The Cougar and the Cowboy

“I’m baaack,” Luke shouted as he appeared from the living room.

Dani laughed and jumped up to hug him. “What happened? Wouldn’t they allow you on the plane? Where are your grandparents?”

“See, it’s like this…they made a decision to stay and hear the band because this will probably be their last opportunity to enjoy them for a long time. They were going to surprise you but Grammy said I had to go somewhere and make myself useful because I was driving her crazy. I think she just wanted to be alone with Grandpa for a while.”

“And since I can’t breathe well enough to dance and Luke’s not old enough to be in a bar…we’re going to keep each other company while you go and have some fun, Dani.”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t plan on attending that circus. Besides, I don’t dance.”

Raising his eyebrows, her father said, “Come on now. That’s not true. I saw you dancing when there was a party at the Frasier ranch in Texas. Besides, Cal and Lucy are coming to pick you up tomorrow night. You go, young lady. That’s an order…you understand?”

CHAPTER 32

MAGGIE GRABBED HER mail as she was leaving home and threw it on the front seat of her car. She glanced at it as she did so and noticed the magazine she ordered had arrived. She certainly didn’t have time to read anything today. It would be there when she did have time. She wanted to arrive at the bar early and make sure the extra wait staff Jace hired was prepared and knew what to do and where everything was located.

‘Oh please, God, let this plan work like it’s supposed to. If there are no customers it will be the end of The Branding Iron and maybe the end of Jace Matthews’ world, as he knows it.’

As she turned onto the street where she usually parked, she was blown away by the number of vehicles already there. The advertising must have been effective…she didn’t remember this many customers this early in the afternoon for a long time.

She entered through the back door and nearly collided with Mitch. “Get ready, Maggie. We’ve been busy for several hours already and I think we’re going to be swamped this evening. I’m sure glad you and Jace had the foresight to hire enough servers.”

“Yeah, me too,” she answered as she walked through the tables to the bar. This was going to be a fantastic weekend. She loved being busy and serving all types of customers, especially those of the male gender. It was fun to talk and flirt and the tips should be generous tonight.

The band was scheduled to play from 7pm to 11pm. The bar was full at 5:00. Ken asked them to pose for a picture since it was his idea to hire a band, in the first place.

As the next few hours passed, people were squeezing together at tables and there was a line outside the door waiting to get inside. Cal and Lucy and a reluctant Dani arrived much earlier, knowing it would be standing room only before the band played the first note.

Collier and Camille arrived in time to secure seats at a table with another couple. They were in a far corner but could still see the band. They introduced themselves and got comfortable. Collier fought his way to the bar to get them each a drink. Maggie smiled at him and nodded her head in the direction of their table.

“Hey Sweetie, you been seein’ a lot of Emily? You know, the strangest thing…I was reading this magazine and saw…” She was interrupted by Mitch asking about a certain type of whiskey a customer wanted. When she turned back, Collier had taken their drinks and was making his way back to their table. ‘I’ll tell him and Emily about the other person with the same name when it’s not so busy. Or maybe never. It doesn’t matter at all.’

The band opened with a favorite that got everyone in the mood for a foot-stompin’ evening. Hubie then took a few minutes to explain who they were and where they were from.

“We’re pretty far from home but there’s a few other people here tonight that might be just as far if not further. Say hello to our friends from Magnolia, Texas: the Frasiers.”

“Are y’all ready for a night of foot-stompin’, boot-scootin’ wild Hootenanny?”

Amidst cheers, they went into the next set without further talking.

As usual, it took some time before people were comfortable getting up to dance. When they played ‘Boot-Scootin’ Boogie,’ Hubie called out, “Come on, Cal and Lucy. Get up here and show us how it’s done.”

Grabbing Cal’s hand, she led him to the dance floor. “Let’s go, Cowboy. We can do this, for sure.”

Soon the dance floor was filled to capacity as more people joined them. When Missy slowed it down a bit by singing ‘Girl Crush,’ Mitch looked pleadingly at Maggie and she nodded and mouthed the word, “Go!”

He practically vaulted over the bar and hurried to Dani to ask her to dance. She hesitated for only a second, then stood and followed him to the dance floor. By now, it was so crowded, it couldn’t really be called dancing. Couples were close together whether they wanted to be or not.

Jace, who had been circulating all evening, glanced in their direction, frowned, paused for a bit and continued to the next table. His look wasn’t lost on Lucy.

“Our Jace is jealous of whoever is dancing with Dani. I’d say that’s a good thing, wouldn’t you, Honey?”

Cal shook his head and hugged her. “You’re not going to give up on Jace and Dani, are you, Sweetheart?”

Hubie and Travis circulated through the crowd while having a guitar and fiddle duel. Much to the crowd’s delight, they jumped up onto the bar and continued playing from there.

***

“I’m going to beg off tonight, Lorna. You go find your ‘used to be broke and now may be wealthy again’ cowboy.’ I’m going to stay here and watch a movie,” Will told Lorna when they reached their hotel room. She shrugged, dismissing his words. “Suit yourself.”