”Hello, Molly. Any seats left?”
In answer, she jerked her head toward a small table at the side of the room, missing all but two of its chairs. The Down Time was jam-packed, of course. Too much to ask for a quiet night, tonight of all nights. Kit recognized nearly everyone. Laughter punctuated a dozen conversations. “Thanks, Molly. How about a couple of ice waters?”
Mollys long, clear-eyed gaze followed Margo as she made her way toward the indicated table, but the barmaid withheld comment, as she generally did. She filled a couple of glasses with ice cubes and water and handed them over. “Anythin’ else?”
Kit shook his head. “No, not just now. Maybe later.”
”Luv…”
Kit paused mid-step, causing the ice cubes to clink faintly. The chill of condensate sank into his hands, echoing the coldness which still gripped the rest of him. “Yeah?”
Molly’s brow had furrowed the tiniest bit, betraying intense worry. “Keep ’em open, Kit. She’s a sharper, she is.”
Kit glanced over to the table. Margo had taken up residence in the outer chair, which would leave Kit with his back against the wall. Margo’s cheeks were visibly flushed despite the low-light conditions which prevailed this time of night in the Down Time. She was all but quivering with excitement.
”I suspect she’s had reason,” Kit said quietly. “I’m just trying to keep her alive.”
Molly nodded. “’at’s awright, but keep ’em open, luv. Tike care she don’t steal yer bees an’ ‘oney while yer’s back’s turned.”
Her concern that he might lose money to Margo surprised Kit and touched him. “I’ll do that.”