Free A Roast on Sunday by Tammy Robinson Page A

do you think?”
    Maggie sighed, cupping her chin in her hands and resting her elbows on the bar.
    “Who knows,” she said. “I hope so.”
    “Is he good looking?”
    “What’s that got to do with anything?”
    “I’m just curious.”
    Maggie pictured Jack. She was reluctant to admit it to her friend, but he was good looking, although not in the conventional way. There was something about the dimensions in his face that weren’t quite right, but it worked for him.
    “I guess so,” she admitted reluctantly. “If you’re attracted to that sort of guy.”
    “And what sort of guy is that?”
    “Blond, tall, blue eyed. But don’t forget arrogant, self assured and supremely confident.”
    Harper stopped wiping and frowned, “Wait, what did you say his name is again?”
    “Jack Cartwright.”
    Harper turned to where her boss Wade, owner and operator of the bar and who also happened to be her boyfriend, was stocking one of the fridges.
    “Wade baby, where have I heard the name Jack Cartwright before?”
    Wade put the last beer inside and closed the door then he got up and dusted off his knees. “I think that bit of the counter is clean enough sweetheart,” he teased, letting Harper know he was on to her. She flicked out at him with her cloth and laughing he grabbed her, holding her hands down at her sides and kissing her.
    “Get a room you two,” someone hollered.
    “Ahem,” Maggie coughed after a minute, when it seemed like they had forgotten to surface for air. They pulled apart and Harper pretended to straighten her hair.
    “That ,” she pouted at Wade, “is workplace sexual harassment, and I would like to remind you that I could have you arrested for that.”
    “Be my guest, I ’ve always wanted you to lock me up in handcuffs,” he grinned.
    Maggie groaned. “You two are so sickeningly in love,” she complained. “
    “Sorry,” Harper said to her friend, and she did feel a little bit bad. Ever since Jon had left, leaving Maggie high and dry with a young Willow and no income to support herself, she had been itching for her friend to find someone new and have the same kind of happiness she had. But Maggie had never shown any interest in anyone of the opposite sex, focusing only on Willow and building her business.
    “It’s ok,” Maggie said. “It gives me hope that not all men are no hopers like Jon, or conceited know-it-all’s like Jack.”
    “Oh right,” Harper remembered her earlier question. “Baby , do we know a Jack Cartwright?”
    “Know him? No. Know of him, yes.”
    “Sounds ominous.”
    “Not at all. From what I hear, he’s made quite the impression already.”
    “On who?”
    “Locals,” Wade said, “both the two-legged and the four-legged variety.”
    Maggie frowned. “What are you on about?”
    “He’s the new Veterinarian in town. Moved here to replace old Bob Hawkins who’s retiring.”
    “Oh no,” Maggie covered her eyes with her hands and started moaning.
    “What’s wrong?” Harper asked in alarm.
    “That means he’s not just passing through,” Maggie wailed, “he’s here for good.”
    “He’s really got under your skin hasn’t he,” Wade observed. “Sounds to me like someone maybe has piqued your interest a little?”
    “ Don’t talk crazy,” Maggie said. “I’ve already said I can’t stand the guy.”
    “Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” said Harper.
    “Well methinks the bar lady should keep her opinions to herself and pour the customer another drink. Something stronger this time.”
    “Wine?”
    “Stronger.”
    “Coming right up ma’am,” Harper saluted, grabbing a glass from below the counter and the whiskey bottle off the shelf behind her. She poured one shot into it.
    “Don’t be stingy,” Maggie said, “and don’t call me ma’am.”
    “You’re not normally a big day drinker,” observed Wade.
    “ Yeah, well nothing about the last two days seems normal, so there.”
    Sometime later, after plenty of chatter and