by Linda Style
After clicking channels for fifteen minutes and finding nothing to watch, she checked the time. Not even eight. For some reason she felt edgy, as if she needed to do something but didn’t know what. She picked up the phone and dialed Natalia.
“What’s up?” her friend asked without so much as a hello. Natalia was the most direct person Serena knew. Some people found it off-putting, but Serena liked that quality. She never had to wonder where she stood with Natalia.
“I’m bored,” Serena said. “What are you doing?”
“Just kicking back with Jackson.” Jackson was Natalia’s cat.
“I was considering doing something.”
“Well, something is always fun,” Natalia said facetiously.
“I’m thinking it should involve wine.”
“I’m up for that. How about the Blue Moon? We could grab a burger and play some pool.”
They used to do that a lot. Serena, Tori, Natalia, Liz Gentry and two other high-school friends had once been in a women’s league, but then a couple of them married and Tori got involved with Linc and the whole thing just petered out. “Terrific. I’ll meet you there in a half hour.”
Serena hung up, went to her closet and pulled out a burgundy sweater, a clean pair of jeans and her black boots. Then she went to shower. At once she felt invigorated, and realized that in the whole time since Cole had moved back to Spirit Creek, she’d been preoccupied, worried about how his presence affected her…and Ryan…and everyone else. What she needed was something else to think about. Something fun.
To shower, dry her hair, get dressed and walk down the street to the Blue Moon Saloon took forty-five minutes. The front door was open and honky-tonk music spilled into the balmy night air. Natalia was already there, sitting at a table at the far end of the room and waving.
A man sat across from her, but in the low light Serena couldn’t tell who he was. She walked across the room, past the booths on the left and the tables that surrounded a tiny dance floor in the middle. A dark mahogany bar flanked the wall on her right, and beyond the bar in an open room at the far end was the billiard room, with two tables.
“Hey,” she said to Natalia, then noticed Sam was sitting across from her. She eyed him. “Are you old enough to be in here?”
“Is twenty-two enough?”
“Yep.” She smiled and noticed that the pool tables in the back were filled, which meant her group would have to wait if they wanted to play. “I’ll get a drink and be back pronto.”
“I ordered us burger baskets,” Natalia said.
Ed Torberg, bartender and part owner of the bar, saw her coming and held up a wineglass and a bottle of red wine. “Yes, if it’s Merlot,” she said, then sidled up to Tom Thompson—aka TomTom—the owner of the hardware store, who was enjoying a bowl of chili. “Where’s Pat tonight?” Serena asked.
“She and Benny went to visit her sister in California. So, I’m a bachelor for a few days.” He winked at her. “I’m also testing the competition for the chili contest comin’ up.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Serena said. “I’ll have to get out my killer recipes to see if I can take that prize away from you.” Tom had won the contest three years in a row. “I’m thinking this might be my year.”
“Not if I can help it, young lady. But you’re welcome to try.”
“Neither of you is going to win,” Ed said as he handed her a glass of wine. “I’ve got a new recipe, and it’s not the one you’re tasting, Tom.”
Serena had started hosting the chili cook-off at the café, but when Ed and Mac reopened the Blue Moon, it seemed appropriate to go back to the place it had begun. “How long have those guys been on the tables?” she asked Ed.
“Not long. If you want to play, I’ll let ’em know so they don’t hog them all night.”
“Thanks.” She went back and took the chair next to Natalia, who was wearing her signature black sweater, black pants, silver belt and jewelry. Her long brunette hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail.
“Sam has a question for you,” Natalia said.
Serena grinned at him. “More questions about the Gentry girls? I can introduce you, if you want.”
“Hey, I want.” His eyes lit up and a smile split his face. “But the question is about something else.”
“Okay. Spit.”
“I’ve got to take some people on a vortex tour Monday, and I’ve been reading everything I can about it. But I still don’t get it. I don’t think I can be a convincing tour guide unless I go to each place and get a real feel for it.”
“That makes sense. You should do that.”
