Three Times The Knockin' Boots: A Why Choose Romance (Dirty Coyote Series Book 6)

Mindy 1

“When can you start?” Tammy Jennings asked me as I sat next to her at the long antique bar inside Dirty Coyote, a country music dance hall in Sweet Whiskey, California. I swear she was Dolly Parton’s doppelganger. I’d heard that Tammy looked like her, but they even shared the same laugh.

“Next Wednesday,” I told her, trying my best to keep my nerves under control. Although Tammy was as sweet as pie, I knew what a formidable business owner she could be, and I didn’t want to do or say anything to offend her. “I’m still teaching over at Last Call on Friday and Saturday evenings, from four to six. I’d expect that you’d like me to work the same hours, but on other nights? I’d like to keep my job at Last Call if that’s okay.”

I wanted this job more than I wanted to let on. It meant the world to me, mainly because I needed the ego boost for my mindset. That, and the added money would allow me to expand my business, move out of the studio apartment I was living in over in Cricket, and move into a one bedroom right here in Sweet Whiskey. Rent wasn’t quite as high here. Plus, it was a true cowboy town, and I had a particular affinity for cowboys.

My dad had been a rodeo cowboy and the absolute best dad on the planet. He gave me my love of horses along with my love of country music. When he died, my whole world fell apart. If it hadn’t been for his rodeo friends, I don’t know how my mom and I would ever have made it through.

“Sure thing. Not a problem. Since we’re not open for happy hour, I’d like you to work from six to seven-thirty, straight-up teaching. Then if you could keep the group dancing from eight to nine or even ten, that would be mighty sweet, doll. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, like we agreed. I’m onstage with my girls on Thursday nights, so a little line dancing might be a fun addition. Of course, just like Last Call, the classes are free to our patrons. I’ll pay you whatever they’re paying you at Last Call, plus add an extra hundred per night for your drive over. Also, in reading over your resumé, I saw that you have some experience in running a dance hall. That was in Cheyenne, right?”

I nodded and grinned. Glad she’d taken notice. “Yes. For three years, I ran Knockin’ Boots. I did that in my early twenties, and it’s also where I first gave free dance lessons. Thought it would add to the place, which it did.”

“Can I ask why you’re not looking for another management job, doll?”

“Not anything like that available around here, at least not in the bar/dance hall world. I don’t want to stray from this world. Tried running other sorts of businesses and thought I might die of boredom. I like the vibe in country dance halls and country bars. Don’t want to work anywhere else. Plus, my plan is to open my own dance studio one of these days.”

“That’s a good plan, sweetheart. Hang onto it. I’m sure you’ll get there.”

“Thanks,” I told her. I felt her confidence in me, and I hadn’t even started working for her yet. I had a feeling she and I would end up being friends rather than just business acquaintances.

“If you’d like, you can stay in one of my cabins on the nights you work for me. I own a whole mess of ‘em. The talent always has a place to stay when they play the Coyote. I don’t like my employees to be out on the road late at night. I’ll still pay you the extra money. I think Sweet Whiskey’s more your kind of town, hon. Cricket’s great, don’t get me wrong, hon, but Sweet Whiskey’s where a cowgirl like you should call home.”

I’d heard about Tammy’s generosity, but I never thought I’d experience it. She had Dolly Parton’s white-blond hair, large breasts, and a ridiculously tiny waist. Today, she wore a white shirt and red stretch jeans that showed off all her womanly curves. Her short, black cowgirl boots added at least three inches to her height, which couldn’t be more than five feet. She looked to be in her mid-fifties and had a smile that could melt even the coldest heart.

And that laugh… well, to say it was infections didn’t do it justice.

“I just may take you up on that kind offer,” I told her, feeling as though I finally landed in the right hometown.

“Good girl.” She reached out and touched my arm, making me feel as though we were already friends. “So, do we have a deal?” Her smile lit up her entire face.

In that moment, I took a breath and reminded myself that this was a business, my business, and I intended to succeed in it, exactly like Tammy had succeeded in hers.

“Make it an extra hundred and fifty, and I’ll stay till closing on Thursdays just to make sure everyone’s pounding those boots on the dance floor, while you and your girls are up on that stage performing.”

