“What made you think that?” I asked, knowing full well he’d made it clear he didn’t like me leaving alone so late at night. He’d had the same concerns about Gladys, but her place was just upstairs. Country’s eyes grew fierce when I said, “Just because you tell me to do something doesn’t mean I’m gonna do it. Besides, I can’t leave Gladys here alone.”
“Before you start fussing, I’m about to close.” Gladys went over to Ford—one of our regulars who’d had one too many, and said, “Time for you to call it a night.”
“Come on, Gladie,” he slurred, barely able to keep his eyes open. “Just one more.”
“Not gonna happen.” She picked up his empty beer bottle and tossed it in the trash. “I’m calling you a cab.”
We all knew Ford was a good guy who’d had a rough go of it lately. He was in his early seventies and had just lost his wife. He hated the idea of going home to an empty house, so he started to spend more and more time at Crockett’s. And like tonight, he often became argumentative whenever it came time to close. “What you need to do is get me another beer.”
“You best watch your fucking mouth,” Country roared as he stood and started charging towards Ford.
“I’ve got it, Country.” I held up my hand, stopping Country in his tracks. “I’ve got this.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Ignoring his curt tone, I rushed over to Ford and placed my hand on his back, patting him softly. “Come on, Ford. It’s been a long night. You know it’s time to call it quits.”
“Yeah, I know.” His shoulder slouched as he let out a solemn sigh. “Just hard to go back there, ya know?”
“I know, but it will get better. You just have to give it time.”
He lifted his head, and a soft smile crossed his face as he told me, “You know, you remind me so much of Trisha. You have the same pretty smile and bright eyes.”
Ford had told me that many times since his wife’s death. I’d seen pictures of Trisha, and while I saw no resemblance between us, I found it sweet Ford thought enough of me to compare me to the love of his life. “Thank you, Ford. That’s really sweet of you to say.”
“You know she was one of the finest teachers you’d ever meet. Everyone loved her.” He thought for a moment, then fussed, “You need to go back to school and get your degree. A pretty girl like you doesn’t need to be working in a place like this.”
I helped him off his stool and started guiding him towards the door as I told him, “I enjoy it here. You guys are like my family.”
“Bunch of old drunks is all we are.”
“No. You’re much more than that to me.” I helped him out the door and over to the bench where he could wait for his cab. I gave his arm a light squeeze as I smiled and said, “Now, hang tight. Your ride will be here soon.”
“Thanks, doll.”
“No problem.”
As I walked back inside, I heard Country fussing to Gladys, “I’ll never understand why you won’t hire more help.”
“Don’t need more help.”
“The hell you don’t. If you had a man around, then shit like that wouldn’t happen, and even if it did, you’d have somebody to handle it.”
“Haven’t had a man work here since your grandfather, and I don’t plan on changing that any time soon. Besides, Marlowe handled it just fine.” Gladys motioned her head towards the door as she told him, “Now, why don’t you and your little friend there head on out. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do.”
“Don’t even know why I bother.” Country stood, and as he started towards the door, he looked over to me and pleaded, “Talk some fucking sense into her, will ya?”
Knowing Gladys would’ve had my hide if I answered, I simply smiled and watched as he walked out the front door. Just as the door started to close, I spotted Ford’s cab pulling up to the curb. Once he’d stumbled over and gotten inside, I looked over to Gladys and said, “Looks like Ford’s finally gone.”
“About time.” I started clearing off the last of the tables when Gladys announced, “Time for you to be heading on home.”
“I know. I’m almost done. I just have to sweep.”
“That can wait until tomorrow.”
“Aren’t you always saying don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today?” I teased as I finished wiping down a table. “Besides, it’s not like I have anything to rush home to.”
“Just not right.” Gladys crossed her arms as she frowned. “Pretty, smart girl like you should have herself a feller to go home to.”
“Well, no such luck. It’s just me and me alone.”
“You’re wrong about that, hun.” She gave me a stern look as she continued, “Just like you told Ford earlier, we’re family around here, and as long as we’re around, you ain’t never gonna be alone.”
She was right. They were my family. I’d never really known what it was like to have one until now, and there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to protect each and every one of them—nothing.
Chapter 3
Rafe
Country and I were about to head over to Stilettos for our night’s rotation when he mentioned wanting to stop by Crockett’s and check in on Gladys. Apparently, she’d had some issues with the bar’s cooler, and he wanted to see if he could get it going again. I didn’t mind. I’d always liked Crockett’s. Gladys was cool as shit. I loved how she always found a way to put Country in his place. There was no way in hell I’d pass up a chance to see that, and there was also the fact Marlowe would be there.
When we walked in, the place was pretty quiet. There were just a few regulars sitting around having a beer while Gladys and Marlowe stood behind the bar fiddling with the cooler. She started working at Crockett’s about a year ago. I was actually surprised to hear Gladys had hired someone. She’d always run the place on her own but hiring Marlowe ended up being one of the best things she could’ve done. Marlowe busted her ass, and she did it with a fucking smile. The customers loved her, and Gladys thought she hung the moon. And she wasn’t the only one.
From the first time I laid eyes on Marlowe, I was enamored. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was about her that had piqued my interest. She wasn’t like the other women I’d hooked up with in the past. Marlowe was beautiful, there was no doubt about that, but she was quiet and timid—at least she was with me. I’d seen the way she smiled at her customers, rested her hand on their shoulders, and talked like they were old friends, and they ate that shit up. I, on the other hand, didn’t get that interaction with her. Instead, she’d just glance at me from afar, but there was something about the way she looked at me that made me think she wanted to be closer—much closer.
As we made our way over to the cooler, I couldn’t help but notice how incredible Marlowe looked. She was wearing a white off-the-shoulder blouse with jeans and boots, and her long dark hair was down. She wasn’t wearing much makeup, but then again, she didn’t fucking need it. Marlowe was one of those girl-next-door types—a natural beauty with a look of innocence in her eyes, and when she glanced at me in that way she did, I could feel it right down to my knees.