Buch lesen: «Sizzling Summer Nights»

1

“I’VE STAYED OUT of trouble for six years,” Hannah Hastings said, shaking her head, resigned and not nearly tipsy enough. “And now you’re going to make me do this, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am.” Rachel grinned at her. “Get up there before someone beats you to the mic.”

“Gee, that would be a shame.” Sighing, Hannah pushed back in the old oak chair. “No pictures.”

“Yeah, right. Okay.”

“I mean it. Put your damn phone away. We’re not stupid college kids anymore.”

“No?” Rachel burst out laughing.

“I haven’t taken a vacation in four years,” Hannah muttered. “And I decide to come all the way to Montana to see you. I’m such an idiot.” She drained the last of her watered-down margarita, then got to her feet, glaring at the small makeshift stage next to the jukebox. “What’s wrong with you people? Who does karaoke night anymore?”

She glanced around at the good-sized crowd crammed into the rustic bar. The Watering Hole was supposed to be a nice, quiet place where they could talk, catch up with what had been happening to each other since their college days. Ha.

Tears from laughing filled Rachel’s eyes. Sitting next to her, Jamie, her sister-in-law, only had a vague idea of what was going on but it seemed that laughter really was contagious.

God help her. Hannah figured she might as well get it over with. She just wished this wasn’t her first night in Blackfoot Falls. She’d only be here a week. Not nearly long enough for these nice people to forgive and forget.

Now, the tall, dark-haired cowboy sitting at the bar? He was the one she really cared about. Since walking in five minutes ago he’d kept his head down and nursed his beer. Bad break-up was Hannah’s guess. Poor guy showed all the signs of love gone wrong. Something she might’ve been willing to help him forget for a while. But what were the odds he wouldn’t turn around to see who couldn’t carry a tune with both hands and a two-ton pickup truck?

Oh, and who had the nerve to get up in front of a roomful of strangers and completely humiliate herself. Sure, he’d be all over her. She wouldn’t be able to fight him off.

Five stupid minutes. Rachel couldn’t have called in her marker before then?

Hannah sat down again. “Is there an expiration date on that coupon? I bet there is.”

Rachel grinned. “Nope.”

“Let me see it.” Hannah stuck her hand out, wiggling her fingers. “Not that I don’t trust you.”

“I’m not giving you this piece of paper. You’ll probably swallow it.”

Hannah sighed. “Jamie, would you mind checking? And make sure it isn’t Rachel’s handwriting.”

“Wow, she really doesn’t trust you,” Jamie said, grinning, as she leaned over for a look. “Sorry. I think it’s legit. Says it was for her twenty-second birthday?”

“Okay, who holds on to something like that for six years? That’s just sick.” Most of the women in their sorority had been too broke to afford gifts, so they’d gotten creative with coupons. Everyone had cashed them in right away. No one would’ve thought to include an expiration date.

“Better get up there before I feel inclined to make an announcement,” Rachel said sweetly.

Hannah hesitated. She had an idea that just might work. “Rachel...listen, you know I’m always up for a challenge, but there’s a guy in here that I—”

“Who?” Rachel sat up straighter. “Where?”

With a pitying look, Jamie shook her head at Hannah. “Are you nuts?”

“She’s still that bad, huh?”

Jamie nodded and signaled for their waitress.

Apparently marriage hadn’t tempered Rachel’s annoying hobby of trying to fix up her single friends. If Hannah had stopped to think about it, she probably would’ve realized that the gold band on Rachel’s finger could never curb her enthusiasm, but only make it worse.

Lord, it was hard to believe Rachel was married. Doing her dad a favor had prevented Hannah from attending the wedding. She hated that she’d missed it. And for what? She was no closer to pleasing the old man than on the day she’d been born the wrong gender. It was a lost cause.

Ignoring them, Rachel surveyed the bar like a hawk circling its next meal. “Just tell me who he is and I might let you off the hook.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Hannah purposely didn’t look in his direction.

With that damn uncanny ability of hers, Rachel whipped her gaze around and hit a bull’s-eye. “Seth Landers?” she asked. “Because you’d like him. Nice guy. Has some issues. Nothing horrible. Just enough to make him interesting.”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about. And just so we’re clear, I’m not doing a whole song.” Hannah took a couple of steps, and stopped. “Jamie, please tell the waitress to make my margarita full octane this time.”

“You got it,” Jamie said, and laughed when Hannah made it another foot and stopped again.

“It’s going to get bad, so if you want to step outside for a few minutes, you won’t hurt my feelings.”

