Free No Direction Home (Sweet Home Colorado) by Jude Willhoff Page B

herself with a paper napkin. “The problem with coming here is this is where all my customers hang out. If I don’t dance with the ones who ask, they’ll be mad.”  She sat down and sipped her drink, continuing to cool herself.
    “It’s a good thing you have tons of energy, because you have lots of customers, ” Jenna said as she watched the door. “Charlie should be here shortly.”
    “Great —he’s going to be in for a shock when he sees Grace. I can’t wait."  She winked at Grace. "He hasn’t seen you for years.”
    Knowing Jenna liked Charlie, Grace said, “It’s no big deal. Please, don’t make it into one.”  She was uncomfortable knowing Jenna had a thing for Charlie with Cindy pushing her at him.
    Cindy glared at Grace . “You’re still shy, aren’t you? When have I ever made something into a big deal?”
    Grace glared right back . “In high school, when I won that writing contest. You blew it totally out of proportion, had the principal announce it over the intercom.”  She glanced at Jenna.   “She about embarrassed me to death.”  Grace had always loved to write, but could she be good enough to make a living at it?
    “That’s it. ”  Cindy smacked the table with a look of triumph. “You were always a good writer. You can write the next great American novel.”  She paused to take a breath. “I’ll be friends with a New York Times bestselling author. I’ll be able to say I knew you when.”  
    “Slow down . Thanks for the idea, but I haven’t written anything in years. I couldn’t do it.”  She wasn’t ready to admit it to Cindy, but she’d thought about writing...a lot. Through the years she had tried and discarded attempts at novels. Maybe now, since she had all this time it would be different.
    “Sure you can . How hard can it be? I know you...you can do anything when you put your mind to it.”
    “I don’t know. ”  Grace played with a straw she was twirling between her fingers hoping to distract Cindy. “Things have changed.”  These plans were new and she wasn’t ready to share them with anyone, not even Cindy.
    “Lady, you still got it . I can see it in your eyes. You may be down, but you’re not out. Come on, Jenna, let’s toast Grace.”
    They raised their glasses . “To Grace, may you have a wonderful writing career?”  Their glasses clinked in unison. “I know you can do it.”  Cindy grinned at her with kindness in her eyes.
    Grace’s hands twisted together around the stem of her wine glass . “Thanks, ladies. It gives me something to think about.”  And she was really considering it. She had a feeling this was right...she should be writing. It would be productive and rewarding and it was something she could do at home.
    Another cowboy came up and whisked Cindy away . She was the life of the party, but Grace didn't mind. It was great just sitting at the cozy table with friends, an old friend who cared and thought about her and a new friend to get to know. She had forgotten what it was like to have real friends. Jenna excused herself when a man came up and escorted her to the dance floor. Grace didn’t mind sitting alone. In LA she had many acquaintances, but no real friends. And looking back she realized that most of them were after something. It was the LA lifestyle, a dog eat dog world and everybody searching for a bone.
    She enjoyed watching Cindy and Jenna dancing with a couple of cute guys she had seen around the ranch. All the activity on the dance floor made her back ache, but she was having a good time listening to the music.
    The band started playing a slow song . “Angel,” by Sarah McLachlan—Grace’s favorite. She closed her eyes and hummed along, wishing she had someone to care about her.
    “May I have this dance? ”  Her heart sang with delight. She hadn’t seen Seth come into the bar, but she recognized his sensual voice and opened her eyes to see him holding out his hand. Throwing caution to the wind, she placed