by Talty, Jen
“Yeah, I do. How about a pitcher of beer?”
“If you insist.” JW slid back into the booth. “She’s a nice kid, but she’s going to be the death of her father. She’s sassy as hell and tends to run with bad boys.”
“Aren’t all cowboys bad?”
JW growled, shaking his head. “Is that like saying all Irish people are heavy drinkers?”
Kitty smiled. “I suppose it is.”
The waitress reached for the pitcher with a shaky hand but recoiled as soon as JW moved his frosted glass. “Are you ready to order?”
He let out a short breath and poured two glasses.
“What should I get?” Kitty asked, wondering if there was a history between the waitress and JW.
“We’ll both do the pulled pork plate with all the fixings.” JW handed the waitress the menus. “Put the hot sauce on the side, though.”
The waitress nodded before scurrying off to another table.
“She’s not very friendly,” Kitty said. If anyone in her restaurant behaved that way, not only would they get a shitty tip, but they ran the risk of being fired.
“She’s probably new, and this place is crowded tonight, so maybe she’s overwhelmed.”
She’d only known JW for a week, but she’d never seen his face so tense. His lips were drawn into a tight line, and his eyes grew dark and dangerous.
“So, you’ve never met her before?”
“Nope,” he said with a gruff tone.
Kitty glanced around the bar and noticed a few groups of men and women who constantly turned their heads in her direction. “Why is everyone staring at me? Have they not seen a redhead before?”
“It’s not you, it’s me. I haven’t been out with a woman since my breakup, so people are naturally curious idiots.” JW’s forehead wrinkled. “Most people in this bar know who I am either because of the ranch or my bull riding, but I only know a few and not well, except Mindy.”
“So, you’re a local celebrity, and everyone wants the scoop?” She toyed with the condensation dripping down the side of her glass while his gaze landed everywhere but on her. Back in Baltimore, JW didn’t seem to have a care in the world. One of the things that had attracted her to him had been his relaxed state, but now that he was back in his own stomping grounds, he’d changed, and she worried that maybe he regretted bringing her to his ranch.
“Something like that.”
“Maybe we should give them something to talk about?” She pressed her hands against the wood and leaned across the table, making sure she pressed her arms against the sides of her breasts, enhancing what little cleavage she had. Normally, she wouldn’t revert to such tactics, but whatever had soiled JW’s mood, she wanted to wash it away.
“We already have.” His smile finally returned as he took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. He licked his lips before pressing them against hers gently. “Every man in this bar is wishing they were me right now.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Kitty said. “I need to use the little girls’ room.”
“Down that hall over there.” JW pointed across the room. “Don’t be gone too long.”
“Why? Will all the girls come try to steal my man?”
JW let out a hearty laugh. “Kitty O’Doole, you are good for my soul.”
She sauntered off toward the women’s bathroom, ignoring the stares of perfect strangers as she strolled by. No sooner did she flush the toilet and step from the stall, than a woman entered the small space.
“Are you here with JW?” a tall blonde wearing a short skirt and way too much makeup asked. She flicked her hip to the side and let out an exasperated breath.
“Why do you ask?” Kitty went about washing her hands, trying to squelch the bad feeling that sank to the pit of her stomach.
“You’re not from around here, are you?”
“No. I’m not.” Kitty snagged a paper towel and continued to stare at the woman in the mirror.
“If you were, you’d know that JW is bad news,” the woman said. “He’s dangerous, and if I were you, I’d stay clear of the man.”
Kitty tossed the paper towel into the trash. “Thanks for the warning, but I’m a grown woman and don’t need a stranger spewing shit about my boyfriend.” Without giving her a second glance, she pushed open the door and nearly bumped right into JW. “Whoa,” she said, flattening her hand against his firm chest.
“Boyfriend?” the woman asked as she stepped out of the bathroom. She stood to the right of JW. “If you’re dating him, then you’re making the biggest mistake of your life.” She flicked her hair.
