Page 15 of Wine Whiskey & Lipstick

Palmer squinted in the dimly lit bar, trying to get a better look. “Are they line dancing?”

“Yep,” Dillyn confirmed as their heads all simultaneously tilted to the right. “I guess we should have expected something like this.”

“Y’all’s first time here?” A petite blond-haired woman asked while balancing a tray full of empty bottles and glasses. She was wearing a Frank’s t-shirt, a pair of ripped jeans, and bright red cowboy boots.

Dillyn smiled warmly and answered for the group since her friends still seemed entranced by the atmosphere. “That obvious?”

The waitress grinned cheekily. “A little.”

“Of course.” Dillyn couldn’t help but laugh. “If possible, we’d love a table where we can hide and not stand out like the obvious outsiders we are.” It was a Herculean ask, considering their style of dress, and they were probably the only Black women in the place.

They followed the waitress to a table, but Cat kept her eyes on the dance floor.

“Is this alright?” the waitress asked.

“Perfect.” They took their seats. “Those moves are kind of like the Cha-Cha slide, aren’t they?” Cat asked as she stared out onto the dance floor.

“Yeah, I guess it is a lot like it,” the waitress answered. “By the way, I’m Selah. I’ll be serving y’all tonight.”

“Thanks, Selah,” Dillyn said.

“Y’all just bought Mr. Steele’s Orchard, didn’cha?”

“We did. We moved in this week.” Palmer was curious. “How did you know?”

“Small town. Word travels fast. Plus, a few of our ranch hands have been talking about getting possible side work with y’all.”

“We are not in New York anymore.” Palmer had to remember that.

“My goodness. No, it’s not. Far from it.” Selah giggled. “What can I get you, ladies?”

“A round of shots!” Palmer was quick to answer.

Cat wrinkled up her nose. “Shots? You’re going to kill my palate.”

“Now, who’s a fun sponge?” Dillyn shouted above the crowd as she glanced at her friend. “A round of Uncle Nearest, please!”

Palmer and Cat looked a Dillyn as if she’d lost her mind.

“What?” Dillyn said. “I did my research on the vineyardsanddistilleries in Tennessee.”

“You don’t drink whiskey,” Cat said matter-of-factly.

“Well . . . I am tonight.” The resolute look on Dillyn’s face made Cat and Palmer laugh.

“Okay. Uncle Nearest it is!” Selah was excited to finally meet the ladies who had been the talk of the town. Their energy was contagious. “Coming right up!” Selah had never stepped foot outside her hometown. The closest she’d ever gotten to the city was sitting right in front of her. She made a beeline for the ladies the second she’d seen them walk through the door. Selah planned to make the most of her opportunity.

Chapter 7

“On three, ladies,”Palmer said as she elevated her voice over the music. She put up a finger. “One.”

Dillyn rolled her head around her shoulders in preparation.If she was going to be at a bar, she might as well have a drink—or several. It had been a while.

“Two.” Grinning from ear to ear, Palmer lifted a second finger.

Cat frowned. She hated whiskey, but tonight was going to go with the flow.

“Three!”

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