Page 6 of Head Above Water
“And you managed that for a whole two hours…,” Dusty said, smacking Joiner on the head. “You better not go telling that to anyone else—otherwise, she’s going to know where it came from, and you’re going to find your ass out in the cold.” Dustyglared in a way that Hazard had never seen before, serious as all hell.
“He’s right,” Hazard added. “You file that away in the ‘going to get your ass kicked’ section of your brain if you mention it again. What goes on in the big house is not subject to gossip. The Mavericks pay our wages and have hired us to do a job, not talk behind their backs like this is an episode ofDownton Abbey.” Hazard had seen it once because his mama loved that show.
The truck conversation trailed off as they reached town, and Hazard pulled into the parking lot of the Six Shooter Saloon. It was really just a bar, but the guys all piled out of the trucks and hustled inside to a long set of tables, with some of the thirstier going right to the bar.
“What’s he doing here?” Riley asked from across the table, nudging the guys next to him as he looked down the bar to the final seat at the end. “He never comes in. At least I ain’t never seen him before.”
Bryce sat on the stool, hat on low over his eyes, a half-empty beer in front of him. He had a “don’t even talk to me” vibe going on, and Hazard found himself watching for a lot longer than he should, wondering if he was here because of his daddy or if something else had happened.
“You went riding with him the other day. Did he say anything?” Dusty asked.
Hazard shrugged, still wondering. “It was just a ride out to the old dry watering hole,” he said, not wanting to make too much of it, even though every time he closed his eyes, his mind twisted the day into something a hell of a lot more than that. In his last dream, the watering hole was full and a lot bigger, and they decided to go swimming. Since they didn’t have suits… well, his imagination filled in everything just perfectly.
“Honey, you want something?” Sally asked, and Hazard’s mind skipped back to the present.
“A beer, please,” Hazard said gently.
“See. A man with manners who doesn’t grunt his order,” she scolded, with a glare at Hank. “Or get handsy.” That got a scowl as she leaned over the table. “Next time, you’ll be wearing your beer. You got that?” She went on taking orders and then left the table.
“See, she wants me,” Hank said.
Hazard scoffed and then laughed. “Sally thinks you’re a complete pig.” He rolled his eyes.
“When did she say that?”
“The last time you were here,” Dusty broke in, and the entire table laughed. “Everyone knows that. If you really like her, then you need to stop acting like a jerk. The best way to get a woman interested in you is to not treat her like crap.” He shook his head. “Besides, in case you haven’t noticed, you’ve been going home alone a lot lately.”
“It’s just a dry spell,” Hank protested.
“Nope. It’s the women in town talking to one another, and word had gotten around.” Dusty grinned as Hank paled. “People talk, and women most definitely talk about men… a lot.”
Hank scowled. “How do you know?”
“Because it’s true,” Sally said, obviously listening in. “You treated Carry Ann terrible, and none of us are going to be used like that.” She leaned right close to Hank, letting him get a good look at what was on offer. “So we all decided you need to learn a lesson, and the only action you’re going to be getting is with your right hand. So how does that sound, cowboy?” She passed out the beers. “Now, go ahead and order your food before the kitchen gets backed up. And Hank, you better tip well or else you’ll be known as a cheapskate too. A third strike and you’ll never get another girl in this town again.”
Hank smiled, but it was clear he was tense as hell and trying not to show it. Hazard ordered a burger and fries, while theothers got their orders in as well. Then Sally left, and damned if Hank didn’t watch her go, his eyes bouncing with every step she took. The man really was an idiot. Hazard turned away from Hank’s idiocy, his gaze falling on Bryce, who sat in the exact same place, only his beer glass was emptier.
“Is he okay?” Hazard asked Joiner.
“He looks like hell, but I’d probably be the same way if… well… you know.” He turned away, and Hazard had to give him props for not running his mouth again.
Hazard got up and slowly went over to the bar with his beer and sat on the stool next to Bryce. He didn’t say anything or ask any questions. Bryce nodded slightly, but kept looking forward, his hand on the handle of the beer mug. Bryce sighed, but made no other sound as Hazard sipped his beer.
He was well versed in the strong, silent kind of communication. That was most cowboys, especially when it came to anything emotional. They didn’t talk about shit and tended to stew in their own juices until they either figured it out or they’d buried shit deep enough that it became part of the reason why they never talked about shit. While Hazard understood the type, he wasn’t really that way. But he knew he just had to wait it out, if that was possible.
“Another beer?” the bartender, Burt, asked, but Bryce didn’t seem to hear him. “Bryce… dude… another beer?”
He lifted his head, his eyes seeming unfocused.
“I don’t think so, for now,” Hazard answered for him, and Burt went back to the other end of the bar.
Bryce drank the last of his beer and still held the glass in his hand. “I suppose everyone knows that my father is ill.”
“I heard a few of the men talking, but it was out of concern,” Hazard told him. “Your dad is well respected, and the men really care for him.”
“Yeah. That’s my dad. Always the life of the party.” He sighed. “He is the perfect rancher. Built the place up from what he inherited, added land and cattle, made it all work. Basically, he performed a damned miracle.”
“Your dad works hard and is good at business. What’s wrong with that?” Hazard asked, sipping his beer and watching Bryce’s lips move as though he were talking, but no words came out.