“And miss everyone’s reaction?” Rachel said. “Not a chance.”

“I think I’m already missing something.” Jamie’s puzzled frown was aimed at Rachel. “You look positively evil right now.”

“Don’t worry about Hannah. She’s fearless. Just wait.”

Hannah tried not to look in Seth’s direction. Luckily, his mug of beer seemed to be the only thing that interested him.

A perky little blonde finished her rendition of Need You Now, curtsied to the hooting and applause and left the small stage.

Hannah decided she needed this to be over with and hurried to pick up the mic. The song she selected was an oldie. She’d given up karaoke nights right after college and didn’t know which tunes were the current faves. Although, in her case, it really didn’t matter.

She rubbed a sweaty palm down the front of her jeans.

Maybe she should just admit to Rachel that she wasn’t the same daring person she’d been in school. What good was pride if she ended up dying from embarrassment?

On the other hand, maybe this was just what she needed to loosen up. What the hell, she didn’t know anyone here. Except Rachel. And now Jamie. Ah, and Nikki, sister-in-law number two, who happened to be the bartender at the moment. She was talking to Seth. Sure would be swell if she kept him distracted until Hannah finished making a fool of herself.

The music started. Hannah knew all the words to the song but she kept her eyes on the small monitor and started singing her heart out. It felt pretty good, just like the old days. Before she’d discovered that getting through college was the easiest part of life.

The guys playing pool in the back room left their game to stare at her. Even the waitress, carrying a full tray of drinks, had stopped between tables. People sitting with their backs to her twisted around in their seats, probably afraid it was a disaster drill. Hannah used to get that one a lot.

She refused to look at Rachel, though, or the cowboy. Heaven forbid, she might get nervous and start singing on key.

After the longest three minutes of her life, and likely everyone else’s in the bar, Hannah set down the mic. A brief crackle of static pierced the shocked silence.

Oh, what the hell.

She took a bow.

Laughter and applause broke out. She even heard some boot stompin’, courtesy of two pool players. God bless cowboys. She’d never cared for them before but might have to rethink her position.

Head held high, she walked back to the table and sat down, facing Rachel. “Happy?”

“You have no idea.” Her cheeks were almost the color of her auburn hair.

Hannah risked a peek at Seth. Huh. Had he turned around at all?

“Lady, you’ve got guts.” Jamie slid the fresh margarita across the table. “This is on me.”

“Thanks.” Hannah took a quick sip, realizing she should’ve asked for water, too. “Can you believe she made me do that?”

“Oh, please.” Rachel dabbed at her eyes. “Like you haven’t dragged me over the coals plenty of times.”

“Me? I would never!” The three of them laughed, then Hannah glanced over her shoulder at the pool tables. “Is there only one waitress?”

“I don’t know,” Rachel said. “What do you need?”

“Just some water.” Hannah rose, feeling a bit wobbly. Not from booze. She hadn’t drunk much. “Either of you want anything?”

Rachel’s cell beeped. “I’m good,” she said, her gaze on the phone.

Jamie shook her head. “Hey, ask Nikki if she’s closing tonight, would you?”

“Sure.” Hannah wove her way around the tables, grinning at the good-natured remarks about her performance, and headed toward Nikki, who was wiping down the bar near Seth.

“That was...pretty damn awesome,” she said with a laugh. “Had to be Rachel who got you up there.”

“Of course it was.” Hannah rolled her eyes. “I hope I didn’t chase away any customers.”

“Are you kidding? Everyone loved it.”

“Or they’re all in shock.”

Still laughing, Nikki tossed the rag. “Want another margarita? I’m buying.”

“No, thanks. Water would be great, though.”

Hannah couldn’t tell if Seth had even bothered to look up. Resisting the urge to check him out, she focused on Nikki’s glossy dark hair as she bent to open the small fridge. They’d met earlier at the Sundance just after Hannah had arrived at the ranch. Nikki was married to Rachel’s brother, Trace. Which reminded Hannah to chew out her so-called friend. Back in their sorority days everyone knew Rachel had brothers, but had she ever mentioned they were all hotties? And now all three were married.

Nikki straightened and uncapped the bottle. “Anything else?”

“Oh, yes, Jamie wants to know if you’re closing tonight.”

“Afraid so,” Nikki said, and set the water on the bar.

Thirsty from nervous dry mouth, Hannah reached for the bottle.

“How late do you stay open on weekends?” Seth’s voice was deep, gravelly and unexpected.

Hannah knocked the bottle over. Water shot out and splashed her on the chin before spilling across the scarred wood and down the front of her jeans. She and Nikki both went for the bottle. Nikki was quicker.

