“Why don’t you go over there? Join them,” Liza said. She placed a freshly poured beer in front of him.
“Rather not.” He took a sip and leaned his elbows on the bar. “Pink this time, huh?”
“Don’t change the subject to my hair. You’re just going to sit here like a lump and not talk to anyone?”
“I believe you were the one who suggested I sit in the corner of the bar and only talk to you. That’s what I’m doing.” He looked up at the football game on the overhead TV, trying to ignore the pinched look on Liza’s face.
“I didn’t mean that literally. I was just trying to ease you back into society. I thought after a few minutes, you’d break out of your reclusive little shell and talk to people.”
“I’m not reclusive.”
“Okay, sure, whatever.” She did an about-face and walked to the sink, where she furiously scrubbed glasses and then dipped them in the next two sinks to rinse.
He was having a hard time keeping his eyes off the pool game. Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead as he watched Miss High and Mighty lean over to line up her shot. Katherine was the last person he wanted to see tonight. He could think of a million other things he’d rather be doing than sitting alone in a bar, staring at the woman who had accused him of breaking and entering, and abduction. Regardless of her ball-busting rudeness, he had to admit she intrigued him. If he went over there to join in the game, it would be hard for him to avoid looking into those emerald green eyes of hers and listening to her deep, sexy voice. His encounter with her in her grandmother’s backyard had left him confused and frustrated, and his trip to the rehab center hadn’t helped.
“Why don’t you go over and talk to her?” Liza was back, standing in front of him with her hands on the bar and an accusing look on her face.
“Who?”
“Virginia’s granddaughter. Or are you staring that lustfully at Travis?”
“I’m watching the game.”
“Oh, yeah, who’s playing?”
Brody picked up his glass and drained half of it. He didn’t need this hassle from his sister. Talking to Katherine would be a mistake. She was brash, bossy, hot as hell, but trouble. He felt it in the way his chest tightened the day she rushed across the yard accusing him of stealing tools from the shed, and he felt it now.
“What’s wrong, big brother? Lost your swag?”
He snapped his attention back to Liza, whose lips curled in a smirk.
“You’re a pain in the ass.” Brody grabbed his beer and walked toward the pool table, where once more he was entertained by Katherine’s perfect form over the edge of the table. If she copped an attitude with him this time, he was leaving. His sister’s voice in his head chimed uninvited: “Whatever you say, Brody.”
“Eight ball, corner pocket.” Kate pointed with her pool cue at the left corner across from her and leaned over, sighting the ball that would give her and Riley the victory. They were playing two against one and she felt only slightly guilty for beating Travis so soundly. As it turned out, he was a funny guy, not the threatening freak she had thought he was in the grocery store.
“Watch out—it’s Minnesota Fats for the win,” Travis said. He threw up his hands in surrender. “Oops, Minnesota Skinny I should have said.”
“Shut up, Travis. I’m about to sink this one.” With a flick of her wrist, she tapped the white cue ball, sending it careening into the black eight ball, but sinking both in the pocket.
“Yes!” Travis did a double fist pump. “There is a god. Watch out, girls, you’re about to experience the agony of defeat.”
“I wouldn’t listen to his bullshit if I were you.”
She snapped around at the sound of that smooth, familiar voice. Her arms went limp and her cue stick slid between her fingers to rest on the floor. Brody was behind her and a nervous heat coursed through her veins.
“Hey, stranger, where the hell you been?” Travis rounded the table to shake Brody’s hand. “These beauties are trying to beat me at my own game. I could’ve used your help earlier.”
“I was watching you from over there and figured it was time I gave you a hand.” Kate kept her back to him while she rubbed chalk over her pool cue, but watched them covertly out the corner of her eye.
“What’ve you been up to? Haven’t seen you in a while,” Brody said.
“Been busy, man. Had a lot of requests for new locks lately,” Travis said.
“Yeah, I heard there’ve been some break-ins. Any idea who’s doing it?”
