Paper Hearts

Chapter 22

"Have you taken Marnie to the waterhole?" Heath asked, swinging in his chair as he looked over at us from across the cleared dinner table.

Gabriel shook his head, his hand drawing lazily through my hair.

"What's the waterhole?" I asked laughing.

"Our local bar. Heath loves the place" Gabe said distastefully.

"I wouldn't mind getting out for bit"

Heath wiggles his eyebrows at his brother, "your lady wishes it"

"It's Saturday night Heath, you know what kind of crowd gathers there"

"But she'll have you and me to protect her" he continued.

Gabriel looked over at me, not able to hide his smile when I winked.

"Fine we'll pay old Murph a visit"

*

Heath's truck was whirling a cloud of dust up as we pulled into the crowded parking lot of the rackety wood shack, labeled in red as the waterhole.

'It's actually called the waterhole?' I asked as we got out, mindful of the bikes that stood rowed up in front of the large windows of the bar.

'Forever and a bit ago it was called something else but the waterhole became its unofficial name quickly until Murphy, who's owned this place for over thirty years, renamed it.'

Gabriel came around the car with my jacket in his hands, helping me into it before finding my hand and taking it in his. 'It's a tough crowd of guys who work in the country side. The southern hospitality never quite reached them here. Don't let them get too close to you' Gabe said, distaste obvious in his voice.

'Relax would you, they're not bad people' Heath said, scowling at his brother we he pushed open the swinging doors of the bar.

The rumble of conversation wafted through the smoke filled air, as people clustered around the dark wood tables and the bar. Heath guided the way surefooted through the semi-darkness past the patrons who either cast a nod in his direction or ignored us as we passed.

When we reached the bar a old, weather hardened man with grey wisps of hair looked up from where he was wiping down the counter.

"Heath my boy!" He exclaimed, swinging the cloth across his shoulder and reaching across the till to grasp Heath's hand.

"Hey Murph how's it going?"

"Ah same old same old. But I see you've finally convinced big brother to come with you"

Gabriel let out a small chuckle as he stepped forward, releasing my hand to shake the owner's.

"Sorry for not showing face so long"

Murph waved him off, 'I'm glad to see you son. And who is this lovely lady?'

Gabriel turned around with a smile on his lips, pulling me close against his side, "This is my girlfriend Marnie"

His words still sent my heart fluttering as he bent down and pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

Murph, who was clearly privy to Gabriel's lack of love interest the last decade, let his gaze sweep between Gabe and I several times before he slammed his hand down on the counter.

"You're shitting me", clearing his throat he correct, "Sorry miss, I just never thought that our Gabriel would settle"

Heath laughed beside us, resting his elbows on the counter, "We were all surprised when he bought Marnie home"