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

Mindy 12

When Sally’s wedding finally rolled around, I was more than ready for it. As a matter of fact, Dirty Coyote was more than ready for it. The place hummed with activity as the rest of the staff and I waited for everyone to arrive. Tammy and Jimmy had attended the wedding, so all the final plans and details inside Dirty Coyote were left up to Jackson and me. We’d gotten here at nine this morning to make sure there were no surprise hiccups, and so far, we were a well-oiled team.

I’d come to expect nothing less.

The private room was set with large round tables with soft-pink tablecloths. The centerpiece on each table was a large, white swan basket filled with a colorful mixture of flowers. Polished flatware and glassware had been set up for ten on each table. Even the chairs were draped with a blush pink fabric. Strings of lights cascaded from the ceiling, and the main wedding party table was covered in rose petals, battery-powered candles, and swan baskets to make any bride melt when she saw how lovely everything had turned out.

Dirty Coyote would be closed for the night while the reception, which had gone up to over three hundred people, had taken over the private side room and eventually, the main dance hall.

“The wedding party is on their way,” Jackson said, as he walked up behind me. “Are we ready?”

It was now four in the afternoon, and dinner would be served at five and would take at least two hours. The Austin Sentry Band would be up on the stage at seven fifteen, and Dion would be dancing with his grandmother by seven thirty. That was if everything went according to plan, which so far, barring any unforeseen catastrophes, I had every confidence that it would.

“Absolutely,” I told him, right before I brushed my lips over his for a sweet kiss. Dion and Arlo had, of course, attended the ceremony, while Jackson and I did our jobs and did them well, I might add.

So far, aside from the sound system deciding to glitch, which Jackson and Kieran knew exactly how to fix with the right part that Kieran jumped on over to Cricket to buy, and the scallops were never delivered for one of the appetizers, everything else had gone swimmingly. “I was able to get fresh scallops from Mary’s Bistro over in Sonoma, so Daniel is happy he didn’t have to change his appetizer. And all the rest of the wine arrived from Jacuzzi Winery about an hour ago, despite the last-minute order. We’re ready to rock… or rather… we’re ready to country this shindig into the stratosphere.”

He pulled me in tight. His massive, muscled body pressing against mine felt like home now. I had fallen in love with Jackson over the past few weeks. “We make a good team.”

“We make an exceptional team,” I corrected.

Not only had I fallen in love with Jackson, but I’d fallen in love with Dion and Arlo as well. Thing was, I hadn’t told them yet. Not really. I’d hinted at it but saying the words hadn’t quite happened yet. I didn’t know why… scared, more than likely.

“I like the way you think,” he mumbled right before he crushed his lips on mine.

“I like the way you kiss me,” I told him once we pulled out of the kiss, and I gazed up into his beautiful green eyes.

“Don’t say that too loud; Dion and Arlo might get jealous,” he teased.

“They’re not here.”

“Who’s not here?” Arlo said from somewhere close.

Jackson and I moved apart, as I asked, “The wedding party… but I see I spoke too soon. Are you the first?”

“Yeah. I drove myself. Everyone else in the wedding party is in a couple of limos. The guests should be arriving any minute, as well.” He looked gorgeous dressed in a light-gray tux, white shirt, and blush pink tie. He was one of the groomsmen. Jackson could have been one as well, but he backed out. He wanted to focus on the venue instead, so one of Dion’s younger brothers stepped up to the plate, instead. I brushed a kiss on Dion’s lips, and our hug calmed my nerves. Dion had a way of making everything seem magical… even this wedding.

“Here we go,” Jackson said, loud enough so everyone in the room heard him.

And in the next few minutes, the beautiful bride and her entourage walked through the front doors, followed by the rest of the wedding party and the many guests who formed a line to wish the bride and groom all the best. Dion’s grandmother looked positively radiant wearing a cream-colored lacy dress, with a large blush-pink satin belt that tied at the side and draped down to just below her knees. Her short silver hair surrounded her lovely face, causing her to look as if she should be on the cover of a bride’s magazine. That look on her face was ageless and timeless. She made the classic, beautiful bride who was totally in love with her new handsome husband.

