Tracy’s dad had once admitted that the animatronic raccoons were the reason he’d fallen in love with Mustang Valley. She adored the raccoons, too. She loved living in Mustang Valley.
That said, she’d rather be on a world cruise, or climbing Mount Everest, or taking a rocket ship to the moon—anywhere but in this bar tonight with Adam Bridger.
They hadn’t shared space since the New Year’s Eve party at the Raccoon. After the band had playedAuld Lang Syne,Clem had turned on the musical raccoons. Then Adam had offered to walk her home, and… now she was having major PTSD.
Maybe he’d keep his distance. That would be a blessing. They’d survived the meeting, so if he’d just?—
“Can I buy you a beer?”
A chill zipped up her spine. Then her heart took off, galloping faster than her horse Moonlight. Turning, she faced the gorgeous cowboy who refused to stay out of her dreams, no matter what setting she used on her sound machine.
He’d taken off his Stetson and the worried crease in his forehead told her he was concerned about her. He’d looked just like this the time she’d fallen off Moonlight and dislocated her shoulder.
She didn’t want him to worry, especially about her. The anxiety lurking in his brown eyes made her chest hurt. His half-smile was tentative, as if he might be bracing for a rejection.
She hesitated, seeking a way out. Oh, who was she kidding? She couldn’t say no and risk hurting him. “Sure. That would be great.”
The tension in his expression eased and he let out a breath. “Be right back.”
“I’ll get us a table.”
He paused. “How about that little bistro two-top?”
Only one table fit his description, a wrought-iron set with two dainty chairs in a back corner. All the other tables and chairs were wood. Evidently he wanted privacy, likely to talk about New Year’s Eve. She gulped. “Okay.”
Turning away, she hurried through the crowd, responding to greetings with a smile and a quick comment.
Mila caught her arm. “Where’s the fire, Trace?”
“Adam needs to discuss some sensitive issues. I’m hoping nobody’s snagged the table in the back corner.” She avoided looking Mila in the eye and focused on her dark curls. “When did you stop straightening your hair?”
“Three weeks ago. Had ’em cut off a bunch, too.”
“Looks good.”
“Thanks. Listen, if Adam’s worried about Kat?—”
“It’s not her, at least not specifically. Sorry, Mil, I can’t talk about it.”
“No worries.” Mila smiled. “Seeing you in action tonight was fun. It’s been too long. We need to catch up.”
“We will.” She edged away. Letting Mila think she and Adam would discuss legal problems wasn’t exactly lying, was it? Oh, hell, yes it was, and she hated using doublespeak on her best friend. But what was the alternative? “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Great.”
Wonderful. Now she’d promised to call, which would lead to a coffee or lunch date where she’d have to monitor every word that came out of her mouth. If nothing else, she and Adam should dream up a cover story for their apparent strained relationship.
Nobody had claimed the cramped little spot Adam had requested. Not surprising. The Raccoon was all about community and tonight that spirit was in full swing. Residents called this monthly Thursday night gatheringthe council meeting after party.
Hanging her coat on the back of a chair and leaning her soft-sided briefcase against the wall, she sat down and surveyed the crowd. Some were dancing, others preferred to cluster by the bar and a few had pushed tables together to accommodate a large group, like the Bridger Bunch.
She spotted Adam, a foam-topped mug of beer in each hand and his hat back on as he navigated past his family. He paused by this or that person to say something. What excuse would he give for not joining them? Would his explanation line up with hers?
He finally made it to the table, set down both mugs and pulled two napkins out of his jacket pocket. “Wasn’t sure I’d get here before closing time.”
That startled a laugh out of her. “Everybody wants a piece of you.”
“It’s a treat to hear you laugh.” Not looking at her, he placed the napkins on the table and put the mugs on top of them. “I miss that more than anything.”
