“Nothing. She just doesn’t want to talk to you any more today.”
“That’s rich.” Grady took a drink. “Just tell me this. Do you have her contained?”
“She’s working in the kitchen tonight.”
“And later?”
Butch winked at Grady. “I’ll keep her busy at home.”
“Good. I could use some sleep.”
“You might want to tell Ronnie that. She needs a bunk now that her grandpa’s camper burned down.”
“Tell me what?” Ronnie said from behind Grady.
Grady turned, his gaze traveling up over the Pink Panther T-shirt Mac recognized as one of Claire’s. “You’re a sight for bloodshot eyes, Veronica.”
“That’s what all of the drunks around here tell me.” She jested and kissed his cheek. “Are you done for the night, Sheriff Hardass?”
He nodded, shooting Butch a scowl. “Until Carter lets Kate loose again.”
“Good.” She squeezed up next to Grady, sliding her arm across his shoulders. “Your sister and I have a bet going.”
“Penny’s here?” At Ronnie’s nod, his head tipped to the side, looking toward the pool tables. “Is she harassing Mississippi again?”
She leaned into Grady’s side, rubbing her thumb over his jaw. “Not yet, but the night’s young.”
“What’s the bet?” Mac asked.
“Penny doesn’t think Grady can beat Katie’s record on the video game in back. But I think he’s a better shot than my little sister.”
Grady snorted. “The gun sights on those video games are usually off.”
Ronnie trailed her finger down the side of the sheriff’s neck. “So, you’re saying Penny is right? You can’t beat a pregnant girl?”
“Kate is an ace shot.” Butch’s expression radiated pride. “Her grandfather trained her years ago. She can outshoot me at the range.”
Grady cursed. “Why does the craziest person in this bar being an ace shooter not make me feel warm and fuzzy?”
“I’ll tell you what, Sheriff Hardass,” Ronnie said. “You come over and win the bet for me and I’ll make you feel extra warm and fuzzy later.”
Grady looked at Mac. “Did she just offer what I think she offered?”
Mac shrugged. “She is a salty bar wench.”
Ronnie backhanded Mac’s shoulder. “Watch it, Garner, or I’ll move in with Claire and you once you’re settled in.”
“It’ll be tight in Aunt Ruby’s spare room.”
“I’ll plant myself right between you and my sister.”
“Nice, Ronnie,” Claire said from behind Mac, wrapping her arms around him. “But you can’t have the middle. You kick,” she reminded Ronnie. “We’ll put Mac in the middle.”
Grady stood, offering Claire his stool. “Have a seat. I have a record to break. ‘Warm and fuzzy’ is on my list of must-haves for a good night’s sleep.”
Claire took Grady’s seat, watching Ronnie lead him toward the other side of The Shaft. She turned back to Mac. “Warm and fuzzy, huh? Poor Grady, Ronnie must not have shaved her legs again.”
Butch laughed. “After the week Grady’s had, I have a feeling hairy legs wouldn’t put a dent in Ronnie’s mojo.”
Mac was still frowning about sharing a living space with Ronnie. The three of them had tried that once before and he’d ended up working all of the overtime he could muster rather than go home to Claire’s sister.
“She’s joking about living with us again, right?”
“I hope so.” Claire leaned forward, giving Coop two thumbs-up. “I heard about your hat trick, law dog. Way to smash that sabbatical of Natalie’s into the boards.”
Coop cursed and took a big swig from his glass.
Mac patted Claire’s arm. “Slugger, men don’t really want to be congratulated about sex by their girlfriend’s family—especially the womenfolk.”
She wrinkled her nose. “You think that was too personal for the detective?”
“Talking about the details of Natalie’s sex life is probably too personal for all of us.”
“Well, he is sleeping with my cousin.” She leaned forward again. “If you’re going to continue to fornicate with Natalie, you need to learn a few ground rules.”
“I thought you ladies didn’t cotton to rules,” Coop shot back, his gaze challenging.
“He has a good point,” Mac told Claire.
She nodded. “You’re right, Coop, we don’t. Never mind. Throw Natalie over your shoulder and have your way with her. Just be careful how you treat her, or we’ll sic Crazy Kate on you.”
Coop chuckled.
Claire didn’t. She took Mac’s hand, squeezing it. “Coop thinks I’m joking.”
Mac leaned forward, stealing a kiss. “He’ll learn.”
Patsy Cline’s version of “Crazy” started playing on the jukebox. Claire smiled into his eyes and stole a kiss back.
“Who’s playing that damned song?!” Kate yelled out from the order window.
Claire looked toward the kitchen. “Where’s my order, Kate?” She palmed Mac’s glass of beer. “May I?”
He nodded, watching her lick a little bit of foam off her upper lip. Damn!
“Get back here and make it yourself,” Kate hollered.
“That’s some shitty line cook you hired,” Claire said to Butch. She stood and turned back to Mac. “Did you ask Butch yet?”
He shook his head.
“Did you change your mind?”
He shook his head again.
“Me either. Talk to Butch.” She gave him one more kiss, tasting like his beer, and then strode through the batwing doors.
“Talk to me about what?” Butch asked.
Mac finished his beer. “I’m quitting my job and moving to Jackrabbit Junction.”
“No shit?” At Mac’s nod, Butch poured another glass of beer and set it on the counter in front of Mac and then refilled Coop’s glass. “Congratulations. This one is on the house.”
He held out his own glass of beer for a toast. The three of them clinked glasses and drank to Mac’s announcement.
Natalie called for Coop, waving for him to join her at the pool table.
“Excuse me, gentlemen.” He stood, his drink in hand. “I need to go get schooled at pool by a hot babe.”
After Coop left, Mac took another drink and went for it. “Here’s the thing,” he said to Butch. “I need something to do day in and day out after I move here or I’ll drive Claire nuts. You would like to spend your time fixing up classic cars, and Kate’s having a baby.” Mac laced his fingers together on the bar. “Claire and I have a solution. We’d like you to consider