“Well, that would be my mistake to make.”
“Back off, Bella,” JW said.
Kitty swallowed the lump that lurched from her gut to her throat. “You’re his ex-fiancée?”
“So, he told you about me? I bet you he didn’t tell you about—”
“Let’s go,” he said with a grim tone.
“Tell me what?” Kitty chomped down on her lower lip. She shouldn’t care what his ex had to say, but curiosity killed the cat.
“That JW is a—”
He stepped in front of Bella, turning his back to Kitty. “Stay away from me, my family, and my girlfriend.”
Bella tossed her hands wide and stumbled backward. “What the hell are you doing?”
Half the people in the bar collectively gasped.
“This isn’t happening again.” JW raked his hand through his hair. “You haven’t changed a bit,” he mumbled. “Come on, Kitty. Let’s go home.” He held up a bag. “I’ve got our food here, so let’s blow this place before I lose my appetite.”
Kitty took his hand and followed him out of the restaurant. But as soon as the night air hit her skin, she yanked her hand free. “What just happened in there?”
“That was my ex being a bitch.”
“How dare you talk about my little girl like that,” a man wearing dark jeans, a black shirt, and a dark velvet Stetson said as he leaned against a fancy SUV. “I just got a text from Bella. I should call the police for you getting physical again.”
“Physical?” Kitty blinked. “Nothing happened other than Bella following me into the bathroom and verbally attacking JW.”
Bella’s father let out a dry, menacing laugh. “I would suspect your latest notch on your bedpost would defend you. I just hope she doesn’t end up like my Bella did that day you be—”
“Fuck off, Robert,” JW said, taking two quick steps forward. “I’ve been kind to Bella in the press for the last few months; don’t push my hand because you know I could destroy her reputation in seconds.”
“You’re the one who should be concerned about your reputation,” Robert said.
Kitty’s pulse raged in her ears. Confusion filled her brain. This wasn’t the same man she’d met in Baltimore.
“I’m going to put an end to you. Luke is going to have to sell to me, and once that happens, your business will go down the tubes,” Robert said.
JW puffed out his chest and snarled like a bull ready to charge. “I already bought Luke’s ranch, so you’re the one who is shit out of luck.”
“You mother fucker.” Robert cocked his fist and aimed for JW’s face.
Kitty screamed and stumbled backward. She clutched her chest staring at the violence unfolding right in front of her eyes.
JW tucked and twisted his body until he caught Robert’s fist with his hand. “You’ve messed with the wrong man.”
Robert buckled to his knees.
JW raised his other hand, clenching it into a tight fist.
“JW. Let him go,” Kitty said sternly. She didn’t give a shit that Robert had started it. She wasn’t about to let JW finish it. If there was one thing she couldn’t tolerate, it was grown men using their fists to prove a point.
JW took a step back and shook out his hand. “Let’s go.”
Kitty followed JW back to the pickup. He helped her into the passenger seat, but he didn’t say a word.
He slammed his door shut and revved the engine.
“If I hadn’t been there, would you have hit him?” Even though she asked the question, she didn’t expect him to answer, because she knew the truth and that gave her pause.
“He and his daughter bring out the worst in me,” JW said softly. “I’m sorry you had to witness that.”
“So am I.” She crossed her arms across her chest. “That’s one of the reasons I left my ex-husband.”
“I’d never hit a woman.” JW glanced in her direction. His dark eyes had grown softer. “And while I certainly thought about decking Robert, I would have stopped.”
“I’d like to believe that.”
The next twenty minutes went by in silence. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Visions of her and JW back in the hotel in Baltimore bombarded her brain. He’d been a sweet lover. Kind and attentive. The complete opposite of what she’d seen in the parking lot of the bar, and if she were being honest with herself, JW had changed the second they’d landed in Idaho.
“We’re here,” JW said.
