Chapter 4

Amerie parked just down the street from the bar and climbed out of her car. It was a couple minutes before seven and the sun had just set, painting the sky in deep purple and orange hues with strokes a pink highlighting the few clouds that hung in the sky above the mountains. A navy midnight crept in from the east, pulling the blanket of shimmering stars and glowing crescent moon with it.

Amerie walked to the bar, the heels of her boots clicking on the cobblestone sidewalk. She was surprised to see that the town was just as alive as it had been during the days. There were families leaving restaurants, kids running around and tossing coins in the fountains, and couples walking hand in hand under the glow of the buzzing street lamps. A small line had already began to form at the bar. Amerie craned her neck to look for Blaze and spotted her short black hair just as Blaze turned around.

“Tennessee! You made it!” Blaze clasped her hands together. She had foregone the round glasses and curled her jet black hair. Pink lined her lips, a pop of color against her skin tight black body suit with long sleeves and turtle neck. Her pants were a washed denim with that flared over her black platform shoes. She still had her rose quartz hanging from her necklace.

Amerie smiled. “Of course. Thanks again for inviting me. Sounds like they have live music tonight, too,” she commented as she heard the strums of a guitar and sultry male’s voice.

A blonde pushed her way to Blaze’s side. She had the same blue eyes as Blaze and the same slightly upturned nose, but the similarities seemed to stop there. She wore a blue sweater dress that wasn’t quite skin tight but showed off her hourglass curves. Her golden blonde hair fell just less than halfway down her back in loose curls. She slipped her phone in her small, gray purse and smiled genuinely at Amerie. Her black knee high boots made her legs look endless and gave her an added couple inches over her sister who only stood at 5’2”. Amerie guessed that this blonde was about 5’5” without the heels, but her head fell only two inches shorter than Amerie’s with the boots.

The blonde stretched out her hand. “You must be Amerie! I’m Brynn, Blaze’s sister.”

Amerie smiled and reached out her hand. The blonde pulled her into a hug, catching her off guard. Amerie chuckled.

“Nice to meet you, Brynn,” she said as the blonde released her, still smiling.

They reached the front of the line and asked the hostess for a booth. The red haired girl led them to one just to the left of the bar, near the dance floor. She set their menus down after the trio were seated and let them know their server would be right with them. She gave Blaze a wink as she walked away.

Brynn nudged Blaze and waggled her eyebrows at her sister. Amerie smiled at the two from across the table and glanced at the menu.

“So we absolutely have to get the poutine fries to start,” Brynn chirped. “You can’t really go wrong with much here, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the quesadillas.”

Blaze rolled her eyes. “She got food poisoning one time and tells everyone not to get them now.”

Brynn feigned offense. “You make me out to be a drama queen!”

Blaze raised her eyebrows at her sister. “Well.”

Brynn grumbled and returned to looking at the menu. Amerie chuckled.

A tall waiter with olive skin and reddish brown hair approached the table. “Welcome, ladies. Can I get you started on some drinks? Blaze, I’m guessing you want the usual?” The girl skilled and nodded. “Sounds good. Brynn, what will it be?”

The girl hummed, then said, “I’ll just do a vodka soda with lemon for now. Thanks, Tristan.”

The man turned to Amerie. “I apologize, I haven’t met you before. I’m Tristan, obviously. What can I get you?” He grinned widely at Amerie, his brown eyes sparkling.

Amerie returned the smile. “I’m Amerie. I’ll do a peach jalapeño margarita, please.”

“Sure thing. Do we want to put in any appetizers?”

“Poutine, of course! I’m kind of craving the brussel sprouts today, too,” Brynn said.

Tristan scribbled on his note pad. “You got it. I’ll put that in and be back with your drinks.”

Amerie watched him walk away. His muscular shoulders pulled his black bar T-shirt taught. His jeans fit him especially well.

Amerie didn’t realize she was staring until Brynn cleared her throat. Blaze snickered as Amerie looked back to the menu, trying to hide her blush.

“Them Montana boys are something, huh Tennesse?” Blaze joked.

Amerie laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I just got out of a rough relationship before I moved out here. I’m only seeing what this town has to offer.” Brynn and Blaze laughed.

Tristan walked over with their drinks and set them each down. “Here you go. I put the appetizer order in, as well. Did you ladies want to order entrees?”

Blaze ordered a burger and Brynn ordered a Buffalo chicken wrap. Amerie decided on the California burger. Tristan jotted down the orders and let them know he’d be back with their entrees.

Amerie took a sip of her margarita. The fresh jalapeño perfectly complemented the peach and tequila. She eyed Blaze’s purple drink. “What is that?”

Blaze smiled. “It’s called a Montana Sky. It has lemonade, elderflower gin, and lavender syrup. Want a sip?” She offered it to Amerie, who hesitantly sipped. Her eyes widened. It was sweet and refreshing, and reminded her of a spring day.

“Wow.” Amerie said. “I’m definitely getting that next.”

