Page 3 of Wrangling Wade

Son of a bitch.If Danny Palmer is hanging around the new bartender, she absolutely needs backup. I know exactly who he is, and he's a shady prick who thinks the world is his for the taking. Last time I saw him, I put my fist in his face.

He deserved it. Mostly.

I mean, I probably could have let the sheriff handle him, but punching him in the face was more fun for me. Instant gratification and all that.

I yank my hat off my head, scrubbing a hand through my overly long hair. "I'll handle it," I mutter.

"You will?" Morgan seems shocked. "Really?"

"Yes, really," I sigh. "Send me her schedule."

"Oh, that's easy." Morgan beams at me. "She works tonight."

My gaze flickers to the poker table, then back to Morgan. Guess poker night is off, then. Awesome.

Chapter Two

Harlow

"Hey, doll," a drunkcowboy in muddy boots and a beat-up hat slurs, leaning halfway over the scarred bar to leer at me. "How's about putting yourself in that there glass and lettin' me have a sip?"

Why are men? That's it. That's the whole thought. Just…why?

"Sure thing," I chirp, batting my lashes at him. "Let me just squeeze into it for you. You want the swamp ass and tit sweat special? I'll have to charge you extra for it, but we aim to please around here."

"Uh…no?" He blinks bleary eyes at me, like he isn't quite sure what's happening. Of course he isn't. They never seem to knowexactly what to do when you serve their bullshit right back to them, do they?

"I didn't think so." I grab another glass, placing it under the spout to pour Johnny Grisholm's beer before sliding it down the bar to him. "Unfortunately for you, Cowboy, that's the only thing on the menu tonight since I haven't stopped moving since I got here. So unless you want to drink the sweat from between my cheeks, you're out of luck."

"I'd like to drink somethin' from between your—"

I slam a glass down right next to his pinky, startling him. He reels backward on his stool, damn near toppling off backward.

"Hank, fuck off and leave her alone," a familiar voice drawls before I can tell him where he can stick his unwanted comments. I don't make a habit of sleeping with men I serve at the bar, and I definitely won't be making a habit of sleeping with the ones who think being gross is a compliment. I'd rather my vagina shrivel and die, thank you very much.

I glance up, right into Danny Palmer's steely blue eyes. My stomach clenches, and not in a good way. I'd rather deal with the drunk cowboy than…whoever or whatever he is. Not good news, I know that much.

He's been at the Spur every night since I started, holding court at a booth in the corner like he's someone important. He's handsome, I'll give him that. Except he gives me shady vibes, the kind that scream that I wouldn't want to be alone with him anymore than I would with the drunk cowboy.

Oh, don't get me wrong. He says all the right things. He pretends he's chivalrous. He tips well. But he looks at me with thisgleamthat says I'm less person and more property to acquire.

No, thank you.

"I had it handled," I say, a little annoyed when Hank wobbles off the stool before stumbling off with a muttered apology—to Danny, naturally.

Danny just lifts one dark brow in response, a hint of a smirk curving his lips upward. "Of course you did. But it never hurts to have a little backup, right?"

"Right," I say, my tone flat. I'm not trying to be rude, but I don't want to encourage him, either. The fact is, I need this job, and part of keeping it means staying on Danny Palmer's good side. He knows the owner, Redd. I think he knows everyone in Silver Spoon Falls. That doesn't mean I like it, though. "Well, thanks."

"No problem." He tips his hat to me, and I barely suppress a groan when he slides onto the stool Hank just abandoned. "Mind getting me another beer when you get a minute, darling?"

"Sure thing." I immediately spin away, putting my back to him to take a deep, calming breath. Why won't he just go away already? Every night, he's here, flirting,staring,making my skin crawl.

"I've been meaning to ask you…"

My entire body clenches uncomfortably.

No, please do not.