When the Heart Falls (13 page)

He was so disgusting and every time he looked at her it made her want to vomit. She swallowed, cleared her throat, and turned her attention to Vance who was walking toward her.

“
Well, this is nice. What can I do for you?” he asked sweetly.

“
I have some pretty exciting news I hope,” she told him, barely able to contain her excitement.

“
And what’s that?” he asked, a little amused at how childlike she was at the moment. She reminded him of a kid on Christmas morning the way she could barely hold herself back from bouncing up and down.

“
My lawyer called this afternoon. I missed the actual call but I’m pretty sure that my divorce is going to be finalized soon!” She rushed the words out enthusiastically.

“
That’s great!” he said, trying to make it sound as genuine as he could. He knew that getting this involved with her was a bad idea. All he was looking for was a good time, and he thought that seeing as she had just come out of a bad marriage that that’s all she was looking for as well. He could tell now that she was hoping for more than what he was willing to offer her.

“
I know, right! So I was thinking that we could go out and celebrate. There’s a band playing at the Dark Horse Saloon over in Brewerville tonight. Would you want to go?”

“
Sounds like a plan. Pick you up at seven?”

“
Perfect.”

*** 

They pulled into the parking lot of the bar and attempted to find a place for Vance to park his truck. The lot was full but they finally found an open space near the back. As they walked toward the building they could hear the thumping from the bass coming from inside. Vance was quite a piece of eye candy tonight. He had worn his best black cowboy hat, black western cut shirt, blue jeans, and shiny black boots. He looked very dark and mysterious in that outfit. And when they entered the bar, Misty couldn’t help but feel a little smug as she watched all the ladies turn their heads when Vance walked by. The dance floor was full of cowboys and cowgirls dancing to “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” by Travis Tritt. The band was in the process of setting up and, according to the flyer they passed when they walked in, they were set to take the stage at nine.

“
Want to dance?” Misty leaned in toward Vance and attempted to talk over the music.

“
Let’s get a drink first,” he replied and ushered them to the bar.

The bartender noticed them at the end of the bar and walked toward them. “What can I get you?” he asked as he leaned in to hear their order.

“
I’ll have a Budweiser in a bottle,” Vance said.

“
Anything for you?” the bartender asked Misty.

“
I’ll have a Coors Light in a bottle please,” she said.

The bartender served them their drinks and Vance slipped him the payment plus tip.

“
Let’s find a table and we can watch for a bit,” Vance suggested as he led Misty to a table overlooking the dance floor. They sat and drank their beers and watched the dancers for the next five songs. Brooks and Dunn’s “Neon Moon” came on next and Misty watched as couples filled the dance floor.

“
Do you want to dance?” she leaned in and asked Vance.

“
I don’t dance, Misty. I’m sorry if that ruins your evening,” Vance poorly apologized.

Misty became a little irritated but held her composure and replied, “It’s ok. You mind if I join in on the line dancing when another fast song comes on?”

“
Be my guest,” he said as he waved his hand toward the dance floor and finished his beer. “I’m gonna get another one. You good or do you need one too?”

“
No I’m good for now. Thanks.”

Vance left the table and headed toward the bar while Misty turned her attention toward the dancers. She was alone for all of thirty seconds when she heard a voice come from behind her.

“
Howdy, stranger,” a deep masculine voice said behind her ear.

She jumped just a little and turned to see who it was.

“
Dylan! What are you doing here?” she asked excitedly.

“
Heard there was a band playing here tonight, decided to come check it out. You here by yourself?” he asked, hoping that she would say yes.

“
No, I came with Vance,” she said as she gestured towards the bar.

His heart sank just a little but he quickly recovered. “You think he’d mind if I asked you to dance?”

Misty was elated. All she wanted to do tonight was dance and have a good time. And she knew that Vance wasn’t going to dance with her so why should he be mad if she danced with Dylan. They were just friends so she saw no harm in it.

“
Nope, I don’t think he’ll mind at all,” she said as she got up from the table and let Dylan lead her out onto the dance floor. They followed right in line with the other dancers, circling the dance floor and swaying back and forth. She couldn’t help but notice how nice Dylan looked tonight. She had been used to seeing him in his worn out tan cowboy hat, t-shirt and worn out boots. But tonight he had on a white cowboy hat, pale blue western style shirt with pearl snap buttons, Wranglers, and what looked like new brown boots. He looked even better all cleaned up than he did in his work clothes. The song ended and the couples started to depart the dance floor. The jukebox kicked back on with Tracy Bird’s “Watermelon Crawl” and dancers swarmed back onto the dance floor.

“
You know this one?” Dylan asked Misty.

“
It’s been a long time, but I’m sure it’ll come right back to me,” she said as she watched what the other dancers were doing.

Dylan joined right in with the other line dancers and Misty was surprised to see how good of a dancer he was. She caught up and blended in to the sea of people as the steps of the dance came back to her. She laughed and continued to dance for the next few songs, Dylan by her side the whole time. Another slow song came on and Dylan took Misty by the hand and pulled her close.

“
This ok? Or do you need a break?” he asked as he looked down at her face.

“
No, this is just fine,” she said, tilting her head back to look at him.