Blaze grinned. “Careful. It’s almost as dangerous as my shop.” She winked. Amerie couldn’t help but laugh.

The trio talked and got to know each other more. Blaze and Brynn had both grown up here with their mom. Their parents split when they were young and their father ran off to Arizona. Their mother had moved to Billings just last year to take a better nursing job. Brynn was a cosmetologist and owned her own studio on the other edge of town. She had started doing event makeup on the side just recently. Both girls were single, Blaze just getting out of a relationship a few months before Amerie had.

Amerie told them about her relationship with Chris. Blaze looked disgusted and Brynn told Amerie she’d fly back to Nashville just to punch him. Amerie giggled and insisted it was fine because it brought her here. The two girls didn’t seem satisfied but agreed. Amerie told them about her time in college and her friends back home. She told them about her mom who never liked to stand still and wanted to take care of everyone. She briefly mentioned her father’s lost cancer battle when she was twelve. She told them the story of how she found Milo on the side of the road as a skinny two month old puppy on her way home from work one night when Chris had decided to not talk to her for two days. She showed them pictures of Milo when she first brought him home, when he was healed, and one from the other day when he was holding his otter. The girls cooed and insisted they needed to meet him one day.

Their appetizers had arrived at some point during their conversation. The poutine was heavenly and the brussel sprouts were a close second. Their entrees arrived just as Amerie showed the girls the last picture of Milo from the hike earlier today. Tristan also brought them waters and took orders for their next rounds of drinks. The girls continued chatting, Amerie telling them what she planned to do with the house and about her new job.

As they finished their meals, Amerie noticed workers moving some of the tables to allow for more room on the dance floor. The man that had been playing music on the stage wrapped up his last set and thanked the crowd.

Brynn smiled. “Almost show time.”

Amerie raised an eyebrow and glanced at the girl quizzically. She just smirked and sipped her drink, then jerked her chin toward the stage where they were setting up a DJ booth. “This place completely changes its tune when it gets later. It’s a small town. Not much else to do, so we all come here.”

Sure enough, Amerie could see the growing line outside through the open front doors of the bar. Tristan delivered another round of drinks and Brynn ordered green tea shots for the three of them.

“To new beginnings,” Blaze said, raising her shot. The three toasted and downed their shots just as the lights dimmed and the DJ started playing music. Colorful spot lights came on and people started to pour in. The three girls were laughing and people watching, Brynn eager for people to hit the dance floor.

The song changed and Brynn started dancing in the booth. “I’m done waiting!” She said over the music as she pushed her sister out of the booth and grabbed Amerie’s wrist, dragging the two of them to the dance floor, drinks in hand. Brynn danced as if she was lost in the music, swaying her hips and raising her arms. Amerie swayed her hips albeit not quite as enthusiastically while Blaze nodded her head and sipped at her drink.

Amerie felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find Everett smiling at her. “Nice seeing you again, Amerie. Mind if I join you ladies?” Amerie smiled and moved over to allow him room. “Now that you’ve had some time to explore, how are you enjoying your new home?”

“I love it here. I’m excited to start work next week,” Amerie replied, raising her voice to be heard over the music.

“Good,” Everett replied. “Do you need another drink?”

“Yes she does,” Brynn answered for her. “A Montana Sky.”

Everett smiled and went over to the bar.

Brynn held up her hand as if she was holding something. “Dispatch, we have an officer down. Yes, he’s tripped and fallen for Tennessee. Might have a fire here soon. Serious smoldering. Over.”

Blaze giggled as Amerie pushed Brynn’s shoulder.

“What’d I miss?” Everett raised his eyebrows quizzically as he handed Amerie her drink.

Blaze smirked. “Just Brynn being Brynn.”

Brynn stuck her tongue out at her sister and scanned the crowd. “Hey, Blaze, I think I see someone over there.” She dragged her sister away, leaving Amerie standing with Everett on the edge of the dance floor.

Amerie blushed slightly and glared at Brynn.

“Way to be subtle,” she thought.

She peeked at Everett who glanced at the sisters with amusement sparkling in his eyes. He caught Amerie looking at him and gave her a lopsided smile.

“Dance with me,” he said.

Amerie obliged and took his hand as they went a little further onto the dance floor. A song with a heavy beat came on and she moved her hips, smiling. She let herself enjoy the moment, occasionally letting Everett take her hand and spin her around. He was beaming at her.

The two continued to dance for the next few songs then walked over to the bar together.

“I should let you get back to Blaze and Brynn. Thank you for the dance, Amerie.” He grinned at her, then leaned in and gave her a light kiss on her cheek before disappearing into the crowd.

Amerie looked down and noticed that he had slipped a piece of a napkin with his number into her hand. Blaze and Brynn suddenly appeared beside her, grinning ear to ear.

Amerie rolled her eyes and laughed. “You two are ridiculous.”

Blaze snorted. “Excuse me, Tennessee, you seemed to have enjoyed yourself just fine with Sherriff tall, dark, and handsome.”

“He gave you his number?” Brynn squealed.

