Charles McClain is visiting his family in Legend for the holidays, and just dropped into Jim Bob’s Saloon because there’s nothing else to do in town...
Charles lowered himself onto one of the worn vinyl-covered stools and ordered a beer, expelled a long breath full of big city, and settled into the ambiance—if you could call it that—of the place. Just because I’ve been gone a while doesn’t mean I’m better than any of these people. I just need to lighten up and try to fit in while I’m in town.
The glass and oak front door opened again and a few more Legendarians blew in with the bitter cold air. The song changed—Freddy Fender launched into Wasted Days and Wasted Nights. That pretty much summed up this visit so far.
Someone bumped his elbow and he glanced around. Wow. Now here was something special. Stick straight blonde hair down to her waist, big blue eyes, very little makeup as far as he could tell, but she was beautiful. Her bell bottoms and black tee shirt fit like they’d been sewn on her.
“Hey there.”
“Hey.” She glanced at him, then away again. “Jim Bob, five more. It’s crazy in here tonight.”
Charles leaned toward her and said softly, “Holidays make people crazy. Are you too young to know that, uh...what’s your name?”
Her eyes narrowed as she turned toward him again, and he thought she might not answer. “Dorothy.”
An old-fashioned name, but somehow it suited her. “Well, Dorothy, holidays make people crazy. Especially family holidays. Brings out the worst in a lot of us.” He sipped his beer, watching her. “Are you actually old enough to work here?”
Her blue eyes snapped. “I’ll have you know I’m twenty-two years old!”
He couldn’t quite stop the chuckle. “Wow. That old?” Silky blonde hair whipped his shoulder and arm as she turned away from him again in obvious disgust. Jim Bob set the last of the mugs on her tray and she sashayed away with them to the other side of the room. Interesting girl. The total opposite of Lila Sue, except they were both pretty blondes. But this one... This one had something else.
“You not remember Dorothy Robbins?”
“No. Not really. I’ve been gone a while, Jim Bob.”
“I guess. Can’t even imagine that myself. You lose track of people, I s’pose. She’s Dale and Betty Robbins’ oldest. Lives up on the mountain.”
He shook his head. “Sorry. Still drawing a blank here.” Another swig of beer and Charles swiveled the stool to watch Dorothy move among the tables, writing down orders on a little pad, smiling.
“Dale and Betty Robbins. House full of kids, about fifteen minutes outside town. Dale carves stuff.”
“Oh! The sculptor!”
“That’s him. One of the younger kids had a real bad bike wreck, and insurance wasn’t what it shoulda been. Dorothy was in college but had to come back home.”
“So she’s supporting the family on what she earns here?”
“Oh no. That was a while ago, and I guess Dale sold one of those things he makes, so the money’s better now. Family’s taken care of, and the kid doesn’t even have a limp. It was rough on them all for a while, though.” He shrugged. “Dorothy’s a good girl. Good worker.”
“Uh huh. Looks like she works real hard.” Charles saw her cleaning a table that Lila Sue had pranced by, picking up the tip. Lila Sue seemed to stand around and visit with the customers a lot, or sit down at the tables and visit with them. Lila Sue threw her head back and laughed at something one of the guys said. Even in the noisy room her laughter was loud. Charles glanced at Dorothy, who subtly shook her head as the sound rolled over her.
Poor little Cinderella. She needs a Prince Charming. Well, he had a month here. Maybe they could have some laughs together. It would cheer Dorothy up, and give him a break from the family part of the time. Her prickly manner wasn’t fooling him. She was shy and lonely. All he had to do was get past the prickliness to the softness underneath.
Charles grinned in anticipation. Yeah, getting to the softness would be an enjoyable part of his holiday season.
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