DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 21
Norah
Friday night and I’m at the only bar in town.
After we grabbed a bite to eat at the pizza joint on Main Street, I tried to convince Josie to have a drink with me, but she outright refused. It’s safe to say the rejection has everything to do with the handsome bartender—and owner of this joint—who greeted me when I arrived a few minutes ago.
“How’s the new job going?” Clay asks as he sets a glass of Pinot Noir down in front of me. “Hope Ben is treating you well.”
I’m not surprised Clay knows Bennett hired me for the assistant’s position. Bennett Bishop is a very private person, but from what I’ve witnessed since I arrived in Red Bridge, Clay Harris is one of his closest friends.
And considering how my first interaction with Bennett went, it’s a surprise that I don’t even have to lie. “The first three days were great. I honestly can’t put into words how thankful I am for the opportunity.”
“Good. That’s good.” He considers me for a few beats, and I hold my breath, waiting for him to move the subject to my sister. With the way he was hot on her heels that night we came into the bar after Thomas showed up in town, I’d be naïve not to expect it.
I still have no idea what went down between them, but the fact that they were married and got divorced makes me think it was something big. Truthfully, it takes a huge effort for me not to start asking him questions that might give me some answers. I don’t, though. I’d never go against Josie’s trust like that.
“You know, I’ve known Bennett nearly my whole damn life,” Clay states, and I’m floored Josie’s name is absent from his lips. “We grew up together. Got in a lot of trouble together when we were crazy teens.” He winks. “I know he can be a real dick sometimes, but there’s a reason he’s like a brother to me. I’d walk through hot fire for him and his daughter, and I know he’d do the same for me.”
“I’m pretty sure I’d walk through hot fire for Bennett’s daughter too,” I comment, and Clay’s face brightens with a smile. “I feel spoiled that I get to spend time with her while I’m working.”
“That little girl is special, isn’t she?”
I nod. “Like God put an angel here on earth.”
I’ve only known Summer for a short time, but for the past three days, every morning when I’ve woken up, I’ve felt excited to spend time with her. And Bennett, too.
“That little girl is his everything,” Clay says, leaning his elbows on the bar. His voice is so quiet I almost don’t hear him over the bar noise. “Since the day she came into this world, everything he does, every decision he’s made, it’s all for her.”
There are so many unknowns about Bennett’s past. I don’t know how he ended up in Red Bridge or why it appears he’s been out of the art scene for the past ten years. I don’t know what happened with Summer’s mother or why she isn’t in the picture at all. Hell, I don’t even know what disease has that little girl pretty much immobilized to a chair.
“Just…be good to them, yeah?”
“I will.” I nod, and Clay stands to his feet when a patron at the other end of the bar gestures toward him.
But before he goes, he leans toward me and says one last thing. “If you happen to fall in love with them, just know, they’re more than worth it. They’re everything.”
And then he walks away like he didn’t just drop a bomb of truth into my lap.
Well, shit. What in the heck am I supposed to do with that?
Come to terms with the fact that seeing yourself falling in love with Bennett and Summer doesn’t feel like such a hard task. If anything, it feels easier than breathing.
I try not to focus on those thoughts or the reasons they’re there in the first place. Instead, I turn on my barstool and face the crowd behind me.
The Country Club is jam-packed with what feels like half the town, and Earl is onstage giving his best impression of a karaoke star. He belts out the lyrics to “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and I’m certain if John Denver were still alive, he wouldn’t be upset he missed the show. And when Earl’s voice cracks on the chorus and causes a horrible screeching sound to echo from the microphone, I turn back toward the bar and try to hide the cringe on my face.
But when I attempt to discreetly plug one of my fingers into my ear to shield myself from the pain, someone bumps my elbow from behind and I nearly poke myself in the eye instead.
“Shit. I’m sorry,” a husky male voice fills my ears, and a gentle hand touching my shoulder follows. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” I turn to face him. “No worries,” I add, and I have to lift my eyes upward to meet his chocolate-brown gaze.
