by Rita Hestand
"Well, we'll see what we can do to hook you up with someone. How old are you?"
"Twenty-three." She said dully.
"A good age to find a husband. Your old enough to know a few things, and wise enough to appreciate them. Then we'll be keeping a look out fer you." Mr. Muldoon smiled at her.
They talked to her for an hour or more and then scuttled on home.
The Weems came by, and Loretta ordered one of her new cider. Lon had a beer. They looked the place over.
"You know I don't think I've ever seen this place this clean before." Loretta stared at her reflection on the bar.
"I wanted it to look nice," Sammie Joe told her.
"It's grand, I tell you. And we'll be back tonight too."
They hurried off.
She met a sweet old man, who promised several times during the night that he'd marry her if she'd accept his proposal. She smiled and pat his hand. "I'll remember that George."
"You do that girlie." He smiled.
There was one older gentleman that came to sit in the corner. He ordered a beer and a bowl of chili. He sat alone, not bothering anyone, but not talking either.
She felt his loneliness so much, she went over to talk to him a bit.
"Are you from around here?"
He didn't answer.
"Do you work here?"
He still didn't answer.
He obviously wanted to be left alone. But as she started to walk off he mumbled in a strained voice. "I've had throat cancer for the last six months. Talking is hard."
"I'm sorry…" she sat down in front of him in the booth and looked at him.
"I should keep my mouth shut, but being from Texas I'm just naturally nosey." She laughed.
He looked at her and a slow moving smile crossed his features. She saw a sadness in his face, but a strange sense joy in his eyes. It conflicted, but it was part of what made him the man he was. He called himself Walker. And everyone would wave to him when they came in.
He was a pale man, almost frail looking.
And he reminded her of her father who was going through the same thing. It saddened her more than she wanted to admit.
"Well…you're welcome here, anytime." She said and got up to leave. "First drinks' on the house." She turned and told him.
He reached for her arm. "Thanks." He said and nodded.
Everyone told her they'd be back in the evening. She nodded. Around two there was a real lull and she had some chili and a soft drink. She heated some tortilla and dipped it in her chili.
Later she sat down on the floor by the fire and pet SeeMe.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, SeeMe, but didn't Cody kiss me last night."
SeeMe's head lifted from his paw and he put it on her leg.
"I thought so. I was a bit tipsy. I shouldn't have been. But I was. But all I can remember about him being here was him kissing me. Lordy, the man, can kiss. I've had a few boyfriends, but nothing like that…" Sammie Jo shook her head. "I like him SeeMe. I like him a lot. He's different from anyone I've been with. And I feel a little caution around him, as though he might be afraid to risk another relationship. I guess I better tread lightly. If I don't want to run him off."
SeeMe yawned.
"It's too soon to like a man that much…" She protested her feelings. "I've never been kissed like that in my life. I'd remember if I had." She assured SeeMe. "But I'll walk softly around him. I wouldn't want to scare him away."
Along about five thirty, people began to drift in. She met nearly the entire community as they all wanted to welcome her and the re-opening of the Nite-N-Gale.
She revved up the chili, and cranked up the jukebox and served drinks for two solid hours, getting to know all the people that came in slowly.
She knew she wouldn't remember a lot of their names, but she was sure she'd remember their faces.
Everything was in full swing by seven that evening. People had come for her chili and to have a drink or two. She welcomed them all. Her live entertainment showed up and she sank back in the corner to enjoy their music and watch her customers. Paul and Keith were locals so everyone knew them, and enjoyed their music. They got plenty of requests. And she offered the boys free drinks every night they played. They were talented young men and they sang a medley of numbers.
It was ten o'clock and Cody hadn't been by once. She didn't want to notice, but she had. The other deputy had come by with his girlfriend, Miranda, introducing her and they ate and had a few beers. But there was no Cody and no explanation of why he wasn't around.
Dear God, she missed him already. What was wrong with her.
But even though Cody didn't come, she tried to enjoy this day. It was a new day for her and it brought her closer to this community.
She sighed and was about to turn out the lights when the bell above her front door tinkled.
She looked up and saw Cody standing there.
Her heart leapt so hard against her chest, she almost grabbed herself. She drank him in, and then she veiled all those thoughts, trying to look unaffected at his arrival. She knew from experience that the fastest way to run a man off was to be too eager.
"Want a beer, officer?" She asked with a smile that didn't reach her lips.
He nodded.
She turned away, to catch her breath. He took his coat off and moved to sit at the bar.
"So…how was your first day?" He asked, a slight smile playing at his fascinating mouth.
She shrugged. "It went well, I thought. I guess I met most of the people of the town. Everyone loved the music, liked my chili and enjoyed themselves. I didn't have any drunks who refused to go home. I count myself as lucky." She attempted a smile.
"Sounds good. Sorry, I dropped by so late. I'm sure you want to close up. I've been on duty tonight."
"Oh!" She tempered her anger. "I'm sorry you missed it."
"Me too," He said and grabbed her hand.
She felt her hand sweat. What was she going to do? She was so attracted to this man. Cody had a giving way about him that romanced her mind her and her heart. And yet he couldn't have stopped by for even a minute to tell her?
