MacKenzie Fire(91)

Mack is talking again, jerking me out of my thoughts. “Mom was just saying yesterday how she wished you’d find someone to go on an adventure with. She says that’s what you need. You’re just withering away in Baker.”

“She said that?” Ian shakes his head. “Damn. Even my own family is ready to throw me out.”

“You’ve got to admit,” Mack says, “you’ve pretty much been a pain in the keister for the last few years.”

“Yeah, well … I’m done with that.” Ian frowns. “Just going to remedy one little misunderstanding tonight and then I’ll be moving on.” He looks over at me. “Onward and upward.”

I try to smile, but inside I’m dying. What if I’m just a big disappointment to him? What if he walks into my salon and laughs at my work, my life, my friends? It’s so different from what he’s used to. Is it really possible for city and country to live in harmony together?

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to getting to know Candice’s world,” he says.

Oooph. I guess we’re going to find out. I try not to let that thought send me into a blind panic.





Chapter Forty-Three





THE BAR IS LAME. IT’S dark, it smells like stale beer, and it’s full of fat guys wearing flannel shirts. Someone burps as I walk in and I catch a whiff of salami.

“Aw, come on, Dave,” Ian says, stepping in between the offender and me. He waves his hand in front of his face as he grimaces.

“Hey, Ian, what’s up man?” The burper holds up a hand, but he can’t keep it still. Eventually he gives up on getting a high five from Ian and lets it drop to his leg with a slap.

“Already wasted at six o’clock? Man, you’re toast.” Ian walks over and pats him on the back hard. “How about a cup of coffee, dude? You up for it?”

“Yeah, thass a good idea, I think.” The guy is nodding, his eyes glassy.

I walk away before I accidentally see anymore. If that guy barfs, I will totally lose it, and I haven’t even gotten ten feet inside the door yet.

“So, we’re here to see Ginny, is that it?” Mack asks me.

I look over my shoulder at Ian. He’s holding his friend Dave up while the bartender pours him a coffee. I guess Mack is my new wingman.

“Yeah. I need to just chat with her for a second and then we can leave.”

Mack points. “You’ll find her in that back room over there. That’s where all the dart boards are. Watch out for the boards, though. Make sure you stay on the opposite end of the room from ‘em.”

He winks when he catches me about to unleash on him, so instead of yelling at him for insulting my intelligence, I say, “Thanks,” and leave him at the bar ordering beers.

I see Tate Montgomery across the room and wave at him. He looks as if he’s going to stand and come over, but I break eye contact and walk away. I don’t want Ian getting another black eye on my behalf. He’s already going to look like a hell raiser when he shows up in Florida with that shiner he’s sporting.

It’s then that I realize I’m seriously considering his offer to come home with me. I must be crazy. I shake my head to get it off that train of thought. I need to focus on the mission at hand. Andie now, Ian later.

I go through an archway and spot Ginny at the far end of the room. She’s in the middle of a couple guys and two other girls, one of them being Hannah. My eyes narrow as I take in the scene. Hannah wanted Ian and me to believe she was innocent in the scheme of things, but seeing her here tonight makes me doubt that.

I walk over, ignoring all the eyes that are on me. When I’m halfway to my destination, Hannah notices me and bumps Ginny on the arm. All the people in their little group turn to watch me arrive.

My heart starts hammering in my chest. Easy now, Candice. You have a gun. You’re a badass. Lions fear you. Don’t let her intimidate you. I lift my chin and stick out my boobs a little. No one, and I mean no one is going to talk shit about my best friend after tonight. My superpowers are on full alert. Just let Ginny try anything.

“Hello,” I say as I step up in front of her. I hate to admit it, but her hair looks amazing, and her boots are adorable. I have no idea how she’s walking in the snow with them, though. The soles are black and not inch-thick astronaut rubber like mine.

“Hello. Candice, right?” She looks over my shoulder. “Where’s Ian?”

“Never mind where Ian is. I’m here to discuss Andie.”

She smiles, pursing her lips a little before she responds. “Is that so?”

“Yes, it is so. Listen …,” I gesture at Hannah, “I hear through the grapevine that you’ve been spreading rumors about my friend Andie MacKenzie.”

“Not me.” She’s so smug I want to slap her, but I resist.

“Hannah says you’ve been telling people Andie broke you and Ian up.”

“That true, Hannah?” She asks without even looking at her friend.

“Nope.” Hannah takes a drink of her beer. “I didn’t say that.”

“You’re a liar,” I say, pointing at her over Ginny’s shoulder. “I’ll deal with you later.” I turn my attention back to Ginny. “But for now, I’m here for you.”