The room I had was clean and in a good location from the bar, not too close, and not too far away. If anyone found out where I was staying, it wouldn’t be a problem. I had a cover story in place for anything that came my way.
I dropped my things by the room and checked the time. Assuming I found the place without any issues, I’d be there when expected.
I found The Starlight Bar, a larger than expected, quaint bar that looked like it was long overdue for a makeover. The large crescent moon sign that spelled out its name was surrounded by bright shining stars. I pulled up and parked next to an HVAC company van, noticing there was an old house next door to the right. I’d deducted that it was Lu’s home, which the chief informed me was next-door to the bar.
As expected, I was on time with only three minutes to spare, so I hurried in and found an elderly woman waiting. She was about five three with a round face and white hair that she’d piled high on her head. She turned around when I walked in with a squeaking door.
“You must be Cash. Come on in and take a seat.” She fanned her face and kicked out a chair as I approached. The air was thicker in the place, accentuating the smell of stale beer and cigarettes.
“You must be Mrs. Jones.” I held out a hand, but she frowned.
“Mrs. Jones was my mother, hon. I’m Lu.” She took my hand as I lowered myself down to the chair beside her and gave it a squeeze.
“Good to meet you, Lu.”
“What’s a pretty man like you doin’ wanting to work as a barkeep?” She looked down her nose, but she wasn’t being rude. She seemed to be sizing me up, or rather, checking me out. Her smile widened, and her brows wagged a little.
This little lady sure is a firecracker.
The heat flared in my cheeks, and I was a bit taken aback. I’d never been hit on by an old lady before, but she seemed like she was full of surprises. “I’m looking to get back on my feet after a failed relationship, so now I’m looking for a change of pace, a fresh start.” She nodded, so I kept talking. “I’ve been a bartender in the past, and actually worked as a bouncer too, so I’m used to the atmosphere and can diffuse any situation and mix any drink.”
“You sound too good to be true. Let me show you around and introduce you to my granddaughter. She’s in the back. We’ve got a little test we’d like you to take to make sure you know your stuff.”
Lu then stood up but only took one step when she suddenly grabbed for the table and hit the floor.
I immediately transitioned to alert mood, without any hesitation. Years of training on the force made it easy for me to take action when needed. I rushed around and knelt by her side, checking her for any injuries she might have gotten on the way down. She was only out a moment, but as she came to, I had already checked her vitals and was feeling for her pulse. “Hey, a little help out here!” I yelled across the room remembering she’d said her granddaughter was in the back.
I turned my attention back to Lu who was blinking slowly and trying to sit up. “Just lie back,” I said, keeping a hand on her shoulder. I heard footsteps and looked up, and my breath hitched, my words sticking in my throat as time stood still. That very moment, I saw the hottest girl I’d laid my eyes on as she rushed toward us.
Have MERCY…
Was Lu’s idea of a test to see if I could manage a second around her granddaughter? It was a wonder how a girl like her even survived working in a bar filled with drunken lonely men.
Her hair was the darkest chestnut, rich and thick, long enough to accentuate the perfect curves of her body as she dropped down beside us. Her wide, incredible blue eyes met mine with so much concern, they sparkled with tears. They were so icy blue they didn’t seem real.
“Lu! What happened?” She took the woman’s hand, and Lu waved her back, her voice slurring as she tried to calm the girl.
“It’s probably just my blood sugar again.”
“It’s most likely your blood pressure dropping from standing too quickly. It can make you a little light headed,” I told her.
I tried to stay focused on Lu, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the girl.
“This is my granddaughter, Starla. Starla, this is Cash, our new bartender.” Lu closed her eyes and took deep, deliberate breaths and tried to sit up.
“Take it easy, Lu. Should I call an ambulance?” Starla then focused her eyes on mine, as if I knew what to do next.
“I don’t know if she needs an ambulance, but I’d still take her into the doctor and have her checked out,” I said.
“Do you think you can get her to the truck?”
Quite honestly sweetheart, I’d do anything you damn well ask me.
“I don’t need to go to the hospital. I need to go home and lie down, and I need this damned air conditioner fixed by opening tomorrow.” Lu was finally able to sit up. Both Starla and I helped her to her feet.
We carried her out, and I helped her into an old truck that had to have been a mean machine in its day. She lifted her hand and placed it on my cheek. “Be here tonight when we open.”
I glanced around to see Starla explaining to the AC repairman what was going on as Lu settled back against the seat. “So that’s it? I’ve got the job? Do you still need me to take that bartending test?” I waited until she pulled her feet in and shut the door to the beat up old truck.