Whiskey Rose (Fallen) by Melissa Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

assuming in telling him that he couldn’t share her bed or fraternize with the women he might not even want to.
    “ What is your middle name ? ” She asked because she felt like she should say something.
    “ James , ” he said, after following her line of sight to the monogram .“ That is the Double H Brand . ” He pointed to the odd symbol .“ I t’ s my brothe r’ s place. My sister in law recently learned to embroider . ” He smiled and she could see he was remembering .“ She made me a dozen . ” He laughed .“ I do n’ t know what she thinks I need a dozen hankies for . ” Rose smiled. His sister in law made them. That did n’ t mean that he did n’ t have a woman waiting for him. The song ended and the room erupted in applause.
    “Thank you. I would like to dedicate this next one. If we could clear some space on the floor. My friend Rose has found her long lost dance partner.” Matt heard Rose gasp beside him.  “Help me out with some encouragement for Rose.” The crowd began clapping again and he could see the color rising in her cheeks. He put his hand out and she looked at it then looked at him. He smiled what he hoped was a disarming smile. She stepped out from behind the bar and took off her apron. She put her hand in his and the crowd cheered. He led her to the very small space that they had deemed dance floor. He looked up at Katrina and she began to sing. He pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her waist. If he had bothered to ask for dancing rules he was certain she would have said a minimum of six inches between their bodies. But he hadn’t asked so he didn’t have to follow the rule. He held her tightly against him. She felt good in his arms. Her head tucked under his chin against his chest. He knew Katrina was singing but he couldn’t hear her. All he could hear was a loud rushing as the blood pulsed through his ears.
    Rose couldn’t remember the last time anyone had held her. For any reason. She had forgotten how good it felt. How much humans needed contact with each other. She didn’t want to know, she didn’t want to be reminded and yet she couldn’t let go, she couldn’t pull away.  She only knew the song was over when everyone began clapping again. She looked up and smiled at Matt. Then she quickly pulled away and walked back toward the bar. He was right behind her she could feel him. Her heart was racing and her eyes were burning from the overwhelming urge to cry. She wasn’t going to cry. She would never be able to explain that. Not to Matt not to any of them.  When she reached the bar she pretended to sneeze just to have a moment to turn away.

Chapter 5
    It seemed like it took forever for the place to clear out even after Katrina had stopped singing. He wanted to talk to her. He needed to talk to her. She hadn’t met his eyes since she had walked off the dance floor. He needed to know what that meant. He needed to see it in her eyes. Finally when the last person was ushered out he drew a deep breath and… completely lost his nerve. She was cleaning up so he followed suit. He began putting up the chairs. He was just about finished when he heard the creak of one of the doors. He looked up and saw a man standing just inside the entrance.
    “ Sorry buddy w e’ r e …”
    “ Matt . ” She cut him off. He looked at her, she had her hand up to stop him from speaking but her eyes were on the man who had just entered. He was young they were about the same age. The man had dark brown hair and enough beard growth to indicate that he had n’ t seen a razor in quite some time.
    “ Come on in Jonathan , ” she said quietly. He walked the rest of the way in but he did n’ t walk to Rose, he walked to a table in front of the stage and sat down. Rose picked up a bottle of whiskey and a glass off the shelf and followed the man to the table. Matt told himself he should leave and give them some privacy. Bu t‘ himsel f ’ was n’ t listening. He picked up the broom