Emerald Eyes (6 page)

Debra Jean was saying, “Oh, all of us do some not-so-bright things from time to time, girl. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Then, glancing in the mirror behind the bar, she quipped, “Guess this is just your lucky night, girl.”

“Say what?” Madison saw him too but didn’t turn around on her stool. Chuck had just stepped through the door, looking tired but still handsome in his black-and-white checkered shirt and tight jeans.

“Humph!” Debra Jean said, eyeing Madison questioningly. “He’s not dressed up. Probably just closed the store and wanted to have a cold beer and sit for a bit before retiring for the evening.”

“You’re just trying to make me feel good…Which I do appreciate. But I’m a big girl. He’s just not interested in me.”

“Not so sure!” Debra Jean replied and an eyebrow rose as she stared at Chuck in the mirror. “He sees you and he’s coming straight this way.”

The band started up again, finished with their break.

Chuck walked up and leaned against the bar between her stool and the next one, his face was all apologetic as his gray eyes met hers. “Hey there, Madison.”

“Hey, yourself,” she said, picking up her mug and drinking half her beer down before sitting it back on the bar. She stared straight into the mirror, trying to avoid his eyes. She was still just a little miffed that he hadn’t called, and he had come to Alex’s without knowing she was there.

“Hello, Chuck,” Debra Jean said. “Good to see you here this evening.”

“Yeah…Well…I wasn’t gonna come. But the more I thought about a cold draft beer, the more compelling it became, and I suddenly realized I was pulling in the parking lot here.” His eyes fell on Madison again. “I’ve been thinking about calling you.”

“Really?” She wasn’t so sure. She eyed Debra Jean, whose quick glance said she agreed with her, but then she looked back into the mirror.

“Seriously,” Chuck continued. “I have.” He gave a side nod at the empty stool. “Mind if I sit here?”

“Be my guest,” she said, being friendly but with just an air of coolness.

Alex walked up then and took Chuck’s order, a cold tap beer. Chuck got his wallet out and laid the money for his beer on the bar. Then he turned back to face Madison. “I know the song’s half over, but would you like to dance?” He stuffed his wallet back in his hip pocket.

“Maybe the next one. This one’s kind of fast.”

“Okay…the next slow one.”

“Sure.” She looked askance at Debra Jean who was giving her a knowing smile. Chuck was feeling guilty and was trying to make it up to Madison. Debra Jean shrugged slightly, as if to say, it’s up to you if you want to give him another chance.

She really did like him. So when the next song began, a slow ballad, he nodded with an inquisitive look and held out his hand. She took his hand and they stood. Then he led her out to the dance floor.

Immediately, she noticed how very warm he was, and though he’d just left the store, he still smelled good, manly with a little spice. He smiled down at her with his soft gray eyes. “I know you don’t believe me, but I really have wanted to call you.”

“Then why haven’t you?”

He bit his bottom lip, as though deeply pondering something, and then he sighed and replied. “Honestly, Madison. There are things about me that aren’t so pleasant. Things I would rather you didn’t know.”

“Oh? You tell me that, and then expect me not to wonder what the hell they are?”

“I know. Stupid of me, I suppose. But I really do like you. What’s more, you do deserve some kind of explanation. To tell you the truth, I really shouldn’t have asked you out in the first place.”

“Seriously? If it’s that bad, why did you?” She could easily see that he struggling with something, but he held back. “What did you do? Did you go and kill somebody? Are you an ex-con?”

“I’m no ex-con. Never been in prison.” His brow furrowed, and it was apparent he was having trouble trying to explain it to her. “All I ask is that you trust me. I’m telling you the truth. I wish I could tell you my…” he shook his head and grinned derisively, “dark secret. But I simply can’t.” His eyes pleaded for her to believe him. “That is why I can only offer you friendship. Although, believe me, I wish it could be much more.”

She wasn’t sure whether she should feel sorry for him or be majorly pissed. “Chuck, I want to believe you. I do. But if I ever find out you are simply feeding me a line of bull, I will
never
speak to you again!”

With a slow nod, he said, “Perfectly understood. What’s more, I date very little. You are the first woman I’ve been this friendly with in a while. I know this is going to be hard to believe, but the last serious girlfriend I had was back in high school.”

“Oh?” That had to have been about twelve years. “Seriously? Something happen to you when you were in school?”