He took her right hand and molded it with his left, then placed his right hand on the lower part of her back and turned them in a small circle there on the dance floor. She leaned her head against his chest and took a deep breath. He smelled absolutely wonderful. She couldn’t explain it, but the way he held her in his arms as they danced made her feel safe. Like he would do anything for her and protect her at all costs.

Dylan leaned his head down and rested it on the top of Misty’s hair. The aroma of citrus and flowers that nestled there sent his senses spiraling into a whirlwind. He hadn’t expected to see her here of all places tonight. But when he caught sight of her, all dolled up and sitting alone at that table, he thought that someone was surely looking out for him. He loved the way she had left her long brown hair loose instead of pulled back into a ponytail like he was used to seeing. The silver sequined tank top she wore hugged her in all the right places. And Lord bless those jeans. A part of him wondered how she even got them on being as snug as they were.

He twirled them around the dance floor one last time as the song faded. When the room was quiet he stopped and Misty lifted her head to look at him. She was still wrapped in his arms and her face so close to his that she could feel his warm breath on her lips. Her heart started to race like a horse that had just been released from the starting gate. The moment was ruined when she caught sight of Vance from the corner of her eye sitting at the table with a furious look on his face. She quickly pulled back from Dylan and staggered before catching her balance. He looked at her confused and when he saw her glance towards Vance’s direction he understood.

“
Thank you for the dance,” she said and gave him an apologetic look.

He watched her walk away from him and he felt an overwhelming sense of defeat. Surely she had to feel what he was feeling. Why else would she have lingered there in his arms after the song had ended?

“
Are you having fun?” Vance asked sarcastically.

Misty sat there in silence. What was she supposed to say to him?

“
Nothing to say? Well that’s great. I think I’ve about had as much fun as I’m going to have tonight, so I think it’s probably best that I just take you home,” he said, slurring some of the words.

“
Vance, I’m sorry,” she tried to apologize.

He held a hand up to silence her and stood up from the table. He grabbed the upper part of her arm and pulled her from her seat.

“
Ouch! Vance, let go. You’re hurting me!” she cried as he escorted her from the bar. He continued to keep his hold on her till they almost reached his truck. He finally let go and she stumbled.

“
You made a fool of me tonight, Misty,” he slurred.

“
You’re drunk,” she stated and took a step back from him.

He reached out to grab her again and she dodged him. He recovered from his stumble and when he looked at her again it sent a shiver of fear throughout her body. She had never seen him this upset before. His eyes were cold and his body radiated with violence.

“
I don’t understand you. Here I am putting in all this time and effort and come to find out you’ll whore yourself out to any old fool.”

It felt like his words had sliced right through her. She was taken aback by his callous statement.

“
You only spent time with me because you thought I would sleep with you?” she asked and coughed back a disgusted chuckle. “Good night, Vance. And don’t call me anymore,” she said and turned to walk back to the bar.

“
Don’t you walk away from me you bitch!” he yelled as he grabbed her arm and spun her around.

“
Get off!” she yelled back and balled her hand into a fist and swung it around towards his face.

He caught it with his other hand and violently shook her.

“
Let me go you jerk!” she cried and kicked at his legs. She tried to bring her knee up into his groin but he dodged out of the way.

All of a sudden she could feel the blood rushing back to her hands and she fell towards the ground. She pushed herself up and saw Dylan bring his arm around and deliver a solid right hook to Vance’s face. Vance stumbled backwards and charged Dylan, grabbing him around his midsection. Vance slammed Dylan into a nearby truck and punched him in the ribs. Dylan gasped and pushed Vance away from him then punched him hard in the gut. Vance doubled over and Dylan connected his fist once more with Vance’s jaw, sending him to the ground.

By then a crowd had gathered and two bouncers came rushing through the onlookers. Dylan held his hands up and worked to catch his breath as one of the bouncers placed a hand on his chest and looked toward Vance. The other bouncer was helping the defeated Vance from the gravel. Vance wiped his mouth and spat blood on the ground. He eyed Dylan and shrugged off the bouncers hold.

“
This isn’t over,” Vance threatened and pointed a finger toward Dylan. “Same thing for you, sweetheart,” he said, looking to Misty who was still sitting on the ground in shock.

The bouncers had cleared the crowd and ushered everyone back to the bar. Vance got in his truck, roaring the engine to life, and sped out of the parking lot sending gravel flying in every direction. Dylan walked over to Misty and knelt down beside her. He offered her his hand which she accepted and he pulled her to her feet.

“
Are you ok?” he whispered compassionately.

The tears she had been holding back during the scuffle fell freely down her cheeks and the sobs began to take over her body.

“
Oh, Misty,” Dylan said as he pulled her close and held her while she cried.

He stroked her hair and promised her that everything was ok. When she was able to control her tears she pulled back from him and wiped her eyes with her fingertips.

“
Dylan, will you take me home please?” she asked with a ragged breath.

He nodded and replied, “Come on.” He walked her over to where his truck was parked; keeping his arm around her the entire time and she snuggled into his embrace. He helped her into the passenger side and then walked around to the other side to let himself in. When he was in, she scooted across the bench seat and took his right arm and wrapped it around her. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and pulled the truck out onto the highway. He may have a bloody knuckle or two, and his ribs would surely be bruised. But it was worth it to have the woman he loved snuggled up in his arm next to him.

CHAPTER 12