River of Love

Chapter 10

Chapter 10When the riverboat docked for the night, the two women set out again for another walk down the cobblestone streets. Walking arm in arm, they enjoyed the warm night air as the small independently owned storefronts began to close their doors.

As they approached the café where they sat the night before, each of the women briefly looked at one another to see if perhaps they should take advantage of it again. With a smirk on their faces, they knew that they were both thinking of the same thing.

Dakoda stepped ahead, and motioned with a jovial bow towards the door, “Shall we?”

Avery giggled a bit. “We shall,” she stated gleefully.

Just then a voice firmly called out. “Avery.”

The short blonde turned around to find the voice. Sea green eyes widened as Mark stomped his way towards her. Avery attempted to prepare herself for the approaching argument.

“Why the hell did you check out of the room and leave me there to pay the bill? You said you’d cover the room when we checked in.” Mark spat out.

“Yeah, well that was before I saw you in the room passed out drunk with a w***e. Did you win some money on the boat? And you felt like celebrating? So what’s wrong with you paying the room with your winnings?” She responded immediately.

“That b***h was gone before I was awakened by the maid service, and she took the fifteen hundred I had won. I wasn’t even left with twenty dollars for gas. Plus you’ve never cared in the past who I slept with. You could’ve just gotten another room or something.” He stated in a vile manner.

Avery’s Irish temper was at a boiling point. She could not believe Mark was doing this in public. “You’re right Mark; I never cared in the past. But what bothers me is how much of an asshole you’ve grown into since we started this weekend. I honestly don’t know why I stayed friends with you this long. You grow more stupid each day that you spend with your uneducated, ill-mannered redneck friends.”

His eyes widened with fury. He hated anyone calling him dumb. In his clouded rage he instantly drew his hand back to strike her. Something he never entertained before. But in that same instant an equally large hand fiercely grabbed his wrist halting all action.

Steel blue eyes harshly stared into angry brown as the grip on his wrist remained tight and firm. In a cold and deep tone, through gritted teeth, Dakoda spoke clearly with her icy words. “Real men don’t hit women.”

Mark was momentarily stunned by this woman’s gaze and strength and words. He didn’t know what else to do but to stand there. It was only when he felt his arm slowly released that he silently stormed off without looking back.

Avery was shocked to say the least. She could hardly believe how the events had unfolded before her. She stepped up to her tall friend, and sea green eyes connected with ocean blue. A gentle hand, that was moments ago a force not to be tangled with, rose up; and Avery felt the soft strokes of slender fingers across her cheeks. She could not help but then lay her head against Dakoda’s chest. Arms circled around each other. Not a word was spoken in those few moments but their actions spoke volumes.

After some minutes, Dakoda said, “You know today is Sunday. You have to work tomorrow, right?” The blonde crown nodded. “I’ll take you home then.”

Avery looked at her watch and realized it would not have been a good idea to try and call Sandy to see if she can get picked up.