“Yeah…something did. I can’t say what, Madison. I know if I told you, you probably wouldn’t believe me. Even if you did, you probably wouldn’t want to be friends with me.”

If anyone else had told her anything so ridiculous sounding, she, more than likely, wouldn’t have anything else to do with them. Still, there was something in his eyes, in his manner, that told her that he was truly sincere. “Okay. I guess we can be friends.”

“Thank you, Madison!” A big smile lit up his face, and he appeared relieved. More relaxed now, he pulled her closer, holding her next to him, until the song was finished. Then he escorted her back to the bar, finished off his beer and said he needed to get home.

“So soon?” Debra Jean asked. “The night’s still young.”

“I know. But I have to get up early tomorrow. Store won’t open itself.”

“Got ya,” she replied with an understanding smile.

“I’ll see you around, Madison.”

“Sure.”

Turning and shifting his shoulders back, he walked off proudly.

“Now that was kind of odd,” Debra Jean noted, looking over at Madison. “You two looked like you were having a heavy conversation over there. You want to talk about it?”

“It’s just weird. What he told me sounds crazy…but he was almost in tears. So I have to believe that he has his reasons.”

“Oh? And?”

“Something about having a secret he can’t tell.”

Debra Jean chuckled. “You are kidding, right?” But then she eyed Madison straight on. “You’re not.”

“I don’t know. Maybe he has a mental illness or something he’d rather no one find out about. Whatever it is, he doesn’t want anyone to know about it.”

“Damn! Too bad, hon. His actions indicate that he really likes you. Humph! Go figure!” She emptied her mug just as Alex walked up. “Can I have a refill?” Then she asked Madison. “You want another?”

“Oh hell. Why not? Then I’d better get on home. I’ve still got lots to do on the cottage. Plenty to keep me busy for a while. So I need my beauty rest.” She grinned.

Alex refilled both their mugs and went back to tending customers.

Madison sat drinking her beer, along with Debra Jean, but neither of them said anything for a bit. Then Debra Jean looked up and, seeing someone in the mirror coming in, said, “I freakin’ do not believe it! What are you, Madison? Some kind of recluse magnet this evening? He
never
comes in here!”

Immediately, Madison saw who Debra Jean was talking about – Devin Knight! “I’ll be shit!”

He stood just inside the door, taking in his surroundings, noticed Madison and, after a slight nod of recognition, crossed the room to the far side of the dance floor and sat down on the other end of the bar next to an empty stool.

“Obviously he wasn’t looking for me,” Madison said turning back around and emptying her mug.

Just then, the band began playing a slow ballad, and a young blond in his twenties asked her to dance. She accepted. He seemed nice enough, but when the song was over he asked if he could have the next one too. Though he was pleasant looking, she wasn’t that drawn to him, but she agreed to another dance. When that one was over, he wanted the next one too. She politely let him know she wanted to sit this one out, and proceeded across to her stool. He didn’t appear too happy about it, but said nothing; just asked another young woman.

Madison was glad. She had a feeling he wanted to pick her up, and getting real acquainted with Jerry, as he said his name was, just wasn’t in her immediate plans.

Debra Jean spoke, “Took the liberty of letting Alex refill your mug. Okay?”

“Sure. Thank you. Then, I guess I’d better go.”

“You know, girl, he didn’t stop looking at you the whole time you were dancing with the blond,” Debra Jean commented, staring in the mirror to the far end of the bar.

“Who?”

“You know,” she replied, turning to look at Madison and bugging her eyes. “Mr. Devin Knight.

Madison went to glance in his direction, but Debra Jean stopped her.

“He’ll know we’re talking about him.”

“Okay,” she said and turned her stare towards the mirror, and found she could still watch him that way. And he
was
looking at her, intently.

“Told you,” Debra Jean said.

He suddenly stood and made his way to the men’s room.

“Damn! I like the way he fills those jeans!” Debra Jean exclaimed, staring at his well-formed butt, and then laughed lightly as Alex walked up grinning like a Cheshire.

“Heard, didn’t ya?”

He leaned in and kissed her lightly. “It’s okay…as long as you only
want
me, babe. We all appreciate the opposite sex.”

“Damn right, you’re the only one,” she replied, eyeing him flirtatiously.

He stood straight then and asked Madison if she needed anything. She said no and he went on.

