Without a glance at the fallen tank of a man,nor even a glint of sweat on his brow, completely unharmed, Chasecalmly looked to the tank's friends, "I don't think we've beenintroduced. I'm Chase Anderson. I'm sure Braden and my good friendshere wouldn't have had any issues flattening you themselves, butit's been too long since I had a decent fight. Anyone else want aquick warm up?"
"Go to hell, Anderson," one responded. Theothers helped the tank up and stalked out to their own trucks,tails between their legs.
Braden stepped up, placed a friendly smack onChase’s bad shoulder, still painful from his injury on the rig, andlaughed out loud, "Chase, I oughtta kick your ass myself. I'vewanted a piece of those guys for so damn long. But I guess I'll letit slide this time, you being my new boss and all. Nice moves.Those pansy-ass oilers show you a few things?” The pair shookhands. “Buy you a beer?"
"Thanks Braden, but let me buy you one. Thatfelt great. Oilers have nothing on fishermen when it comes to afight,” Chase said with a wink. “See you in there." Chase nodded tohis crew as they headed into the tavern.
Aiden walked past and patted him on the back,"Couldn't have done it better myself. Frank’ll be proud, but don’tsay anything to Mom; she’d have all of our hides." Payson followedAiden into the tavern.
Maddy stopped in front of Chase and grinned,"You know I should probably give you a warning or something. Wedon't tolerate that sort of violence at the Seaview PD."
Chase held his arms out in surrender, "I'mall yours. Bring your handcuffs?" He waggled his eyebrows ather.
Maddy couldn't resist. She stood on her tippytoes and leaned in, whispering in his ear, "Anytime, sailor." Shehoped she'd had an effect but didn't stop to see his reaction. Itwould really ruin that effect if he saw her blushing at her ownrare, daring flirt.
She walked straight into the tavern, herheart about to beat out of its chest. She hadn't flirted in years,and found she was thoroughly enjoying it. Maybe she would considersex with Chase. She had certainly enjoyed his handinnocentlygrazing her inner thighs on the drive over. Shecould only assume she would enjoy his not-so-innocent touch going awhole lot further.
Loud music blared from the large speakershung from the ceiling. Classic rock, Winter's choice. There was nojukebox, no DJ, and no requests. It was Winter's place and hedecided what music played. Usually classic rock, but he wasoccasionally in the mood for old-time blues, heavy metal, or evenclassical.
The bar itself was cut out of a huge oldgrowth tree that must have been cut down a hundred years back, witha thick varnish that accented the natural woodgrain whileprotecting from slivers. The walls were a warm, dark green painttrimmed with dark-stained wood which gave the tavern a cozy feel.Pub-height booths lined the walls. Expansive plank wood flooringwas nearly black from years of use. There was plenty ofentertainment, with several pool tables, shuffleboard, arcades.Occasionally the tables were pushed to the side for dancing, butnot tonight.
Maddy spotted Winter behind the bar and gavehim a wave. She enjoyed stopping by for drinks now and again withher parents, as Frank was a regular of the joint. More often,however, she was here in a more official capacity. Winter ran atight ship; like Maddy, he wasn’t bothered by an occasionalfriendly scuffle, but anything more and he called in the law.
Winter waved back, ignoring the folks at thebar trying to order. "Maddy, my favorite cop. What can I get foryou on this fine evening?"
Maddy strolled up to the bar. She squeezedinto the middle of the crush, giving her friend a grin, "How aboutan IPA?"
"Coming right up." He slid the beer to her,not spilling a drop. "That one's on the house, thanks for the quickresponse the other night."
"Anytime for you, Winter," she warmlyresponded. “What’s good for dinner tonight?”
“Sheila’s trying out a new broccoli cheddarsoup recipe; it’s pretty amazing.”
Maddy nearly drooled just thinking about it.“Sounds great. See you around.” She headed for the high-top booththat Payson had nabbed for them.
Maddy slid in the booth across from Payson onthe cracked leather bench. Payson rolled her eyes at her friend andsmiled, "So, not sitting by me. Who are you hoping will squeeze innext to you? Maybe hoping for a little more thigh grazing from ourhero with the flying fists?"
Maddy gently kicked her friend under thetable. She opened her mouth to respond, but closed it again andshut up when Aiden slid in next to Payson. Maddy thought theylooked great together, and had already hinted to each that they'dbe a nice couple. Payson with her perfect skin, great figure, longauburn hair, combined with her clever wit, deep sense of kindness,and spunky attitude. Aiden was no slouch; he was tall, muscularwithout being bulky, a successful attorney, thoughtful.
Both had scoffed at the idea. Payson hadlaughed and insisted there was absolutely no chemistry. Aiden hadlooked confused at the prospect. Maddy had pushed and they finallyagreed to try a date with each other, but it had ended with apolite handshake.
Funny how two attractive people with plentyin common could have zero romantic chemistry. Fortunately, neitherhad blamed her for trying. They had enjoyed their dinner out andwere now good friends. Payson had furnished Aiden's office, andAiden hadn't argued. Maddy thought that was a sign of a healthyfriendship.
She looked across the crowded bar to Chase.As promised, he delivered a pitcher of beer and some frosty mugs toBraden and his crew from outside. She hoped Aiden didn't catch herstaring. Chase had on a fitted black t-shirt and faded jeans thathugged his rear end nicely. He and Aiden were well matched inheight, but Chase had few extra inches of muscle he must haveearned after those years of demanding physical work.
He visited with the guys for a few minutes,then politely excused himself, taking his half-consumed pint withhim. Chase slid in next to Maddy. The booth was barely big enoughfor the four of them, the twosomes sitting hip to hip, but theplace was packed, so they were lucky to have gotten a table atall.
Maddy was on fire, her right side pressedcompletely against Chase. She tried to make conversation, but theconnection had completely wiped her brain.
Sheila rescued her by popping up to theirtable to take their orders. An old friend of Winter’s, but notromantically as both had repeatedly insisted, she had worked at thebar for the last year or so. She dabbled in the kitchen but spentmost of her evening keeping the crowd happy with food anddrinks.
From the look of her, she’d had a rough lifeprior to settling in Seaview, with white-gray hair and an almostbony build, balanced with her standard attire of navy-blue t-shirtwithWinter’s Tavernwritten across the front and classicblue jeans with combat boots. She almost looked frail, but Maddyhad seen her carrying ridiculously heavy trays above her head allnight without breaking a sweat. “What can I get for my favoritepolice officer and her friends this evening?”
Maddy beamed. “I’d love to try the soup, andmaybe a caesar salad?” The rest of the group ordered. Sheila hadthe memory of an elephant. She never wrote down orders, and nevergot them wrong. She knew her regular customers and anticipatedtheir needs before they did.
As Sheila walked away to fill their orders,Aiden prodded, "Maddy, no fries? Are you feeling ok?"
She laughed, “I don’t need to order my own;I’ll just eat yours.”
