by Hall, Roni
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Get your filthy hands off of her!” Like an iron sledgehammer, Rick put his fist into the man’s jaw and down he went. Turning his attention to her, his eyes softened.
“Jamie, are you okay?” Any strength she’d had vanished at Rick’s tender words and she began to shake. With his arms around her, he pushed through the crowd toward the bar. Ben saw them coming and his eyes widened with alarm.
“What happened?”
“Kevin sent me to get her when he got pulled onstage, and some assholes were all over her.” Rick looked pissed. “Sit down, Jamie. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“No, I’m okay now, thanks to you, Rick. Thank you. Thank you.” As she extended her hand to Rick, they all watched as it trembled uncontrollably. Wanting to scream, she held it in but her eyes watered with the pent up rage and fear.
“Let me get Kevin.” Ben turned to go.
Grabbing Ben’s arm, she took a deep breath to steady her voice. She knew if she saw Kevin now she would cave and she hated appearing weak. “No. Don’t bother him. It’s over. He’s on stage. Let him finish.” Kevin was still playing keyboard.
“Do you want me to take you home?” Ben asked, putting his arm around her shoulder. Looking at him, the tears appeared again. Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
“Sure. No problem. Should we tell Kevin?” Ben looked toward the stage.
“No, not now. Tell him I’ll see him tomorrow.”
“Sure, Jamie. Whatever you want. You sure you’re all right?” Eyebrows raised, Rick didn’t look convinced.
“Yes. I just want to get out of here. Thank you again.” Standing up, she hugged him long and hard. Planting a kiss on his cheek, she held him tight, feeling secure in his arms. His grim expression melted at her touch and he hugged her back. Ben put his arm around Jamie and escorted her out the side door as Rick headed back toward the rear of the hall.
As they reached the truck, Ben opened the door and closed it behind her. They rode in silence most of the way home and when they got to the ranch, Ben walked Jamie to her cabin.
“Is there anything I can do for you? Would you like me to stay?”
“That’s sweet of you, Ben. Thank you, but no, there’s nothing for you to do. I’m okay, just a little shaken . . . but nothing much to do about that. It’s over. Thank you for driving me home, I know you probably didn’t want to leave that early.”
“No problem at all.” He paused. “Can I give you a hug?”
His question caused her to tear up again and she nodded. Ben opened his arms and encircled her trembling body. He held her tight for several minutes and kissed the top of her head. It’s amazing what a hug can do. Hugging him back, she wouldn’t let go, letting some of his strength seep into her.
“Thank you.” She squeezed him once again, and then entered her cabin.
Jamie immediately ran a shower, tore off her clothes, jumped in, and released her sobs. She had kept her composure at the bar but what frightened her most about the whole ordeal was her own sense of helplessness and this angered her. So quickly and without warning, others had taken control of her fate for those few moments. Her mind could not stop thinking about the what ifs . . . what if Rick hadn’t shown up? That thought was the real cause of her physical trembling.
With the water as hot as she could tolerate, she scrubbed herself, wanting all traces of those low-lifes off of her. Her tears mixed with the shower water and ran down the drain. Jamie decided that those were the last tears she would shed over this . . . and vowed never to be someone’s victim again.
Kevin played two songs with the band before the show ended. The crowd applauded and was rewarded with one encore performance, which lasted another ten minutes. Finally the band left the stage. Kevin spoke with them again, shook their hands and arrangements were made to follow up by phone. Once his business was completed, Kevin searched out Rick.
“Did you find Jamie? I don’t see her.” Kevin’s eyes scanned the crowd.
“Ben took her home.”
“What?”
“Kevin,” Rick’s tone caught Kevin’s attention, “there was . . . an incident.” Rick paused as if searching for the right words.
His gut tightened. “Incident? What happened? Is she all right?”
“She’s a little shaken up, but she said she was okay.”
“What happened?”
“There were a few drunks that tried to force her to leave with them.” Rick spoke slowly. “They man-handled her a bit. I got there before they got out the door with her, so it could have been a lot worse.” Rick looked pissed just saying the words.
Kevin stared at him, speechless. He left her and he knew he shouldn’t have. He should have let the singer wait while he went back for her. Goddammit!
“They . . . were . . . touching . . . her?” The words made Kevin sick.
“Yes, but luckily when you gave me the nod to check on her, I went right away. So yes, it was bad, but it could have been much worse.” Rick obviously was trying to make him feel better but it sickened Kevin to think what could have happened.
“Why didn’t anyone come get me?” Kevin asked.
“We were going to but Jamie stopped us. She knew you were doing your thing and she didn’t want to ruin it for you. She said she was okay . . .” Rick didn’t finish.
“But?” Kevin wanted him to finish his thought.
“But I think she was pretty shook up. She wanted out of here,” Rick finished.
“Ya think?” Kevin was angry but not at Rick. “I’m sorry Rick. I don’t mean to take it out on you. Thank God you were there. Thank God.” And he stood up and slapped his friend on the back. “I’m just mad at myself for leaving her and angry as hell at those sons-of-bitches. Who were they anyway? Where are they?” Kevin looked out into the remaining crowd with fists clenched.
