“Thank you.” She handed him the case of beer and, with trembling hands, took a step back. He set the case on the bar and stood there for a moment as if he was trying to figure out what to say or do next. “I’ll help you get these put in the cooler in a minute.”
The way he was fidgeting, she expected him to tell her that his girlfriend was coming by that evening. “I’m usually not this backward. I’m used to standing in court and talking a jury’s ears off, but I’m a little gun-shy right now.”
“About what?” Clara asked.
“I want this bar so bad I can taste it.” He chuckled and raked his fingertips through his hair. “That’s something my grandpa says when he really, really wants something—like a new tractor. But it’s the truth, and since Bernie gave me a key after only a few shifts, I think I’ve got a good chance at getting it. But I know I can’t run it by myself, and truth is, I don’t want to. I probably shouldn’t spring this on you, but I can’t wait any longer to ask you.”
She held her breath in anticipation, halfway hoping that he was about her ask her out, even though she would have to say no. At least, she would know that the attraction she had wasn’t one-sided.
“Would you consider staying on when Bernie is gone and helping me?”
“I would,” she answered without hesitation. The only emotion she should have felt was one of absolute relief. Since she refused to date a coworker, the decision had been made for her. But there was a little disappointment mixed in there, too.
“Great!” he said and then picked up the case and headed out of the storage room.
“Huh,” she muttered. “Now I really need to get over this infatuation because he will be my boss.”
You damn sure got that right,the annoying voice in her head agreed.
Bernie popped her head into the room, did a scanof the liquor shelves, and said, “We need two bottles of Jack Daniel’s Black Label, one of Jameson, and one of Patron Silver.”
“You got it.”
“I had chicken pox when I was fifteen,” Clara muttered again, “but I got over them, and hardly ever even think about the itching. So, that proves I can get over my crush on Nash. I may have to work at it, and calamine lotion won’t heal it, but if I’m strong enough to stand up to my mama, I can do this.”
But somehow this was more bittersweet than being a five-year-old with itchy bumps all over her body.
Chapter 6
Bernie had a good feeling about trying out her matchmaking idea when she could practically see the sparks flying between Nash and Clara from the time they saw each other that evening. She’d been around long enough, and seen vibes between couples long enough, that she could recognize the attraction from a mile away. The only thing that worried her a little were Clara’s long sighs, but that could be because she was tired from the trip down to Spanish Fort and back that afternoon. The plan she came up with was to leave them alone in the bar as much as possible. Someone in her past had said that the best way to get to know someone was to work with them, so she would give them plenty of space to do just that.
“The rooster has crowed, so that means it’s time for a drink,” Hoot chuckled as he crossed the room and claimed a barstool. “Bernie, can you believe that we got rain this time of year? Not that I’m complainin’. A rancher never gripes about rain, no matter when it comes down on us, but my gauge says that we got four inches.”
Bernie hopped up on a stool right beside him. “It’sa strange thing for sure, especially at this time of year. What can we get you?”
“I’ll have a beer. Whatever is on tap, long as it’s cold,” Hoot answered.
“Comin’ right up, Grandpa,” Nash said.
The rooster crowed again, and more than half a dozen customers came inside. One of the guys removed his hat, pulled a red bandanna from the bib pocket of his overalls, and wiped sweat from his forehead. “It’s hotter’n a two-dollar pistol out there. I need something cold in a bottle. You ever realize that this place is a lot like that old television show where everybody knew everyone’s name? What was it called?”
“Cheers,” Nash replied. “You want Coors?”
“That’s right. I always liked that show. They don’t play good stuff like that anymore. Coors will do just fine, and don’t wipe the dew off the outside,” he said. “Bring us six. We’re going to sit over there under the ceiling fan. It’s the only way we can catch a breeze in this stinkin’, steamy weather.”
Nash uncapped the bottles, set them on a tray, and nodded toward Clara. The way that he watched her walk across the floor until the rooster told them more folks were coming inside did not escape Bernie’s eye. She felt like rubbing her hands together like a little girl. Yes, sir! All she had to do was give them a little push, and presto! Wedding bells would ring out all over Ratliff City and her very first attempt at matchmaking would be successful.
“I think Nash might have a little crush on Clara,” Hoot whispered out the side of his mouth.
“I see the same thing,” Bernie said in a low voice. “Any reason either of us shouldn’t like the idea?”
“None that I know of,” Hoot answered. “He said something to me and his grandma this morning at breakfast about having asked her to stay on if you sell him the bar. He seemed all excited about the idea. You know that he is serious about buying it, don’t you?”
“Anyone that works six weeks for free has to be sincere,” Bernie replied and squashed the feeling that she should get behind the bar and help out.
“Trust me, he is.” Hoot picked up his mug and joined two other men about his age at a nearby table.
The next group that arrived was Loretta and Dolly. “Thank God for air-conditioning,” one of them said as they headed to a table.
