Arabella sighed, glancing around. “Could you say that a bit louder? I don’t think they heard you in the back.”
His grin grew wider, then he took in a deep breath. Without thought, she reached up and placed her hand over his mouth. “Do not.”
Devon snorted. “She’s got you pegged, Shaw. You’re safe to let him speak now.”
Arabella dropped her hand, her cheeks growing even hotter.
“You good to watch over her?” Shaw asked.
Devon eyed her and nodded. “You’ll sit here. Don’t move without telling me. If you want to leave, I’ll find someone to escort you back to the hotel. Anyone bothers you, then you signal me. I get busy, you wait here until I’m not. We clear?”
Arabella gaped at him, blinking rapidly. “Um, is this a usual bar experience?”
“No, darlin’,” Shaw said. “You’re in Haven, now. People around here take care of their women.”
What did that even mean?
“I don’t live here.” And she wasn’t anyone’s woman.
“You’re here temporarily. That means while you’re here we make sure you’re taken care of,” Devon told her.
“And you do that for every woman that comes to this town?” she asked in amazement.
“Of course,” Devon said simply.
That was . . . unheard of.
“What do you want to drink?” Devon asked.
Shoot. What could she order? She knew better than to have any alcohol. Her father wouldn’t like if she wasn’t in control, if she did something stupid.
What? Like come to a strange bar in a town where you know no one?
Well. That wasn’t true. She had a new friend called Shaw.
“Um, just an orange juice please,” she said.
“A juice?” Shaw asked.
“I don’t like to drink.” She’d only taken one sip of juice when Shaw let out a loud whoop, making her startle and spill some.
“Oh no. I’m so sorry,” she said to Devon. “Do you have a rag and I’ll clean it up.”
Devon raised his eyebrows. “You barely spilled anything. And it’s Shaw’s fault for giving you a fright so if anyone should be cleaning it up, it’s him.”
“All right, this is my song,” Shaw said, rubbing his hands together as people started getting up and standing in a line.
“Oh, are they line dancing?” she asked.
“Sure are, you want to try?” Shaw asked.
“Oh no, I couldn’t.” She shook her head. “I’ve never done it before. I’d get it all wrong and make an idiot of myself.”
“Darlin’, that’s half the fun. Come on.”
“Shaw, you cannot force her to dance,” Devon warned.
“Don’t be such a boring old man, Devon,” Shaw told him as he lifted her down and grabbed her hand, tugging her along.