She took in a deep, calming breath and blinked her eyes open. “Wow.” A massive two-story house graced her sight. She figured five of her parents’ house could fit easily inside. Soft lights lit up the porch, showing off a rustic country look. The moon showed off mountain ridges in the background. “This is yours?” She slipped from the cab of the pickup and tilted her head back. The Big Dipper dotted the dark sky.
“Mine and my siblings.” He stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her middle and his chin resting on her shoulder.
The sound of barking dogs echoed in the night.
“Do those belong to you as well?”
“I forgot to mention I have a couple of very large, but sweet dogs.” He laced his fingers between hers and tugged. “Let’s go meet King and Kong.”
* * *
JW inserted his house key and gripped the handle.
“What kind of dogs do you have? And why didn’t you name them after whiskey?”
He laughed. “One is a yellow Lab and the other a purebred, long-haired German shepherd. My sister brought the dogs back from her place this afternoon, so they might be a little excited.”
“They sound it.” Kitty held on to his belt.
“Down, boys,” he said as he snagged a couple of treats from the jar on the table. “Take them outside.”
King jumped up on his hind legs, resting his gigantic paws on JW’s shoulders. “I missed you too; now go outside.”
The dogs raced past him, howling like a pack of wolves.
“They won’t run off?”
“Nope,” JW said. “I’ll be right back with our suitcases.”
“Is there a bathroom I can go freshen up in?”
“Master bedroom is at the top of the stairs to the right.” JW hightailed it back to his pickup, hauling both suitcases back up the porch. “Let’s go, boys.”
King and Kong scattered up the steps and back into the house, plopping themselves down at the base of the stairs. Both looked at JW with cocked heads.
“This one is nice, I promise.”
The sound of an engine easing to a stop in the circular driveway had King and Kong whining, thumping their heavy tails against the wood floor, knowing his sister had just pulled in.
“Relax, boys.” He’d gotten Kong first as puppy and named him after the first bull he’d ever rode. King came to him a year later, and he just couldn’t resist the name.
“Sit,” he commanded. Both dogs groaned, but their butts hit the floor.
The front door swished open, then slammed shut. King, the Lab, scratched his paw against JW’s leg.
“Go get her,” he said. The dogs took off running.
“Down, dogs,” Georgia Moon said before they even skidded to a stop in front of her. “You jump on me, I won’t give you these.” She held up two rawhides, and the dogs immediately sat, tails wagging impatiently. “It’s like I didn’t just see them a few hours ago.” Georgia Moon gave them their treats, and they scurried back over to the family room, lying down at JW’s feet, happily gnawing away.
“So, where is this chick?” Georgia Moon asked as she tossed her keys on the table near the front door.
“Don’t you know how to knock?”
“Have I ever?” she asked, kicking off her boots before she meandered into the living room.
He snagged a bottle of wine. “Do you want a glass?”
“Absolutely. I mean, you brought a girl home; now I need to get to know her.” She pulled a glass from the bar before helping herself to some vino. She settled in the big wingback chair, resting her feet on the ottoman.
“I ran into Robert and Bella on the way home.”
“I heard.” Georgia Moon lowered her chin and raised a brow. “I also heard you nearly flattened Robert.”
“He swung first.”
“Well, lucky for you that Mindy is dating a cop who saw the entire thing, or you might have ended up behind bars for pushing Bella.”
“I didn’t lay a hand on her, and everyone in that bar knows it.” They might know the truth, but rumors still circulated, and some people, like the waitress, were afraid of him. “But I think the altercation caused Kitty and I our first fight.”
“Hopefully it be your last,” Georgia Moon said.
He took a hefty gulp of his wine, finishing the glass in two swigs. He’d managed to make an ass out of himself in front of Kitty in less than an hour of her arrival in his hometown, all thanks to Robert and Bella. “It felt like they knew I was going to be at the bar and decided to make waves.”
