Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
Hannah pulled in next to Sheila and jumped out of her Jeep. She’d worn her cowboy boots, a denim skirt that didn’t reach her knees and flowed out when she twirled, and a sleeveless white top with horses embroidered in russet colors on the back. Sheila had assured her when she bought it that it made her “look country.” She’d pulled her hair back in a ponytail so at least part of the design could be seen.
The bar, however, looked more like something from two centuries ago. The wood on the two-story building was weathered to a grayish blue, at least in the fading light. The sign that had once proclaimed it ‘Boots n’ Brew’ with a pair of cowboy boots and two beer glasses, had two letters missing making it ‘Boos n’ Bew,’ perfect for Halloween she supposed, though that wasn’t until next month. The four fake windows on the front boasted five shutters of the eight they should have had, with one still barely hanging on. Obviously, Sheila had exaggerated what a great place it was, though by the full parking lot, many people enjoyed it.
Sheila’s arm linked in hers. “Let’s get this party started.”
Her new friend, who wore a straw cowboy hat, a leather half-top, a pair of jeans with studs down the side seams, and brown cowboy boots, pulled her toward the door. If she’d been in Phoenix, she’d have turned around by now, but this was Four Peaks. At least that’s what she reminded herself when Sheila yanked open the door and the noise of loud conversation and music greeted them.
“This way!” Sheila pulled her along behind a row of tables that surrounded a large square dance floor with people moving on it.
Hannah couldn’t quite see the dancers, so she looked up to find there was a balcony on three sides of the huge square room and a large stage at the back. The balcony appeared big enough to have at least two tables deep on it.
As they made their way through the crowd, Hannah noticed that there were all ages there. Though it was busy, it wasn’t impossible to get through the crowd, as the high bar tables were spaced far enough apart so even if people ignored the stools and stood instead, there was still room to walk in between.
“Let’s grab a table, if there are any left!”
Hannah just nodded, glad she hadn’t come by herself like she’d been tempted to do a couple of weeks back.
“Hey, Hannah!” Ava, from the Lucky Lasso Hotel and Saloon, waved energetically as she was pulled onto the dance floor, probably by her husband.
“Score!” Sheila pulled out a stool at a bar table one row back from the dance floor. “The front tables are always taken first, but this isn’t bad.”
Hannah pulled out another stool and sat, looking around. Where they were was fairly close to the stage, but not so close they couldn’t see the band from their angle. Also, based on where she was sitting, she could easily see the dancers, and she picked out Ava and her husband dancing with the others going around in a circle. She’d bet that was the two-step she’d read about on the internet when Sheila first suggested they go out.
“I’m going to the bar.” Sheila hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “What do you want? First round’s on me and you can take the second.”
She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she was in a bar, so she’d order at least one drink. “I’ll have a rum and Coke.”
“No, you won’t. This place only serves beer. That’s why it’s called Boots n’ Brew.”
“I didn’t realize it meant that literally. Just get me a light beer then. I’m not picky.” Especially because she planned to make it last. Beer wasn’t her favorite, but it would do.
The music played by the live band was definitely the toe-tapping kind, even if she didn’t recognize the song. Besides the wood dance floor, there were large wooden beams that held up the balcony and the walls were wood, too, though in the darkened space with colored lights flashing, the wooden walls looked to be a warm honey brown, and not nearly as dilapidated as the outside.
As she scanned the people around her and on the dance floor, she recognized a few. Mrs. Silva, who owned the ice cream shop, and Mr. Hardy, who ran the hardware store, were both dancing with their partners. It looked like maybe Stacy, the waitress might?—
“Well, look who finally made it to the Brew.” Luke Hayden sidled up next to her, blocking her view of the floor.
She didn’t mind as he was one of those cowboys with dark looks and a deep voice. Definitely a better view. “Hi, Luke. Yes, I finally made it. Sheila suggested we come.”
He leaned his elbow on the table to face her. “I always said Sheila was a smart woman.”
She clamped down on a smile because that wasn’t even close to what Sheila said about him. He could supposedly charm a snake out of its skin and a sheriff into giving him her phone number instead of a ticket. He was also prone to getting in fights, but since she could see no bruises, she could only guess that was Sheila exaggerating again.
“You wanna dance?”
“I don’t know how. I’ve never been to a country bar before.”
His eyes rounded. “Well, it’s about time then. I’ll be happy to show you how to dance.”
She so loved learning new things that she was off her stool in a second, but halted. “I can’t leave. Sheila was very particular about getting this table.”