Just then, the blond was back, asking Madison to dance again. She glanced at Debra Jean.

“Up to you, girl. I’m just sitting her drinking my beer and keeping an eye on Alex.”

“Well?” Jerry was looking impatient.

“Okay.” She stood, smiling sweetly, deciding that she was at least getting to dance. It was better than sitting at home trying to figure Chuck out. Only this time, Jerry held her a little closer and a little tighter, and the next thing she knew there was a tongue in her ear. She pulled back.

Devin Knight walked out of the bathroom just then and he was watching intently.

“What’s wrong, babe? You like me, don’t ya?”

“I don’t know you well enough, Jerry. You’re a good dancer, but you’re getting a little too friendly for me right now. I believe I’m finished here.”

She pulled away from him and tried to walk off, but he clamped a hand around her wrist. She tried to pull away. “You’re hurting me!”

“The song’s not over,” he gruffly stated.

“I said we’re through here!” She yanked her wrist away and walked off, but he caught up with her and grabbed her shoulder and pulled her into his arms again. She made every effort to push him away, but he held her firm. “Let me go!”

The couples around them stopped dancing and stared.

Her eyes went to the bar. Alex had definitely noticed. He tossed aside a towel he was drying his hands on and headed around to the dance floor. Debra Jean turned on her stool to face the crowd, observing worriedly.

“Shit!” Madison hissed, still trying to pull away from Jerry. Even the band had stopped playing.

“See!” Jerry said, looking around at all the staring faces. “You’re ruining everyone’s fun.”

She glanced off where Devin Knight had been but didn’t see him. She wondered if he had left. Then she saw Alex halfway across the floor, making his way through the crowd.

“Just let me go,” she pleaded.

“Okay! Bitch!” he snarled and thrust his palms forward into her chest, sending her sprawling to the floor.

Suddenly, there was a blur and someone had Jerry by the collar, hoisting him off his feet and into the air.

At first, Madison thought it was Alex, but then realized he was the one hovering over her and asking if she was okay.
Devin Knight
was the one who had Jerry by his collar, dangling him in the air with one arm and had him begging to be put down.

“Apologize to the lady,” he articulated angrily.

“You’re chokin’ me!” Jerry managed, rasping. “Can’t breathe!”

“
Apologize!”

Alex helped Madison to stand, but didn’t leave Devin and Jerry.

“S…S…Sorry, Madison,” Jerry said, looking like he was about to pass out.

Devin let Jerry down to his feet then. Jerry blurted he was sorry again and wasted not a second in running out the front door.

Devin faced Madison. “Are you okay?”

She bobbed her head. “Yes…Thanks!” At this point she was totally blown away, as she realized a lot of the crowd was.

His eyes cut to Alex. “Sorry about that. Not trying to take your place. But Madison is my neighbor. I wouldn’t be much of a gentleman if I let a jerk like that push her around, would I?”

Alex twisted his mouth around. It was obvious he wasn’t exactly sure how he wanted to deal with this. He was a big man, strong and accustomed to taking care of his own problems, but it was very obvious that Devin Knight was also
very
strong. After a moment of pondering, he bobbed his head. “Thanks…I appreciate your help.”

“No problem.” Devin looked at Madison straight on, but his thoughts were unreadable; then he turned and walked back to his stool at the end of the bar.

Debra Jean came over and said she’d go with Madison to the ladies’ room to tidy up. Alex ripped out a whistle at the band and asked them to start playing again. Then he turned to the crowd and said it was all over for everyone to go back to enjoying their evening. Then he headed back behind the bar.

“You sure you’re okay?” Debra Jean asked as soon as they were in the bathroom.

“Yes! I’m fine. Just my butt’s a little bruised. And I’m definitely embarrassed. But…otherwise…guess I’m okay.”

“Yeah! I’ve seen that kid in here before.” She looked askance at Madison in the mirror, who was combing her hair. “I know he’s in his twenties. I’m in my forties. To me, both of you are kids.”

Madison smiled. “It’s okay. I thought you were close to my mother’s age. She’s forty-one.”

“I’ve got her beat by a couple of years…Consider myself lucky to have Alex now. He’s divorced. Two teenage boys. And my Julie’s all grown up and married to a guy in the Air Force. They’re in Germany right now.” With a slight, amiable tilt of her head, she said, “You kind of remind me of Julie. About the same age. She turned twenty-one May first.”