“They’re not locals, I’ve never seen ‘em before. After I finished with them, I handed them over to the sheriff who luckily was outside, waiting for business.”
“I need to get out of here and check on her. Thanks again.” Kevin shook his hand. Rick gave him a sad grin and put his big hand on his shoulder.
“See ya, Kev.”
On the drive back, Kevin’s thoughts were all over the place. He couldn’t drive fast enough. If only he had gone back to get her. He pounded the steering wheel hard with his fist. “SONSOFBITCHES!” What if Rick hadn’t gotten there in time?
He pulled in to the ranch too fast, hopped out of his truck and sprinted over to Jamie’s cabin. Her lights were out. If she was sleeping, he didn’t want to wake her, but he needed to make sure she was all right. He knocked softly and called her name but she didn’t answer. Feeling guilty and useless, he stood outside her cabin for a while before he finally walked away.
Jamie lay in the dark, her eyes open. She heard Kevin’s steps outside her cabin, heard his knock and heard him call her name. She did not know why but she did not answer.
Chapter 20
Jamie slept restlessly. Her thoughts kept going back to the incident at the bar last night. Dwelling on it would do no good, she had to let it go. Forcing herself to think about something completely different, something positive, she decided to concentrate on how it felt when she was riding Jack when they broke out into a full run. Never had she felt so free before, as if she were a bird in flight. There, now she was in a much better frame of mind.
Feeling better, she got up, dressed, and headed out the door for her cup of tea. However, when she opened the door, there sat Kevin, perched on her stoop. He was unshaven and looked like he hadn’t slept.
“Kevin?”
He held a thermos mug and handed it to her. “Your tea.”
“Thank you. You look awful.”
“Can I talk to you? Can I come
in?” He asked.
“Sure.” She held the door open and he closed it behind him.
“Jamie, I’m sick about what happened last night. It's my fault, I shouldn’t have left you. I’m so sorry.” He looked at her with a look of failure on his face.
His guilt angered Jamie and her voice was firm. “Kevin, what are you sorry for? You did nothing wrong. You have nothing to apologize for. It was those bastards’ fault, not yours.”
“I should have been there for you.”
“Unfortunately, we can’t protect everyone all the time, no matter what. And you did help me because from what I understand, you threw Rick a ‘go check on Jamie’ look and he did. So thank you.”
“I’m still sick about it.” His face was lined with guilt.
“I was too . . . last night. But I decided to let it go and I have. So you can let it go too,” she said softly and reached for his hand.
“I don’t think I can let it go that quickly but I’ll shut up about it. However, for the record and for the future, nothing, I repeat nothing is too important to interrupt me. I love music but I will gladly interrupt it for anything to do with you.” He made eye-to-eye contact. “Understood?” he held her gaze, and she nodded.
“Understood,” Jamie answered appreciatively. Neither spoke for a minute, then she changed the subject. “Let’s get some breakfast. Consuelo’s cooking makes everything better.”
After working a full day in the barn, Jamie needed some Jack time. Catching Hector’s attention, she winked as she tip-toed past him toward the stallion’s stall. Quietly leading Jack outside, she mounted him and set off on the trail.
Riding for about forty-five minutes, she came to a stream where she rested and watered Jack. He seemed to have an uncanny sense of a person’s basic personality, good or bad. What an amazing animal! She laughed out loud. “Who would have thought a city girl like me has a horse for a BFF!” Enjoying nature’s show she could feel the day waning.
“We better get back before it gets late.” They reached the barn and Jamie looked around as she led Jack toward his stall still conversing with him.
“That was fun, Jack, we’ll do . . .” She stopped in mid-sentence as she spotted Kevin leaning against the post at Jack's stall as if waiting for them. Knowing she was caught red-handed, she didn’t know what to say so she said nothing. Leading Jack into his stall, she undressed him and began to brush him as Kevin watched her silently. Once she finished with Jack she exited the stall to face the music. Kevin still waited.
“I’m sorry, Kevin. I know Jack is your horse and I should’ve asked you first. I’m sorry.” She looked up at him.
“Jamie, it’s not that he’s my horse. I don’t care about that. I care about your safety, first and foremost and Jack is unpredictable.” Kevin was firm and unsmiling.
“I know you think that, but Jack is a gentle horse to those that are gentle to him. He trusts me. I know you don’t believe it but Jack wouldn’t hurt me. I don’t know how I know that but I do. I trust him more than any horse on this ranch. I know I only have a few weeks of horse experience, but this goes beyond knowing horses. It’s a connection with another living being. I know I sound crazy.” Jamie pleaded her case.
Kevin stood silent. He looked at Jamie then at Jack who was nuzzling Jamie right this second. Jack looked at Kevin as if to say see, I won’t hurt her. I’ll be careful.
Kevin’s gaze softened. “I must be crazy. Okay, but you two better behave. Jack, I’m holding you personally responsible for her safety. And, Jamie, you better take all precautions.” Kevin shook his head from side to side. “I must be crazy.”
