“May,” Amka warned.
“Doctor’s orders,” May added, trying not to laugh.
Christian crossed the room in three long strides and scooped Amka up before she could dodge him, right over the bar, one arm under her knees, the other braced at her back.
“Tell him I’m fine,” Amka called from somewhere near his shoulder, slapping at his chest.
May hadn’t realized he’d move so quickly. “Christian, she really is okay. I’m just messing with her.”
“She can take a break anyway,” he said calmly. “Dinner crowd’s thinning, and I just got called out for a quick job for the troopers. So, she’s resting now.” He carried her back to the table by the fire and dropped into his chair, settling her securely on his lap like she weighed nothing. Brock shook his head. Ophelia looked delighted.
May felt a flicker of guilt. She wasn’t acting very professionally, but Amka had started it.
Across the room, Kyle sat with Peter and Jack, nursing drinks and pretending not to watch. Kyle had sent a couple of looks her way while she’d been eating with Ace, but she’d ignored him. The man didn’t get to claim her discomfort anymore.
She retook her seat at the table, waiting for Ace to return so they could argue some more about the generator.
Mick Thompson drifted past her table, cue stick balanced over his shoulder, his bandaged hand cradled securely against his chest. His brothers were loud on the far side of the room, locked in a rowdy pool game with a couple of tourists who clearly had no idea what they’d gotten themselves into. “I guess you do date,” Mick said, slowing just enough to grin at her.
“Yeah,” May replied evenly. “I’m selective. How’s the hand?”
“It’s pretty good. Hurts a little, but I’m wearing a bag on it tomorrow. I promise.”
She did appreciate when a patient actually listened to her advice. “Good. I hope you manage to make it through the day tomorrow without getting injured.”
“God, so do I,” he muttered, already angling toward the bar. “The way Greg’s drinking, he’s not even gonna make it tomorrow. See you, Doc.”
The tavern hadn’t quieted so much as shifted. Dinner plates were gone, and the night crowd had settled in. Laughter rose near the dart boards, glasses clinked, and the fire in the hearth burned lower and steadier now, throwing long shadows across the floor.
Ivy emerged from the restroom, standing by May for half a second. She’d come in earlier with a cluster of friends, all loud and bright and already tipsy from prefunking, according to the spirited nurse. “It’s so fun to see you and Ace on a date,” she whispered, eyes sparkling.
“Thanks,” May whispered back. “I guess we’re not keeping it a secret.”
“Not in this town,” Ivy said dryly. She waved at Jack across the room, and he waved back. She then grabbed two margaritas from the bar before heading toward the dart boards where her friends were already arguing about rules with the flannel-wearing Thompson brothers.
May stiffened as Kyle and his entourage stood and headed her way, just as the door opened and Lance walked inside, wearing ripped jeans and thick boots. He caught sight of her and moved her way. “Hey, Doc.”
She frowned. “Lance? You can’t be in a bar. You’re not twenty-one yet.”
“Bruh.” He looked around. “They serve food here, so I can be here.”
She lowered her chin. “Only in the daytime.”
“Whatevs.” He glanced at his phone as Kyle approached. “You ready, dudes?”
Kyle paused. “Ah, sure. Dude.” He gave May his patented campaign smile. “We’re going night fishing until morning at a pond called McDougals.”
“McDucks,” Lance corrected. “I’m assisting my uncle Dirk since he’s taking charters again.”
May smiled. “I’m so glad.” Dirk had suffered a heart attack earlier in the year but was in much better health now, and he’d been cleared to pilot his plane again, which had made him so much happier. “Have a good time. I’ve heard the fish are really hopping at night.”
Jack quirked his lip. “I don’t see why they jump any better at night than the day, considering it’s light outside.”
Lance scratched his elbow. “They do, man. I think their internal clocks don’t know how light it is outside. I promise you’re gonna love it.” He turned toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Doc.” Peter and Jack started to follow him.
Kyle waited. “Would you like to join us?”
“Not in a million years,” she said evenly.
