2. Bolt of Lightning

CHAPTER 2

BOLT OF LIGHTNING

STORM

We round up Big D after the rodeo and head to the finest local establishment in Lewistown for brews, Top's Tavern. Each summer we're here, we've gotten to know the former Navy SEAL, Top Thompson, who runs this place with his daughter. I don't see them around tonight, but the place is packed; the rodeo no doubt bringing out the patrons.

We're a couple of beers in, and that's my limit before I switch to coffee or tea, taking the responsibility to drive us back to the ranch later. All of a sudden, Big D elbows me, then points.

"Is that—?" Yep, the rodeo queen herself struts toward us, followed by a tall lanky dude stumbling behind her.

"Of all the bars here, she walks into this one," Big D quips under his breath. Not that there's much choice, given only three honky tonk joints to choose from in this small town.

"There you are, sugar. I've been waiting all night for you," she purrs in something like a Texas twang, wrapping her arms around his neck. Next, her lips land on his and he wastes no time. He picks her straight up, and turns on the passion in an embrace like they'd been at this for years, completely comfortable with each other. A kiss like that between the two of them is deserving of porn movie accolades. Not that I waste much time on porn. Books are more my thing.

She finally parts from his lips and says, "Is the jerk behind me in the sleeveless shirt with the gap tooth gone now?"

Since Big D doesn't answer, I volunteer one for him, clearing my throat. "Yes, ma'am. He saw you kissing my friend here, Big D, and left."

"Big D? There's a name." She arches a brow. "You can put me down now. Thanks for letting me borrow your lips. They came in handy."

Stunned, Big D's still puckered in kissing position as he watches her walk away.

"Dang, man. Are you all right? Or did that woman just run away with your tongue?" I kid with him, only because Big D is a giant, but a likable one, and one of my best friends on the team.

"She ran away with something." Saint guffaws.

"Maybe she ran from him?" I laugh.

"Look at her strutting on the dance floor wearing her rodeo queen sash. What the fuck did a gal like her see in Big D? Clearly I have the bigger cock, so I'll just mosey on over to her?—"

Saint doesn't get much further with the taunt before Big D recovers, scowling. "Knock it off, you asswipes."

"Don't look now, but she's looking right at you," I point out.

"I beg to differ. She's looking at me, wondering if my lips taste better than yours." Saint doesn't let up.

Big D leaves us and we laugh. But he gets the last laugh as he approaches her. It doesn't take long before they dance close, gazing longingly into each other's eyes.

"Damn. That was fast. Looks like love at first sight," I say.

"There's no such thing." Saint huffs into his next swig of beer.

"You never know who might cross your path. One day—bam—lightning strikes and there she is, the one you're meant to be with." That's the way Duke always told me it was with him and Phoebe, anyway. I haven't had the pleasure of the feeling with anyone yet. "Don't you want to settle down?"

"Nope. I'm a confirmed bachelor. Never will a gold ring touch my left hand." Saint's been pretty adamant about it since the day I met him.

"The mere fact you're stating that into existence means the universe is sure to send a wife your way just to mess with you."

Then one of the cute cowgirls from the rodeo finds us and starts flirting with him. Saint's in his element, the charmer, the entertainer. While I'm left out off to the side, the quiet thinker, a little bit shy.

Everyone has someone tonight, except me. And that's okay. I'm waiting patiently for that bolt of lightning to hit.