Page 14 of Destry

Before I could answer, my gaze involuntarily drifted across the barbecue landing right on Savvy.

She was still with Maya and the other rodeo workers. Her body was relaxed, her head tipped slightly with her hat pulled low. But even from across the space, she stood out. She was fucking beautiful.

Beauden and Wilde followed my gaze and they both laughed.

"Damn," Beauden said, shaking his head. "Somebody finally caught you."

"That’s interesting," Wilde added, smirking.

I didn’t deny it, just smiled, adjusting my hat like I hadn’t been caught.

Wilde shook his head then got serious. "You want me workin’ with her? Getting her comfortable with the horse?"

I nodded. "Yeah. She’s got the talent, but she needs the right people behind her. I want her set up right."

"Consider it done."

"Appreciate that.”

Beauden grinned. "Hell, if you’re spending that much money and calling in Wilde, she must be worth it."

I nodded. "Wouldn’t be doin’ it otherwise."

I tipped my hat and walked away, already thinking about the next part of my night. I had a date with a pretty little thing at Forty Acres and if she didn’t show, I would go looking for her.

CHAPTER

SEVEN

Savvy.

I pushed through the door of Forty Acres and the low hum of country music mixing with the sounds of clinking bottles and loud conversation slammed into me. The place was packed with bodies moving around tables, cowboys leaning against the bar, and couples already swaying to the song playing from the old jukebox in the corner.

The air smelled like bourbon, beer, and a little too much cologne, but it wasn’t unpleasant. It was familiar. A rodeo crowd, loose from the barbecue, ready to drink and celebrate.

I hadn’t come here for any of them. I was here for him and he knew it.

Destry sat at the bar like he had been born there, his hat casting a slight shadow over his face. He had one long leg stretched out, a beer hanging loosely from his fingers, and the lazy confidence of a man who never had to try too hard.

The second I walked in, he found me. His eyes locked onto mine. He delivered a sexy smirk, and my stomach tightened.

He didn’t wave me over nor did he call my name. He just watched and waited.

Damn him.

I straightened my shoulders, and made my way through the crowd, ignoring the handful of cowboys who tipped their hats or shot lingering looks my way. I didn’t break Destry’s gaze and he sure as hell didn’t break mine.

By the time I reached the bar, he was already grinning, looking way too damn sexy and pleased with himself.

“I thought I was gonna have to track your pretty ass down.”

I slid onto the stool next to him, resting my elbows on the counter. “You won the bet, Callahan. I keep my word.”

“Good to know.”

The bartender, an older man named Hank, who had been slinging drinks since before I was born came over, wiping his hands on a towel. “What can I get you, sweetheart?”

Before I could answer, Destry spoke. “Bourbon. Neat.”

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