“Must be hard. All that crying,” he said.
“She sleeps well at night and usually takes a good long nap. I’m lucky she’s not crawling right now. She’s really a good baby, Colton. I could have it much harder,” she said, wanting Colton to like Piper.
“Yeah,” he said, but he didn’t sound convinced.
“Is my Mama right? Are you afraid of Piper?” she asked in a singsong voice.
“I’m not afraid of a baby,” he said, his tone cranky. “I just haven’t been around babies very much.”
Stacey backed off. She wanted the evening to be pleasant. “How do you like your burger?”
“As big as I can get it. Mustard, mayonnaise, onion, pickle, lettuce and tomato,” he said.
“You can have half of mine,” she offered.
“We’ll see. Maybe your appetite will improve now that you’re out of the pen,” he said.
She laughed, but his teasing made her feel good. “You are so bad.”
“And you are so glad,” he said.
“Yeah,” she said. She couldn’t disagree.
Colton pulled into the parking lot of The Horseback Hollow Grill, and he helped her out of his truck. His gentlemanly manners made her feel younger and more desirable. They walked into the grill and had to wait a few minutes for a table. Maybe more than one person needed an escape tonight, Stacey thought.
They sat, ordered, and the server delivered their sodas. Stacey took a long, cool sip of her drink and closed her eyes. “Good,” she said.
“Simple pleasures are the best,” Colton said.
Stacey looked at Colton for a long moment and shrugged her shoulders. “So, talk to me about grown-up stuff.”
His eyes rounded. “Grown-up stuff?” he echoed.
“Yes,” she said. “Movies, politics, current events.”
“Well, politicians are as crooked as ever. There are blizzards and tsunamis. Wait till summer and there will be hurricanes, mudslides and fires.” He grimaced. “I hate to admit it, but I haven’t seen a movie lately. Rachel is watching the reality shows. I watch a lot of the History Channel,” he said.
“What about movies?” she asked. “Do you like James Bond?”
He nodded. “I did see the most recent one. Lots of action.”
“And lots of violence,” she said.
“Yeah, but the good guy wins.”
“That’s most important,” she said, and the server delivered their meals.
“That was fast,” she said.
“Burgers are what they are known for,” Colton said, and took a big bite out of his.
Stacey took a bite of her own and closed her eyes to savor a burger someone else had cooked for her. “Perfect amount of mustard and steak sauce,” she said. “But all I need is half.”
“You sure about that?” Colton teased, taking another big bite.
“I’m sure,” she said, and enjoyed several more bites of her burger. She ate a little more than half and stopped. “Oh, no. Now I’m full. How can I eat the fries? Let alone drink a beer?”
“You need to learn to pace yourself,” Colton said as he stared at his fries.
Stacey liked the wicked glint in his eyes that belied his practical advice. “Maybe I should fix some fences. Maybe that would help my appetite,” she said, unable to force herself to eat even one French fry.
“Relax. We can hit the bar in a few minutes. There’s no rush. Rest your belly,” he said.
Not the most romantic advice, but Stacey stretched and took a few deep breaths. “I may have to take lessons from you on pacing myself.”
“I’m available for hamburger-eating pacing lessons,” he said with a mischievous grin that made her stomach take an unexpected dip.
A few minutes later, Stacey gave up on her fries, and she and Colton walked to the connecting bar. Colton ordered a couple of beers, and Stacey took a sip. Country music was playing in the background. If she closed her eyes, she could almost time travel back to over a year ago when she and Joe had just gotten engaged. She’d been unbelievably happy. Her future had been so bright. She’d clearly been a big fool.
Stacey hiccupped. “Oh, my,” she said and hiccupped again.
“Drink too fast?” he asked.
“I didn’t think so,” she said, but hiccupped again. “It’s just been so long since I sat down and drank even half a beer.”
“Maybe you need one of those sweet mixed drinks,” he said. “I’m not sure the bartender here can do that for you.”
“It depends on whether he has vodka or not. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t keep cranberry juice on tap.”
Colton laughed. “You’re right about the cranberry juice. I see Greg Townsend over there. He’s the president of the local ranchers’ association. Do you mind if I have a word with him?”
“Please, go ahead,” she said. “Let me catch my breath.”
“I’ll just be a minute,” he said.
Stacey closed her eyes, took a breath and held it. She counted to ten. Memories of how foolish she’d been with Joe warred with her enjoyment of her evening with Colton.
“Can I buy you another beer?” an unfamiliar male voice asked.
Stacey opened her eyes to meet the gaze of a man she didn’t know. “Excuse me?” she said. He was tall and wore a Stetson. He also had a beard. She wasn’t a big fan of beards.
“Can I buy you another beer?” he repeated, extending his hand. “I’m Tom Garrison. I haven’t seen you around here before. I work at the Jergen’s ranch.”
“Oh, I know the Jergens,” she said and briefly shook his hand. “Well, I know Ella Mae.”
“And you are?” he asked.
“Stacey,” she said, suddenly noticing her hiccups had disappeared. “Stacey Jones. Stacey Fortune Jones,” she added, because the Fortune part was still very new to her.
“A pleasure to meet you, Stacey Fortune Jones,” he said. “I’m kinda new in town and a little lonely since it’s winter. Maybe you could show me around.”
“Oh,” she said, shaking her head and feeling uncomfortable. “I’m super busy. I have a little baby.” She figured that would put him off. Most men were afraid of babies who weren’t their own.
“I like babies,” he said. “I’m good with them.”
Stacey began to feel just a teensy bit nervous. She searched the room for Colton. “Good for you, but, like I said, I’m super busy.”
“I don’t see a ring on your finger. That must mean you’re not taken,” he said, moving closer.
“Well,” she said, trying to shrink against her bar stool. She wished Colton would return. He would know how to take care of this pushy man. “Like I said, I’m extremely busy...”
“I could give you a good time,” he said. “Make you laugh. Maybe more...”
“Or not,” Colton said, suddenly appearing next to the pushy cowboy. “She’s with me.”
Stacey breathed a sigh of relief.
“She