Just stunning.

And each and every time she gazed over at her new hubby, Sam, her entire face lit up like a kid walking into a massive toy store. Sam beamed right back at her. I didn’t think I ever saw a happier, more in love bride and groom.

That was what I wanted for my wedding day… if I ever had one. Now that I was living with three amazing men, I didn’t see how I could ever have a wedding day… at least not one like this. Of course, I had no idea if any of these polyamorous couples had exchanged vows with each other. Not official vows, but at least ones made to each other. It was a question for that Friday Lunch Group. I really needed to make the time to go. At least I kept telling myself I would, but somehow, I’d already missed the first opportunity. Would I grab hold of the next one?

Now that I had an actual question, maybe I’d screw up the courage and go. That was my hope, anyway.

Still, no matter what Emma and the other women said about a commitment, I wouldn’t trade my guys for a “normal” relationship, for anything. I hadn’t felt this much love in a relationship… well… ever. Thing was, now that I’d taken up residency in this part of the country, I had no idea what constituted “normal” anymore, and I liked it that way… more than I ever thought possible.

For the next couple of hours, Dirty Coyote’s expert staff served dinner, all dressed in black and white, wearing their best country boots. No real hiccups during dinner. The kitchen handled it better than most, and the waitstaff were on top of every special request. I’d never seen a better run wedding dinner.

Speeches were made, and laughter raced through the massive room, while classic country music softly accompanied the shared joy. Kieran kept the music low and sexy as everyone enjoyed their five-course meal. Daniel had taken special orders for gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, and everything else in between. Even the meat eaters were happy with their organic filet mignon shipped in special from a ranch in Wyoming. I never really sat down, nor did I get a chance to visit with anyone. I kept expecting little fires that would need to be put out, but they never happened. I wanted to give Jimmy and Tammy a night to relax… which they did… so I was extra cautious about taking any time for myself. I could tell Jackson played the same speed. He never stood and chatted with anyone for more than a couple of minutes. We were like well-oiled partners who completely complemented each other. Every time I caught his glance, we would nod and grin, as if we shared a secret to keeping all the balls in the air, but we didn’t have a secret. We just worked well together, and I loved it.

Each time I glanced over at Tammy or Jimmy, they wore big smiles and were either talking up one of their many stories or listening to someone else fill their ears with stories that brought a round of laughter.

I could tell that Jimmy and Tammy were soaking it up and letting the evening wash over them with love and joy.

It made my heart happy. They were two of my most favorite people in the entire world and deserved all the good stuff in their lives. If I could give them some of that good, it would make me happy as well.

By the time I finally took a seat at one of the tables to scarf down a plate of perfectly seared wild salmon and petite roasted veggies, on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, I heard the Austin Sentry Band warming up in the next room. Austin Sentry had settled in Sweet Whiskey and was a regular feature at Dirty Coyote. They toured for part of the year but always preferred being home, here in Sweet Whiskey. Liberty Gallagher played a mean fiddle, while the guys played guitar and sang. They were one of the polygamous groups in the area. Each of the guys had a kid, and there were rumors flying that Liberty was pregnant. I couldn’t even imagine what their home life was like, but they handled their chosen lifestyle with grace and love.

“Everything is perfect, doll,” Tammy said as she took the empty seat next to me at the table. “I couldn’t have done it better myself, and that tells you a lot.”

The guests were already moving over to the main dance floor, and we were right on time. We’d set up more tables for the guests and the bridal party out near the main dance floor. Colt and Scotty, our two best bartenders, worked at the main bar tonight. All drinks were free courtesy of the bride and groom.

“Thanks,” I told her. “But I couldn’t fail. I had a great teacher.” I took a big bite of some of the best salmon I’d ever tasted, moist and tender.

“You’re not understanding, sweetheart… everything is beyond perfect! I don’t think I could’ve done a better job. You and Jackson are gifts from heaven, and our baby couldn’t be in better hands. Thank you, doll!” Then she patted her heart with her hand, like she truly meant it.