She should be angry. And yet she knew that was childish. The man was working, what could she do.
She smiled now, relaxing a bit. "I think I like your north country."
"Do you?" His eyes were steady on her.
"Yes…" her voice sounded husky even to her.
"I'm glad. I'm also glad things went peaceably too."
"Yes," she grinned impishly, "I didn't have to call the cops once."
His grin widened.
"Do you ski?" He asked out of the blue.
"I don't know. I've never tried." She was surprised by his changing the subject out of nowhere. "Texas doesn't have that much snow."
"Well, what do you say, we go skiing the first day you have off?" He asked, staring at her.
A warm flush hit her, but she quickly tried to play her feelings down. "Well, I don't know. I hadn't thought about days off. I can't very well leave…"
He looked startled, then recovered. "Just a thought."
"An excellent one too. Maybe in time I can hire some help and take a day off. But right now, I'm pretty stuck."
He nodded. "I'll get back with you on that then." He smiled, but his eyes weren't smiling.
Did he think she was rejecting him?
That went badly.
"Well, I better go, it's late…" He said and got up and started to walk out.
"Wait…" she called in a panic.
He stopped and turned to look at her. "I'd love to go skiing with you, when I get some time off."
He walked toward her. He bypassed the bar and he came around it to stand directly in front of her.
He made some strange growling sound and captured her lips as his head bent to hers.
Caught off guard, she couldn't do anything but respond to him. Her heart was pounding so loud, she was sure he would hear it. But the kiss was thorough, leaving nothing to
the imagination as the palms of his hands cupped her face and kept devouring her every thought.
Melting, molding, sighing, she was lost.
She inhaled the light cologne he wore. She felt his powerful arms holding her so gently, as though he might crush her. She saw the soft light in his eyes, and the almost smile that found a place in her heart.
When they came up for air once more, her eyes took him in. She knew a tiny thread bonded them together, as strange as it was.
"I've been thinking about doing that, all day long." He whispered, and he turned and to leave again.
"I missed you…" She murmured.
He smiled…"I'll see you, soon."
Whether it was because he'd already said too much or before he took it to the next level, she couldn't be sure. But he had filled her with such a comforting warmth, she could only smile and stare after him.
What was it about him? He waltzed in here at some ridiculous hour, kissed her silly and left her hanging. What was happening to her?
Chapter Ten
Two days later, Sammie Jo hadn't seen hide nor hair of Cody. She figured he was busy. At least that's what she told herself. Just because he said he'd stop by often to check on her, didn't mean he would be in every day.
Besides, people might begin to talk.
Yet, when he wasn't around she tended to analyze their every moment together. Maybe he thought her too forward. Maybe she responded too much. She didn't know, but the one thing she did know, she couldn't control her responses to him. Things just happened. She'd never been involved so quickly, so deeply with any man before. Most of her dating was high school kids she'd known all her life. And the few she took seriously took her too seriously.
Cody seemed different, he didn't push too far, she liked that. And yet a little devil in her head kept asking what would happen if he did?
Sal came in with a letter for her and he looked extra chipper.
"Thanks, Sal. My first official letter." She looked at the return address. It was from her mother.
Eager to hear from them, she tore it open and smiled at Sal. "I have to read it, it's from my folks." She explained.
He smiled and waited for her to finish it.
She sighed.
"Dad's much better. He starts chemo tomorrow, according to this. I wish he didn't have to go through that."
Sal nodded, his expression changing to one of concern. But he kept his voice from showing it.
When her conflicting emotions settled down, he studied her a moment and tried to reassure her.
"Chemo isn't like it used to be. My mother had cancer of the throat and she had to have chemo and radiation. It was a trying time back then. The chemo used to make you terribly sick. But now days they have something for that, you know. It's better tolerated. Not being sick from the medicine can have a positive effect on you."
Sammie Jo nodded.
"You miss your folks pretty bad?"
She nodded and didn't speak for a few minutes.
But when she was in control again, she answered him. "I miss them a lot. But this is my home, Sal. This is where I belong now. I made the decision to come here by myself, without a bit of help. I'm happy here. Everyone has been so kind and helpful. And I do wish I was the kind that could help take care of daddy and take a load off my mother's shoulders. I've admitted to myself that I am not that kind. I'm not weak exactly, but I've had a lot at one time hit me. My grandpa dying when he did. I missed him so. Then my cousin took off for college, which was to be expected, but I didn't handle it well. In fact, the day he left I had a big fight with him. All because deep down I was going to miss him like blazes. I know this is all a part of growing up, facing life. But I've found that by distancing myself, I can look at it more realistically. I can face it better, be stronger. My folks know me so well, they understand, but it's hard to make a stranger understand it." Sammie Jo smiled reflectively.
Sal nodded. "Sure they do Miss. And now days you can hook up the computer and talk face to face with them."
Sammie Jo jumped up and looked at Sal as though he had hit paydirt. "That's it. I'll hook my Skype up an talk to them regular that way. I can actually see them while I'm talking. Thanks for reminding me. I hadn't even looked at my computer since I came here. I've been too busy."
