Storm Damage - C.P. Smith Page 0,32
needed my next breath, so I hung on for a brief second, memorizing his spicy scent before ripping out of his embrace and turning away from him.
Seven
His Poor Nose
LOGAN FELT LIKE his jaw was about to crack. He’d been gritting his teeth from the moment Skylar called Kenzie his girlfriend, and it was giving him a headache. He hadn’t had a chance to set her straight because Skylar had pushed out of his arms the moment she’d gained control of her emotions, then she was spirited off to her office so Kenzie could plan for the fundraiser. Now he was behind the bar with David Stevens, an average looking man in his middle twenties, who had gone to high school with Skylar. She’d also called in a waitress named, Rachel Moore, because it seemed the entire town had descended on the bar and were circling their wagons around the James family. The tip jar was overflowing with twenties, yet half the people weren’t drinking. The atmosphere was jovial yet watchful. Like they were waiting for something to happen. It reminded Logan of the hours before an operation during his time in the army. The way his unit would psych themselves up for the upcoming mission. Logan had done push-ups to rid himself of the excess energy, but the townspeople were raising the roof instead, while keeping an eye out for someone. His money was on Chance Bear. Ty was more friend to Skylar than a nuisance. That much was clear from her reaction to Logan wanting to ban him from the bar, so he doubted the town cared about a showdown between the two men. No, they were waiting to see if her half brother would show up, and he didn’t think it was for the entertainment of watching Skylar come to blows with the man. He’d heard whispers of conversations during the past few hours. Some that made it clear the good people of Ennis, Montana were ready to back up Skylar and her brothers, if need be.
Logan glanced at the door when it opened, bracing like the rest of the bar, then relaxed when Jordan marched through, loaded down with notebooks and pens. When she saw him behind the bar pouring a beer, she headed his direction.
“Can you believe it?” she blurted out.
Considering he’d been in Ennis less than a day, in which time he’d broken up a fight, manhandled Ty, counseled Josh, then had his nose almost broken in the interim, there was a lot he could believe.
“Which part?”
“The fact Kenzie is helping. I thought she was too self-centered to get involved.”
He grinned at her shock. “Guess she had a change of heart.”
“Or a transplant,” Jordan grumbled.
She glanced around the bar looking for someone, so Logan jerked his head toward the hall leading to the back. “Skylar’s in her office.”
She nodded, then leaned across the bar conspiratorially. “Has he been in yet?”
He figured she was asking about Ty and his ability to steamroll Skylar, so he nodded. “Came in this morning. He won’t be a problem, though. Skylar has more backbone than you give her credit for. She won’t let him walk all over her.”
She seemed shocked. “Chance came in this morning? What an ass!”
“No. Ty.”
“Oh. Well, I’m glad that’s been handled, but I was asking about Chance. Lori told me he was seen in town. The news would have traveled by now that Kenzie is helping Skylar out. That’s why most of the town is here. They want to be here to back Skylar up if he shows.”
Logan hoped like hell he did. He had some choice words for the man.
He handed off the beer to Rachel, who smiled brightly at him before delivering the drink. Jordan watched her as she bounded away and rolled her eyes. “You’re the talk of the town right now. Did you know that?”
“Why’s that?”
“Hmm, have you looked in the mirror?”
Logan grinned then shook his head.
“A modest man. I like it. But don’t let your guard down. All the single ladies—and some of the married ones, I’d bet—are hoping for a piece of you.”
Rachel returned before he could answer and leaned across the bar more than was needed, causing her V-neck to dip lower, and handed him a slip of paper with an order. Her expression was sultry, with just a hint of heat. Logan glanced at Jordan then shot his eyes heavenward for perseverance, before handing the order to David. Ten years in the military was far less dangerous than