I swallowed, then washed it down with a few sips of Prosecco. I normally didn’t take compliments well, but this one truly went right to my heart and made me a bit emotional. “You’re welcome, but we just did what you taught us. Plus, your team is top notch, just like you said. They’re incredible!”

Her eyes welled up, and I didn’t know how to handle the emotions spilling over from us. “I was scared to leave the place. Scared everything we’d worked so hard for would fall apart, but I knew Jimmy needed the break. Now, after seeing what you and Jackson can do, I’m not scared at all. I’m finally looking forward to the break. Jimmy and I have been working our entire adult life. It’s time we took some time off. I just hope it’s not too late for my Jimmy. That man is my everything. Always has been ever since I first laid eyes on that ornery rascal. Love at first sight and all that stuff. We got married as soon as we could and never for one minute questioned it. We were lucky. Most folks never find that kind of love, and even when they do, they sometimes get scared and find an excuse to walk away. Do me a favor, doll. Never, ever walk away from love. Instead, run right into its glow and tell everybody else to go to hell.”

“Everybody?”

“Well, maybe not everybody, but anybody who questions your decisions, or your lifestyle, no matter what the hell that looks like… just look ‘em straight in the eye and tell them you’re not interested in their narrow-minded opinions. Promise me, doll or I won’t be able to walk away from here with a clear conscience.”

Tammy sounded as if she already knew I was in a relationship with more than one man. I never came out and told her, or anybody, but Tammy always knows everything that goes on at her dance hall.

“I promise, Tammy. I’ll tell them to go straight to hell.”

I chuckled then and pulled my emotions back in check, while Tammy still sniffled.

I handed her a napkin, and she dabbed at her eyes. Tammy liked heavy makeup, especially around her eyes, so wiping tears away was simply out of the question. A little dab at the corners was acceptable but nothing more.

I took another big bite of my delicious salmon, while she composed herself… thank goodness!

And just then, I heard Austin Sentry, the lead singer, announce that it was time for the first dance.

“I think you’re on, doll!” Tammy said in a clear voice.

I took one more bite, wiped my mouth on my napkin, drank down the rest of my bubbly wine, hugged Tammy, and took off for the main room. I now wore a soft-pink cocktail dress and matching short cowgirl boots. It had been a challenge to find the matching boots, but with a little help from Tammy, who knew her way around the best boot stores, she hooked me up with exactly what I needed.

I’d curled my hair a bit, pulled it up on one side, and fastened it with a small comb and a white rose from one of the many bouquets of flowers around the room. I looked the part of wedding planner tonight and not a dance instructor. Plus, my dress fit into the bride’s colors. Something I’d done on purpose, including the boots. Most all the guests wore their best boots, no matter how they were dressed. This little shindig took place in a country dance hall, not a fancy hotel. We were all about the down-home, which was very important to Sam and Sally and their many friends.

My whole body shook from nerves as I walked into the next room. Yes, I’d given Dion and the guys several more private lessons at home, and they were all ready for this, but damn, I couldn’t shake the apprehension I had for Dion. He really wanted this to go well, and although I’d told him over and over that he was ready, I hadn’t been able to talk to him all day. At least not about this. The kiss we’d shared earlier had eased my nerves, but I wasn’t sure it had eased his.

Hell, I hadn’t even met his family yet. Although, we hadn’t actually decided if now would be the time to spring it on them that we were all in a relationship together. From what I’d seen so far, they seemed like nice people, but that didn’t mean they would accept our… arrangement.

Of course, I could always tell them to go to hell, per my promise to Tammy, but I didn’t think that promise applied to Dion’s family, at least I hoped it didn’t.

Despite my nerves, I’d somehow managed to make my way past the many tables set up in the main room and was coming up on Dion when Austin made his announcement from up on stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get this party started!”

