Josh hated seeing Meg try her best to mask the pain and frustration in her eyes. Most probably wouldn’t notice, but he saw it. And it killed him. Meg’s father was an ass.
“Hey, Mayor.” Josh moved beside Meg and pulled her against his side. Echoing her father’s words when they’d first met, Josh said, “Let’s see what you can do with someone closer to your own size. You win, you keep the car and fees. If I win, Meg keeps the car and the money.”
She whispered, “You won’t have a chance. I’ll play him, but if I win you’ll have to keep the car.”
It was time to turn the tables back around in his favor. “Nope.” He raised his voice so everyone could hear. “How about I take the mayor on? And let’s make it even more interesting. When I win, Megan gets the car, the pot, and she has to give me the title to her old car so we can all use it for target practice. I found out the hard way gun ownership is big around here. Any objections?”
Everyone shook their heads again, all careful not to make eye contact with Megan’s father.
Meg opened her mouth to protest, but her father cut her off. “I can beat a pansy-ass like you with one hand tied behind my back.” Then he turned to play the crowd. “Megan won’t be getting any free handouts tonight, people.”
Meg’s eyes narrowed at her father’s remark. Then, probably because she thought Josh had no chance of beating her father, she said, “Let’s do it! I wasn’t going to take the car anyway.”
The stakes had just risen another notch. He had to win the car for Meg’s sake. And to show the town how to stand up to Anderson.
Megan’s father held his hand out toward the painted line on the floor. “Ladies first, Granger.”
Ignoring the mayor, Josh moved into position. He drew his arm back, but stopped and mimicked the way Toby had smiled at Meg earlier. “When I win I want a kiss from Meg too.”
While everyone laughed, Meg rolled her eyes. “I’m sure there are plenty of other women here who’d gladly kiss you, Josh.”
Meg’s friend Pam, the hairdresser, lifted her hand. “Oh, I’d—” When Meg shot her a “back off” scowl, the woman slowly lowered her arm. “Wouldn’t. Nope. Not me.”
Maybe Meg still cared after all.
Nice.
He turned and threw his first bull’s-eye.
The room grew quiet as a cemetery when Anderson moved into place. Megan’s father made a big show out of twisting his left arm way behind his back before he threw a rocket of a bull’s-eye of his own. “You won’t win, Granger. Might as well give up now and go back to that rock you slithered out from under.”
Screw him. Josh ignored the remark and focused on winning Megan the car.
After twelve rounds of bull’s-eyes, each with a new insult from Anderson, Josh slowly moved into position. He glanced at Meg, who sent him a tight smile. It’d be a new personal record if he could hit that many in a row.
He rolled his shoulders, took aim, and let the thirteenth dart go.
It landed dead center once again—thank God. He wanted to beat that son of a bitch in the worst way.
As Anderson moved up for his shot, his brother called out, “Number thirteen, bro. Your unlucky number. But don’t let that get to you. You need that car a whole lot more than Meggy does, so good luck.”
Josh glanced at Brewster. The man sent him a slight chin hitch before he threw a little towel over his shoulder and crossed his massive arms. Maybe Megan’s uncle wasn’t so bad after all.
Anderson wiped sweat from his forehead and growled. “It’s the principle of the matter and you all know it.” He let the dart fly.
And missed. By a millimeter.
The crowd went silent.
Anderson walked over and drilled a finger into his brother’s chest. “You’ll pay for that, Brewster.” Then he turned and slammed two fingers into Josh’s shoulder, just above where he’d been shot.
Stars appeared before Josh’s eyes while Anderson yelled in his face. “You’re going to be sorry you ever stepped foot into my town, Granger.” Then he stomped toward the door.
It took all Josh’s control not to react. He’d just let the FBI handle Anderson.
Anderson Butte might be short a mayor soon.
After the door slapped closed behind Anderson, a deafening cheer rang out. Everyone surrounded Josh and Megan and patted them on the back.
Brewster picked Megan up and plopped her on top of the bar. “Here are the keys to your new car and a thousand dollars to help with your remodel. Good luck, kid!”
While everyone congratulated a reluctant Megan, Brewster appeared beside Josh. “You did good tonight, Granger. I don’t know what’s what with you and my niece, but I swear to God, I’ll make you pay if you hurt Meg or Haley again. Got it?”