Jamie hugged Kevin and then Jack. “Thank you. Thank you. I’ll take good care of him, I promise.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” Kevin stroked Jack’s nose like a handshake to seal the deal between two guys. He patted Jack’s neck then turned to Jamie.
“Let’s go eat.”
“Sounds great. I’m hungry. Good night, Jack.” She gave him a quick hug then turned to leave with Kevin as she took hold of his arm.
“You won’t be sorry. At least you know Jack will be getting his exercise when you’re too busy.”
They kept walking. Kevin was still shaking his head from side to side. He repeated, “I must be crazy.” But this time he smiled.
Chapter 21
Kevin and Jamie entered the mess hall and sat down next to Ben and Rick and caught up on the latest news. Jamie asked about Tommy and found out he was spending a couple of days with his maternal grandmother. When they finished their meal, Jamie cleared her plate and approached Consuelo who gave her a quick hug and some girl chat before she rejoined the guys at the table.
“Jamie, we’re going to the Wild Boar tonight. Want to join us?” Ben asked. Jamie looked from Ben to Kevin to Rick.
“Are you sure this isn’t a male-bonding event?”
“Of course it is, but you’re one of the guys!” Ben answered, and they all laughed.
“Thanks . . . I think. Sure, I’d love to go.”
“Okay, meet at the truck at 8. See you then.” Ben got up and Rick soon followed leaving Kevin and Jamie alone.
“You okay with this . . . or is it too soon after last night?”
“Last night is over. I love hanging out with the guys.”
“Okay then, if you're sure.”
“I better go and freshen up a bit . . . or is that not acceptable for one of the guys to do?”
“No, cleaning up is acceptable. We are guys after all, not animals.” Kevin laughed.
They entered the bar, greeted by Kenny and some of the locals. The place seemed warmer than usual and Kenny commented that the air conditioner was on the blink. As a result, ice-cold beers were on special tonight. The bar began to fill which made it even warmer. Kenny set some stand-up fans around the room, which helped but did not alleviate the heat. Even though it was warm inside, none of them thought of leaving early. Kenny would probably have some costly repairs so he needed the business. Being a little warm was the least they could do for a friend, that’s how these people were here. If a bar or restaurant’s air broke down in the big city, the patrons would leave, not wanting to experience any discomfort. We’re a pampered society, Jamie thought, and shook her head.
Kevin caught her shaking her head and raised his eyebrows.
“What’s wrong?”
“Actually nothing, nothing at all.” She smiled.
The conversation flowed and jokes about the heat and hot bodies were the topic of the night. They gave Kenny some good-natured flack but he took it in stride and gave it back to them. They were there for the evening so they might as well have fun with it. Kenny started passing out cloth napkins floating in an ice bath, which proved a big hit. People got creative, some wearing them around their foreheads, around their necks, or under their cowboy hats. The crowd had fun with it. Glad she’d worn a sleeveless tee, Jamie still felt very warm and was perspiring. In fact, Ben made a comment that it was the first time he’d ever seen Jamie sweat. Jamie corrected him firmly.
“First of all, Ben, I do not sweat. I glisten.”
“Oh pardon me, Mademoiselle. I stand corrected.” He bowed.
“And secondly, I have glistened many a time sweeping out the barn.”
“I stand corrected . . . again.” Ben laughed and bowed again.
“Glistening, huh?” Kevin looked at her with a devilish grin.
“I warn you not to come too close when I’m glistening. I hope my perfume holds out.” She exaggerated a worried look.
“I like a woman who glistens. That means she’s real.” Kevin eyed her flirtatiously.
“Well then, I'm real!”
The night wore on and the temperature rose but it did not dampen their spirits. The juke box played nonstop. Perc
y Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman” started up. Kevin touched Jamie’s shoulder and slid his hand down her arm to grab hold of her hand. He led her and she followed him onto the empty dance floor.
Kevin pulled her close for a slow dance. She started to protest because she worried that the sweat that covered her body might turn him off, but one look at Kevin with his damp shirt told the story. Their two hot bodies, holding close and moving to Percy Sledge was above petty perspiration worries. Holding her near, they were touching from chest to knees. In this crowded bar, they were alone, moving as one. The heat in the room seemed to heighten the tension that was palpable between them. She could feel his heart beat and her breath quickened. The external temp in the room was not an issue; they wanted to be even closer. The words of the song were not lost on either one of them . . . it spoke of a man loving a woman, unable to keep his mind on anything else . . .
The music ended but neither let go. Kevin looked her in the eyes then kissed her lips. He seemed reluctant to release her from his embrace and held onto her hand as they headed back to the bar. In fact he did not let go of Jamie for the rest of the night. After that dance, there was no denying that there was something between Kevin and Jamie. It was their coming out to the rest of the ranch workers.
The group stayed for about another hour then left the bar together. When they exited the bar and walked outside, it felt like Mother Nature had the air conditioner on. The breeze felt wonderful. They relished in it for a few moments before getting into the truck for the ride home.