He scanned the table top before nodding. “As I said, she’s a smart woman. Since you don’t have drinks yet, someone may swoop on in.” He looked around. “I could show you a few steps to one of the easier line dances right here.”
“I’d love that.”
For the next ten minutes she followed Luke’s instruction until Sheila arrived with their drinks.
“Luke Hayden, what are you doing?”
He immediately took his hand from her back and held both up where Sheila could see them. “Just giving a little dance lesson.”
“Dance lesson, my ass. You run along and bother someone else. Hannah’s off-limits to the likes of you.”
“Whatever you say, Shee-la.” He chuckled before leaning in. “I’ll grab you for that dance when they play it.” He quickly spun around and headed onto the dance floor to seamlessly join the crowd line-dancing to a fast song about the Chattahoochee River.
She watched him dance. He was good, and she had to admit, she enjoyed the way all the men moved. There was a confidence about cowboys she found very attractive.
“Don’t be getting mixed up with Luke there. He’s not for you.”
“Relax. I’m just out tonight for some fun. I’m not looking to take a stray home with me.”
Sheila burst out laughing and held up her beer bottle. “Cheers to that, City Girl.”
She clinked her bottle with Sheila before taking a sip, feeling much more comfortable. She gestured toward the dance floor. “How does everyone know how to do these dances? Do they take lessons or something?” She could imagine them teaching line-dancing in the schools in Four Peaks. Everyone was that good.
“Lessons? Not likely. We just go out there and follow everyone else until we figure it out. It’s expected. We don’t have many show-offs here, though there are a few, like him.” She jerked her head up at a cowboy in all black who was spinning around when others were doing kicks. “Thinks he’s better than the rest of us just because his daddy’s a judge. That may be, but he’s a worthless son-of-a-bitch, and I mean that literally. His mama is a damn bitch. Hopefully, you’ll never need to make bail. That woman is the local bail bondswoman and as cold as ice.”
Hannah barely kept from laughing. She was so pleased to learn Four Peaks wasn’t as perfect as it first appeared. Perfect was boring.
A cowboy Hannah recognized stepped up to Sheila. “What do you say to a little two-stepping, Sheila?”
“I say bring it on.” Sheila slid off her stool. “I’ll be right back. I need to show Layne here how it’s done.”
Hannah waved Shelia off and took another sip of her beer. The band had started with an intro, probably to let people know what was next, went into the song, and the dancers began moving around the dance floor.
“Hi, Hannah.”
“Hi, Nash.” She smiled warmly as Nash stepped up to her table.
“Mind if I sit?”
“Not at all.” She couldn’t help looking over his shoulder to see if Brody was with him, but that was silly. They might be best friends, but they weren’t attached at the hip. “How are you? I haven’t seen you since last week at the grocery store. Did you ever find the fiber gummies your aunt wanted?”
He grimaced. “Yeah, I did. Did you find those weird berries you were looking for?”
“No. I substituted blueberries. They were close enough. How are things on the ranch?”
He shrugged. “The same old. Tanner is focused on getting stuff ready for the dude ranch, using the service of the two new ranch hands while Brody, Layne, Ernest, Waylon, and I take care of the cattle. It’s going to be quite the change when that thing opens.”
“You don’t look so sure about it.”
He didn’t answer at first. “I’m not, but I’m a bit old fashioned. It’s the way I was raised. Brody thinks it’s going to be very successful. I just wonder what that change will require of us. I’m much better with cattle than people.”
It was obvious he really did feel that way. She set her hand on his arm. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. You get along with everyone here, right?” She lifted her hand and held it out to the room in general.
“Well, sure. But these people all know me. I grew up with them. You wouldn’t find me within a mile of this place during Pioneer Days, when all the city folk descend on Four Peaks. Not that I mean you. You’re nice.”
Even in the darkness of the bar, she could see the color rise in his face. Did all cowboys blush? No. She couldn’t imagine Luke Hayden blushing.
“Hey, this dance is almost over. You want to dance?”
“I don’t know how, though Luke taught me one line dance. If that’s not the one, I’ll be totally lost.”
“We all have to learn somehow. Why not with me? I can show you the steps, once we hear what song it is.”
“Oh, I’d like that. Everyone looks like they’re having so much fun.”
The song ended then, and some dancers left the floor while others chatted as the band counted down. As the music began to play, Nash’s face lit. “This is a slow dance. You don’t need to know any steps. What do you say?”
