Free Riverstar (3) by Tess Thompson Page A

slurred.
    “What the hell?” Bella asked before Ben could open his mouth. “She just got out of rehab. You really think getting her drunk was a good idea?”
    Genevieve had slid from her stool and was now getting Tiffany situated in her place. Cindi, without anyone needing to say anything, set a coffee in front of her inebriated guest.
    “I did not get her drunk,” said Ben, emphasizing every word, his eyes snapping. “I happened to be driving into town when I saw her stumble out of Lefty’s and head for her car. There were two men lurking in the parking lot, not to mention she’s clearly in no shape to drive. I brought her in here knowing you were here, Bella, and thought you could help me.”
    “How did you know I was here?”
    “Tommy texted me.”
    Tommy texted him? Why had he done that? She glanced at the stage. Tommy winked at her. She flipped him off behind her hand but he didn’t seem to care. He simply grinned and said to the crowd, “Here’s a song for all the love birds out there tonight.”
    Ben steadied Tiffany on the bar stool by putting both his hands on her shoulders. “Cindi, is there any food left in the kitchen?”
    “I’ll go see,” said Cindi. “Just let me finish making these here drinks first.”
    “This is good of you, man,” said Stefan to Ben. He held out his hand. “Good to meet you.”
    “You too,” said Ben. “Big fan.”
    “Hey, thanks. Bella’s told us a lot about you,” said Stefan.
    Bella twisted on her stool, suddenly finding the remaining olive on the toothpick enormously interesting.
    “Don’t believe all the bad things she says. I’m actually a good guy,” said Ben.
    “He rescued me,” said Tiffany.
    “Sweetie, where’s your sister tonight?” Genevieve pushed the coffee closer to Tiffany. “Drink this. It’ll help.”
    “We had a fight. She’s mad at me,” said Tiffany, shaking her head in refusal of the coffee.
    “What happened?” asked Bella.
    “Oh, just the usual,” said Tiffany.
    No one said anything, not knowing, of course, what “the usual” was. Although it wasn’t too much of a leap to assume it was Tiffany’s drinking. Still, this surprised Bella. She’d never seen the sisters fight. Sabrina was protective and supportive, always defending Tiffany even when she didn’t deserve it, which was most of the time.
    Just then, they saw Sabrina come in the front door, her eyes darting to where they all huddled around Tiffany. In long strides, she approached them, moving through the crowd, ignoring the stares that came her way.
    “Tiff, what happened to you?” Her scar, running from her cheekbone to her mouth, was a scarlet line.
    Tiffany put her face into her hands and began to cry. “Sorry, Sabrina.”
    Ben held out his hand to Sabrina. “I’m Ben Fleck. I saw her about to get into her car outside Lefty’s and thought I’d bring her here to get some food in her.”
    Sabrina looked up at Ben, scrutinizing his face with a look of distrust. “That right? You just happened to see her coming out of the bar?”
    Ben looked over at Bella, his eyes pleading with her to help him.
    Bella put her hand on Sabrina’s arm. “He’s okay. He’s a friend of mine.”
    Cindi came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of soup and a dinner roll. “This here’s all we have left from dinner.” She set it next to the now cold coffee. “Come on, baby,” she said to Tiffany. “No more crying. Just get a little food in you and you’ll feel better.”
    Sabrina, watching her sister, rubbed her temples before looking over at Bella. “You know what? I’ve had enough for tonight. Can one of you just get her back to the lodge? We’re in adjoining rooms, 502 and 501. She’s in 501. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t wake me when you come in.”
    “Sure, yeah, I’ll get her back,” said Ben. “We’ll get her to eat.”
    Sabrina looked at Ben with less mistrust than the moment before, but it was there just the same. “What do you want out of this?