Tammy stuck out her hand, and I eagerly took it. We had a deal, thank you very much!

“I’ll email the paperwork over to you tomorrow. If you could sign it and send it back, we’ll be all set. Looking forward to learning a few new dance moves, myself. Should be fun.”

And there it was… my business was finally taking off. Yeah, it was just me right now, teaching line dancing in the only two country dance halls for miles, but it was a start.

That was my dream, anyway, a dream I’d been manifesting ever since I moved over to Cricket, which was a whole other world from Cheyenne.

I’d also been manifesting finding true love… something that had eluded me for most of my adult life. I couldn’t find my one and only cowboy no matter how hard I tried. Something always blew up the relationship, and it usually ended with me in tears, vowing to never date a cowboy ever again.

Of course, that only lasted until I met the next cowboy I was attracted to, which hadn’t happened yet, but I never gave up hope.

This manifesting thing all began when I first met Mickey Finn over in Cheyenne a couple of years ago. I was attracted to him from the moment we met, but he had his heart set on CindyLou Geller, my co-worker back in Cheyenne. She worked behind the bar, while I worked serving what she poured. I wasn’t teaching dancing back then, at least not officially. Yeah, I gave some lessons to a few of the patrons, but nothing on a regular basis.

Long story short, Mickey and CindyLou were now together and even had a kid from that meetup, while I was still searching for my very own Mickey Finn.

To make matters even worse, not only did CindyLou get Mickey, but she landed two other guys as well. As if this area of the country didn’t already have a shortage of men, there were polyamorous groups all over the place.

All I wanted was one guy—one loyal, loving guy who wasn’t a cheater, wasn’t heartbreaker, and who knew how to make money—legally, of course. Was that too much to ask?

But hey, if he were part of a threesome, I wouldn’t turn up my nose at the possibility. Unfortunately, good things like that just didn’t happen to me.

Of course, with all this manifesting I was doing, anything was possible.

That said, I didn’t want any of that right now. Those dreams were for my future and not for this year. This year was all about expanding my business so I would never, ever be caught without an income ever again. When Big Daddy’s Saloon closed down in Cheyenne, I panicked. Fortunately, I had a bit of savings. The ability to teach line dancing saved my ass, and now, I wanted to focus on making money… lots of it, so I’d never be caught in that situation again.

Yee-haw and…

“Hell yeah!” I told Tammy. “Should be a lot of fun.”

I finished my soda water, slipped off the stool, told Tammy goodbye, and started to head out when she stopped me. “Hold on. Not so fast, doll. You haven’t met your partner yet.”

And as if on cue, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Wickedly Lethal walked towards us, like she had just called him up from the back where she kept all the lethally gorgeous cowboys. He wore all black: boots, shirt, tight jeans, and hat. His black hair curled down the back of his neck, peeking over his wide shoulders. I couldn’t see his full face due to the shadowing from his cowboy hat, but he had a dimple in his left cheek that sent my mind spinning on all sorts of wicked thoughts. He couldn’t get any hotter if I’d designed him.

Of course, I reminded myself that he was off limits on all levels except dancing, but my girl parts weren’t listening.

“Partner? What kind of partner?” I asked, trying to understand what she meant. My brain had actually fogged over. And my panties were getting wet just watching him amble towards us.

He had a swagger that I could watch all day. I’d met a lot of cowboys in my life, but none of them ever turned me on like this one. He had to be married, or engaged, or otherwise taken. If he wasn’t any of those things, he had to be new to the area because being that impossibly handsome and single simply didn’t exist in either of these two towns.

“Mindy Miller, I’d like you to meet Dion Minelli, your first client,” Tammy said, once he stopped in front of us.

Just the mention of his name, and my heart sped into overdrive.

She continued, while I merely stared, making sure my jaw wasn’t hanging open. “Occasionally, we have customers who would like a few private lessons, especially if they’re like Dion and don’t want the publicity. As you know, Dion is one of those clients. He’s from Bad Crush. Normally, I’d give him the lessons myself, but ever since we added CindyLou Geller to our Girls With Guitars night, I’ve been way too busy bringing her up to speed to give anyone a private lesson. I was hoping you might have some time right now to give him a quick overview.”

