dad had come down with the flu. At their age, the flu could be dangerous.
When she saw Craig’s name on the screen, her skin prickled with heat. She sent the call to voicemail and started to pocket the phone as Justin climbed into the truck. He settled into his seat and frowned when he looked at her.
He watched her pocket her phone. “You okay?”
“Of course.” She gave him a bright smile but didn’t feel it inside.
“I care about you, Miranda.” He continued to study her. “Don’t bullshit me.”
She closed her eyes for a moment before meeting his eyes again. “Craig, my ex, has started calling lately and won’t take no for an answer.” She blew out her breath. “I check my phone to make sure it’s not my parents, otherwise I’d ignore it. They’re older, so I worry about them.”
A muscle ticked in Justin’s jaw. “Is he the one who hit you?”
Miranda looked away, unable to meet Justin’s gaze. The shame of allowing Craig to hit her made her skin hot. She should have left him the first time he did it, rather than trying to help him get better over the next several months. She hadn’t deserved any of what he’d done to her.
She felt Justin’s light touch on her arm before he spoke. “Are you all right?”
Her throat worked as she swallowed, and she looked back at him. “I am. It just throws me off when I see his name. But really, I’m okay.”
Justin drew her close as he could with the console between them. He pressed his lips to her hair. “If you need to talk, I’m always here for you.”
She nodded and let herself sink into the sensation of his hug. It filled all the empty gaps inside her, and she started to feel whole again.
When he drew away from her, the smile she gave him was genuine. “Thank you, Justin. Being with you makes everything better. A lot better.”
He kissed her softly. “I’m going to take you home, stick you in the tub, and make you take a bubble bath.”
Miranda laughed. “I don’t take bubble baths with an audience.”
He grinned. “Then I’ll join you.”
“We’ll see.” She smiled at him. “Maybe one of these days.”
“I’ll take it as a promise.” He released her and started up his tr
uck. After checking his mirrors, he backed out of the parking space outside of Mickey’s and headed for her place.
Justin held her hand on the drive, giving her a sense of comfort she’d never felt before. No one had understood her need to leave Craig. They never would have believed he’d hit her, and she hadn’t wanted people to look at him differently, like she did now. She missed the old Craig, but that version of the man she’d known was long gone, and this Craig, the one she didn’t know or understand, was no longer in her life.
She still had a difficult time reconciling the two in her mind. How could someone change so drastically?
Justin guided his truck off the highway, onto the dirt road that led up to her home. It was amazing calling this wonderful place “home,” and it was equally amazing that she’d met someone like Justin.
She wondered if she’d accepted him far too easily in her life, but it just seemed right and everything inside her wanted to see where things went.
He pulled up beside her Jeep and parked. She took off her seatbelt, waited for him to open her door, and he helped her down from the truck that was high off the ground. He grasped her hand and they strolled to the front door.
Tingles raced across her skin and she felt familiar butterflies dancing in her belly as he took the key from her and opened the door. He held it wide and stepped back so that she could walk in before him.
Her home was simple, with comfortable furniture that she had brought with her from her apartment. She’d never lived in a mobile home before and it wasn’t so bad, but she would be plenty glad when her home was built.
Miranda hung her sweater up on the coat rack and Justin put his hat on the hook next to it. She looked over her shoulder as he followed her into the small kitchen area. “I have beer, or if you want something stronger there’s whiskey or vodka.”
“Beer is fine.” Justin leaned his hip against the counter as she ducked into the fridge and pulled out two cold cans.
She handed him one and pulled the tab on her own before taking a long swallow. She had always enjoyed a good beer. “Tortilla chips?”
Country Thunder: King Creek Cowboys Page 6