“Yeah, but I need someone who really knows all this stuff, someone who’s able to help me feel the vibe.”
Serena liked Sam’s intensity. “I understand what you mean,” she teased, as if she had no idea what he was hinting at. “It’s hard to get a feel for something just by reading a book.”
He heaved an exasperated sigh. “So,” he said, inching closer, “will you go with me?”
“Me?” She feigned surprise.
He sipped of his beer. “Okay, I wasn’t very subtle, was I?”
Serena laughed.
A young woman, someone Serena wasn’t acquainted with and who appeared as young as Sam, came over with their hamburger baskets, and Sam grinned from ear to ear. The girl blushed.
Once the waitress was out of sight, they all dug into their food. Sam turned to Serena. “Can you do it? Like, tomorrow afternoon? After you close the café?”
He even had that down. She smiled. “What about Ryan? Or Cole?”
“Ryan’s got another gig and Cole knows less than I do.” He gave her a puppy-dog look. “Please.”
She sighed, then eyed Natalia. “Okay. Some people have been telling me I need to get out and have some fun, anyway.”
“Cool.” Sam frowned. “Is it fun?”
“Serena believes it’s fun,” Natalia injected. “But not everyone has her sense of adventure.”
“Ignore her, Sam. She thinks bungee jumping is boring.”
They all laughed and continued the banter throughout the meal. Just as they were finishing up, Ed walked over. “The guys in the back have challenged you ladies to a game.”
“The guys?” Natalia turned to see and, squinting, she asked, “Is that Mac?”
Ed chuckled. “Yeah, he told me to tell you he’d spot you a couple of balls.”
Natalia practically shot from her chair. “He said that?”
The bartender shrugged, palms up.
“C’mon,” Natalia said, and yanked Serena from her chair. “We’re gonna kick some butt.”
“Oh, yeah,” Sam chortled, and rubbed his hands as he followed the women to the back room. “Now we’re talkin’.”
Serena laughed, suddenly feeling energized. Mac had no idea what he was getting into.
But when she reached the table, she saw Mac’s partner. Cole.
“Hey, ladies,” Mac said. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
Natalia looked as though she was really considering it, then she said, “Sure. If you’ve got a C-note on it.”
“Whoa,” Cole and Mac said in unison.
Serena almost did a double take, but quickly regrouped, raised her chin, crossed her arms and said, “And you can take back those balls you wanted to spot us.”
Cole and Mac glanced at each other, then Cole shrugged and Mac said, “Gosh, we’d hate to steal your money, but what the heck.”
Serena was sure she saw a moment of doubt in their eyes—just enough to throw them off their game.
Each man pulled out fifty dollars and handed it to Sam.
Natalia and Serena did the same.
One of the guys at the other table turned to his partner and said, “I’m betting on the ladies.” The other guy nodded and bet on the guys. Within minutes, word had spread through the bar and several other people had placed side bets. Sam demanded that those who’d made wagers and the rest of the people who came in to watch sta
y against the wall, out of the way of play. Serena knew most of them, but there were a few tourists in the group, as well.
“Okay,” Sam said. “Let’s do it.”
Natalia removed a cue from the rack and rolled it on the table to make sure it had no curve. Serena did the same.
A low “Uh-oh” filtered through the group of onlookers.
It was all about confidence, Serena told herself, but with Cole observing her every move, her heart raced as though she’d just run a marathon. She’d never felt more nervous. Then some guy called out, “Hot chicks playing pool. Sounds like a great reality show.” Then someone called out, “Work it, girls.”
Serena couldn’t decide whether to be offended or complimented…until she realized the extra advantage their team had. She went over, whispered to Natalia, then gazed at Cole and said in her most seductive voice, “Game on, boys.”
Cole and Mac exchanged skeptical glances. Then Mac said, “Okay. Sam, flip a coin to see who breaks.”
Serena got the break and, making sure she bent over the table with finesse each and every time, she proceeded to run half the table before she missed a shot.
