Love Is All Around Read Free Page A

“Besides, there’s ladies here now.”
    After taking a swig of Busch, Dwayne replied, “I don’t see nobody but Patsy. But if you two got plans, don’t let me stand in your way.” He gave Randy a wink.
    Rolling her eyes at her brother, Patsy picked up the cue Randy had deserted. “I’ll play you. What’s the bet?”
    “I’m not playing you. I have standards.” Dwayne pushed his thumbs into the front pockets of his Levis and rolled up onto the toes of his Redwing boots.
    Appearing behind him, Ruthann drawled, “Yeah, and you don’t like to lose either.” Eyes lowered, she said, “Hey, Randy. How’s Luke doing? He sure looked cute all dressed up for church last Sunday.”
    “He’s doing good. He’s staying with my mom tonight.” Randy watched Patsy. “I told her I might be out late.”
    Ignoring him, Patsy addressed Ruthann, “How’s the barracuda? Looks like she has a few fish lined up, all ready for a snack.”
    “Yeah, well, she has better luck than I do. That’s for sure.” Ruthann flicked her gaze at Randy before looking back at Patsy.
    “You girls just aren’t packing the right bait. Ain’t that right, Randy? A man likes to see a little bounce and twist.” Dwayne cupped his hands over his chest and shook his skinny ass. Patsy resisted the impulse to whack him with the pool stick.
     o0o
    There’s the girl I remember, Will thought as he watched Patsy Lee Clark lean on a pool cue, her green eyes snapping. He could see by the way Dwayne was laughing that he was taunting her. It would probably serve him right if she belted him. Will was sure Dwayne and Patsy Lee had survived more than one argument that ended in blows. Even with the seventy or so pounds Dwayne had on her, a smart man’s money would always ride on Patsy Lee, and Will was a smart man.
    Jessica leaned over the table, brushing her breasts against his bare forearm. Her musky perfume stomped past the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke that filled the bar. Strangely, he missed the beer and smoke.
    “So, what do you think, Will? You going to need some office space? There’s a real nice building open next to David’s.” She motioned toward David Wood, the current assistant DA of Daisy Creek County.
    Taking a sip of Budweiser to cover his need for a fragrance-free breath, Will carefully moved his arm away from spandex-compressed flesh. “I don’t know yet. I’m still weighing my options. For right now, I can just work out of the house. I won’t be doing anything that’ll violate the zoning laws.” He smiled at his companions.
    Richard Parks, owner of the weekly Daisy Creek News , balanced his chair on its back legs and laughed. “You don’t have to worry about zoning laws here, Will. You could just about start a hog farm in the courthouse, and as long as it brought in jobs, nobody’d complain.”
    Will raised an eyebrow. Just the kind of offer his father would seize. Striving for a light tone, he said, “Well, that’s reassuring.” Maybe Daisy Creek needed a bit more help than he’d thought. Switching his gaze back to the scene by the pool table, he continued. “I see someone I haven’t talked to in years. How about I give you two a call after I’m more settled?” He stood to leave. Jessica uncrossed her legs as if to follow, but he motioned for her to stay.
    “I appreciate you walking in with me, and reintroducing me to people, but I’m fine now. You enjoy yourself. And thanks again for helping me get the house.” He stepped away from the table before she could object. She was attractive but a little obvious and way too needy. Best to make it clear right out of the gate where his intentions lay, or didn’t. He wasn’t looking for a relationship, or even a fling. It was time for him to start over, alone. There was no space for anyone but his dog in his plans right now.
    He strolled to the pool table. As Dwayne twisted around the table next to Patsy, she reached out with the cue and snagged a full beer mug