“It’s okay, Tristan. Bullet’s got a reputation for settin’ his sights on a pretty lady and not givin’ up until she’s his, if you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean, and I assure you, I’ll never be his.” The way it came out made her cringe.
“Glad to hear it. Uh, does Lost Cowboy have a rule against the boss lady dancin’ with a rider?”
“Of course not, and if we did, my daddy is a long way from here, and would never know.” Had she really just told a cowboy that she’d bend the rules for him because her father would never know? What had gotten into her? It was Bullet, dammit.
She danced with Stormy for two songs, and then excused herself.
She looked around the room and didn’t see Bullet. Maybe he left after embarrassing himself. She looked around a second time, but still didn’t see him.
When Tristan turned back to the bar, Bullet was standing next to her. “Who ya lookin’ for, darlin’?”
“No one,” she scowled. “Just seeing who else is here.”
He held out his hand. “Dance with me?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Come on, now, one dance won’t hurt any.”
Bullet was using the same tone of voice he had the last time she saw him. The same one he used with the filly. Why was it sending chills up her spine?
“You think you’re pretty smooth, don’t you?”
“Nah, I’m not like that, Tristan. You should know better.” He leaned in, close enough that she could hear him breathing. “Dance with me,” he whispered.
“Um, maybe one song.” What was she doing? Getting closer to him was not a good idea. Why wasn’t she walking in the opposite direction? Instead, she let him lead her to the dance floor.
“That’s my girl,” he whispered as he drew her close. Much too close.
1967
“Calm down and start over. What happened?”
Bill joined Clancy in the kitchen. When he did, Clancy shook his head. “I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
When he hung up the phone, he rested his hand on Bill’s shoulder. “Son,” he began, “there’s some trouble with your mama.”
More bad news. Bill was beginning to think his family was cursed. Clancy made two more phone calls after the first. Bill went up to his bedroom because Clancy asked for privacy.
“I’m goin’ alone this time,” he said after he asked Bill to come back downstairs.
“Are you gonna tell me what it’s about?”
“I’m not, and I need you to trust that I’m makin’ the right decision by not tellin’ you.”
“Did he hurt her?” Bill caught Clancy’s wince.
“No, son, not in the way you think.”
Bill didn’t like it one bit that Clancy was keeping something from him, especially since it was about his mother and sister.
“I don’t like it.”
“I know you don’t.” Clancy put his hand on Bill’s shoulder. “As I said before, I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”
9