Wickedly handsome and dressed in his usual black attire, Austin Sentry stood next to Liberty Gallagher, with her white-blond hair and curvy figure, as she held onto her fiddle and bow. She played a mean fiddle that could make you cry with just one swipe of that bow over those strings; she was that good. Boone and Kasey filled out the rest of the band on guitar. They were equally as good looking and set women on fire with not only their deep voices, but with an occasional smile when they sang.

Hoots, whistles, and yee-haws filled the room, and I knew this would be a true wedding hoe-down! I could already hear all the boots knockin’ on the dance floor.

I walked up to Dion and whispered, “You’ve got this, babe.” I took his hand in mine for a moment, and, at once, I felt the tension.

He immediately turned to me. “You think so? I’m not so sure. My gram is a great dancer, and I…”

“… was taught by me. I’m magic, remember? You’re going to blow her mind, babe,” I told him, squeezing his hand tighter. “Relax and just go with the beat. Easy.”

“I wish I were dancing with you. That would be easy. But my gram… she’s tough.”

I smiled up at him, brushed my hand over his cheek, and reminded him that his grandmother loved him. “Sally’s heart is so full today, no matter what happens out on that dance floor, you’re her hero. Now go show her how happy you are that she found love. It’s what truly matters on a day like today. It’s all about the love.”

“Absolutely, and I love you, Mindy Miller. Don’t ever forget it. I know it’s too soon, but that’s what I feel. It has nothing to do with time. It has to do with how we connect, and I connect with you like we were made for each other.”

I stared at him for a moment before my eyes welled up, and the waterworks started. “You’re gonna tell me this now?” I wiped the corners of my eyes.

“Seems like the right time. Magic, remember?” Then he leaned over and brushed his lips over mine, and a bolt of heat swept through my body. I grinned at him and tugged his hand with mine.

“I love you, too. Been in love with you ever since our first dance.” More tears, but this time, he dabbed them away with his hankie. My grin grew each time he touched my cheek. “Now, go knock some boots with your gram. She’s waiting for you.”

The thing about the moment was, I didn’t care one lick who saw us. We were in love. Nothing and no one else mattered.

He twirled me around, then put me down as Austin made another announcement. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Sam Broadsmith and Mrs. Sally Minelli-Broadsmith.”

Sally and Sam walked out on the dance floor, holding hands as everyone applauded their entrance.

“The song we’re about to play was written by Dion Minelli especially for this moment. We are honored to be the first to play it here for you, Sam and for you, Sally. It’s called Loving You.”

My heart instantly squeezed. I already knew this would be Dion’s song, but I hadn’t heard it yet, none of us had. Dion had kept it a secret.

Liberty, who didn’t even try to cover up her prominent baby bump, played the intro. The lovely melody that resonated from her fiddle tore at my heart. Then when Austin began to sing the lyrics, tears flooded my eyes and spilled down my cheeks.

Loving you is my destiny.

Loving you is why I breath.

I never thought it could be like this.

Yet here we are, you and me… loving you… loving me.

The loving couple danced for a few beats of the song until Dion cut in to dance with his gram, and Sam’s oldest granddaughter Audrey, a lovely twenty-something girl who flew in from London to attend her grandfather’s wedding, took Sam in her arms. The fact that she came in all the way from London to be with her grandfather was a testament to Sam’s big heart.

With the first few steps, I knew Dion had this. He didn’t hesitate once. He guided Sally around the floor, looking as if he’d been dancing like this for his entire life.

“You did it,” Arlo said, as he came up next to me on my left. “They look great out there.”

“Magic,” Jackson said, coming up on my right.

“And that song… “

“He wrote it all on his own, melody and lyrics,” Arlo said. “The guy is more talented than he likes to admit.”

I couldn’t help the tears that kept rolling down my cheeks. Once I allowed myself to cry, I couldn’t stop it. It was as if somebody opened a spigot and broke off the handle. “Just beautiful! Look how confident he is with her.”

“That’s all your work, baby girl,” Arlo said, brushing a kiss on my cheek. “You know how much I love you, right?”

