“Oh, right.” Cooper racked his memory for specifics on the story. “That was a few weeks ago, right?”
Lorna nodded, her expression turning dark. “Yeah. I warned the owner there was something wrong with the plug behind the bar, but he wouldn’t listen. He was cheap, didn’t want to spend the money to have it fixed ... and it took out the entire restaurant in the overnight hours. I heard the fire investigator talking and he said that outlet was the cause of everything.”
“Wow.” Cooper shook his head. “I’d eaten at that place a few times. It had good steaks. I’m sorry that happened.”
“Yeah, well, I’m just explaining why I’m looking for a job,” Lorna said. “I honestly am extremely loyal. I don’t want you to think otherwise. I’ve always loved this place. I think I would be a good addition.”
Cooper smiled and nodded. “I think you would, too. We’ve had a few people apply. You’re our last interview, though. We’re going to discuss things and then get back to you within the next thirty-six hours or so. Does that work for you?”
Lorna immediately started bobbing her head. “Oh, yeah. That sounds great.” She turned her smile to Hannah. “I would absolutely love to work up here. I met your grandmother a few times. I mentioned wanting to be a bartender to her when I was in college and she said I needed to get a little seasoning before I applied up here.”
“I didn’t realize you knew my grandmother,” Hannah said.
“She was a lovely woman.”
Since Hannah hadn’t known her in life — only death — she could do nothing but nod. “Everybody appeared to love her.”
Cooper helped Lorna gather her things and showed her through the front swinging doors of the saloon. There were people milling about Casper Creek, although it was only a small crowd. It had been a full day earlier, with three rounds of tourists riding the ski lift to the top of the mountain, but only a few people remained milling about. Cooper and Hannah had been conducting interviews after work all week. Lorna was the last one, and they were both relieved to be done with it.
“I liked her,” Cooper announced as he turned back to the table where Hannah sat. “I think she’s organized and will be good when it comes to training and leading others.”
“I think you liked the way her shirt fit,” Hannah teased, causing Cooper to make a face. “I bet she looks good in the uniform ... although I’m considering changing the uniforms. I don’t like them.” As if to prove it, she stared down at her off-the-shoulder blouse. “I very much doubt they showed this much skin in the olden days.”
Despite himself, Cooper was amused. “The olden days?”
“You know what I mean.”
He playfully stalked over to her and planted his hands on the arms of her chair as he leaned close. “I happen to like the way the uniform looks on you.” His voice was a sexy whisper, which caused goose pimples to break out on Hannah’s arms.
“I know,” she said, holding his gaze. “I think you might like the way Lorna looks even better, though.”
He shook his head. “I guarantee that’s not possible.”
“No?”
“No.” He lowered his lips to hers, offering a potent kiss that wiped away every doubt she had, which were practically nonexistent anyway. When he finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed and there was a wild look in her eyes. “I only like the way you look in that outfit,” he promised.
“I’m still considering replacing them,” Hannah said as he sank into the seat next to her. “I’m going to do some research. There must be authentic clothing that doesn’t do ... this.” She gestured toward her chest for emphasis, causing Cooper to laugh.
“I get why you don’t like the outfit,” he said as he recovered. “I mean ... you clearly hate it. The thing is, the men who visit Casper Creek love it. There’s a reason Abigail stuck with those uniforms even though the women who were forced to wear them constantly complained.”
Hannah folded her arms over her chest, suddenly suspicious. “And what reason is that?”
“Hey, don’t give me that look.” He extended a finger. “I’m not the one who picked the outfits. I’m simply explaining that Abigail had a reason to ultimately keep those uniforms despite the fact that you find them sexist.”
“And what reason is that?”
“Money.”
Hannah stilled, his blunt reply catching her off guard. “Are you saying I won’t make money if I get rid of these uniforms?” Now she was legitimately confused. “I ... don’t understand.”
“You’ll still make money,” he reassured her quickly. “I just don’t think you’ll make as much money from the saloon. And, as much as I wish the rest of the town pulled in huge gobs of cash on a daily basis, it’s the saloon and the souvenir stands pulling in the bulk of the money.”
He was right. Hannah wanted to argue the point, say it was the history and re-enactments that drew people in, but the saloon was always the main draw. “So the outfits are what keep the saloon profitable,” she mused, disappointment etching into her face. “I guess I hadn’t considered that.”
“Ugh.” Cooper made a growling sound as he shifted so his chair was closer to hers. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to hear that. It’s the truth, though. I ... am so sorry.” He felt helpless, didn’t know what to say.
Hannah flashed a smile for his benefit. “It’s not your fault all men are pigs.”
The statement was enough to elicit a genuine laugh from him. “I swear I only like the outfit on you.”
“I’m pretty sure you would like me in any outfit.”
“Or no outfit,” he added flirtatiously, grinning at the way the color returned to her cheeks. “Speaking of that, what do you say we get some takeout, head upstairs, and get you out of that outfit you hate so much?”
They’d only officially