Georgia Moon held up her cell phone, showing off her Twitter feed. “Some people saw you at the airport and then again at the bar.”
JW held the phone up, scrolling through the pictures. Whoever had been taking the pictures hadn’t captured Kitty, which was about the only decent thing that had come from the night. “How is it that Bella can waffle between the truth of what happened and the accusation that I hit her, and people still trust and believe the shit that comes out of her mouth.”
“Because the public loves drama, and she’s the queen,” Georgia Moon said, refilling his glass. “Better open another bottle since JD and JB are on their way over.”
“You all couldn’t have waited until tomorrow?” he asked. “Promise me you’ll be on your best behavior.”
“I promise I’ll be nice until she gives me a reason not to be.”
“Can I at least count on you not to insult her?”
“The only girlfriend of yours I’ve ever slighted was Bella, and she deserved it.”
“That’s true.”
The sound of rubber-soled shoes squeaking against the hardwood floor made his heart flutter. Both dogs lifted their heads, licking their chops, noses in the air, sniffing wildly. He pointed at his sister. “I really like her, so be nice.” He stood, waiting for Kitty to grace the room with her radiant beauty and killer personality.
“I have never seen a bathtub that big before.” Kitty bounced into the room, her hair cascading over her shoulders, swaying with every step. “Oh, hello.”
“Kitty, meet Georgia Moon.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Georgia Moon didn’t bother with a handshake as she yanked Kitty into her arms for a good old-fashioned Whiskey hug.
King stood and stretched out his front legs before meandering to Kitty and shoving his nose under her hand.
She glanced down and smiled, patting his head.
JW poured a glass of wine and handed it to Kitty. “My brothers will be here any minute, and I can’t be sure they will be as well behaved as my dogs.”
“Can’t be any worse than when you met my parents,” Kitty said with a smile, tucking her hair behind her ears as her ass sank into the chocolate leather sofa.
“You met her folks already?” Georgia Moon asked with a slight coo in her voice. “This must be serious.”
JW narrowed his stare. “They just happened into the bar Kitty works
at. It wasn’t intentional.”
“JW, that was rude,” his sister said.
Kitty tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I understood what he meant.”
The tension between him and Kitty had dissipated some, but he knew he needed to talk with her about what happened and why, especially since her ex-husband had hit her.
“Does anyone ever call all the brothers Triple J or something?” Kitty asked. Her voice tore through the friction lingering in the air.
“JD and JB are often called a double shot,” Georgia Moon said, resting her head on the back of the seat.
“That seems unfair to leave out the eldest.” Kitty rolled a strand of hair around her finger in a mesmerizing dance that lulled him into submission. Whatever she wanted, he doubted he’d ever be able to say no.
Much less stay in a bad mood.
“My brothers look like twins, where, sadly, I look more like my mom and sister,” JW said.
“I can see the resemblance between the two of you.” Kitty licked her lips before taking a sip of wine. She caught JW’s gaze and gave him a sweet smile.
King and Kong barked as the rumbling of an engine hummed outside.
“You want to get those boys,” JW said, bending over, letting Kong lick his face. For the last few months, his dogs had been his only real friendship outside of his siblings. After his best friend had slept with his fiancée, he didn’t trust people. He pushed the small doubt that tickled his mind that Kitty wouldn’t be any different from those he’d deemed faithful in the past. “You go tell them who is boss.”
Both dogs bolted from the floor.
“I’ve never seen such well-behaved dogs before. They listen and do everything you tell them to.” Kitty tucked her feet under her butt, looking poised and relaxed, while his insides stirred like a stick churning butter.
“JW is the dog whisperer,” his sister said. “Too bad it didn’t translate to bulls, or he might have been able to stay on one even longer.”
“I still hold the world record.” JW stared at the front door, the dogs dancing in circles.
Kitty leaned in, her warm, delicate fingers gently curling around his arm. “What are they going to do to your brothers?” she asked.
