Chapter One: Part Two - Out of Sorts

“Fancy meeting you here.”
 

I opened my eyes, turned around  and saw Johnny.

“Oh, hi Mr. Johnson. I mean Johnny.”

“Have you been enjoying town so far?”

“Yes. It’s a nice town.”

As we continued to make small talk, I could feel my heart beating faster. My palms began to sweat and my mouth went dry.
 

What is wrong with me? I’m acting like…Oh my gosh! Surely I don’t like him?!
 

It was like the blinders had been taken off my eyes.  I looked at him and noticed he was looking at me the same way he had when I was playing the piano earlier.

Could he also like me?
 

 

“This is a great place to watch the sunset. Were you meeting someone here?” His question startled me.

With that I started to panic.  If I say no then there’s a chance he’ll ask me if I’d like to watch it with him. Which I would! But then there’s the whole he’s my boss thing.  If I tell him that I am meeting someone and he stays around, then he’ll see I really wasn’t meeting someone and I might offend him.  Think Amanda! Think!

“Actually, I was just going to go home.  With it being my first day at work tomorrow I don’t want to be too tired.”

Real smooth Amanda!

“Oh, okay. Well I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Yup. See you tomorrow.” I turned away and scurried off.

Why do I act like such an idiot when he’s around? He’s going to think I’m some kind of weirdo and he’s definitely not going to think I’m a good employee with me being all uncomfortable around him.

I knew one thing, I was definitely not going home.  I needed a drink.  I hailed a cab and headed to Varg’s Tavern.

I walked inside and saw an upstairs area where no one seemed to be hanging out.

Perfect! That way I can enjoy my drink alone.

I walked up the stairs and ordered a drink at the bar.  I felt like having a Martini but the bartender informed me that this was a tavern and they only sold beer.
 

 

Alright then. “I’ll have whatever’s on special tonight.”

After getting my beer I headed over to the railing and watched the people down below.  There was a guy playing foosball, a girl flirting with a guy near the restrooms and another bartender.  I started watching the flirting couple.  They seemed to know each other pretty well. They made me think about the cowboy I had always dreamed about.

Just then, the outside door opened. I switched my attention to the door.  In walked a tall, dark-haired cowboy.  He was wearing a cowboy shirt, jeans, boots, a brown hat and he was slightly tan from working outside..  Even with all his clothes on, I could tell he was built.
 

I watched him as he crossed the room and then to my surprise, headed upstairs.  As he passed me, he tipped his hat and then strode up to the bar.
 

“Give me a Bud will you, Pam.”

“Sure thing, Chuck!”

Chuck. So this handsome cowboys name is Chuck.

I continued to stare at him. He was definitely a sight to behold and was probably what every city girl dreams of when they dream of a hunky cowboy.  I watched him and was mesmerized by him drinking his beer.  He then noticed me staring at him.  I quickly looked away and pretended to look at the guy playing foosball downstairs.

I heard him get up from his stool and walk towards me.

 

“Howdy. Don’t reckon I’ve seen you in these parts before.” His voice was smooth and had a slight accent. 

Just remain calm Amanda. Just because this guy could end up being your dream cowboy doesn’t mean you need to get all nervous.

I turned around. “No. I just moved here from the city.  It’s my first day here.”  Those eyes! He had the lightest blue eyes I had ever seen.  He really was a heavenly sight!

“Oohh. You’re a “city” girl. No wonder you look out of sorts.”

“What do you mean “Out of sorts?”

  “Well, you know. You definitely don’t look like you’re from here. I mean, look at you. You’re wearing a strapless top, a tight short skirt, and really high heels.  Not exactly what most women here wear.”

“Well I’m sorry if I don’t meet your standards. I had no idea the fashion police would be here tonight. If I had known, I could have put on a Stetson and spurred boots.”

“Whoa! I wasn’t trying to offend you. Just making an observation.  My name’s Chuck. Chuck Hobble.  What’s your name?”

“I’m Amanda Salisburg. Sorry if I got a little upset. It seems that most people like to point out that I’m a city girl and it’s starting to get a little old.”

“Well that’s probably because we don’t get many people that move here from the big city. I’m sorry if I offended you. What brings you to Appaloosa Plains?”

“Thanks. I’ve always wanted to live in the country.  My parents recently passed away and left my sisters and me money so I thought now would be a good time to break free and pursue my dreams.”

“I’m sorry about your parents. What happened?”

I took a deep breath. I hadn’t really talked to many people about what happened to my parents. It was still pretty painful.

 

“They were on their way home from a holiday party and my dad had a heart attack while driving.  Their car crashed into a tree.  He died instantly, Mom was rushed to the hospital and died a couple of days later.”

“Oh my gosh Amanda, that’s horrible. I can’t imagine having that happen.”

“ It’s still pretty painful to think about. I miss them so much and would give anything to talk to them again. What’s your story? Did you always want to be one with horses and watch tumbleweeds blow in the wind?”

“Ha ha. No. I actually used to be a rodeo rider. Wasn’t bad at it. I got tired of being on the road so I decided to move in with a guy who’s a good friend of mine.  We share a horse ranch. Where do you live?”

“I live off of Pomona Promenade.”

“Oh! Did you move into the house near the festival grounds? That’s not far from where I live.”

“Yup. That’s the one.  So…This friend of yours, is he platonic friend or…”

“Oh no! Yes! He’s just a good friend of mine. I like to date the female species.”

“Ha ha. Good to know. Seeing anyone in particular?”

“Kind of. Nothing really serious. We just started dating.”

“Gotcha. So do you work on the ranch.”

“I do but only in my spare time. I’m actually the town traffic cop.”

“Wait, you’re the traffic cop? A cowboy traffic cop. Never thought I’d see that.”

 

“Well, I’m a guy with many talents.”

Was he flirting with me? I couldn’t really tell. But he said he had a girlfriend so probably not. Despite a rocky start, I found that he was an easy guy to talk to. It was nice to find someone that I could hang out with.

“Well, it’s almost closing time and I have to get to work bright and early to direct traffic.  Can I walk you out?”

“Sure.”

We walked out of the tavern together and he hailed me a cab.

 

“It was nice to meet you Amanda.  Hope you have a good night.”
 

“Thanks Chuck. It was nice to meet you too. Night.”

The cab pulled away and headed towards my house. What an interesting first day it had been.