She laughs.“That thought went out the window the minute Jules walked in the door and your eyes were like glue on her behind.No, that type of chemistry comes once in a lifetime young man.”She looks at Cole.“You fix this now, hear?”
He grins as she bustles away back to the bar.“Good lord, you’ve gone and gotten Lettie all stirred up.She is not going to rest until I offer you a job.Might as well get it over with right here and now.”
The glass of water in my hand stops midway in the air.“Come again?”
The whole crew laughs.Cole piles some nachos on his plate.Don’t you dare tell Lettie that’s exactly what we were going to ask you about tonight with or without her interference.She likes to think she has the ultimate influence, and we let her think just that but we don’t want it to go straight to her head.”
Now it’s my time to smile, looking from one to the other.“You’re serious?You need another man out here in Deadwood?”
Garrett gives me a wide grin and puts his drink down with a thud.“Damn straight.These assholes just don’t back down.Year after year it’s something new, some new angle.I wouldn’t put anything past them.Until the Larussios and the Chicago Crime Family have it out.For good.”
“You’re serious?About needing another guy?I’m not interested in a handout, guys.”
Garrett shakes his head.“No handouts my friend.This town is a critical territory to the crime families.The hotels, the restaurants, and casinos?The Larussios have an eye for spotting gold and that’s why they’ve been backing Kenny and keeping the townspeople safe and protected.Don’t think for a minute that they don’t make good bank.At the end of the day, they’re businessmen, and if we need more men to protect the area, we do.”
Cole clears his throat.“We need more power if they want us to protect this territory.You bring the skills we need.We’ve all talked about it and agree.We’d love to have you.The Larussios won’t bat an eyelash Beckett, so if you want the full-time job, just say so.And Lettie’s right.Some things are obvious.You and Jules?When it’s right, it’s right.”
I point to all of the smiling faces around the table.“So, all of you are under Lettie’s matchmaking spell?She’s forced you to ask me to join you in protecting the town.”
They all laugh.“Seriously, it’s a good fit for everyone,” Garrett says.We’ll get you to town and then work on Mason to pop the big question to PJ.Then we’ll see if we can get Patti and someone paired up.”
Mason grins and looks at me.“It’ll be good to have someone else they can bug the hell out of instead of me.I’m working on plans for me and PJ.I want it to be perfect when I ask her to say I do.”
Across the room, Jay stands up and looks out the window he’s been sitting next to, and all conversation stops.His hand slides to his cell and I answer the call before it’s even had time to ring.Jay’s voice is gruff.“Trouble times three just rolled into town.Three black SUVs with about four men in each.”
My blood pumps hard knowing we’ll have to keep vigilant every second now.These men don’t mess around.“Where are Tommy and the guys?”
“A couple of them are still getting information from Eldridge, but I think we have our answer now.Tommy and most of his boys are protecting Cole’s house and are positioned around Main Street.They’ve got their eyes and ears open.”
“Where’s Kenny?The minute he finds out those guys are here, he may try to take things into his own hands.A lot of people could have seen them drive by,” Cole says from across the table.
“Do you know where Kenny is?”I repeat into the phone for Jay.
I nod, listening to him for a minute before relaying the info back to the group.“Roger that,” I say into the phone before turning to Cole.“He and Eileen haven’t left your house and your kids.Don’t worry.We’ve got them covered.”
Jay stands a minute longer and then takes a seat.“Doesn’t look like they’re coming this way.They’re heading out of town, probably to the outskirts.Probably Eldridge Sr.’s old place if I had to guess.Tommy will keep an eye out.In the meantime, let’s finish the plan and go hang out with the ladies.Tomorrow is going to be a long-ass day.”
14
Jules
Beckett and the guys join us at the bar.Cole puts his arms around Krissy and reaches around her to snag a french fry.She turns to look up at him and smacks his hand playfully.But that look between them, there’s no denying they were meant to be.
It makes my chest tighten.It’s only been days since Beckett came to town but deep down inside, I know it’s the same.This invisible draw between two people that pulls you together like it was always meant to be.
He slides in beside me and his thigh brushes mine as he settles onto the stool.He looks down at my almost empty plate with only one chicken tender and a couple fries left.I smile feeling shy all of a sudden.“I was hungry.”
Those green eyes shine bright, and he turns to whisper in my ear.“I’d love to make you hungry every night, darling.”
My cheeks heat, and I swallow through the embarrassment of it all.“Now who’s giving off some mixed messages?”
The overhead music begins to play, and it’s a song that I like by the talented Chris Stapleton.He gives me a smile and then takes my hand.“Lettie, save our seats,” he tells her, half dragging me off of my stool.
“Wait, there’s no dance floor,” I start, but he’s already guiding me out to the front of the stage and onto his makeshift floor.“There’s always a place for a couple falling in love to dance, darling,” he says taking me into his arms.
The butterflies in my stomach dance and the blood in my veins begins to race.“Say that again, Beckett …”
“I said, there’s always a place for a couple falling in love to dance, darling.”
