Chapter 37 Reese
Mason, Lin and I pile into the truck and head to The Raven after leaving all the youngin’s with their parents for the night. Colt’s in Mason’s trailer, and Jarrett’s in mine.
We weren’t making that mistake twice. The Rowdy Raven’s packed tonight, country music blasts through the speakers around the wooden dance floor, and line dancing’s already started.
People hoot and holler as bodies move and skin starts flashing. Mason joins in, pumped after tonight’s qualifier. We’ll get assignments soon, per category, and then we’ll be back on the road with our crew to the ranch where we’ll practice like hell to get our riders where they need to be.
“I’m gonna grab some beers,” Lin says, pointing toward the packed bar top.
Nodding her way, I scan the tables around the dance floor looking for somewhere to relax. Neither Jarrett nor Colt would tell me what happened, choosing to remain in trouble rather than being honest about whatever they’re fighting over.
In Colt’s defense, it seemed as though he was just as confused about this go around as the rest of us. Obviously whatever this is, it’s a Jarrett problem.
Spotting a table toward the corner, under a neon light promising Blue Moon beer, I beeline that way. Snagging the table just in time, Mason joins me.
“Perfect view of the dance floor, nice goin’ Champ,” he offers his fist, but I smack it away.
“It was the only one available in here,” I have to holler over the music for him to hear me. It’s not ideal, but at least I’ve got somewhere to sit so I can rest my legs.
A short woman with long black hair walks by the table with a tray of wings, fries, and something covered in cheese. “Y’all doin’ alright tonight?”
Her smile’s warm, inviting even, and I tip my hat in thanks.
Mason however turns up the charm. “Hello beautiful,” he starts and I cover my face with my hand. “Whatcha got on the menu?”
“Oh honey, no need to butter me up, I’ve heard about y’all. Let me get this food out and I’ll come right back.” She winks and disappears through the sea of bodies.
Mason turns and gives me a questioning look that I return, equally as confused, just as Lin walks up with three bottles of beer. “What’s that face for?”
“That waitress says she’s heard about us,” I nod in the direction she moved in and Lin laughs.
“I’d hope so, what with how much you and Lucy are talkin’ lately.” She takes a swing of beer and looks around, no doubt checking out the people for some much earned fun.
Mason and I share a look, unable to read between the lines. When she turns to look back she plops her bottle down on the table. “Seriously? Your two are hopeless, you know that?”
Her accent’s thick, but her incredulity is clear.
“This is Lucy’s family’s bar,” she rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “The Rowdy Raven? As in Raven Peak Ranch?”
The name didn’t click, not until Lin said it that way.
I don’t remember talkin’ about a bar, but then again she did say she’s a recovering alcoholic so I guess I can see why she wouldn’t mention it.
The older woman returns with a smile, “I see y’all got somethin’ to wet your whistle, you need somethin’ in those bellies too? On the house.”
She winks like it’s a secret club and we’re the only ones in it.
“We can’t accept that, Ma’am,” I tell her, I know how hard everyone around her works.
Waving her hand, she looks at the bar and waves the other. “Let me get Scott over here then, he makes it impossible for people to turn him down.”
“We’re happy to pay,” Mason chimes in.
The man she waved over towers over the crowd, which is saying something because I consider myself tall. His smile’s infectious and his voice carries. Pulling the dark haired woman into his side, he kisses the top of her head. “Who do we have here?”
“This is Lucy’s new beau,” the woman says, offering her hand. “I’m LuAnna, Lucy’s aunt, and this is Scott, her uncle.”
I recall her mentioning their names, how the family gets together almost every Sunday to eat dinner together.
“It’s nice to meet y’all,” Scott says, extending his hand my way first. “You must be Reese.”
Shaking his hand, I nod and introduce Mason and Lin. Scott shakes each of their hands and claps. “How about a round of wings for the table?”
Before I can protest, he’s off talking to other patrons heading back toward the bar. LuAnna’s gone too, leaving the three of us sitting on the stools with varying looks of confusion.
Sure enough, about five minutes later, a giant basket of wings is on the table with three cups of ranch around them. Not ones to waste food we enjoy the wings and by the time the baskets empty, I’m ready to call it a night.
Lin and Mason went off to the dance floor, leaving me sitting at the table with empty bottles. Throwing down a few twenties, I head for the door. Mason and Lin are resourceful, I’m sure they’ll be okay.
I want to talk to Lucy before she goes to bed. Looking at the time I curse, I didn’t realize it was so late already but I’ve already dialed her number, so if she doesn’t answer I’ll send her a text to let her know I’ll call in the morning.
“Hello,” her groggy voice makes me feel like an ass.
“Hey, Goldie. I’m sorry about the time.” I should have checked first.
“It’s okay, I was watchin’ a movie,” she yawns and I chuckle.
“Sounds like a happenin’ Friday night.”
“Well, I’ve had more interesting nights recently, that’s for sure.” Her voice alone is like music to my ears. I could listen to her talk all day and never get tired of it.
“Oh yeah?” I tease.
“Mhmm,” she giggles, it’s slow and sleep filled. I know I’m in deep because instead of letting her sleep, I keep the conversation going. I need to hear more of her sweet voice.
“We’ll be headin’ back to the ranch tomorrow,” I start, “would you wanna come by before we leave.”
“I’ve got the market, Heath actually got all my flowers ready for me earlier today, so I could stay at the rodeo longer,” she says around another yawn.
“Get some sleep Goldie, I’ll come by the market before we leave.”