“Here.” She pulled a small towel from where she’d looped it over her apron. “It’s not clean. I wiped up beer with it, but then half your blood is probably beer anyway.”

“Thanks.” He patted his forehead. “Good night, Tuesday.” The last thing he wanted to do was talk to someone gloomier than he was.

She didn’t look surprised that he knew her name. “You sure you’re steady enough to walk?”

“Sure.” If the parking lot would stop bucking, he’d have no trouble.

She stepped away. “Well, good night, Ketch Kincaid.” She’d obviously taken the time to learn his name as well.

He was ten feet away when the bar door banged open, streaming a dull light across the parking lot. Out of instinct more than interest, he glanced back.

The door closed, leaving him in the shadows. The one bulb over the entrance showed three men who didn’t look like college kids. Too old, too rough. Probably oil workers or cowboys passing through town looking to pick up a local date for the night.

Not his problem, Ketch decided. If they were leaving, they hadn’t found a midnight date.

One caught Tuesday’s arm before she could vanish back into her corner.

“There you are,” the last man out the door said as he captured her wrist with his big hand. “How about you come home with me tonight, honey? I promise you’ll have a good time.”

“No,” she gritted out as she tried to pull away.

Ketch barely heard her, but her body language made it plain she was not interested.

“Oh, come on, Tuesday. It’s Friday night. You need to have a little fun. You keep turning me down and one day I’ll stop asking.”

“No, Jack, the answer is always going to be no.” Her voice came a bit louder. “I’ve told you before. I’m not interested. I don’t go home with anyone anymore.”

The drunk didn’t let go of her wrist. “It ain’t like you got any other plans. You don’t have anything in common with those kids in there. You’re just a local. Homegrown. This time I won’t take no for an answer. You think you’re too good for me?”

“I said no.” She didn’t sound scared, just annoyed. “Don’t ask me again. The answer will always be no.”

“Not this time.” Jack pulled her arm like it was a lead rope. “Come along now. You’ll be glad you did, come morning.”

Ketch moved forward, letting his boots crunch the gravel to announce his presence. He stayed just outside the circle of light. “Tuesday, you ready for me to drive you home?”