From the way he was sitting, I could tell he was a tall man, but when he was seated it was hard to determine how tall. Adding to the impression of size was his wide chest, which was only slightly less defined under his shirt than that of a body builder's.

As attractive as he was, what drew my attention the most were his hands. They were large hands with calluses; not the hands of a man who spent his days behind a desk. These were the hands of a working man who earned his living through sweat and labor. Without even knowing him, I felt I would like him as a person, even if he wasn't really my type.

I smiled politely. "I'm sorry, but my friends are sitting there."

"That a fact?" He looked up as Holly and a blonde haired man with a hawk nose and brown eyes came to join us. "How are you, Holly-girl?"

"Dusty!" She hugged his neck. "Haven't seen you out in a month of Sundays."

He nodded. "Don't get much chance these days. Wouldn't be here at all if Taco hadn't drug me kicking and screaming."

She laughed as she wrapped herself around the blonde's arm. "Well, it's good seeing you. Have you met my friend Kate?"

He turned to me; his blue eyes locked on mine, and tipped his hat in quick fluid movement. "Pleasure, Miss Katie."

Lowering my eyes demurely, more out of fear of what those blue eyes might see than shyness. "Likewise, Mr.-"

Dusty laughed a full, husky laugh that made my insides weak. "I ain't never been called Mr. anything, Miss Katie. My full name's Dusty Miller, but you can just call me Dusty."

When the band started playing a Diamond Rio song, Taco leaned over to Holly and whispered something that made her giggle. She turned to me and smiled. "You mind if I go dance a little? I won't be gone long."

I shook my head. "Go. Have fun. I'll be here for a while."

"Thanks, Kate."

When they were gone, Dusty pushed the glass closer to me.

"So?" He said, the word lingering on his lips for what seemed like months. "Kate short for something?"

I cringed a little then nodded. "Katherine. Katherine O'Hara."

He chuckled. "O'Hara?"

"Yeah. My mom's little joke. She always wanted a Katie O'Hara. Thank God I didn't have black hair or she would've named me Scarlet."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Katie." Silence fell over us. It only took me a moment to realize he was studying me over the rim of his glass. His blue eyes dissected me; seeing everything about me. "Mind if I ask you something, ma'am?"




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