“You sure?” he questions with an apologetic, but also very striking, smile. This guy, for all intents and purposes, is attractive. He’s tall with a slender build, and his jaw appears strong beneath his light-brown beard.
“Positive.” I nod. “It’s crowded in here tonight. Surely a few bumps and jolts are expected.”
“I don’t think we’ve met before.” His smile grows as he offers his hand. I take it. “I’m Tad Hanson.”
So, this is the hot farmer Josie told me about…
“Nice to meet you. I’m Norah Ellis.”
“Ellis? As in, you’re Josie’s sister?” he asks, and I confirm with a little nod. “So, you’re the new girl working at CAFFEINE that I keep hearing so much about?”
“Uh-oh. I can only imagine what was being said. I’m pretty much the world’s worst barista.” I snort and wince at the same time. “Lucky for Josie, I recently got a new job, and her coffee shop is no longer at risk from me accidentally burning it down.”
“A new job?” he asks and leans his hip against the bar. “Sounds like congratulations are in order. Let me buy you another glass of wine to celebrate.”
“Thank you,” I say, waving him off with my hand, “but that’s not necessary.”
“I insist.” He smirks and proceeds to flag down a bartender named Marty, letting him know to refill my glass of Pinot when he gets a chance. “So…” Tad turns back to me. “What’s the job we’re celebrating?”
“Um…” I pause, suddenly feeling protective over Bennett’s privacy. Sure, my sister and Clay know I’m working for him, but I don’t know what the rest of the town knows. And while Tad Hanson might seem like a nice guy, I don’t know him from Adam. “It’s just an assistant position but pays pretty well.”
“Nice.” He grins. “Who are you—”
“You know, from what Josie has said, your sheep have quite a history with the town,” I cut him off with a teasing smirk before he can ask me more questions I don’t feel comfortable answering.
Tad’s responding smile is equal parts apologetic. “Uh-oh. Is she still mad about last week?”
Last week, Josie had a little run-in with Tad’s sheep. She was trying to get home from the coffee shop, and they were determined to stand in the middle of Main Street. Apparently, it took her a good fifteen minutes in the rain to herd them back toward the pastures.
She came home that night drenched, covered in mud, and madder than a hornet.
“I wouldn’t say she’s still mad, but she definitely wasn’t happy with you when she got home that evening.”
“I figured as much.” Tad grimaces. “Honestly, I’ve been trying to hire more help, but it’s been difficult. It’s just me and my brother Randy and far too much work.”
“I actually saw your job ad at Earl’s when I was on my employment search.”
“Wait…” He grins and tilts his head to the side. “You saw my posting, and you didn’t try to apply for the job?”
“No offense, but I’d be worse at shearing sheep than I was at barista-ing.” I eye him with a knowing but tickled smile. “Honestly, you should be thankful that I steered clear of your sheep. They’re better off.”
Tad’s responding laugh is infectious as bartender Marty sets down a fresh glass of wine and just-opened bottle of beer in front of us.
“Appreciate it, man.” Tad hands him a credit card. “And you can keep it open.”
Marty just nods and heads over to the cash register, and I finish off the last few sips from my first glass of wine before setting it back on the bar.
“So, Norah, I have to ask you the most important question of the night…”
“Okay…?”
“When do I get to hear you sing?” Tad asks, and a giggle spills from my lips.
“Sing? As in, karaoke?”
He nods.
“Well, I guess that depends.”
His eyes are intrigued. “On what?”
“On how much liquid courage I manage.”
A secret smile etches Tad’s lips, and he grabs bartender Marty’s attention again with a wave of his hand. “Norah’s drinks are on my tab tonight!”
“What?” I laugh. Outright. “Are you trying to get me drunk, Tad Hanson?”
“No, I’m not trying to get you drunk.” He winks at me. “I’m just trying to make sure a beautiful woman has a good time tonight.”
Is it just me, or am I being sweet-talked by a hot sheep farmer right now?
It feels good to be flirted with.
Too bad you’re secretly wishing it was someone else doing the talking…