Chapter 1

Grace

"That is not how it happened!" I yelled, pouring another cup of coffee as I sat down on the couch next to Dean, still holding a sleeping newborn. "This is why we don't talk about it. You just make shit up as you go."

"I do not!" Serra yelled back over the coffee table at me, her own blanket-wrapped newborn grasping at the air as she did so. Glancing down at the baby, she bounced her a couple of times and immediately lowered her voice. "We don't talk about it because it didn't happen."

Dean leaned back into the cushions and shook his head. "Obviously, something happened, so we're gonna need the details," he smiled, holding the bottle of beer between three of his fingers. "Aren't we Sammy?"

"Anything that gets Serra that offended that fast needs to be laid out on the table," he agreed, sitting in the rocker opposite me. "I thought we didn't have any secrets, honey?" Sammy asked Serra, mockingly sweet.

Serra pressed her tongue against the back of her teeth like she did when she was really annoyed. I smiled lightly, getting more comfortable with my newest daughter in my arms as I took a deep breath. "Well, little sister?" I asked, tilting my head. "We've got an audience. Maybe it's time we talked about El Paso."

…

"Well, gentlemen, it's been swell," I purred coyly as I reached across the poker table and gathered my winnings. "But I've got an early morning."

"One more round," the Tall Drink of Water replied, tilting back the whiskey glass and draining it. "At least give us poor fools a chance to win back what we lost."

"Sorry, handsome," I grinned. "No rest for the weary." He held my gaze for longer than he needed to and I knew without having to touch him that he wanted me.

My abilities had strengthened since losing Dad to the demon almost five years ago, but most of them were still only by touch. I could get a feel for what kind of person someone was simply by grazing their arm or shaking their hand, seeing their thoughts, memories, and desires in about three seconds or so. I, of course, used this information to my advantage and constantly took men for most of what they were carrying; drinks, cash, knives, guns, even a car once upon a time. Poker was my go-to game, usually playing long enough to get a feel for the other players and then taking each one in turn, for all they were worth.

This was a good little haul: there was at least four hundred bucks in the pot. That was enough to get Serra and me fed for the next few weeks and maybe even fill up my gas tank all the way. I glanced up at the Tall Drink once more and smiled coyly. Maybe if I hooked him, we'd be sitting pretty for a month or two.

A girl's gotta eat.

He stood and held the door open for me as I made my way back into the bar. I caught sight of Serra, my little sister, at the other end of the bar, hitting on the bartender shamelessly. She glanced at me and gave no recognition that she knew me, just as I knew she would until I gave her the all clear. Tall Drink followed me out into the dim light and smiled, staring down at me.

"Name's Hank," he said quietly, holding out his hand. I glanced down at his hand and hesitated. As soon as I clasped it, I would glaze over, predictably, for about three seconds as I dove into his subconscious.

I reached for his hand and shook it. A jumble of thoughts flew through my mind as I was shoved into his memories. When I had control again, I smiled up at him. "Grace," I said, surprised at myself for telling him the truth. "My name is Grace."

…

"You dated a guy named 'Hank'?" Dean asked and his eyebrows rose skeptically. "Was he a real cowboy? Did he have a horse?"

I took a deep breath and pressed my lips together. "Should we really open the discussion about ex-significant others, husband?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Dean pursed his lips and tilted his head, pretending to consider it carefully. "Poker. You were talking about poker," he said, taking the last swig of his beer.

"We were in town for the vamps, though," Serra added from across the room. "Get to the vamps. They were really tough bastards."

"We weren't in town for the vamps the second time," I argued, shaking my head. "That time we were in town to get your m—"

Serra threw the half- empty water bottle at me from across the room. "Nu-huh!" she yelled, immediately cutting me off.

Dean and Sam were silently watching the exchange and I could tell they were thoroughly confused. Sammy leaned forward, looking from me to Serra and back to me. "You were in El Paso twice?"

"Within the same seventy-two hours. I really don't know if we actually left the first time." I smiled at Serra who was glaring at me. "Oh come on, Luck," I scolded. "You can't expect to tell this story without all of the gory details coming out." She remained silent with her arms folded around the baby and her lips pressed together. I continued, "It's going to come out one way or another. You may as well have him hear about it here."

"Hear about what?" Sam asked. He glanced at Dean, "Do you know what they're talking about?"

"I haven't the slightest," he replied, leaning forward enough to put his empty beer bottle on the coffee table. "I'm getting the feeling, though, that it's gonna be about your wife, not mine, which is exciting. Serra stories are always good."