Luckily, Hannah wasn’t too wet and she didn’t think any of the spray had reached Seth.

She turned and met his hazel eyes. “Did I get you?”

“Nope.” He ran his gaze down the front of her blouse to her jeans and lingered on her hips. “You don’t look too bad.”

For a second she wondered how to take that, then got caught up studying his strong, unshaven jaw and the deep cleft in his chin. His lips were pulled into a thin line, and she realized he was fighting a smile. He had thick lashes as dark as his collar-length hair. He must’ve been wearing a hat earlier. It had left a ridge.

She hoped it was a Stetson.

“Oh...” She met those heart-melting eyes again. “It’s my turn to talk, isn’t it?”

* * *

SETH LANDERS HAD been wondering how he should go about getting laid tonight. Generally it wasn’t a problem for him. His luck ran better than most if anyone listened to the guys in the bunkhouse. The trick was finding a nice, willing woman here in town, someone who wasn’t a local so he’d be less likely to get himself in any trouble. That being his number one goal these days, he’d suffer through a few more weeks of abstinence if he absolutely had to. Hell, he hoped not.

“I’m Hannah.” She extended a slim hand that was still damp from the spill. Her skin was soft, pale, and she had a slight southern accent. Texas maybe. Her inflection reminded him of his old air force buddy from Houston.

“Seth Landers.”

“I know. I mean...” She glanced back at her table. “Rachel mentioned it. Rachel McAllister... Gunderson, actually.”

“Ah. She say anything else?”

“Hmm. Not that I recall.” Her gaze went to Nikki. “Do you have something I can use on the floor? A rag maybe?”

“Should I get the mop?”

“No, it’s just an itty-bitty spot, but someone could slip,” Hannah said, staring at her feet.

She was pretty. Brown eyes, brown hair, a heart-shaped face, nothing that stood out. But pretty all the same. Nice smile. Yeah, she had a real nice smile. If she weren’t drunk and a friend of Rachel’s, he would’ve gone for her.

The minute he walked in he’d pegged her as a guest at the Sundance. Before he’d moved back to help his brother run their family ranch, Seth had heard the McAllisters had opened a dude ranch separate from their cattle operation. What he hadn’t known was that their guests were mostly twenty-something women, a good many of them looking for vacation flings.

A couple of hired men had been scoring left and right, but Paxton and Joe had made a deal not to clue Seth in on their little gold mine. Then last week Joe had let it slip. Dumb greedy bastards. Seth had threatened them with a month of flood irrigation duty, a chore that made for endlessly long days. That would teach them. They’d be too damn tired to dip their buckets in anybody’s well.

He smiled thinking about the looks on their faces, even though they knew he never would’ve done anything like that. Guess it was easy for them to forget he was their boss. Up until seven months ago, he hadn’t been around all that much.

It bothered him to think about what a shit he’d been, sullen and uncommunicative, mad at the world and leaving the responsibility of the Whispering Pines to his dad and brother. Clint had suffered the brunt of it. But Seth was here to stay, making it up to his brother, hell, his whole family, for as long as it took. He just needed to stay out of trouble and let time heal.

Rag in hand, Nikki started to come around the bar but stopped for a guy wanting his mug refilled.

“I’ll get it, Nikki.” Seth reached across the bar.

“No,” Hannah said, trying to snatch the rag from him. “It was my fault. I’ll do it.”

He got off the stool, and when she stubbornly refused to move, he crouched down right in front of her, putting his face level with her crotch.

Not a wise move. His thoughts shot in every direction but the right one, while his body reacted as if he’d never been with a woman before. For Christ’s sake, it wasn’t as if he could see anything.

It seemed he’d mopped half the floor before he finally trusted himself to stand.

Hannah hadn’t moved, other than to place both hands on her slim, curvy hips and frown at him.

“You’re welcome,” he said, and dropped the rag into Nikki’s outstretched hand.

“Thank you.” Hannah inched back and came up against a stool.

He hadn’t meant to crowd her. He quickly got out of her way and returned to his seat.

She had a pleasant scent, nothing floral or cloying. Maybe it was just her. Seth normally didn’t care for perfumes of any kind. Even her breath smelled nice, no hint of booze. He’d heard her massacre that song, though. He wondered if she was that gutsy when she was sober.

He returned to his seat just as Nikki set another water on the bar.

“Here you go,” she said to Hannah. “I’ll let you open this one.”

Hannah laughed. “God, you’d think I was drunk.”