Cole was up next, and in her peripheral vision, she saw him shake out his shoulders to loosen up. As he leaned down for his shot, Serena stood directly in front of him at the end of the table. She slowly ran her tongue over her bottom lip, then smiled.
Cole stopped, then wiped his forehead with the arm of his black long-sleeved shirt.
He was sweating. Perfect.
Setting up his shot, Cole mouthed something that appeared suspiciously like a curse.
Then he miscued the ball.
Natalia took her turn, also playing up her assets.
Blues music played in the background while the crowd cheered them on, hooting and howling on each shot. Cole went to stand on the opposite side of the table, his gaze sliding upward from her toes, lingering on her breasts, her mouth, nose, eyes…. Heat pooled in her belly. Even without looking at him, she could feel those eyes still on her. Focus, dammit. She breathed in and slowly let it out, watching as Natalia set up each shot. Without warning, Cole was standing next to her. Close. Her blood pounded in her ears. Then she realized what he was doing—the exact same thing she’d been trying to do. And, dammit, it was working.
Natalia missed the next shot and it was Mac’s turn. Thank heaven. Serena went to get her drink from the table behind her and took a sip. Mac ran a few balls before, all too soon, she was up. As she studied her angle, Cole stood in front of the only real shot on the table, feet apart, arms crossed…a sexy smile that dared her to look at him. She took a deep breath…steadied her cue…and missed the hole by a mile.
Natalia strolled over and, under her breath, said, “What the hell was that?”
Her face hot with embarrassment, Serena grimaced. “I don’t know.”
“Well, I do.” Natalia glanced at Cole. “He’s psyching you out. Get over it.”
She would. She had to.
On her next turn, Natalia raised her chin, narrowed her eyes at Mac and then Cole. She moistened her lips. “This is it, fellas. You’re going down.” Within fifteen minutes the game was over. The guys demanded a rematch. Two out of three. And when the girls took home the money, the place was party city. Serena gave Sam a cut.
Natalia eyed Cole and Mac and smiled as though she’d just had fantastic sex. “Nice game, boys.”
Mac mumbled, “Game, my ass. It was an annihilation.”
“Good game,” Cole grumbled. “Man, I need a drink.” He glanced at Serena.
“Me, too,” Mac said. “Ladies, do you want to join us?”
Serena hastily looked away.
“Can’t,” Natalia answered quickly, glancing at Mac. “I’m on call in the morning.”
“And I’ve had enough,” Serena swiftly said, and at that, both men went back into the bar. But Serena was sure she saw a gleam in Cole’s eyes.
Cole indicated that Sam should come along. “You up for it?” he asked, and Sam hustled along with him.
“Well done, partner.” Natalia raised her hand for a high five, and they went back to their own table. Serena had another glass of wine, but Natalia didn’t.
“Oh, wow. That was great,” Serena said. She felt more exhilarated than she had in ages. “I forgot how much fun we used to have. We should get a league going again.”
“Yeah, like either one of us has the time. But a pickup game here and there would be good.” She gave Serena a wicked smile. “Though I don’t remember the league being so fun. I think the competition tonight had something to do with it.”
Meaning Cole and Mac. As much as Serena hated to admit it, Natalia was probably right. “More likely the alcohol.”
Natalia laughed. “Don’t kid yourself. The heat was so intense between you and Cole I thought I might need a bucket of water to put out the flames.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Her friend snorted. “Whatever you say, kiddo.”
“Man,” Serena said, peering at her watch. “I had no idea it was so late. Isn’t it time for you to go?”
“Yup. It is.” She got up. “Just remember, you can ignore it, but it’s not going to go away. You’ll have to deal with it sometime.”
They were almost out the door, when Sam stopped Serena. “Three o’clock tomorrow. Right?”
Natalia kept going. “See you,” she said.
“Bye. Talk to you later.” Serena turned back to Sam. “I’ll be ready.”
Cole ambled up behind the young man.
Leaning one arm against the door frame, a laconic smile spreading across his face, he said smoothly, “Great game, Serena. Any time you want a rematch, I’m available.”
