Bucking the Rules(43)

“Done,” Bea said quickly. “Besides, he’ll be at my place mostly.”

“You’re over here more than you’re over there,” Red pointed out logically.

“Don’t worry, he won’t be a problem at all.”

“That’s what Daddy said when he and Mama brought you home from the hospital,” Peyton said dryly, then spun on her heel and headed into the house.

“Good one,” Trace muttered under his breath. How long had she been saving that up?

Bea held out the dog, nose to nose, and spoke directly to him. “You’re going to live in my apartment. And I’m going to get you sweaters, because it gets cold here. And maybe some booties, because your little feet will be so chilly in the winter… .” Walking up the stairs, she tucked the animal under her arm. “And in the summer …” She disappeared into the house, voice trailing behind her.

“Are we sure that really was a dog?” Red asked.

“I asked at the shelter. They confirmed.” Trace ran a hand over his head, then bent down to scratch the pup currently gnawing at the hem of his jeans. “I warned her this would happen. But she just wanted to get him out to play with him. And that led to taking him on a quick walk around the building. And that led to signing adoption papers and asking where the nearest pet store was so she could buy him a cute collar.”

“There’s no pet store around here.” Red tipped his hat back. “And who cares if the collar is cute? It’s a dog.”

Trace shrugged. “That’s Bea.” He slapped his thigh once and No Name followed easily. “Let’s go meet your new friends, boy.”





She should call him.

No, that was stupid. She wouldn’t call. This wasn’t a relationship. And who cared if she hadn’t heard from him in three days? He had a life, and so did she.

But Jo found her hand reaching for her back pocket where she kept her cell phone anyway, before she forced herself to pull back.

“Something wrong?”

She looked up and smiled at Jeff, who had become something of a regular at her bar. “No, just having a mental debate with myself.”

“Who’s winning?”

“Not me. Which is a problem, isn’t it?” Jo poured him some water after he finished his beer; it had become habit now. “You’re in here often enough. Shouldn’t you be out running around, enjoying the last moments of freedom before you go back to school?”

“I get enough running around as it is. I like the relaxation. Plus, if I’m not there, my mom can’t send me on more errands.” He grinned, a cute boyish gesture.

“Well, we’re closing up in ten, so drink your water.” He was one of only two people left, and her closing server’s last table was cashing out.

“I could hang around a bit.” He didn’t look at her as he suggested it. “If you’re the last one to close up, just to make sure you get back to your place okay.”

Warning bells rang in the distance, but she ignored them. This wasn’t some slick guy trying to make a pass. She was in cowboy country now. Chivalry came free with every pair of boots. Plus, he was like a little brother. “Thanks, but I make it home okay every other night on my own.” She waved a hand. “I’m just around the corner, anyway. No trouble at all to walk the twenty steps. That’s the benefit of living where you work.” She checked her watch. “Besides, after you’re gone, I’ve only got about ten minutes of cleanup time. Then I’ll be in my apartment stretching out.”

He hesitated, then nodded, a smile spreading. “I got ya.” He finished his water and set some cash down, heading out behind the last tabletop as they walked toward the door. “See you later.”

She waved and started to clear his area. “See ya!”

Once the table was cleared, Jo cut her server loose. No point in making her stay when she could easily clean the last of the place herself. A quick mop job around the few tables they’d missed as things started dwindling and a last-minute double-check with the registers, and she was ready to roll. She patted her back pocket to make sure her phone was there, grabbed her keys, and then headed out the front door, locking up behind her.

She’d taken two steps when a movement to her left had her swallowing a shriek. She turned and flattened against the wall, then nearly sank to the ground as Jeff stepped back out into the light from the shadows.

“Jesus, Jeff.” With one hand over her racing heart, Jo concentrated on steadying her breathing. “You almost made me scream like a girl.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. I didn’t think that one through, did I?”