wrong, isn’t it? You needed something to argue about, and the dog got the job, right? You’re afraid of commitment, and if something is his fault, then you feel justified in not being in love with him, right?” Kayla asked.
“Probably,” Teresa had to admit.
“You don’t have to tell me what the big problem is, but face it, talk it out, and if you don’t want to live with him anymore, you can move out and get your own place. I’ll go with you. We don’t have to live in the house with Noah forever, you know. We could even sleep in the senior citizens place if we needed to for a few nights. There’s always room for you at our place whenever Will and I decide to get married,” Kayla told her.
“Thanks, and I’m sorry I ruined the movie for you,” Teresa apologized.
“No problem,” Kayla said. “We can talk more tomorrow, right?”
“Sure we can,” Teresa agreed.
A stool in an old country bar wasn’t a new thing to Noah, but the one he sat on on Halloween night was. As a matter of fact, he felt downright out of place in a bar now that he’d been sober for so long. Located south of Sulphur Springs, it was a tin building with a rough wood facade and swinging doors that made its patrons feel like they were walking into a honky-tonk out of a Western movie. Noah had been there more than an hour, and the ice was melting in the double shot of Jameson that sat right in front of him. An old man with a scruffy gray beard and a mop of hair the same color, drawn back in a ponytail, slid onto the barstool right beside him. He ordered a shot of Jack Black and tossed it back like an old bowlegged cowboy.
“I’m Orville Jones.” The old guy motioned for the bartender, who was dressed up like Minnie Mouse, to bring him another one. “Who are you? Can’t say as I remember seeing you here before, and I’m here most every Saturday night.”
“Noah Jackson,” he answered.
“Well, Noah Jackson, are you going to drink that whiskey or let it sit there and mold?” Orville grinned, showing off a mouthful of crooked teeth.
“I haven’t decided. I’ve been sober for six years,” Noah said.
“Then what the hell are you doin’ in here, son?” Orville frowned. “I’ll bet dollars to cow chips that it’s money or a woman. Am I right?”
“Yep,” Noah answered.
“Want to talk about it?”
“We had our first fight after a bad workday.” He toyed with his glass, swirling what was left of the ice around in circles. He started to bring it to his lips, but then set it back down.
Orville got up and went to the jukebox, plugged a few coins into it, and then came back. “You need to listen to Miss Miranda sing this here song before you drink that watered-down stuff.”
The country beat of Miranda Lambert singing “Storms Never Last” filled the whole place. A few folks got up and two-stepped to the music. Noah wished he had Teresa in his arms rather than the whiskey tempting him right there at his fingertips.
“You hearin’ the words to that song?” Orville asked.
“Yes, sir, I get the meaning, and you’re right,” Noah answered.
“Well, son, the clouds that’s brewing now won’t last, like the pretty lady is singing, so leave that drink alone and go home to your woman. If you’re lucky, she’ll still be there.” Orville picked up Noah’s drink and downed it one gulp. “Wouldn’t want you to lose your six-year chip.”
“Thanks.” Noah threw a bill on the bar. “This is for your next drink, sir.”
“Appreciate it.” Orville gave him another big grin.
Teresa was still sitting on the swings when her phone rang. “Go watch your movie,” she answered.
“I’m not at the movies. Where are you?” Noah’s deep voice sounded worried. “I came home, and you were gone. We need to talk.”
“I’m at the park,” she said.
“Will you meet me at the Dairy Queen in ten minutes?” he asked, and then added, “Please. And you can bring Queenie, since we can eat at the outside tables.”
“I can be there, but I’m not bringing Queenie,” she said.
Different scenarios played through her head as she thought about going back to the house to get Queenie, but eventually she decided against it. No way was she taking her dog with her to experience a sad moment. As she drove to the ice cream store from the park, her thoughts