“Maybe.” Travis tilted his head and Kate followed its path, her eyes landing on the table of gas workers still hammering back the shots. “We never had a crime problem around here before those guys started fracking out on Camptown Road.”
Kate lightly nudged Riley. “What are they talking about?”
“There have been several break-ins in town and Travis thinks it’s one of the frackers.”
“Oh, really?” She stared at the dartboard in front of her on the wall, thinking about her grandmother living alone. Fully confident she could protect herself, she worried about her grandmother once she returned home and Kate went back to DC.
“Hi, Riley,” Brody said.
Kate’s spine went stiff when she heard his voice. She kept her back to him, but felt a warm blush in her cheeks.
“Hello, Katherine.”
The flush grew warmer as she plastered on a pleasant expression and turned around as if surprised to find him there.
“Hi, Brody. Any destruction of property or kidnapping charges filed against you this week?”
He glared at her, then shook his head while taking a drink of his beer. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he watched her over the brim. “Actually, I think you were the only one who had a warrant out for my arrest.” He kept his dark eyes locked on hers as he took another sip. “Cops never did show up at my place. You must’ve dropped the charges.”
“Since you fixed Gram’s gutter and rescued me from the side of the road, the least I could do was let it all slide.” With a wry grin, she tipped her beer mug toward him.
“Loretta and I appreciate that. We wouldn’t have been too happy if the police showed up, guns blazing.”
“Loretta?” An unexpected weight settled on Kate’s shoulders and she had trouble holding back the shock on her face.
“She doesn’t much care for unannounced guests at our place.”
So, the mountain man has a wife. She’d have to report this important piece of evidence to Annie, even though she knew it would ruin the fairytale ending her friend had concocted. She couldn’t help but notice his scruffy whiskers were growing into a thicker, smoother beard. He looked so different from the afternoon she’d first met him. His hair was brushed back from his face and he was wearing a light blue shirt and dark jeans. She never thought she would be attracted to a country boy, but she had to admit, he looked pretty good standing there with one hand stuffed in his front pocket and a beer mug in the other. It was a good thing he was off limits.
“Why don’t we call it even and start a new game?” Riley said.
“Good idea. Brody and me against you girls.” Travis threw out his arms and then tapped them on his chest. “Unless one of you wants to play with this pool shark.”
“I’ll be on your team, Travis,” Riley said. “I think that would make us more evenly matched, don’t you?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Kate looked over at Brody, who didn’t seem too happy about this decision—his brows were furrowed and he was staring at the table. When he glanced over at her, she cocked an eyebrow and shrugged her shoulders.
“I guess we’re a team,” Brody said.
“What kind of skills have you got? I don’t need somebody holding me back. I like to win.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll cover you.” He picked up the chalk and slowly rubbed it over the tip of his cue.
“Oh, think you’ve got what it takes?” She chuckled as she snatched the chalk cube from his
hand.
“Only one way to find out.”
SIX
Brody and Kate were up two games to one against Riley and Travis and they planned to complete their hat trick with this round. Kate stood directly behind Brody, imagining what was hidden under those jeans as he lined up the shot to start a new game. She tore her eyes away. He’s married. Don’t be that girl. She was starting to like his laid-back, country-boy vibe and quick wit. Who would’ve thought a lumberjack could be so clever? She drained her beer and teetered over to the table to deposit her empty glass. Brody broke the cluster of balls, sending them scrambling across the green felt, pocketing two solids.
“Not bad.” She raised her hand and they slapped a high five.
“Solids again. Let’s hope we’ll be just as lucky this game,” he said.
“It’s not luck. We’ve got skill.” This time when she raised her hand, he grabbed hold, wrapped his fingers around hers, and pulled her against him. Her breath quickened as she was propelled forward, but he just bumped his right shoulder against her left, like she’d seen men do a hundred times. Like married guys did.
