Free Wildfire Creek by Shirleen Davies Page A

talk the same way they had before Mary’s illness. Their friendship had been less strained and more relaxed then.
    “I’d better not.” Her voice sounded thick, even to her. She slid her wrist from his grasp and walked away.
    Luke forced his gaze back to the cards he held, a part of him wishing they could’ve had time to talk, another part glad she didn’t take his suggestion. Tonight was about him, the men, and the hard work they’d put in over several weeks. It had nothing to do with mending fences with someone who wanted nothing to do with him.
    Ginny stood at the bar, continuing to scan the saloon, looking for those with empty glasses. Amos paid her not just to deliver drinks, but to encourage the men to order more until they needed to be strapped to their horse to get home. Tonight they might need to tie more than a few onto their saddles.
    Tat and Johnny were already falling off their chairs, while Ellis and Rude were a drink away from passing out. Travis had nursed one drink throughout the night. He’d come into the Rose a handful of times since he’d arrived in Splendor. Like Luke, he never accepted any of the offers from the ladies and gambled on a rare occasion. He’d be able to get back to the ranch just fine.
    Several others looked as if they would require help out the door. Bull had disappeared a while back, and she assumed he’d decided to cut the night short. When her gaze landed on Luke, she saw his eyes lock with hers. He didn’t motion to her or indicate in any way he wanted her to join him. He simply stared, one corner of his mouth curved upward.
    For the first time in her life, Ginny wished she knew more about men. She didn’t like feeling at a disadvantage to anyone, especially Luke.
    “Ginny? Would you mind picking up the empty glasses. I believe we’re about ready to lose a bunch of drinkers.” Al nodded toward the swinging doors as Bull sauntered in, a wide grin splitting his face. He nodded at Luke, then walked straight toward Ellis and pulled him to a standing position.
    “Come on, Ellis. Outside with you.”
    Luke stood and did the same with Rude, then followed Bull outside.
    A few minutes later, they walked in again and did the same with Tat and several men at the other tables, Travis taking their cue and hauling a couple out as well. Others, those able to stand and walk on their own, didn’t protest, just followed everyone out. Bull walked in once more and headed for Johnny, the last of the men. As he leaned down to help him stand, Johnny reared his arm back and tried to land a punch to Bull’s face. He might have succeeded if his actions hadn’t been so slow and sloppy.
    “Whoa, Johnny. I’ll fight you some other time,” Bull chuckled and wrapped both arms around his friend, who stood five inches shorter and weighed at least forty pounds less.
    Ginny watched, fascinated with the way Luke, Bull, and Travis had cleared the saloon of over a dozen drunken cowboys without triggering a brawl. She walked to the door and peered out to see a wagon loaded with at least five men, several others hanging tight to their saddle horns and pulling another horse along. Luke had begun to climb onto the wagon when he looked up to see Ginny watching them.
    “Hold on a minute, Bull.”
    He jumped down and took the steps two at a time to catch her before she disappeared inside. He crossed his arms over his chest and swept his eyes over her, noting the tired expression and lips that had been drawn into a thin line.
    “I’d better finish cleaning up.” She began to turn.
    “Is this it, Ginny? Our friendship’s over because I tried to help you?”
    Her heart stopped and she felt her stomach tighten. At that moment, Ginny knew she needed to mend the rift between them. She turned back toward him and searched his face.
    “I hope we’re still friends.” Her voice came out in a whisper before she worried her lower lip with her teeth.
    He dropped his arms to his sides as his eyes warmed on her