Page 63 of Saddles and Snowstorms
The door swung shut behind us before I could reply. Rowan was smiling but also giving me one of his looks. Clearly, he was concerned. I just returned his gaze, giving him a reassuring nod. This wasn’t what I’d pictured when I asked him to dinner, but these guys were his friends and he didn’t get a lot of time to cut loose. So… maybe it was an opportunity for us both. I could get used to being around a few people and Rowan could socialize with someone other than old farmers getting their cattle vaccinated.
“Dolly!” Colt called, pulling us inside. “We got a couple more for ya!”
Dolly’s eyes widened as she spotted me, clearly surprised to see me at one of these gatherings. She recovered quickly though, her weathered face breaking into a warm smile. “Well, ain’t this a treat! Rowan and Brooks joining us tonight. I’ll set two more places.”
I felt the eyes of everyone in the diner turn toward us. My throat tightened as I recognized familiar faces—Lucas with his city-slick appearance looking oddly at home here now, Caroline with her ever-present braid, Logan nursing a beer at the corner table with Dakota at his side. They all smiled and waved, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being cornered.
“What’s all this?” Rowan asked, seemingly at ease in a way I couldn’t manage.
“Karaoke night!” Colt announced, slapping Rowan on the back. “Logan here thought we could use some ‘team bonding’ or whatever city folk call it.” He leaned closer, his voice not getting any quieter. “I think he just likes having all the gays in one room so he can get an eyeful.”
Logan raised his beer in acknowledgment. “Seemed like a good way to shake things up. Plus, I’ve been dying to hear what these cowboys sound like when they think they can sing.”
“Uh… I’m not gay,” Caroline added, pulling the man next to her a little closer. I’d never seen him before. “But I bet I can sing the pants off the rest of you fairies.”
“Oh, you’re on!” Colt cried, letting go of us at last and heading toward the microphone. Caroline got up to join him, the two of them playfully bickering as they picked out their first song.
I felt Rowan’s eyes on me, gauging my reaction. I cleared my throat, trying to look more comfortable than I felt.
“We can still leave,” he said quietly, leaning close enough that I could feel his breath against my ear. The sensation sent a shiver down my spine despite my anxiety.
“It’s alright,” I replied, surprising myself with my own answer. “Might be fun.”
The relief in his eyes was worth the discomfort churning in my gut. Dolly appeared with two beers, sliding them across the counter toward us.
“On the house,” she said with a wink. “Good to see you out and about, Brooks. Been a while since you’ve joined in any kind of gatherings.”
I nodded, taking a long pull from the bottle. The cold beer helped calm my nerves a bit. “Thanks, Dolly.”
She patted my arm before bustling away to help another customer. Rowan and I made our way to a small table near where Logan and Dakota were sitting. Dakota gave me a nod of acknowledgment, his long dark hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. There was something in his eyes—a knowing look that made it obvious he’d figured us out. I felt my skin start to prickle instantly.
Before I could dwell on it too long, Colt’s voice boomed through the speakers as he belted out the opening lines of “Friends in Low Places.” Caroline was right beside him, harmonizing surprisingly well despite their earlier competitive jabs.
“Didn’t figure you for a karaoke fan,” Rowan said, leaning in close enough that our shoulders touched.
I took another swig of beer. “Never done it before,” I admitted. “Never been invited to something like this.”
Rowan’s expression softened. “Well, I’m glad you’re here now.”
His words warmed me more than the beer ever could. I found myself relaxing slightly as I watched Colt and Caroline perform, their voicesblending together in perfect harmony. The entire diner was clapping along, the atmosphere light and joyful.
“Brooks!” Dolly called, appearing with a plate of her famous jalapeño poppers. “These just came out of the fryer. I know they’re your favorite.”
The fact that she remembered made something tighten in my chest. I thanked her with a nod, pushing the plate between Rowan and me.
“So,” Logan said, sliding into the chair across from us, “you two been spending a lot of time together lately.”
My spine stiffened immediately. I glanced at Rowan, who seemed to be taking it in stride, his face giving nothing away.
“Brooks has been helping me learn the ropes around here,” Rowan replied smoothly. “Still getting used to large animal care. Different from what I did in Austin.”
Logan nodded, but his expression remained knowing. “Right. Large animal care. At night. When the clinic’s closed.”
My face went hot. Dakota, who’d followed Logan to our table, elbowed him sharply in the ribs.
“What Logan means,” Dakota said quietly, “is that it’s good to see you both out tonight.”
I cleared my throat, taking another long pull from my beer. The cold liquid did little to ease the burning in my cheeks. “Thanks for the invite,” I managed, though we both knew we hadn’t actually been invited.
