“Don’t worry, I won't say anything to her. I guess we all have bad days. I’m sorry I distracted you from your work.”
“That’s okay. I was finishing up anyway. If you don’t need anything else, I’ll go help Gwen so we can get out of your way.”
“It’s no bother, really.”
Her cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of crimson before she scurried out the back door to her friend. My heart sank a little. Whoever she was, I wanted to know more about her. I felt a kindred spirit in her like we had the same past. For a few more seconds, I stood at the window until they both looked in my direction. My own embarrassment started to creep up as I fled back to my office.
Before long, I managed to lose myself in the books for the farm. We were still turning a hefty profit and would continue to do so for the rest of the year, barring any disasters. Hannover boasted some of the best equine stock in the state. What John had started as a little hobby farm for breeding quarter-horses, I’d grown into a multi-million dollar operation in a few years. Our horses were used for everything, from ranching to barrel racing competitions.
I’d lost myself in the numbers for well over two hours when my phone rang. My closest friend's name lit up the screen as I cursed under my breath. It was almost seven at night, and I’d promised to be at his bar by six. I quickly answered the call, fully expecting him to rip into me. We hadn’t missed a poker game in two years. I’d still make it in time to play but without time to drink, and that’s what made playing fun.
“Shit, I’m on my way,” I said. “I got buried under paperwork.”
“Sure you did,” James laughed. “Get your ass over here. The ladies are looking good tonight, and the beer is cold.”
“I’d hope so; otherwise, I’d have to complain to the owner, and I hear he’s a real prick.”
“Thanks, man, I can feel the love. Get over here. It’s been a long fucking day, and I’m tired of being sober.”
“It’s a wonder you have any booze left to sell as many bad days as you have. I’ll be there in five minutes. I’m walking out of the house right now.”
“Bullshit, I don’t hear footsteps.”
“Damn, are you my mother now?” I chuckled. “I’ll be there in a minute. Books are done, and I’m on my way.”
The bar was packed for a weeknight. The local poker tournaments always brought in profitable business for James. He’d bought the place from his father a good twenty years ago. Now he’d added three more just like it along the two-lane that ran all the way to Denver. Over the years, we’d done our weekly gatherings at different bars he picked up, but The Piece of Silver was his flagship and our home base. I pressed through the crowds to a table with a ‘reserved’ sign.
“About damn time,” James grumbled. “I’ve been fighting people off this table all damn night. Just about chucked a couple of them out the door over it.”
“That’s not a good way to get more customers,” I said. “Does it matter? You could have given it to someone else. We’ll be in back playing cards anyway.”
“Of course you’d say that now that I’ve been the asshole kicking people out of our seats for the last hour. I’m surprised. You aren’t ever late.”
“Yeah, I guess I was just distracted.”
“By finances? That sounds like a bullshit excuse if I’ve ever heard one. Something on your mind?”
I shook my head. “Just life. You know how it goes. Talked with old Callus again today. He won't budge off this damn family thing.”
“Maybe it wouldn’t be the end of the world for you to think about settling down some. If that’s all the old man wants, you could find yourself a woman to play wife for a hot minute.”
“Right. You know as well as I do that woman bring nothing but trouble. I don’t have the time for that kind of drama in my life.”
James shrugged. “I don’t know that you’d be inviting much trouble at all. Not if you find yourself a lady to look at it as a business deal. Maybe she needs a place to stay, and you need a fake wife. Seems like a good trade.”
I laughed. “Sure, I’ll just take out an ad in the yellow pages, ‘Fake Wife Wanted, No Romance Needed.”
“Well shit, I didn’t say ‘no romance’! Hell, a man has got to have his fun sometimes.” He said.
I shook my head and took a deep swig of my beer. It quenched the dry Texas air in my lungs as nothing else could. I’d had my first longneck after a hard days work when I was twelve. Nothing came close to the satisfaction you got from earning a stiff drink and a good night's rest. Hannover Ranch had reached the point where my presence wasn’t needed all the time, and it felt damn good.
James’ words were playing through my mind as we made our way to the poker room. It was already packed with familiar faces. We took our seats and waited for the cards to be dealt as another round of drinks appeared. The idea of taking a wife just to get ahold of Callus’s land wasn’t a foreign one. I’d considered hiring an actress at one point.
Ultimately the entire thing felt like more lies than it was worth. The unanswered questions didn’t seem like they’d be worth the headache in the end. The idea of taking a wife, though, a real one, was intriguing. What would be so bad about a business arrangement like James had suggested? It wouldn’t have to be terribly long, six months of pretending to be married, and I could cut the woman a check to disappear. Who would want to live with a stranger for that long?
Instantly I thought of Jennifer. Given her career path, I could only assume that she didn’t plan on cleaning houses for the rest of her life. I wanted to know more about her.
“Are we playing cards or daydreaming?” James asked.
I tried to tame my mind, begging it for focus. Every time I was dealt a new hand and waited my turn, my thoughts would drift back to Jennifer and the way her hips moved. Was I completely insane for considering James’ misguided advice? The night flew by, my wallet becoming lighter with each hand. Before long, James noticed my distraction and took full advantage of it. By the time we were finished, I’d lost more in a single night than my five years of playing.
“Listen, not that I’m complaining about wiping the table with you, but what the hell, man?” James asked.
I shrugged, “I just have a lot on my mind. I really wish old Callus would sell me the damn land already.”
“This sure seems like more, but I won't push the issue.”
“Bullshit,” I grinned. “You’re gonna beat it like a dead horse, aren’t you?”
“Damn straight. You don’t get to be old pals like us without digging through a little dirt.” James said.
We made our way back up to the bar. The hoards of people remained to my surprise. James was doing well for himself. He slipped behind the bar and poured us each a shot of whiskey before moving a little further down and taking more drink orders. One of the reasons our friendship had lasted through the years was our shared work ethics. It came as no surprise to me that he was diving into work. When the company needed you, you stepped up.
“So, what the hell is messing with you?” He asked between drink orders.