Natalie frowned at Ronnie, wondering who was driving in her head, because there seemed to be some gear-grinding going on during the downshifts.
Was this what her own future would be like if she took the next step with Coop and started sharing his bed? She’d certainly contemplated a legs-entwined fantasy all of the way home from Fort Bowie, sneaking peeks at him, remembering the feel of his skin under her hands as though the alley scene had happened last night instead of years ago.
If she were to give in to her feelings, would she start dressing differently? Would she struggle to keep from losing her own identity? Would her newfound self-confidence go down the toilet? How long before she started hiding things from Coop, like Ronnie was with Grady and this phone call to Lyle? Coop was a cop inside and out, and while she wasn’t a hard-core criminal, Natalie bucked the rules more often than not.
She shook off her Coop worries and returned to Ronnie’s problems. “I just think Grady would be interested in hearing that you talked to the douche-noggin who bent you over backward for five years while he was snorting cocaine off various bimbos’ bare asses.”
“Shhhh.” Ronnie glanced around, her eyes wide. “How do you know about Lyle doing that?”
“You told me one night when we were drinking, remember?”
She chewed on her lower lip. “No.”
“You should probably lay off the gin and tonics for a while.” Natalie took the margaritas Gary the bartender held out for her and set them on her tray. “So what was this favor the pigeon-livered flapdoodle wanted from you?”
“He wants me to contact his mother.”
That seemed left of center. “Why?”
“She has something she wants to send me but doesn’t know where to send it.”
“Are you going to do it?”
“She was a sweet lady.”
“Yeah, but your ex–devil spawn came from her womb.”
Ronnie blinked both eyes rapidly, like her eyelids were stuck on fast-shutter-speed mode. “Mississippi wants me to do it. He’s curious what she has to send me. I am, too.”
“What address are you going to use?”
“A post office box the FBI tracks in Tucson, compliments of the pool ball wizard in back.”
Natalie glanced back toward the pool tables where the FBI agent was shooting pool again tonight in between barroom scans. “Does he think this mysterious gift of hers has to do with those stolen diamonds the FBI is trying to pin on you?”
Ronnie let out a loud squawk. “How do you know about those?”
“Claire told me all about it before she left for Tucson.”
“I told her not to tell anyone!”
“You told her not to tell Grady, and she didn’t. But I’m part of the posse, remember?” Natalie held up her fist for another fist bump.
Ronnie obliged, frowning.
“Order up!” Kate called from the kitchen window.
The order was Natalie’s, judging by the bleu cheese and bacon burger in the center of the plate.
The feel of cool air on her back made her glance toward the door for the umpteenth time. Coop had said he and Harvey would be stopping by later, but he hadn’t said when.
The sight of a blue-eyed, reddish-blond haired man standing in the doorway made her do a double take.
“Hey!” She patted Ronnie’s arm. “Look who’s back.”
Ronnie glanced up from checking her order pad as Valentine “Butch” Carter stepped up to the bar. His face was lined and weary, but his smile was warm and wide.
“Butch!” Ronnie rushed over to give him a hug. “You’re back early.”
“There was a snowstorm in the forecast back home and I didn’t want to get stuck there for the New Year, so I left a day early.” He glanced around the bar. “Where’s Kate?”
“She’s working in the kitchen,” Natalie said.
“Hi, Natalie,” he said, glancing down at the shirt she was wearing with The Shaft emblem on it. “What’s with the waitress getup? Did you lose a bet to Ronnie or Kate?”
“Both,” she joked. “The place has been hopping lately and your baby mama needs to take breaks whether she likes it or not, so here I am.”
He nodded. “Thank you for that. Kate tends to forget she’s pregnant when she’s at work.” He looked at Ronnie. “You’re paying Natalie, right?”
“I tried, but she won’t take the money.”
At Butch’s wrinkled brow, Natalie shrugged. “You’re family. Besides, Kate lets me eat and drink for free.”
“Order up, Natalie!” Kate barked, peering out the window. “Ronnie! What in Sam Hill is taking Natalie so …” Her focus shifted, her eyes widening at the sight of Butch.
A loud screech came through the window.
A second later, the swinging batwing doors slammed open and Kate leapt into Butch’s arms, knocking him back a step. Her mouth collided with his, her arms wrapping around his neck, her legs circling his hips.
Natalie turned away. A spasm of envy throbbed in her chest for a moment at the look of pure joy she’d seen on Kate’s face when she’d burst through the doors.
Sweet sassafras, she missed being with a man.
Damn Coop for stoking the fires in her heart today. Before he showed up in Jackrabbit Junction, she had been lonely, but it was nothing like the gut-aching misery she felt tonight.
She cast another glance at Kate and Butch, who were whispering to each other in between kisses. Kate’s love for Butch showed bright and clear in her glowing face.
Would letting Coop into her heart turn her into a smitten kitten like Kate? Would she greet him at the door when he finally got home from the station with kisses and wicked promises of what she’d do to him as soon as she’d stripped him naked?
“Kate’s crazy,” Ronnie said in her ear. “But Butch loves her anyway.” There was a wistful note in Ronnie’s tone.
When Natalie looked around, Ronnie was weaving her way through the tables with her full drink tray held high.
Sighing, Natalie grabbed her burger plate from the order window, set it on her tray next to the drinks, and followed Ronnie’s lead.
She glanced back at the bar after