In mid-sip, Seth chuckled and nearly sprayed her. Wouldn’t that have been a hell of a thing? He lowered the mug and wiped his mouth.

“Nice meeting you, Seth. And thanks again.”

“Any time.” He turned just enough to watch her walk back to the table without being obvious.

She had a nice backside view in those slim-fitting jeans. The heels on the snazzy boots made her look taller. By his estimate, without them, she was around five-six.

A few seconds after Hannah sat down, Rachel jumped up. So did the blonde sitting with them, but she lingered with Hannah while Rachel approached the bar.

“Hey, Seth. How’s the family?”

“Good. Working hard.”

“I know what you mean,” she said and motioned for Nikki, who nodded as she poured drinks at the other end. “We sure don’t need any more of these scorching hot summers.” Rachel shrugged. “Could be worse, I suppose. I pity the ranchers in Texas.”

“Amen to that. How’s the dude ranch business treating you?”

“The money’s decent. And mostly it’s been fun.” Rachel grinned. “My brothers might tell you otherwise.”

“I met Hannah,” he said, as if Rachel and half the people in the joint hadn’t noticed. “I assume she’s a guest?”

“She’s from Dallas and staying at the Sundance, although I invited her to stay with Matt and me. We’re old college friends.”

Nikki brought a foaming mug with her and set it in front of him.

“Ah, no, thanks. One’s my limit. Unless you want to drive me home.” He wasn’t hitting on her. She knew it and just laughed.

Rachel’s soft smile told him she recalled the trouble he’d gotten into years ago. Folks in this flyspeck town had long memories. Rachel wasn’t judging, though, and he appreciated that.

“Your beer is warm and flat by now,” Nikki said. “Just drink what you want and I’ll pour out the rest.”

“Listen, Nik,” Rachel said. “I need to run up to Kalispell for Matt. He needs a part for the tractor by morning.”

“What’s the matter?” Nikki asked. “He can’t get it himself?”

“He could, except I was supposed to pick it up yesterday, and I forgot. Just like he said I would. So, of course I’m not admitting to it. Anyway, I should be back before you close. If I’m not, can you give Hannah a lift to the Sundance?”

“You’re leaving her here?” Seth said, before Nikki could answer or he had stopped to think.

Both women gave him strange looks. He was touchy about leaving someone who was drunk on their own. Nikki was a relative newcomer and wouldn’t understand. But Rachel did. His own hang-up aside, it surprised him that she’d abandon her friend.

“Well, yeah, I can’t imagine she’d like driving to a garage. She’ll have more fun here. Even Jamie doesn’t want to go. She’s meeting Cole.”

Hell, it was none of his business. He glanced over and saw a young cowboy hitting on her. Hannah was going to get plenty of that kind of attention. Could be what she wanted.

“I don’t mind taking her,” Nikki said. “But it’ll be late, unless Sadie comes in and closes up.”

“Like I said, I hope to be back by ten. Possibly elevenish.” Rachel paused. “Seth? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he muttered, dragging his gaze away from Hannah. Nah, he had to say something. “You really think it’s a good idea to leave her here alone?”

“Um, she’s twenty-eight. I’m pretty sure she can take care of herself.”

“But she’s drunk.”

Rachel grinned. “No, she’s not.”

“Hell, I’m not judging.” He glanced at Nikki. “You know I’d be the last one to do that.”

“I get why you think she is,” Rachel said, laughing. “She just can’t sing.”

Seth wasn’t buying it. Nobody in their right mind would get on that stage and do what she did to that song.

“I hope you bring her back in before she leaves,” Nikki said. “That was priceless.”

“I’ll admit, I called in a chit from our college days. She wasn’t all that anxious to get up there. But she’s fearless. I knew she’d do it.”

A blonde waitress walked past them, waving an order ticket.

Seth didn’t recognize her, but then he’d been gone most of the last ten years. She gave him a sassy smile, and he smiled back. But she had to be a local and he didn’t want to go there, so he broke eye contact quickly. Too bad about Hannah being Rachel’s friend.

“Kristen, same thing?” Nikki got a nod and grabbed the tequila from the back shelf. “Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll get Hannah to the Sundance,” Nikki said, and started toward Kristen waiting at the end of the bar.

“Thanks,” Rachel said. “Oh, Seth, how about you? If you’re still around and Nikki has to close, any chance you can give Hannah a ride?”

He heard Nikki laugh, caught a brief glimpse of her giving Rachel an eye-roll. So maybe Hannah being a friend wasn’t a problem at all. “Sure,” he said. “Count on it.”