Bad Crush had recorded some of my all-time favorite songs. Dion was the lead singer, while Arlo Farber and Jackson Martinez did harmony and played guitar. Not only did I know their names, but I also knew most of their music. I was a fan… a big fan. Probably too much of a fan to be giving any one of them private lessons in anything.

No telling where those lessons would lead.

I wanted to gush over Dion, but instead, I merely took his hand when he offered and gave it a pump. As soon as I did, I felt intense heat surge through me, and I knew teaching this musical cowboy how to stomp his boots in a dance pattern would be a mental challenge.

“Nice to meet you,” he said, sounding sincere.

“You as well,” I told him. “Big fan of your music.”

I had to admit the basics, or I’d never stand a chance.

“Thanks. We’ll be playing here in the coming weeks. Taking a six-month break from touring. Hope to write some new songs, play the Coyote a few times, and get some much-needed rest. I’m a lousy dancer, so I thought this was a good time to learn. My seventy-four, going on forty-four-year-old grandmother, Sally, is getting married next month, and I’m escorting her down the aisle. My grandfather passed a couple of years ago. I never thought she would pair up with another man, but then she met Sam, our agent’s widowed dad. She had all these plans to expand her ranch and buy more horses. Who knew it would be love at first sight?”

“Love is what happens when you’re busy making plans,” Tammy said with a chuckle. “Always takes you by surprise.”

I was about to correct her on the statement, that it was life is what happens, etc., but the more I thought about it, the more I had to agree with her. Love always messed up your biggest and best plans. Mickey Finn and CindyLou could attest to that, and Sally and Sam, as well.

Me? I was still waiting for love to take over, and so far, it had ignored me, completely.

Thus, my plans for my own dance studio.

“Anyway,” Dion continued. “She expects me to dance that first dance with her, and I can’t disappoint her. She’s planning a real country hoedown, and her only grandson has two left feet and absolutely no rhythm.”

“I doubt that,” I told him, thinking back to his swagger. “Anyone who walks like you do, has to be a natural.”

He chuckled, and I could almost feel the vibrations of his laugh. “Walking and dancing are two different things.”

“Have you ever seen John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever? That opening scene where he’s walking down the street carrying a paint can?”

“No, why?”

“You have his walk.”

“And could he dance?” He grinned, and that dimple of his tore out my heart.

“Oh, hon, you need to watch the movie,” Tammy told him.

Then, in the next moment, as if the Bee Gees god himself had been listening, More Than A Woman flooded the dance hall, and colored lights illuminated the floor.

“They’re playing your song, doll,” Tammy said, grinning.

“But how… what the hell?” I couldn’t believe this was happening. I felt as if I’d been transported into the movie.

Totally surreal.

“Just go with it, sweetheart,” she said, nodding towards the now-illuminated dance floor.

Dion and I stared at each other for a moment. Instinctually, I reached out my hand for his. He hesitated for about a second, then took it. I walked him out to the middle of the dance floor. The whole thing felt surreal. Like we were caught in a moment of time I would never forget.

If I’d known this would happen, I’d have worn my cotton underwear. Much more absorbent.

“I’m lousy at this,” he said, as I twirled around him, then took him in my arms, his muscular body only a heartbeat away from mine.

“It’s easy, and I’m a great teacher,” I told him with a smile as I gazed into his big, brown eyes.

He had to be at least five inches taller than me, but fortunately, I’d worn my best cowgirl boots with the tallest heel.

“I’m depending on you to make me look good, but if I step on your toes, don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.”

God, that smile of his melted my soul. He was pure sex, and I was a sucker for a guy who oozed sex as innocently as a puppy oozed joy.

“Just follow me. I’ll take it slow,” I told him, meaning every word on every level.

“You don’t know how bad I am. I have absolutely no rhythm.”

“You don’t need rhythm. All you need to do is channel that walk of yours… I’ll teach you the rest. You’re going to do great. Trust me.”

“I’m feeling better already,” he said, grinning, and this time, my heart melted. I couldn’t remember when a man had such an immediate effect on me, but this guy was instant heat in a body that could give a girl like me enough daydreams to last a lifetime.

“And you haven’t even had your first lesson yet.”