Though she’d rather be dancing with Brody, who was home with his family, she did like Nash, so why not? “Sure.”
Nash took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. As he wrapped his other arm around her, she was acutely aware there was no chemistry. Nash would make a great friend. He was a nice guy, just like Brody, but different. No wonder he and Brody were close.
Brody walked into Boots n’ Brew and immediately scanned the tables near the door before making his way to the bar. After ordering a beer, he turned to face the crowd, leaning his back against the stool he stood in front of. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. That was the problem with living in Four Peaks. He looked forward to moving north, or south, where he’d encounter all new people. Even if it was another small town, he wouldn’t mind, because he hadn’t grown up there.
He took a sip of beer and looked for Hannah. She wouldn’t be on the dance floor. He doubted she knew how to dance, though she might have watched videos on the internet. He grinned as he imagined her following the steps in her little casita. The woman was definitely excited about learning, always satisfying her curiosity through research. His gaze swept over a tall, broad man in a white hat heading for the bar. It was Wyatt Ford from Cave Creek. He hadn’t seen him in a couple of years. “Wyatt Ford.”
Wyatt stopped in his tracks and stared at him a moment before he gave him a big smile. “Brody Dunn.”
They gave each other a quick hug before he made a production of looking Wyatt up and down. “You’ve changed, but I can’t figure out how.”
Wyatt held up his left hand, which had a gold band on his ring finger. “I got married.”
Though it made sense since Wyatt was supposed to take over his grandfather’s ranch, it was still a surprise. “Last I knew you were talking up your neighbor and living the good life over on High Mountain Ranch.”
Wyatt’s smile disappeared. “Not any more. Grandpa died and never changed his will. I went with the last horses over to Last Chance Ranch, since it was the only place I could trust to care for them correctly, and while I was there, I met Alyssa Parker, a teacher in Canterbury. I’m in charge of Last Chance now. It’s a horse rescue ranch. You wouldn’t believe what idiots own horses. Alyssa and I are living on her father’s place with a couple of our own horses. It’s the sweet life.”
“Wow. That’s a lot. I need to buy you a beer.” He turned and waved down the bartender, quickly snagging a bottle for his old friend. It helped to leave big tips when living in a small town. It guaranteed fast service.
“Thanks.” Wyatt took a swig.
“I’m sorry about losing High Mountain Ranch. That had to have been a blow.” He couldn’t imagine losing the Rocky Road. It may not be where he wanted to spend the rest of his life, but he liked the idea of being able to go home when he wanted…if he could manage to get away.
Wyatt nodded as he wiped condensation from his beer with his thumb. “It was a shock that I didn’t handle well, but I’m in a good place now. I just left Cave Creek, where I took Alyssa to show her my old hangouts. After seeing the development going up where High Mountain used to be, I decided we should stay the night at the Lucky Lasso, so I could show her where I went for fun when I didn’t want my grandfather to know where I was.”
Brody laughed. “If I remember correctly, you didn’t always make it home.”
“Yeah, well. Getting out from under the old man’s watchful eye was always a plus, and the longer it lasted, the better. What about you? Last I knew, you were getting your pilot’s license.”
He filled Wyatt in on his various forays into other fields, but refrained from explaining his itch to attend the wildlife manager training in January. He didn’t want to jinx it. He took another swallow of beer and lifted his bottle toward Wyatt. “How are those two sisters of yours? The same, or have things gotten better?”
“Both. Shaine, the bossy one, is having success in some sport. She’s been making good money, or so she says. Madison is harder to keep up with. I’ll suddenly get a call and she’s in the Yukon, but her last e-mail was from down in Beliz. She seems to be trying her hand at all different professions, kind of like you.”
“Hey, they say variety is the spice of life.”
“Right. I better get another beer and get back to Alyssa, or she’s going to think I forgot this is just a trip down memory lane.”
“I gotcha.” Brody waved his hand and had two beers for Wyatt in no time. “Where you parked?”
Wyatt grinned as he hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “My usual spot, first pole on the right.”
“I’ll come by. I’ve got to meet the woman that’s willing to put up with you.”
Wyatt’s grin melted into a smile. “She special. There’s nothing like finding that person who gets you. Thanks.” Wyatt lifted the beers and made his way back to his old spot.
Brody took another sip of beer. With High Mountain Ranch closed, that meant the Rocky Road might be able to pick up some of the old ranch’s business. He’d have to remember to tell Tanner.