I gazed up at him. “I do now. I love you, too.” I took his hand in mine, and he ran his thumb over the top of my hand, sending shivers down my spine.

“This entire night is all your work,” Jackson added. “You’re amazing, Mindy Miller. I’m in love with you, as well, baby. Don’t want to hold it inside anymore, and I don’t care who knows. We’re the luckiest guys on the planet.”

“I love you both so much,” I said, between silent sobs.

Oh yeah, massive water works.

AS IT TURNED out, Dion never did have to explain anything to his family. They were too busy dancing and having a great time to care what Dion was up to, or who he was kissing, which suited me just fine.

I met his brothers and parents with hugs all around. Nothing came up about us being in a relationship, so Dion didn’t push it. We’d cross that bridge sometime in the future when the time was right. We were in the early stages of our relationship right now, and none of us wanted to do anything that might jeopardize our moving forward. Now that we’d all stated our love for one another, we would absolutely be moving happily and lovingly forward.

The Austin Sentry Band only played one set and after that, Kieran took over the music. He even came down from his perch and introduced each song from onstage. He had a whole sound system console table going on that he could hide behind. However, Kieran didn’t do much hiding tonight. Instead, he got out there and danced with just about anyone who would dance with him, and that included every single woman in the bridal party. It seemed that once-shy Kieran mingled with folks, there was no putting that genie back in his bottle. He was as charming as an inspirational speaker and as good looking, with his thick, black hair, muscled body, and baby blues, as any cover model, and danced as good as I could.

Which shocked me.

Thing was, he had to be in his mid-to-late thirties, and as I watched him throughout the night, I wondered what his story might be. Seemed as though a guy like Kieran should already be spoken for, but I had no indication that was the case. Still, he kept dancing with Audrey, and the way she kept gazing at him… well… I wouldn’t be surprised if she hung around for a bit longer than she’d planned.

We were coming down to the end of the night, when Miranda Lambert’s Tequila Does, the latest mix, filled the room. The tune was perfect for the line dance I’d taught the guys. Without my having to say or do much, they were lined up next to me, along with most of the guests that were still there. I decided to give a quick lesson. Kieran stopped the music and I gave everyone the basics and within fifteen minutes, Kieran blasted the song one more time.

This time, magic happened.

The noise factor from all our boots hitting the floor at once gave me such pleasure to hear that goosebumps covered my arms each time the heel of my boots hit the floor. Hell, even the bride and groom joined in. Soon we had at least fifteen lines of folks all dancing, laughing, clapping, and singing along with Miranda. When the song wound down to the end, Kieran started it all over again.

“One more time,” he said right before he jumped down off the stage to join us. His eyes lit on Audrey, and he went right for her in the line. She seemed to love the attention and couldn’t stop grinning at him.

Insta-love?

Could be…

Even Dion’s brothers and his parents joined us on the floor, along with Tammy and Jimmy, who looked as though he was feeling much better. Not everyone did the right steps, but everyone had a great time trying! What struck me as truly adorable was the fact that all three of my guys kept up, and other folks followed along with them. They were now the experts, which made the dance even more fun for me.

As soon as the songs ended, Kieran announced that it was time for garters and bouquets.

I decided I didn’t want to participate, so I took a seat behind the group of single women all waiting for Sally to make the toss.

Kieran provided a drumroll.

The women yelled out to Sally, “Over here!”

“Toss it my way, Sally.”

“I’m on the left.”

“This is mine.”

And in the next moments, the bouquet went airborne, and I swear it flipped in slow motion and without any hesitation, as if Sally had purposely tossed it with intention, and the damn thing landed right in my lap.

I stared down at it for a moment, like a meteor from outer space had just hit me. It couldn’t be true. There must be some kind of mistake, but when I heard all the cheers, whistles, and applause, I knew the universe had sent me a message, and it came in the form of a bridal bouquet.

What the fuck?

And to make matters worse, the garter landed on the floor between Jackson, Dion, and Arlo as they stood off to the side, chatting.

What the actual fuck?