“Oh, doll, this is a match made in heaven,” Tammy chimed in as she slid off her barstool. “I’ll leave you two to it. Kieran is playing your music and lighting the dance floor for dance magic. Just tell him what you want to hear. I have a feeling you’re both going to love this.”

Then she walked off through a curtain next to the stage, leaving me with Mr. Tall, Dark, Lethal, and oh so dreamy, I could swoon.

“Should we get started?” he asked after I paused a bit too long, just staring at him.

“Um, sure… we could change the music to something a bit more country. One of your hit songs? I can teach you the basic two step, or tush push, or East Coast swing or West Coast swing, or even the Electric Slide? Which would you like to start with?”

“How about we start with a simple waltz? The one that’s playing sounds good.”

The song started over again, and now, I was sure Kieran was some sort of music god, who heard our every word.

Dion slid his hand around my waist and took my hand in his, and I wanted to pull him in so tight, I felt male body parts on my lady parts. Instead, I controlled myself. I merely draped my arm around his muscled shoulder, and in the next moment, I was teaching him the basics of a country waltz.

“Focus on the beat of the song,” I told him. “Get everything else out of your head and only hear the melody. That should be easy for somebody like you who performs on a regular basis.”

“Different animal.”

“Don’t fight it. Music is your essence. Just go with the beat.”

I tapped out the beat on his chiseled chest. Soon, he took my hand in his, and we tapped it out together. He truly knew melody, and being this close to him gave me a shiver I hoped he didn’t feel on my skin.

After a few more moments, I showed him some basic steps and with a little effort, I had him dancing and even twirling me around him. I never had a student learn so quickly. It was magic, just like Tammy had said. We glided around the floor, grinning at each other like this was the best thing either of us had ever experienced.

And hell, if he weren’t the best first-time student I’d ever danced with, of all my students. The man felt the notes deep in his soul. No wonder he was such an amazing musician.

Dion took my breath away, and I couldn’t seem to drop his gaze from mine. And when How Deep Is Your Love, by the Bee Gees filled the room, and the colored lights splashed around the empty dance floor, we took a few more turns and a few more twirls, getting closer and closer to each other after each one.

Then somewhere in the middle of the song, when he dipped me, and I allowed my head to fall back, I knew everything had changed. When he ever-so-slowly pulled me back up, his lips came down on mine, and I knew this man had slid into my melting heart. The kiss consumed me with such a passion, it felt deliciously dirty and shamelessly sinful. His lips were soft, and his tongue gently pressing on mine, sent shockwaves through me. Normally, I might pull away from a kiss this soon but not with this man. I felt as though I already knew him well, as least well enough to let him kiss me like he wanted more.

When we came out of the kiss, we stared at each other for several beats, as if neither of us could believe what had just happened.

Once again, the music changed; You Should Be Dancin’ played, even louder than the other songs had.

I didn’t know what had happened to all the country songs Kieran should have been spinning, but I liked this selection even better.

I moved away from Dion and danced a Cowboy Cha Cha. Dion couldn’t keep up at all, so I merely danced all around him as he watched, clapping, moving his hips, and laughing. I’d always been attracted to him from the first time I saw him perform over in Cheyenne, but this was ridiculous. My entire body seemed lit from within. My temperature was off the charts. The man could get me to do anything, and all he wanted to do was dance.

Oh yeah, I could do that.

It was what I did best… dance.

He took my hands, and we leaned back and twirled around and around. The room buzzed by us. The colors melting in and out of view until we were so dizzy, we fell to the floor in a heap of laughter and exhaustion. I wanted to kiss him again, but this time, I’d want more than just a kiss, and the moment couldn’t be worse for anything other than dancing… which was more than enough.

When we finally caught our breaths again, he said, “Woman, I don’t know what magic spell you laid on me, but if this was our first lesson, I can’t even imagine what our next lesson will be like.”

“Even better!” I told him, then I stood, grabbed my purse off the bar, and headed out with my best-ever strut, leaving him in my dancing dust just as Stayin’ Alive filled the dance hall. “See you next Thursday. Be on time, Cowboy. I don’t like to wait.”

Oh yeah, Kieran was some kind of god, and whether I wanted this right now or not, he’d just fulfilled all my prayers in one big swoop.

My smile was so wide, my cheeks hurt, and baby… this was only the beginning.