Chapter 12: The CowboyManning’s set of songs were over. Then he played more of his guitar as Nina Nance sang a string of country-club tunes that she had written. The young crowd bounced up and down all around me, waving their arms and hands high, enjoying the duo on stage. I knew that somewhere in that mix was Mason the Mormon, but I couldn’t see him and his blond date.
When Manning finished his set, he joined me at the three-person table. He picked up my beer and made eye contact with me. “My mouth is a little dry, do you mind if I have a sip?”
“Not at all. Help yourself.”
The cords in his neck flexed as he tilted the bottle to his mouth, drinking. He gulped down one swig, two swigs.
“Finish it off, Manning. I’ll get us two fresh ones.”
He finished the beer and placed the empty on th
