Jarrod looked in the mirror one more time and frowned at the fresh bruise on his chin. Well maybe it would get him some sympathy from Sam, which brought a smile to his face. He didn't have enough time to go to the ranch and change but Jarrod had always kept a few extra set of suits at his office. Other than his bruised chin he had to admit he looked rather dashing tonight.
He hurriedly walked past the Cattleman's to avoid Sally in case she was working tonight as he did not want to deal with her right now. Dealing with her and Nick in the same day was not the way the attorney had planned for this day to go. As he walked past Harry's he thought he saw Nick in there and hoped his volatile brother had not seen him.
Jarrod entered the Pool Emporium and immediately searched for Sam. He walked up to the bar and continued looking for Sam but he didn't see her anywhere. The place was packed again with each table being used and Jarrod noticed every table was filled with customers. He turned his back to the billiards tables and sighed hoping Sam would eventually show up.
The bartender recognized Jarrod and asked, "Scotch?"
Jarrod smiled weakly as he answered, "Yes, please." Jarrod took some money out of his pocket to pay for the scotch.
The bartender placed the drink in front of Jarrod and when Jarrod tried to pay him he shook his head no, "Your money is no good here Mr. Barkley."
Jarrod frowned at him but before he could ask Sam had walked up behind him and said, "VIP's don't pay for their drinks."
Jarrod turned around and smiled pleasantly to Sam. "You better be careful I could get used to this kind of treatment."
Sam noticed Jarrod's bruised chin and frowned. "Based on your appearance I think you could use a little special treatment."
Jarrod rubbed his sore chin and said, "Well if that's the case maybe I need to get hit more often." They both laughed at his statement.
"Well are you ready to experience the VIP area?"
Jarrod nodded his head yes while Sam wrapped her arm around Jarrod's arm and led him to the back.
If he thought the Emporium was nice, the VIP area was elegant. There were two billiards tables, six large tables, two more bars, a stage and several waitresses dressed rather scantily. There were crystal chandeliers hanging over each table and at one end of the room was a large table filled with hors d'oeuvres and two servers. Jarrod had to admit this was definitely a VIP room.
He looked at Sam and said, "This is nice, very nice."
"Are you hungry?"
Jarrod nodded his head yes so Sam escorted him to the table filled with food. The waitresses and servers in the VIP room were to give the customers special attention but Sam wanted all of them to know Jarrod was with her. She snaked her arm back through his as she walked him to the table.
The servers filled Jarrod and Sam's plates and took them to the table for the couple. Sam stopped by the bar and ordered two more drinks for both of them.
The food was delicious and the company was even better. They chatted back and forth and Sam had not brought up the subject of Jarrod's bruised chin yet but he knew at some point she would.
As they ate and talked a few more customers had came in and Jarrod wondered how they earned the VIP status.
In between bites he asked, "So what does one need to do to get in the VIP room?"
"A number of ways; for example they could know the owner of the bar," she winked at Jarrod, "spend ridiculous amounts of money, be a friend of the family or the easiest way is to pay for it."
"So how do I fall in that category? I know the owner and I have been in here the last three night's spending money."
Sam laughed, "From what I have heard you left with money in your pockets."
"Now how did you know that?"
Sam smiled mischievously, "I'm the owner."
Jarrod chuckled as he finished eating. "That was delicious." He patted his full stomach.
"No dessert?"
"Not right now, maybe later." He sighed and asked, "Would you mind if I lit a cigar?"
Sam smiled, "Of course not. But the bartender keeps several cigars behind the bar if you would like to choose from our selection."
Jarrod grinned widely as he got up, "I think I will."
Sam watched as Jarrod walked to the bar. He was so handsome, dapper and dashing but she wanted to know who hit him and why. She had not asked about it while they ate but she had every intention of asking him sometime that night.
Jarrod walked back to the table grinning from ear to ear. He sounded like a kid in a candy store. "I have never seen a selection like that before." He ran the cigar under his nose and inhaled the sweet fragrance. He clipped off the end and lit the cigar. He leaned back in his chair enjoying his cigar, the Irish Scotch and best of all Sam.
While they had been eating Jarrod had noticed quite a few more people entered the room and were milling about. He was content right where he was, sharing a table with Sam.
Sam asked, "Well what do you think of the VIP experience so far?"
Jarrod grinned and said, "I have been to my share of clubs and this by far is the best one I have been too."
Sam smiled at Jarrod's compliment. "Thank you Jarrod." She placed her hand on top of his and he smiled at her.
Jarrod heard a noise behind him and noticed a band getting ready to play. He looked at Sam and asked, "May I have this dance?"
Sam smiled and said, "Yes."
Jarrod got up and helped Sam up as he led her to the dance floor. Jarrod did not care they were the only ones on the floor dancing. All that mattered to him was that Sam was in his arms dancing with him.
Fred slammed the cell door behind him. He shook his head as he looked back in the cell and the man who was passed out drunk. He had seen the man drunk plenty of times but this time was different.
He had heard the rumors around town about what was going on and decided it hadn't been gossip after all. He thought about alerting his family but then thought better of it because he would be out cold until tomorrow morning. No sense in waking his family up.
Fred thought about doing the paperwork but decided against it. He was tired but going home tonight was not an option thanks to the man in the cell, Nick Barkley.