THE GAY BARTENDER

chapter sixty four

He felt rejected as hell. Three months he'd been without Anna and it sucked the life out of him.

Noe here he was , not woo her back , but to ask for her help . He handn't invilved his brothers in this situation , because they were off doing married couple s**t 'He knew hey'd drop everything if he asked , and that's why he didn't ask .They deserved to have personal lives.

James griped the steering wheel , shored up his courage , and drove the jeep to the Silver Creek Saloon and hotel and parked nest to Anna's white Honda.

Reluctance clawed at him .He had the same heavy feeling he'd experienced when he hadn't gotten the weakly check in from Donna. Four moths ago , Pearson security had rescued Donna and her young son from a domestic violence situation nd relocated them. One month before Anna left him.

Damn it .

He got out of the jeep and took the tree rickety steps to the plank wood street infront of the saloon - hotel .Just as his boots thudded into the timber , the skies opened and rain poured down.

The knob rattled as he opened the creaking door .For the thousandth time, he wondered why Anna had chosen this dilapitated old plac for a retreat. Musty smells of dust and disuse assailed his nostrils. The door clicked shut behind him . She'd talked about this place and about her grandmother.

He'd met Gran a atime or two- the old lady was a real hoot- through he'd never been to Silver City 'It was one of the things that he and Anna had said they'd do- and never did. As his eyes Adjusted to the darkness , he realized he faced a largeroom. On the left was a staircase .He discerned the cloth- covered objects in the occassional flash of lightning .He'd probably scare Anna to death if he showed up outside her door .Should he yell up for her? The dread he'd been trying to ignore bloomed in his stomach .James made a decision .He put his hand on the rail and stepped up too late , he heard the creak and registered the presence on the stairs .Strong white light blinded him He reared back, but too late .The huge flashlight clipped him on the chin.

Before he had time to yell ''Ouch' 'the damned fool womanlaunched into him with enough force to knock him to the floor .He threw his arms around the flailing female before landing on his backside witha painful thud.

He clamped his arms around her .Thick, lavender -scented hair covered him, clogging his ability to breathe . The suffocation by hair ceased suddenly .James inhaled a adeep breath , only to find his face squeezed between the rounded swells of two pert breasts. Oh, man he missed thoe erasts He'd missed everything about her.

''Are you okay?" he asked against the soft, sweet- smelling flesh pressed to his lips.

White hot pain shot through him as her knee made contact with her groin

''s**t ''His senses focused on the sharp ahe that stole his breath and his will to live .He released Anna . One of her elbows found its way between his ribs as she scrambled off.James heard her light footsteps as she retreated .She'd chosen to run into a dark ,eerie section of the decreipt building , which he assumed was the saloon .

Not that he damned well cared right now. He just wished dying would stop taking so long .After years had passed - or maybe it was only a minute or so- the pain dulled enough for James to climb to his feet.

He cautiously picked his way through the dust- covered tables and chairs .His heated emotions melted under the ever - persented foreboding . Anna hadn't recognized him and she was obviously terrified.

His boots thumped the dusty wood floor , a ghostly echo in the cavenous room. Rain pounded against the stained glass windows. Lighting flashed and James spotted the long , wooden bar to his right. He scanned the dark interior , but couldnt see any other exits or doors. His beautiful phsychic had been taken refuge behind the only place to hide.

His groin ached still , but at least the pain had subsided to a bearable level. James knew She'd reacted from fright and self- preservation . He needed to calm her , to reassure her Yeah . That's it .He would throttle her after she was reassured.

James stopped in front of the long brass and wood bar. Attached swivel stools lined the front , and he put a ahand on one as he peered over the edge . The vinyl felt slick underneath his palm .He heard aa soft swoosh as the cushion depressed under his arm's weight.

''Freeze , dirtbag.''Anna popped up from behind the bar.

Startled , James stepped back . She pointed a tiny gun at his chest . Sweat broke out on his brow as she carelessly waved what appeared to be a derringer at his heart . She moved the gun in an awkward motion He swallowed heavily. If he wasn't careful she would accidentally plug him one .but Anna never liked guns and he was afraid that she owned one now, much less would use one.

A gush of soda water blasted him in the face .The cold liquid invaded his eyes , nose and mouth , causing him to stumble sputtering from the bar.

Anna dropped the soda dispenser .Her heart thudded in her chest .She spun around and darted into the kitchen .A few seconds later, the door creaked open .She stilled , pressing her back against the cabinets and put a trembling hand against her mouth to stop the scream