Debbi Rawlins - Sizzling Summer Nights

“Let me see it.” Hannah stuck her hand out, wiggling her fingers. “Not that I don’t trust you.”

“I’m not giving you this piece of paper. You’ll probably swallow it.”

Hannah sighed. “Jamie, would you mind checking? And make sure it isn’t Rachel’s handwriting.”

“Wow, she really doesn’t trust you,” Jamie said, grinning, as she leaned over for a look. “Sorry. I think it’s legit. Says it was for her twenty-second birthday?”

“Okay, who holds on to something like that for six years? That’s just sick.” Most of the women in their sorority had been too broke to afford gifts, so they’d gotten creative with coupons. Everyone had cashed them in right away. No one would’ve thought to include an expiration date.

“Better get up there before I feel inclined to make an announcement,” Rachel said sweetly.

Hannah hesitated. She had an idea that just might work. “Rachel...listen, you know I’m always up for a challenge, but there’s a guy in here that I—”

“Who?” Rachel sat up straighter. “Where?”

With a pitying look, Jamie shook her head at Hannah. “Are you nuts?”

“She’s still that bad, huh?”

Jamie nodded and signaled for their waitress.

Apparently marriage hadn’t tempered Rachel’s annoying hobby of trying to fix up her single friends. If Hannah had stopped to think about it, she probably would’ve realized that the gold band on Rachel’s finger could never curb her enthusiasm, but only make it worse.

Lord, it was hard to believe Rachel was married. Doing her dad a favor had prevented Hannah from attending the wedding. She hated that she’d missed it. And for what? She was no closer to pleasing the old man than on the day she’d been born the wrong gender. It was a lost cause.

Ignoring them, Rachel surveyed the bar like a hawk circling its next meal. “Just tell me who he is and I might let you off the hook.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Hannah purposely didn’t look in his direction.

With that damn uncanny ability of hers, Rachel whipped her gaze around and hit a bull’s-eye. “Seth Landers?” she asked. “Because you’d like him. Nice guy. Has some issues. Nothing horrible. Just enough to make him interesting.”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about. And just so we’re clear, I’m not doing a whole song.” Hannah took a couple of steps, and stopped. “Jamie, please tell the waitress to make my margarita full octane this time.”

“You got it,” Jamie said, and laughed when Hannah made it another foot and stopped again.

“It’s going to get bad, so if you want to step outside for a few minutes, you won’t hurt my feelings.”

“And miss everyone’s reaction?” Rachel said. “Not a chance.”

“I think I’m already missing something.” Jamie’s puzzled frown was aimed at Rachel. “You look positively evil right now.”

“Don’t worry about Hannah. She’s fearless. Just wait.”

Hannah tried not to look in Seth’s direction. Luckily, his mug of beer seemed to be the only thing that interested him.

A perky little blonde finished her rendition of Need You Now, curtsied to the hooting and applause and left the small stage.

Hannah decided she needed this to be over with and hurried to pick up the mic. The song she selected was an oldie. She’d given up karaoke nights right after college and didn’t know which tunes were the current faves. Although, in her case, it really didn’t matter.

She rubbed a sweaty palm down the front of her jeans.

Maybe she should just admit to Rachel that she wasn’t the same daring person she’d been in school. What good was pride if she ended up dying from embarrassment?

On the other hand, maybe this was just what she needed to loosen up. What the hell, she didn’t know anyone here. Except Rachel. And now Jamie. Ah, and Nikki, sister-in-law number two, who happened to be the bartender at the moment. She was talking to Seth. Sure would be swell if she kept him distracted until Hannah finished making a fool of herself.

The music started. Hannah knew all the words to the song but she kept her eyes on the small monitor and started singing her heart out. It felt pretty good, just like the old days. Before she’d discovered that getting through college was the easiest part of life.

The guys playing pool in the back room left their game to stare at her. Even the waitress, carrying a full tray of drinks, had stopped between tables. People sitting with their backs to her twisted around in their seats, probably afraid it was a disaster drill. Hannah used to get that one a lot.

She refused to look at Rachel, though, or the cowboy. Heaven forbid, she might get nervous and start singing on key.

After the longest three minutes of her life, and likely everyone else’s in the bar, Hannah set down the mic. A brief crackle of static pierced the shocked silence.

Oh, what the hell.

She took a bow.

Laughter and applause broke out. She even heard some boot stompin’, courtesy of two pool players. God bless cowboys. She’d never cared for them before but might have to rethink her position.

Head held high, she walked back to the table and sat down, facing Rachel. “Happy?”

“You have no idea.” Her cheeks were almost the color of her auburn hair.

Hannah risked a peek at Seth. Huh. Had he turned around at all?

“Lady, you’ve got guts.” Jamie slid the fresh margarita across the table. “This is on me.”

“Thanks.” Hannah took a quick sip, realizing she should’ve asked for water, too. “Can you believe she made me do that?”

“Oh, please.” Rachel dabbed at her eyes. “Like you haven’t dragged me over the coals plenty of times.”

“Me? I would never!” The three of them laughed, then Hannah glanced over her shoulder at the pool tables. “Is there only one waitress?”

“I don’t know,” Rachel said. “What do you need?”

“Just some water.” Hannah rose, feeling a bit wobbly. Not from booze. She hadn’t drunk much. “Either of you want anything?”

Rachel’s cell beeped. “I’m good,” she said, her gaze on the phone.

Jamie shook her head. “Hey, ask Nikki if she’s closing tonight, would you?”

“Sure.” Hannah wove her way around the tables, grinning at the good-natured remarks about her performance, and headed toward Nikki, who was wiping down the bar near Seth.

“That was...pretty damn awesome,” she said with a laugh. “Had to be Rachel who got you up there.”

“Of course it was.” Hannah rolled her eyes. “I hope I didn’t chase away any customers.”

“Are you kidding? Everyone loved it.”

“Or they’re all in shock.”

Still laughing, Nikki tossed the rag. “Want another margarita? I’m buying.”

“No, thanks. Water would be great, though.”

Hannah couldn’t tell if Seth had even bothered to look up. Resisting the urge to check him out, she focused on Nikki’s glossy dark hair as she bent to open the small fridge. They’d met earlier at the Sundance just after Hannah had arrived at the ranch. Nikki was married to Rachel’s brother, Trace. Which reminded Hannah to chew out her so-called friend. Back in their sorority days everyone knew Rachel had brothers, but had she ever mentioned they were all hotties? And now all three were married.

Nikki straightened and uncapped the bottle. “Anything else?”

“Oh, yes, Jamie wants to know if you’re closing tonight.”

“Afraid so,” Nikki said, and set the water on the bar.

Thirsty from nervous dry mouth, Hannah reached for the bottle.

“How late do you stay open on weekends?” Seth’s voice was deep, gravelly and unexpected.

Hannah knocked the bottle over. Water shot out and splashed her on the chin before spilling across the scarred wood and down the front of her jeans. She and Nikki both went for the bottle. Nikki was quicker.