So Wyatt was settling down into a whole new life, while he felt as if he hadn’t started his yet. Then again, Wyatt was a few years older than he was. Where would he be three years from now? Hopefully, he’d be enjoying his career somewhere up north, or even down south. He really had no desire to own his own ranch, but he wouldn’t mind a house.
He watched the dancers on the floor as he imagined what his house would look like. Just as he had the perfect image in his head, he recognized Hannah’s cheek resting on a cowboy’s shoulder.
Fucking-A, who was that? Anger churned in his gut as the couple turned away from him. He set his beer down on the bar and strode forward. He didn’t give a shit who it was, he was cutting in. Walking through the other dancers, everyone he knew, he fixated on the cowboy’s white shirt with the embroidered cacti. He knew that shirt from somewhere, but he couldn’t concentrate, needing to get Hannah away from whoever it was.
He tapped the man on the shoulder who stopped and looked at him.
“Nash.”
“Brody? I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”
Suddenly, feeling awkward, he shrugged. “It was a last-minute decision. Hi, Hannah. Nash, you mind if I cut in?”
His friend looked at him oddly. “Sure. The dance is almost over anyway.”
As Nash stepped away, he took Hannah in his arms and everything felt right.
“Well, that wasn’t very nice.”
At her statement, his contentment evaporated. “What? People cut in on others all the time.”
“First of all, he’s your best friend, and second of all, we could have waited to dance later. I thought you were at the ranch tonight.”
Shit, now he felt like a heel. How was he going to explain this to Nash? “I was, but when you said you were coming here, I thought, why not?” He gave her a half smile, but she didn’t seem appeased.
Then the song ended on him.
“Thanks for the short dance.” She slipped from his arms and made her way to the side of the dance floor.
As the intro of the next song started, dancers filled the floor and he moved off it. He didn’t know whom he should talk to first, Hannah or Nash.
A tap on his shoulder solved his problem.
“What the hell was that? Are you jealous or something?” Easy-going Nash looked ready to pound him into the ground. “It was just a dance she knew how to do. What’s up with you?”
Shit, now he felt even worse. “Sorry. I didn’t know it was you. She said she was coming here and when I noticed her, I thought it would be a great opportunity to talk to her, you know, when she’s more relaxed. That’s the best time to persuade someone.”
“You’ve got to be shittin’ me. You expect to charm her to your cause on the dance floor? Hell, Brody, when did you get so selfish?”
Before he could respond, Nash walked off toward the bar.
He rubbed the back of his neck, not sure how he’d screwed up so royally. The fact was, the last thing on his mind was persuading Miss Kingsley to sell her place. He’d just seen red at her being in someone else’s arms. He really liked holding her in his…like he had earlier in the day when they kissed. Yeah, he kissed her, but she seemed to enjoy it.
“You better get your fanny over there and explain yourself, Dunn.”
He whirled around at the sound of Sheila Langley’s voice. “What?”
She pointed to the left side of the room. “Second row back, third from the stage. Right now she thinks you’re the worst kind of friend.”
Without thinking, he gave Sheila a nod and headed for Hannah. He had no idea what he was going to say, but anything was better than her thinking him disloyal to Nash. Even the truth, whatever that was.
As he approached, she was peeling the label off her beer in tiny strips, making a small pile of paper spaghetti. “I’m back.”
She looked up at him, then went back to peeling her label. “So I see.”
“I didn’t know it was Nash.” His mother always told him to tell the truth. He just hoped it worked.
She still didn’t look at him. “So just because you didn’t know it was your best friend, it’s okay to interrupt my dance when it’s almost over? It just so happens it was my first time on the dance floor and I was having fun.” She punctuated the final word so much, he cringed.
“I’m sorry. I saw you there in the arms of some man and I just…”
Her head lifted and her gaze held his own. “You just what?”
“I just wanted you to be in my arms.” He looked away, not even sure what had happened or why he said that. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“You were feeling?”
At her question, he looked at her. “Yeah. I was feeling…” Betrayed, angry, possessive. None of which made sense. “I was feeling like I wanted to hold you and kiss you again. I couldn’t think.”
She cupped his cheek. “Then I guess I can forgive you because I like you, too.”
His chest tightened as realization dawned. How stupid could he be that he didn’t even see how much he liked her. He’d been so busy trying to show why living in Four Peaks was not for her that he hadn’t seen it. How could he be so blind? “I think I need a drink. Can I get you something?”
She gave him a crooked smile. “No, I’m good.”
