As Sam watched Nell leave his establishment he chastised himself for the way he messed up. His hopes of having a relationship with her seemed to be depleting. He had finally found a woman he liked, and what did he do? Put her in the most dangerous position possible. If anything happened to Nell because of his diarrhea of the mouth, he’d never forgive himself. Nell could be hurt or even die because of it. Sam was so used to the constant chatter in the bar and wanting to be a friendly bartender that he just naturally joined in.
Nell hadn’t been afraid to call him out on it and every other mistake he’d made. That showed she was a woman with a lot of confidence. And she was a lot of fun to be around. Sam thought about what a good man he was, with his own business; he hoped he could keep up with her. He was a smart man, too, but he hasn’t shown that side of himself. His damn shyness always got the better of him.
He believed she was starting to feel something for him, but after this gigantic blunder, he didn’t know anymore. Maybe he was too old and out of practice for the stress of dating again.
Turning, he saw his daughter approaching.
“Dad, I think Nell was really concerned about this Northwoodsman guy coming after her,” the Bean said as she approached the bar. “Do you think it is possible that he is actually stalking her?”
“Yes. That sort of thing happens all the time,” Sam responded. “And I don’t feel very damn good about it either.”
“What do you mean?” The Bean looked at her dad with concern.
“I may have let her name slip to some customers along with some other facts about her,” Sam admitted somewhat reluctantly.
“Oh, no, Dad, so did I. I mentioned her and the whole incident to my friends. Nell was very interested in their names and backgrounds so I thought it wouldn’t hurt to get my friends’ reactions. Looks like we both let her down.” Benita poured herself a Diet Coke.
“Do you think any of your group could have made that phone call?” Sam asked.
“No, but honestly, I really don’t know Ben and Steve that well. I think we need to do something to help her,” Benita asserted.
“That’s a good idea, Bean, but what?” Sam didn’t mention this to her, but he had a picture in his mind of the two of them messing things up and putting Nell in even greater danger. He pulled a bag of chips off the rack and offered some to the Bean.
“I don’t know yet, but if she asks us for anything, we have to deliver.” She took a couple of chips.
“You’ve got that right, but what we need to remember now is not to say anything else about this situation to any customers or friends,” Sam cautioned.
“Believe me, I won’t,” Benita promised.