“Hey, Brody.” Slinking up behind him walked a petite, bleach blonde wearing tight faded jeans and a crop top. A belly ring? Didn’t they go out ten years ago? Kate watched him spin around and straighten up, glancing down at the woman whose hand was now rubbing his arm. “Haven’t seen you in like, forever. How ya been?”
“Okay.” He looked over his shoulder at Kate and raised his eyebrows.
“Well, you’re sure looking good. Want to come sit with me?” she asked.
“Actually, I just…” Brody stepped away from her soothing hand and tipped his pool cue at Kate. “Just started a game.”
The blonde rounded on Kate and raked her eyes from head to toe, seeming to drink in every inch of Kate’s appearance. “Oh, sorry to interrupt. Hi, I’m Holli-with-an-I.”
“Kate-with-a-K.” She raised her eyebrows back at Brody and saw him muffling a laugh behind his hand.
“Oh, well, I guess I’ll let you get back to it.” Holli faced Brody and stepped in, closing the gap between them. Just above a whisper, Kate heard her say, “Call me. We can pick up where we left off all those years ago.”
“Old friend of yours?” Kate said once Holli was out of earshot.
“Something like that. We sort of dated in high school.”
“Sort of dated?” She gave him a knowing smirk. “Is that what you call it?”
“What do you mean?”
“I know her type. Look at her. I’m sure she was very popular.” She air quoted with her fingers and then picked up her pool cue.
“You don’t even know her.” He loomed over her and she could see she’d hit a nerve. Could it be their past was more involved than he let on?
“I just mean I don’t think Loretta would be too happy seeing you with her.”
“Loretta? Why would she care?”
“Seriously? How can you ask that? Unless you have a very open marriage, I don’t think most wives would appreciate their husbands spending time with someone like Holli.”
“Are you two going to play or are you going to stand there jawing all night?” Travis sidled between them and tapped Brody’s pool stick with his own.
“Sure. We’re playing.” Brody studied the pool table’s landscape, rubbing his chin in deep concentration. He off-handedly said, “We were just talking about my wife Loretta.”
“Your wife?” Travis scratched his head. “What the—”
“She’s the best wife a guy could ask for. Right, Travis?”
“Huh? Oh yeah.” Travis chuckled and turned to face Kate. “If you ask me, she’s a real bitch.”
“I can’t believe you just said that.” She was shocked Brody would stand by and let his friend speak so disparagingly about his wife. She glared at him, willing him to defend his wife’s honor.
“What Travis is trying to say is that Loretta is, um, unique.”
“Unique?” She felt her eyes bulging, still confused at his lack of support.
“Right.” Travis scratched the back of his head and winked at Brody. “Loretta is a different breed. Her interests aren’t like other females.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, um, you tell her Brody. Describe Loretta’s interests,” Travis said.
“Let’s see. For one thing, she likes to hunt.” Brody took a drink of his beer, keeping his eyes on Travis.
“Hunt? What does she hunt?” Kate asked.
“Rabbits mostly,” Brody said.
“She does a good bit of tracking, too, doesn’t she Brody?” Travis said.
“There’s nothing she loves more than walking in the woods and following a scent.” Brody took a quick sip of his beer and pointed his finger at Travis. “And she loves riding in the bed of my pickup. Isn’t that right, Travis?”
Who is he married to, Elly May Clampett? Just when Kate had started to like the guy, he turned out to be an even bigger hillbilly than she first thought.
“You look surprised,” Brody said.
“A little. I’m surprised she likes to hunt rabbits. Does she skin them herself and then cook them? I can’t even imagine.” Kate knew she was staring at him, but she was trying to size up what kind of man he actually was and couldn’t tear her eyes away. “I don’t mean to be rude, but does she like doing that? Is that something you expect her to do? She sounds like a very…old-fashioned wife.”
