Free From This Moment On by Debbi Rawlins Page B

Lone Wolf turnoff. Only then did she realize she’d forgotten to ask if he’d be at the Watering Hole later.
    * * *
    “I’ M SURPRISED HE ’ S not here since he didn’t show last night.” Sadie transferred the pitcher of beer from the tap to the space Nikki had left on her tray.
    For a long-drawn-out moment, she debated whether to respond.
    Naturally she knew her boss meant Trace because she’d seen Nikki eye the door every time it opened.
    “I assume you’re talking about Trace?” Nikki’s dry smile matched Sadie’s. “He was helping Matt at the Lone Wolf for a few hours yesterday. Maybe he’s still playing catch-up at the Sundance, or playing with the guests.”
    Sadie snorted a laugh. “I like the way you say it as if you don’t give a hoot. You practice long and hard with that line?”
    Nikki nearly told her to shut up, though it wasn’t a term she cared to repeat since she’d literally had her mouth washed out with soap when she was seven. Despite her mother’s long work hours, she’d been strict enough to keep Nikki in line most of the time. Instead, she picked up the tray, noticed that the blonde with the serious bling sitting nearby seemed to perk up at overhearing Trace’s name. Nikki was tempted to ask her if she’d seen him at the Sundance tonight. But what purpose would that serve? If he was MIA, Nikki would only assume he was out with the guest who’d chased after him three nights ago.
    Nikki really wished she hadn’t remembered that. He’d kissed her. She’d kissed him back. Not that it mattered. They’d agreed not to do it again. Sort of.
    “Who needed a fresh mug?” she asked the group of men waiting for their turns to play pool.
    Josh smiled and shook his head. She’d liked him even before she found out he was Trace’s friend. He was a hand from the Sundance and the kind of guy she could count on if a customer ever got too rowdy. It hadn’t happened while she’d been waitressing here, but she’d had to fend guys off twice back in Houston. After that she’d thought about carrying a knife, then decided she’d find a new job before going that far.
    “Where’s your buddy?” she asked, real casual-like as she set down mugs.
    “Lucas?”
    “The other one.”
    “She means Trace.” Sam took his shot, cursed when he missed, then straightened and grinned at her. “Don’t you, sweet cheeks?”
    “Was I talking to you?” Nikki seriously reconsidered the whole knife thing...if only to see the look on Sam’s face when she pulled it out. “And keep calling me sweet cheeks if you like your beer warm.”
    Josh laughed. “He worked late vaccinating the last of the calves. I don’t know that he has the energy to come to town.”
    She blinked. It was because of her that he’d fallen behind on his normal duties. “You mean he actually does real work?” she said, since they’d all expect a wisecrack and not the guilt needling her.
    “Trace works harder than any man on that ranch,” Josh said, his tone defensive. “Cole, Jesse, everyone works hard.” He shrugged, almost in apology for being sharp. “But they don’t have double duty like Trace. Rachel relies on him to handle the guest activities.” He glanced sideways to check for eavesdroppers. “The dude ranch business is a lot more trouble than you’d think.”
    He would know. Cole had assigned Josh and Lucas, another hand, to help Rachel run the dude ranch side of the operation. Nikki was well aware how much the men had to juggle because in February she’d helped Rachel and Jamie scramble to make lunches or do whatever when the weather had forced everyone indoors. She’d seen the annoyed looks on the men’s faces when the women opted out of snow activities and hung out in the barn instead. Not Trace, though, he always had a smile. He ate up the attention.
    She set down the last mug. “Y’all okay? Need anything else before I go?”
    Most of the guys shook their heads and made room to let her pass. Sam leaned