None of them would touch it until Sam came over, picked it up, and shoved it into Jackson’s pocket when they each refused to claim it.

Of course, the photographer wanted a picture of the two of us, but Sam insisted it be all three guys.

Sam always got his way.

“That’s the picture of the night,” he said, chuckling.

“Did you plan this?” Dion asked him.

“It was fate. Pure and simple,” he said, still chuckling. His eyes sparkling with mischief.

Soon after that, everyone sent the bride and groom off with love and hugs. As soon as they disappeared, fatigue hit me like some sort of rolling boulder that wanted to smash me into the earth.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired,” I told Dion as we all walked out of Dirty Coyote together. The two bartenders would close tonight, and most of the staff would stay to clean up. They already knew the protocol. Knowing I’d be too tired to even think, much less close down the place, I’d set it up this way days before.

“You did it,” Dion said. “You pulled it off like you’d been doing this for years!”

“Sally couldn’t say enough good things about you and Jackson,” Arlo said. “She loved everything about her reception.”

“Jackson worked hard as well,” I told them.

“Not like you did,” he countered. “My part was easy. Music. Your part was everything else.”

“Then my work here is done… at least for tonight, and I have tomorrow off to recover,” I said as I made my way to Dion’s SUV. I had no intention of driving, as we walked right by my pickup. Besides, I had way too much wine.

“Ya think?” Arlo asked as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

“We all had too much wine,” Dion said. “But it didn’t stop me from sharing a beautiful moment with my grandmother. And I have you to thank for that, Mindy. Did I happen to mention how much I love you?”

“You did,” I told him, then kissed him like I meant it. “And I love you.”

“I fucking love everything about you,” he whispered, as he cupped the side of my face with his hand. His touch always sent tingles down my body, and even though fatigue had threatened to take me down, just being in the company of my big, strong men gave me the surge of adrenalin.

I finally realized what was happening, right there in the parking lot of Dirty Coyote. Right there under a moonlit summer sky, while folks walked past us, grinning. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t dismiss the fire raging through me.

I could barely breathe.

I didn’t know why it suddenly hit me even harder than it had before. Maybe because I realized just how much he meant what he said, and it stunned me. I’d never known this kind of love before.

“I love you, too,” Arlo said, wrapping his arm around me even tighter. “Truly.”

“Wait. What?” I didn’t know what was happening or why, but for some reason, the guys wanted to share I love yous out in a parking lot. Like it hadn’t been enough to tell me during the reception. They had to tell me again… right here and right now.

Who did that?

“I’m in love with you,” Jackson said, as he stepped in front of me, then turned to face me. “You’ve changed my life in so many ways, I’ve lost count. I know I already told you once tonight, but I can’t help it. I love you so much, I have to tell you again and again and well, again.”

“We all are,” Dion said. “Maybe it’s the wedding or all the fun we had tonight, but, well, I fucking love you, and when you’re in love, everything else is irrelevant.”

We reached our car, and I knew I had to respond to them before we piled in.

“I only have one thing to say.” I saw the apprehension growing on their faces as tears welled up in my eyes once again, and my stomach trembled.

“And what’s that?” Jackson asked, looking like he expected the worst.

“What took y’all so long? I’ve been in love with you, each of you, ever since we first met. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’m the luckiest girl in the world because y’all love me.”

And with that, I kissed each of my guys, knowing this was the beginning of a magical, wow kind of life that I could never in my wildest dreams have planned. To quote one of my all-time favorite people… love is what happens when you’re busy making plans.

No truer words were ever spoken.

With that thought, we all climbed into the SUV, and as I snuggled up against Jackson in the backseat, I said, “Let’s go home and make love.”

“Anything you want,” Jackson whispered in a low, sexy voice. “Anything at all.”

Then he kissed me and I knew this was exactly where I was meant to be. I’d open my dance studio at some point, but for now, not only did I have the coolest job ever, but I was hopelessly in love with three beautiful men, and even more amazing… they loved me back.

At this very moment, I had everything I ever wanted… even though I’d never planned for any of it.

Love is what happens…