He sat his beer on a neighboring table and leaned on his pool stick. “Listen.” With his eyes cast downward, he rubbed his forehead and said, “Loretta’s not m—”
“I mean I didn’t know women like that even existed anymore. Maybe it’s an Appalachian cultural thing. Is that it?” She looked toward the opposite side of the pool table and then quickly surveyed the bar. “Where’s Riley? Maybe she can explain it to me.”
“I think she’s in the bathroom,” Travis said, chuckling as he lined up his next shot. “Riley’s probably fond of rabbit, too.”
“Hey, guys, anyone want another beer?” Liza walked over, tucking an empty drink tray under her arm, but stopped suddenly. “Sorry, did I interrupt something?”
“Not at all. We were just talking about Loretta,” Brody said.
“Sweet Loretta. She’s the best dog.”
“Dog?” Kate fairly shouted. Brody and Travis burst out laughing, patting each other on the back like champions. She didn’t appreciate being the brunt of a stupid joke. “All this time you were talking about your dog?”
“Of course I was talking about my dog. You heard Travis call her a bitch, didn’t you?” He was wiping the tears from his eyes, his shoulders still shaking with laughter.
“I thought you were just an ass who wouldn’t defend his wife.”
“Come on. It was a joke.”
“An idiotic joke.” She gathered her wallet and keys from the table, and slipped into her jacket, refusing to look at Brody or Travis. “Very juvenile.”
“Now look who doesn’t have a sense of humor.” Brody bent over and whispered in her ear. “Be careful or Travis might call you a bitch.”
She drew in a sharp breath and stood on tiptoe, straining toward eye-level with him. “We wouldn’t want that now, would we?” She shoved her pool stick into his hand. “Finish the game without me.” Fuming, she circled around the table and walked out of the bar.
Kate pulled the white Buick into the church parking lot and cut the engine. It replied with a few chugs and a muffled bang. Maybe Travis needed to take another look at this car before she drove it much more. Then again, that would mean actually talking to Travis, a prospect she wasn’t looking forward to after the scene at the pool table.
As she grabbed the handle to open her door, determined to find another mechanic even if it meant going to the next town over, a shiny black SUV pulled into the spot behind her. She looked through the rearview mirror at the driver, whose aviator sunglasses and crisp white shirt were the only things she could see through
the sun-glinted windshield. Rather than get out, she stayed in the car watching a tall, lean man climb out of the SUV wearing a navy blazer. He turned slightly and Kate drew in a quick breath. Brody. She took her time getting out of the car.
“Good morning.” Brody waited at the church door, holding it open for her.
“Oh, um, good morning,” she mumbled as she brushed past him into the dimly lit hallway.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Gram wanted me to attend on her behalf.”
“Okay, well…welcome.” He pointed down the hallway and led her into a small room with a conference table and ten chairs.
It had been three days since they’d played pool at the Brass Rail and she had hoped she wouldn’t run into Brody anytime soon. She had continuously replayed his stupid joke in her mind and felt silly for overreacting. They were just having a little fun at her expense and she blew up. She was just embarrassed for being so uncharacteristically gullible.
“Good morning, everybody. Let’s get started. We have a lot to go over.” The chairman of the board, Sam Smiley, was also the local funeral director. “I want to introduce Kate McNamara, Virginia’s granddaughter, to our meeting. She’ll be sitting in for Virginia while she’s in rehab.”
The meeting began with the customary reading of the minutes and roll call, and she couldn’t help glancing at Brody sitting directly across from her. He’d had his hair cut since Friday night and his beard was trimmed. He didn’t look anything like the mountain man she’d seen in her grandmother’s backyard. Come to think of it, he hadn’t really looked like such a hick that night at the bar, but today he looked downright professional. She caught him staring at her, lightly tapping his pen on the table, his lips pursed in concentration. When she arched her eyebrows at him, he didn’t flinch, seeming to be in a trance.
“So, Kate, your grandmother tells me you’re going to be one of our bachelorettes.”
Whatever You Say_A Highland Springs Romance Page 5
