You Shouldn't Have Come Here(35)

Grace jumped up and down and threw her arms around my neck for a hug. I held her for a moment, breathing in her sweet scent. Maybe it wasn’t fate that brought her here. Maybe it was skill. When she pulled away, my eyes lingered on her lips for a moment too long.

Joe held out another dart for her. “Let’s see if you can do it again.”

“All right.”

She went back to her spot. Her fingers pinched the barrel. She brought the dart in front of her eyes, concentrating for a moment before throwing. Bull’s-eye. Grace turned around with eyes wide open.

Joe shook his head in disbelief. “Well, damn. Shots are in order after that.” He clapped his hands and walked toward the bar.

“Am I gonna hurt your brother’s ego?” Grace teased.

“He’ll be fine.” I chuckled. “He is competitive though, so get your game face on.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, it’s on.”

Grace drank the rest of her beer in one swig and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. The girl I met five days ago wasn’t the girl I was seeing right now. She was like a chameleon, fitting in with whatever backdrop she happened to be a part of. I liked it but it left me wondering who the real Grace was.

“Here you are.” Joe handed us each a shot.

“What is it?” She eyed the amber-colored liquid filled to the rim.

“My friend, Jack.” Joe winked. He clinked his glass against mine and hers, tapped it against the table, and then threw it back. “Cheers,” he said, placing the shot glass upside down. Joe drank Jack Daniel’s like it was water, evident by the lack of reaction he had after slamming it.

Grace looked to me. Together, we tipped back the shots. She shook her head and swallowed hard after the liquid hit her tongue. Whiskey, like most people, wasn’t something you enjoyed right away.

“Not your cup of tea, City Girl?” Joe teased.

“I’m more of a vodka girl, Country Boy,” Grace hit back with a small smirk.

“You’re up, bro,” I said, patting him on the back. Joe smiled, gave a quick nod, and took his place in front of the dartboard.

“Having fun?” I asked.

“Always.” Grace batted her eyelashes.

“I figured that much, since reading and running are fun for you.” I let on a smile.

“Oh, stop.” She playfully patted my shoulder.

I laughed and picked up our empty beer glasses. “Want another?”

Grace nodded, and I left her standing there. After I ordered another round, I turned back and spotted Joe leaning against the table beside Grace.

“Here you are, Calvin,” Maxie said, setting the beers down.

“Thanks. Go ahead and put it on my tab.”

“You got yourself a looker there.” She pointed over at Grace. I followed her finger and found that Joe had moved a little closer to her. “Glad to see you out and about.” She tilted her head. “But you might want to keep Joe away from her,” Maxie warned.

“It was an accident,” I said in a low voice.

“Some people around here don’t believe that.”

I shook my head. “Don’t go on believing them rumors.”

She squinted her eyes, and I knew then that some of her famous advice was coming my way. Maxie was more than the town’s barkeep; she was the town’s therapist too. Unofficially, of course—she didn’t have a degree. She just knew everyone’s problems and knew what everyone needed to hear.

“What one person calls a rumor, another calls the truth. I wouldn’t be so quick to determine which one it is.” She slapped the palm of her hand against the bar top, picked up a wet rag, and started wiping it down.

“He’s my brother, Maxie.” I tilted my head.

“Ted Bundy had a brother,” she quipped.

“Half brother.” I turned back toward Grace and Joe, watching him closely.

Maxie had a point. Maxie always had a point.

When I reached the table, I wedged myself between the two of them.

“Whoa, bro,” Joe said as he fell back a step or two.

“Didn’t see ya there, little guy,” I jabbed.

I handed him the beer, but his eyes lingered on me for a few seconds. The golden liquid finally distracted him, and he brought the glass to his lips.

“Here you are, Grace.”

“Got another one of those?” a high-pitched voice called from behind me. I turned around to find Charlotte. Her long, silky brown hair hung freely and her freckles were prominent. She must have been outside today.

“Hey, Char,” I said, pulling her in for a half hug.

“I saw Joe’s truck when I drove past and decided to stop. Didn’t think I’d find you here too.” She tilted her head.

“Didn’t think I’d find myself here either,” I said.

“What’s up, Char-Char? Long time, no see.” Joe swooped in and gave her a hug just as I released her from mine.

“Yeah, I know. You’ve been skimping out on the ranch chores. Got me picking up your slack,” she teased.

“Sorry about that.” He looked at me briefly and swallowed hard. “I’ve been tied up.”

Joe pointed at Grace and Charlotte. “You two meet?”

“We have,” Grace said. “Nice to see you, Charlotte.”