Her stomach fluttered like a schoolgirl’s. Heat flowed through her veins.
Sam grinned like a fool. He obviously had no clue she and Cole had history.
Pulling herself up, Serena, too, managed a smile and said, “No, thanks. I like to quit while I’m ahead.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
SERENA FLIPPED THE sign in the café window to Closed, then took a quick look around the restaurant while waiting for Sam to arrive. The mixed scents of coffee and scones, which she’d baked earlier, still hung in the air, reminding her of when they’d visited her grandmother in Oregon. She’d loved how her grandma’s house smelled, loved the old squishy couch with lots of pillows and the ruffled curtains on the windows. Waking up to the scent of bread and cinnamon rolls baking in the oven had been heaven.
Nothing like her normal life had been, moving from town to town. Not until they moved to the trailer park on the creek did they stay in one place for more than a year, and that was only because her father had been arrested for drug possession again and went to jail again.
But Serena had already told her mother she wasn’t moving anywhere. She’d stay here by herself if she had to. She smiled, remembering she’d put up such a fuss about moving because she’d started seeing Cole—The jangle of her cell phone broke into her thoughts. She checked the number. “Hey, there, Sam. I’m ready whenever you are.”
He hesitated a second, then said, “Great! I’ll be right over.”
Hearing his enthusiasm, she was glad she’d agreed to go. It would be fun. She hadn’t done the vortex trip in ages, and right now, it might be just what she needed. Though her mother had been lacking in a lot of areas, she’s made sure the kids were educated about the vortex phenomena. Many people thought the energy fields were a lot of hooey, but from Serena’s perspective, that didn’t matter. If a person believed a vortex worked, then it would for that person.
Gathering her things, she considered bringing some water, but decided against it. If Sam was going to be a tour guide, then he’d better be prepared.
A horn honked outside, making her jump. That was fast. She grabbed her baseball cap and a black hoodie in case it got cooler. The sun was always warm in the afternoon, but the air could be a lot cooler on top of a butte or in the shade.
S
he closed the café door behind her and reached down to lock it. As she turned around, she saw Sam in the driver’s seat, with a red-, white-and-blue bandanna tied around his head—and in the back, Cole, wearing his Indiana Jones hat, tan safari shirt and jeans. His arms were crossed over his chest—and a grin spread from ear to ear.
“I invited Cole along,” Sam said, rising up to peer over the top of the windshield. “He knows even less about all the vortex stuff than I do.”
For a moment, she just stood there, her mouth agape. Okay, Serena. Speak. Move one foot in front of the other and walk to the car. Sam didn’t know Serena and Cole had history, and she doubted he even knew about the accident. He was an employee, so for him to ask Cole along was natural. It was too late to back out, so she plodded down the steps to the Jeep and tossed her backpack with the maps and other information onto the floor in the front, then got in.
“This is really cool,” Sam said.
She cleared her throat. “Yeah. Cool.”
“Okay,” Cole said. “Tell us where to go and this show is on the road!”
She’d like to tell him where to go—only it wasn’t a vortex site she had in mind. If Cole had had any class, he could have told Sam no. He would have made an excuse.
“Just head toward Sedona, and I’ll alert you when we’re close to the first turnoff.” She reached down to pull out her maps. “We’ll go to Red Rock Crossing first. And while we’re driving, I’ll give you guys a rundown on the theory behind the vortex phenomena.”
“How did you come to know so much about this stuff?” Sam asked.
Cole narrowed his gaze.
“My mother was a little, um, caught up in the hippie, transcendental-meditation thing, and we moved to this area so she could go to the vortex meditation spots, which a lot of people believe are connected with these mystical energy forces. As a kid, I thought it was a little strange, and when I was in high school, I decided to show her how stupid it was. I did a lot of research, but as I did, I realized the therapeutic value of the vortexes, and actually learned how meditation and biofeedback techniques can trigger the body’s natural mood-elevating mechanisms. And that can enhance a person’s overall well-being without the need for alcohol, drugs or any other mood-changing substance or addictive behav—”