The Slowest Burn
“When’s the company-sponsored spa day?” Lulu asked Angelica just as a breeze drifted in through the kitchen door. The girls had wondered if customers would show now that the temperatures were bearable. Today’s line stretched out the front door and around the corner, three shops down. As soon as one table cleared, Angelica seated the next family. One after another, until my corset clung to my skin, drenched in sweat. No one wanted to ask how long we’d be able to keep up this pace.
“Don’t get me wrong, but your girl is tired.” Lulu walked out the door, turning around to face us when she stepped into the parking lot. “Spa day.” She gestured wildly, like a game show hostess revealing the grand prize.
Lulu was right. Days had become weeks, each running into the next. It was mid-September, and in the two months I’d been here, I’d started calling Tombstone home.
Angelica yawned. “I’ve thought about it, but nothing works. The dining room isn’t big enough to bring in another waitress. The sections would be too small.” She examined her fingernails, picking at a cuticle. “We could go to Tucson for the day.”
“Is that a yes?” Lulu grabbed Angelica by her shoulders. “Don’t tease me like this.”
Angelica laughed, gently shrugging Lulu off. “It’s a maybe.”
“That’s mom code for no,” I teased. A motorcycle rumbled down the street, and we all watched, waiting to see who the biker was.
Lulu flicked her ponytail off of her shoulder. “I’m not the only one looking worse for wear. We could escape for an entire weekend. Pampering. Sleeping. Pure heaven.”
Cactus pulled into the lot, parking his bike right in front of where we stood. We hadn’t made plans for tonight, so this was a surprise. “Ladies,” he said, removing his helmet, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Help me convince your sister to do a spa weekend.” Lulu framed Angelica’s face with her hands. “She needs to be rejuvenated, and you wouldn’t deny your favorite sister and her best employees a treat, would you?”
“She’s my only sister.” He laughed, a low, gruff sound as his eyes lit up. I scanned him instinctively. In the beginning, I’d constantly waited for him to snap—collapsing under the weight of it all. Cactus was learning how to relax, and with every softened look on his face, my fears eased a little more. He wouldn’t leave me prematurely.
“Ang needs to move on.” He winced. Scorpion had been coming to the saloon more often. While I wasn’t afraid he’d physically hurt me, I hated the psychological games he played with Angelica. He’d show up either right before the cowboys or right after.
Most days, Angelica ignored him. Every so often, he’d catch her unguarded, long enough for pretty words and empty promises. He’d be around more to make a go at something real. If she turned him down, he’d follow it up with what her heart wanted the most. He wanted to be a better father. His side chicks would then show up as she was leaving, shattering the illusion. She was lonely in a crowd, reaching for the version of herself he had always taught her to question.
“Pick a place, and I’ll pay for the trip.” His face went blank, but the twitch underneath his eye gave him away. Cactus didn’t care if we went on a weekend trip. He cared about our safety.
“Yes!” Lulu pumped her fists in the air, twirling in the parking lot of the saloon. She dragged me with her, laughter bubbling up before I could stop it.
Angelica laughed heartily, walking over to Cactus. She wrapped one arm around his neck for an awkward side hug. “You don’t have to do this. Thanks.”
“Me too!” Lulu danced some more, gyrating to the music that played in her head.
“You need to find someone worthy of you.” He cleared his throat. “I won’t say a word if you suddenly start dating, as long as they’re decent.”
“We’ll see.” Angelica squeezed his shoulder before pulling away.
“More mom speak for now,” I chimed in, and she shot me a look.
“See if you get any more $50 tips.”
“Hey, I earned that. They were weird, and I nearly had a heart attack when I thought they’d walked out on the check.” The warmth drained from Cactus’s face. His jaw tensed, gaze sharpened, always scanning for danger. He’d circle back, pressing me to walk him through every detail.
“When are you making lasagna?” he asked Angelica, shifting her attention away from me.
“Whenever you want, as long as you bring Roxy.” She kissed his temple before pulling away. “I know,” she sighed. “I’m not ready to let go.”
She said goodnight and walked off as Lulu chased her to her car, her voice animated as she tried to sell the idea of a spa day. “You can’t say no to Cactus paying.”
My feet moved on their own as the quiet settled around us. I rarely went in for public displays of affection, but I stepped into him, anyway. My arms wrapped around his neck without a second thought. He slid one of his arms around my back, and everything in me settled into place. I breathed him in, smelling of sunshine and leather. He’d been out riding all day.
“Hi,” I whispered, placing my forehead against his.
His arm tightened around me, and I swore I felt him draw me in with each breath. I pretended I didn’t notice for fear I reeked of saloon food and sweat.
“Come on,” he murmured. “I brought dinner. Thought we’d watch the sunset from the overlook.”