He walked toward the bar not seeing anyone, still trying to come to terms with the fact he liked his neighbor. What did that mean? It could complicate things immensely, especially since she said she liked him as well. When had everything gone sideways on him?
Making it to the bar, he ordered two beers and looked around for Nash. Spotting him on the dance floor, he waited this time until the song ended, then strode forward to intercept him. “Here.”
“What’s this?” Nash took the bottle.
“It’s my apology offering. I was an ass, and I just found out why.”
Nash eyed him skeptically. “Because you’re so selfish you can’t let anyone else enjoy their time?”
He cringed, but was determined to make things right. “That and I didn’t realize how much I like Hannah. I just saw her in the arms of someone—I couldn’t see it was you—and I needed to get to her.”
“You were jealous?” Nash’s eyes widened. “You’re never jealous.” His friend studied him, making him very uncomfortable. “You may have bigger problems than my forgiveness, Brody. Thanks for the beer.” Nash lifted the bottle in the air in salute before cracking a smile and strolling away.
Nash was right. It complicated things. He needed her to sell, but he also cared too much for her now. Things could get unwieldy. At least he and Nash were good. Now to figure things out with Hannah.
When he got to her table, she wasn’t there, but Sheila was.
“Now, I know you’re not looking for me.”
“I always said you were sharp.”
“Really? Funny, I never said that about you.”
“Thanks.” He set his bottle down on the table. “Where’d Hannah go? Ladies’ room?” Since the song playing was a line dance, and he was sure she didn’t know any, that had to be where she’d gone, unless she had left thanks to his idiocy.
“She’s out on the dance floor with Luke.”
His whole body tensed, because while Sheila might give him shit about being a player, Luke actually was. He was no good for Hannah.
Sheila’s hand clamped down on his arm. “Don’t do it.”
“Do what?” He was going out on that dance floor to protect Hannah.
“Don’t make a fool of yourself twice in one night. First, Luke is your sister-in-law’s brother, and whatever you’re thinking of doing will not go down well with your family. Second, Luke is always looking for a fight, and even if you get into one, you’ll look like an idiot in Hannah’s eyes, and third?—
Friends of Sheila’s tapped her on the shoulder and waved as they walked by.
He barely kept himself at the table, having already stood, notwithstanding any of Sheila’s warnings. “And third?”
Sheila turned back to peer at him. “And third, she’d just finished telling me about a man she dated once who was jealous like you, but took it too far and she had to dump him.”
He forced himself back onto the stool, the last reason holding more weight than any of the others.
“Smart decision.” Sheila nodded, then looked past him.
He turned his head and found Hannah. She was dancing between Luke and Layne. He gritted his teeth and waited for the song to end. Luke walked her back toward them, his hand on her back, making Brody’s jaw ache.
“That was so much fun!” Hannah greeted him with a kiss on the cheek in front of Luke.
That the man noticed was clear in his frown. “If you need any more dance lessons, I’ll be happy to oblige.”
Hannah laughed. “I’m good. Thank you.” She slid onto her stool.
“So you’re learning to line dance.” He decided on a neutral topic, still feeling the effects of being claimed by her.
“I think you’ll have to teach me more of these dances. I can see now why people come here.”
He smiled. “If you want, I could teach you a few and we could come back next weekend.”
“Would you? That would be perfect.” She took his hand from his knee and squeezed. “Do you think I could learn to two-step?”
Feeling lighter than air, he nodded. “I know you can, and I’d be happy to teach you.” He tugged on her hand and she slipped off her stool to stand next to him.
“Did you need something?”
He slipped his other arm around her and pulled her between his knees. “I need a kiss.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “Oh, I know how to do that.”
The second her lips touched his, his desire ignited, but he forced himself to keep it light, since they were in a bar. He didn’t want her to get a reputation. But when her tongue slipped between his lips, it was everything he could do to stay controlled.
“Oh, get a room, will you?”
At Sheila’s comment, he broke it off, happy for once at her brash ways.
Hannah laughed as she pulled her arms from around his neck and returned to her seat. Then she looked at Sheila and grinned. “Jealous?”
“Damn right. Now, where is that hunky cowboy I danced with earlier.”
As Sheila slipped from her chair and left them alone, another slow dance started. He gave Hannah a sheepish smile. “Would you dance with me?”
“Of course, but if Nash cuts in, you have to be gracious.”
“I promise.” Standing, he took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. As she came into his arms, his riotous emotions seemed to settle down. He didn’t care why. All that mattered was that Hannah chose him.