Amerie hushed her. “It’s not a big deal. I met him in town the other day.” Blaze raised an eyebrow at her, but Amerie waved her off. “Come on. Another round of shots on me, then back to girls night.”

Brynn cheered as Amerie placed another order for green tea shots. The girls downed them and strutted back onto the dance floor.

“Also,” Brynn shouted over the music, “I didn’t realize they taught you to twerk in Nashville. Thought you guys just line danced.”

Amerie threw back her head and laughed. “You mean like this?” She turned and threw it back in front of Brynn who let out another cheer. Blaze laughed and cheered along with Brynn.

Amerie was having the night of her life. The waiter from earlier, Tristan, also stole her away for a dance at one point. She kept catching the eyes of Brynn and Blaze as they waggled their eyebrows at her. It was amazing how her eyes didn’t hurt from the amount of times she rolled them at the sisters, but her cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much.

The bar was packed. When she rejoined the sisters, they weaved through the crowd to the bar for a final round of drinks. As they turned away from the bar, Amerie bumped into the chest of a man that was only an inch taller than her in her boots, spilling her drink. She groaned and looked at the man. He had light green eyes that seemed almost opaque and shoulder length black hair that was half pulled back. He wore a jean jacket with a black shirt underneath and black jeans. His nose was slightly crooked and his cheeks were abnormally angular. He had a short black beard.

He gave her a cocky grin with his full lips. “Sorry about that, sweetheart. Let me buy you another one.”

Brynn groaned. “Go away, Jason. She doesn’t want anything from you.”

He raised an eyebrow and looked at Amerie. “I think the beautiful lady can answer for herself.”

His gravelly voice sent a tingle of unease down Amerie’s spine. A voice inside her head urged her to get away from this man.

“She’s right. I’m good. Excuse me.” She turned to ask the bartender for another drink when Jason grabbed her wrist and leaned closer to her.

“I insist,” he sneered.

Amerie pulled but he didn’t let go. “And I said no. So either let me go or regret your decision.”

Jason laughed. “Threatening me, little one?”

Amerie scoffed. “You’re barely three inches taller than me without these boots. Now. Let. Me. Go.”

Jason smirked at her and went to wrap his other arm around her waist. She turned and brought her elbow just below his rib cage. Jason coughed and loosened. She shoved him back and turned back to the bar, sweetly asking the bartender for another drink.

She heard a gasp behind her and whipped her head around just as Jason’s fist was grabbed by someone else. Everett.

“I suggest you leave. You can either do it on your own, or I can escort you to a nice little private room back at the station. Your choice, Jason,” Everett said calmly yet firmly.

Jason shook Everett off of him and straightened his Jean jacket. He glared at Brynn, then Amerie. “Bitch.” He went to walk away then turned and spat on Amerie’s boots.

Amerie was shocked. Then the sound of crunching bone hit her ears. Blaze shook off her bloody knuckles as Jason covered his bloody nose, wailing. Everett grabbed him and escorted him out of the bar.

Brynn huffed. “Good riddance, asshole. You good, Amerie?” Amerie nodded. Brynn turned to inspect her sister’s hand. The two went to the bathroom to wash it up and told Amerie they’d be back.

Amerie sighed and leaned against the bar. The bartender handed her the new drink as Everett walked up beside her.

“Are you okay?” he asked her.

“I’m fine. What a dick,” she gestured toward the door.

“Yeah. One of my buddies was out there and is taking him down to the station. I can send him your statement.”

Amerie thanked him and took a sip of her drink. She rambled off a quick statement and Everett sent it over to the police station.

“Sorry that guy tried to ruin your night. Is Blaze’s hand okay?”

“He can try, but it just slowed us down for a bit. Not my first run in with a dirt bag. It didn’t seem broken. She’s in the bathroom with Brynn just cleaning it up.”

“Well good,” Everett said almost nervously. He rubbed the back of his neck. Amerie raised an eyebrow at the gesture, her glass to her lips. “Listen, I know this is weird timing and I totally get it if you say no,” Everett rambled, “but I’d like to take you out to dinner on Friday if you’d allow me. You’re a nice girl, and very beautiful.” He looked at her with hopeful eyes and a lopsided grin.

Amerie smiled. “I think I’d like that.”

Everett’s smile widened. “Great. I can pick you up at 7:30 if that’s good.”

“Perfect. It’s a date.”

“A date.” Everett nodded, still grinning. “I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your girls night. Have a good night, Amerie.” He gave a small wave as he walked out of the bar.

Blaze and Brynn suddenly appeared by her side.

“Did he just say date?” Brynn whispered loudly.

Amerie giggled and filled them in. The two girls squealed and Brynn ordered another round of shots. Amerie gave her a look.

“Last round. I promise! We just need to celebrate.”

The girls downed their shots then went back onto the dance floor where they stayed until last call. Amerie drove home, smiling the whole way. As she approached her front door to unlock it, she almost stepped on a bundle of flowers on her doormat. She bent down to inspect them. They had long stems and the pea-like flowers were blue and purple.

Lupine.