After the woman closes the drawer of the old-fashioned cash register, I ask, “Can I borrow some scissors?”
She’s fascinated while I tear some holes in the jeans, cut the tank top to just above my waist, and head into the changing room.
When I exit, she laughs and throws a cowboy hat in for free. “Happy hunting.”
I know what she means and maybe she’s right. It’s high time to teach a certain lawyer he’s got no ropes on me. I may not be good enough to be introduced as his girlfriend. So be it. If I’m stuck here in the boonies, at least I’m going to have some fun.
When I get in the car, Jack shakes his head back and forth, mouth turned down.
“What?” I glance down at my perfectly fine attire.
“I should take you home.”
“To New York?”
“Dammit, no. Home to sweet Mrs. Quinn where she’ll feed you apple pie and tuck you in for the night.” His eyes get darker. I’ve never seen Jack so angry. “I get how you need to blow off a little steam. Just promise me not to do anything stupid.”
“Like go home with a man?” My chin juts forward a little. I don’t like my bodyguard treating me like a child.
“I wouldn’t want to have to bail Quinn out of jail for killing whoever took you home. C’mon. Let’s go.”
I’d feel really awful for pissing off Jack if I wasn’t dead set on having a good time.
We don’t drive far and he stops in a lot where there’s only two other cars. Inside, the bar couldn’t be deader unless it was the funeral home across the street.
“You did this on purpose.” I throw my hat on a bench and scowl.
“I swear to God, I didn’t. This is the only place in town.” Again, he finds his phone, the Gospel according to Jack, and shows me Google Maps.
“Fine.” I march over to a young blond tending the bar. “Hi. I’m from out of town. Where can I go to find some music and dancing?”
She looks up at Jack. “He not showing you a good time?”
“Not yet.” I wink at him for her benefit. “He needs to be dancing, then his hands will be all over me.”
Her laugh is infectious. “Well, there’s a place the next town over. Give me your phone.” She types in an address. “There’s karaoke and a grand prize of two hundred bucks. I’ll be working there after my shift ends here.”
“Wow. Pulling doubles?”
She shrugs as she cleans the top of the bar with a rag. “Bills to pay. You know how it is.”
I high-five her. “Right there with ya. I got a negative balance in my checking account. I’m hoping the contest might be just the ticket.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Back at the table, I pick up my hat and show Jack the address on my phone. “We’re out of here.”
He glares at the girl behind the bar who flips him the bird. Ha! Obviously, Jack had a different evening in mind and she ruined it.
For the first time since my dead husband came back to life, I’m excited to be going out. After passing dozens of farms, churches, and turkey shoots, we pull up to an old barn where there’s about fifty cars parked in a muddy field.
I hop down from the SUV, suddenly wishing Andy was there instead of Jack who looks like he may strangle me before night’s end. “Stay close.”
“Aren’t you being a little paranoid? All I can see is a bunch of young people, having fun.”
“Maybe you’re clueless.” His Adam’s apple bobs and his jaw ticks.
“Then why let me come?”
