Her First Love

SIX

The saloon was hopping with thirsty lumberjacks who wanted to relax, play a few games of cards, and be in the company of a pretty woman. Nicole stayed behind the bar since Caleb thought she still needed some training. Of course, watching the girls work also helped with Nicole's training.

Inwardly, Nicole groaned. Did Caleb expect her to act like the others? There was no way she could openly – and boldly – flirt like they were doing. The men would pull the women down to sit on their laps, and Nicole blushed just thinking about it. Most definitely, she would blush profusely. The men would tease her, which in turn, would make her more embarrassed.

"Don't be afraid," Weston said, nudging her arm.

She looked at the other bartender and smiled. He was like a brother to the other girls, and she should think of him that way, too. He seemed slightly younger than her, but maybe his baby-face made him appear too much more youthful. He was sweet to all the girls, and Nicole was still trying to get used to him. He always wore black, and she wondered if he didn't have any other colors of clothes.

"Weston, you don't understand. I'm afraid because I have never done anything like this before."

His forehead creased, and his gaze narrowed. "You've never flirted with men?"

"Never. My father wouldn't allow it."

He gasped, and his eye widened. "Then how... how did you expect you to... um, you know, find a man?"

She chuckled over how he awkwardly asked her that personal question. "I think my father wanted to be the one to pick my husband, instead of allowing me to find one."

Weston expelled a heavy breath, shaking his head. "Nikki, if you ask me, you are very lucky to have come to this place and have these women teach you."

She held her breath, not knowing whether to get upset with him for shortening her name or not. Yet, if she was supposed to think of him as a brother as the other girls did, then perhaps she shouldn't get mad. Sighing, she nodded. "I pray you're right, Weston."

He patted her arm. "I am." He winked. "In fact, if you need any pointers, feel free to ask me. Or," he stepped closer to her and leaned toward her ear, "if you need to practice on anyone, I'm your man."

Shock vibrated through her. So maybe he didn't want her to think of him as a brother. Yet, even if she didn't think that way about him, she wasn't attracted to him. She could never do as he suggested. "I'll think about it."

He moved away and filled another mug, and handed it to the patron sitting on the stool at the counter. She turned her gaze back on the girls as she continued her task of washing the dirty mugs and glasses. After a few minutes, Weston returned. He stood too close to her, but she wasn't sure what to say to get him to move.

"A few men have been asking about you." Weston's eyebrows waggled. "I let them know that you're in training for now. They are most eager to get to know you better."

Silently, she groaned. She prayed Weston didn't mean what she thought he meant. She was not like Brenda or the other girls. Nicole would never do that. "Thank you for letting them know I'm in training."

She shifted her stance, trying to turn her back on him. Unfortunately, the gesture didn't make him want to move away. She wasn't an outward rude person, but she could be if the situation called for it.

"Weston? How long have you been a bartender?" she asked over her shoulder, still trying to appear busy.

"Almost a year now. Caleb has been great in teaching me new techniques."

"How nice." She glanced at him. "Have you always wanted to work in a saloon?"

"No. I thought about going into my grandfather's profession."