Sal laughed. "Glad I reminded you, then. I better be going now. I'll see you tonight."
Sammie Jo smiled. "Thanks, Sal, thanks a lot."
She had trouble with no Wi-Fi. She called Paul to ask him if he knew anything about computers. She didn't want to call Cody, afraid it would seem like she was asking him to come over. She knew he had a job, a serious job to do and she didn't want to interfere.
"Sure, I can help you. Want me to come on over now?"
"If you aren't busy. I'm not too busy at the moment."
"I'll be there shortly then," Paul said.
Sammie Jo looked at SeeMe and pet him. SeeMe seemed to enjoy the attention. "I don't know why I'm so dense lately. Usually, I've got that computer hot every day. But since I've been here, I’m hardly on it."
After a couple of hours, Paul had her up and running and she dialed her folks. Her mother's face came on the screen.
She looked at Paul and smiled.
"Hi Mama!" Sammie Jo cried.
"Hi squirt. How are you doing?" She asked.
"Everything is going great here. I had my opening and it went smooth as clock-work. The people here are extra friendly. You'd think they were from Texas."
"Great." Her mother laughed. "Want to talk to your dad?"
"Oh yes…please." Sammie Jo cried.
"Hi pumpkin. Good to see you. You look great. I guess that frozen air agrees with you, huh?" He was dressed in his jeans and looked great, except he was still a bit pale. But it was so good being able to see them both.
"It does Dad. I love it here. And you should see my saloon, I'll e-mail you some picture later on the net."
"Great."
He looked so good, she felt so much better having this kind of contact with them.
When she hung up, Paul glanced at her with a smile, "Your folks?"
"Yeah…my dad's been sick. He has cancer."
"Oh well, I'm glad you are hooked up then. Now you can talk and see them regular." The old man told her.
"Thank God for computers." She looked at him. Then as he was about to leave she reached and kissed his cheek. He blushed.
About that time, Cody walked in. He gave Paul a strange look and watched her for a moment.
"Something going on?" He asked.
"Oh…" She grabbed him and kissed him on the lips then whirled around. "Yes. Paul got me hooked up on the computer so I can talk to my folks. It's almost like in person. Using the Skype program, I think it is."
"Oh," He nodded. "Well, I'm glad everyone is so helpful."
"Yes, it will be great. But…dad is going to start the Chemo soon…I'm dreading that. He'll probably lose all his beautiful hair."
Cody sobered then and stared at her. "Don't worry, being bald isn't so bad."
"You're right. It isn't." She looked at him like he was a piece of pie. She shook herself.
"I just stopped by to tell you, I'm going to see my Uncle pretty soon, up the mountain. I wish you could take off and go with me. I'd like you to meet him." Cody was saying as he nodded to several people as they came in. She waited on them and then rejoined Cody, who had taken a seat at the bar.
"I wish I could too. Maybe when I get someone who can relieve me for a day or so."
"I've been thinking about that. Have you met Miranda?"
"John's girlfriend, yes, I have. She's a lovely girl."
"Well, she used to help Tucker out every now and then. Maybe you could hire her for a day off every now and then."
"How soon are you going up there?"
"In a week or so."
"If you will tell John to tell her to come by, I'd like to talk to her."
"Great. Well, I better be going…" He got up and started t
o leave.
Sammie Jo's heart fell. He was leaving so soon.
She nodded but didn't say anything. Instead, she started talking to a young couple that came in. They were tourist and wanted to know where all the sights were. Sammie Jo told them she was new in town. But when Sal walked in she directed their attention to him.
Sal gave them all kinds of ideas and the couple seemed to enjoy talking to him. When he left, the couple got up and danced a bit, then had one more drink and left.
It was a slow night. But Sammie Jo was already seeing that the weather played a big part in how many customers she had. In good weather, her place would be swamped with people. In stormy weather, there were a few stragglers.
That night her mother called her as she was making her bed on the floor.
"Something wrong, Mama?"
"No honey. Everything is fine here. I was just wondering about you. Are you making a lot of friends?"
"Yes, I think I know almost everyone who lives here." She laughed.
"Good…now give me the low-down…have you met anyone up there yet?"
"Met anyone?" Sammie Jo looked skeptical. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. Have you met any men, or boys that you like? I could tell by the look in your eyes that there is someone, you've met."
"Oh!" Sammie Jo debated quickly whether to tell her mother about Cody. Perhaps it was too soon. "I've met a few…"
"I saw a spark in your eyes. I think you've already met someone up there. That's why I'm calling. I'm dying to know everything."
"You are checking up on me?" Sammie Jo sounded astounded.
"It's my job!" Her mother laughed. "Now give. Who's the guy?"
She hesitated. "There's nothing going on. I mean…not much. But I've met a nice guy."
"I thought maybe you had. What's his name?"
"Cody….Cody Talltree."
"An Indian?" her mother laughed.
"Part, yes," Sammie Jo admitted.
"Is he handsome?"
"Mother!"
"He must be. What does he do for a living?"
"He's a deputy."
"The law, huh? Well, that's good. I'm glad you've found someone to keep you company. I've heard it gets mighty lonely up there. And I'm glad to know there are young people there."