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Rhett’s date, Miss Texas, was fully decked out in leather and sporting a cheetah-print cowboy hat. Her hair was platinum, divided into pigtails with curls cascading over her shoulders. She looked like the place smelled: leather and cows.
“If Miss Texas hollers one more time,” Adalyn whispered, leaning close, “we have my permission to slip out and meet them back at the hotel.”
“It is walking distance from here,” I said, raising my eyebrows.
“Oh, look!” Adalyn pointed, distracted. “They’re bringing out a little sheep.”
The announcer called kids down to the dirt arena to chase the sheep around and try to get the tag from its neck.
“Be right back,” Miss Texas said loudly. “I’m for the ladies’ room.”
Rhett looked at me while his date walked away and lifted his eyebrows. My phone was in my lap, and I felt it vibrate.
Rhett:I didn’t realize there would be so much denim here. I feel overdressed.
Me:As you should. I can’t believe you’re not even wearing a cowboy hat.
Rhett:I will correct that oversight first thing tomorrow.
Me:How are things going with Miss Texas?
Rhett:Enthusiastic. But she’s not too bad.
Me:You’re such a gentleman. I can see from here exactly how enthusiastic she is, and I’m certain you’re not enjoying it. It’s sweet that you don’t say anything negative about your dates.
Rhett:Maybe her exuberance is exactly what I need to feel good about myself. This other woman I’ve been dating doesn’t show nearly enough excitement to see me.
I scoffed quietly.
Me:You want excitement? I’ll show you excitement.
I glanced at Rhett and watched him read my last text. A slow smile curled over his lips. He shut off his phone and popped it into his pocket when Miss Texas returned. He leaned back in his chair and slipped his arm around his date’s seat. His smile was not dimming. Miss Texas said something to him, and he responded to the sound of her peals of laughter.
He looked up, raised his eyebrow at me, and glanced away again.
It was all I needed. Now I had to plan some excitement.
“What are you doing with your time off?” Adalyn asked, stealing my attention once again.
“Honestly, I haven’t thought about it. My mom has time off right now, and she’s using it to read. Maybe I’ll do the same.”
“It’s a shame we aren’t staying in Dallas instead. I’ve heard there’s more nightlife there. Oh, someone told me there’s this place across the street called Billy Bob’s. We can go dancing if you want.”
“Sure.” Rhett had the next few days blocked out to see his sister, so going out with Adalyn couldn’t hurt. Maybe I could find my mom a cowboy.
“Okay, it’s a date. Me, you, and two hot Texan cowboys tomorrow night.”
Rhett looked over at us, and I was pretty sure he’d heard her. His date must’ve too, because she turned in her chair a little. “Y’all want to have a good time? There’s this great new bar downtown called the Cattle Drive. The music is good, and the food is good, so double win.”
“Thank you,” Adalyn said. “And now we have two nights in a row booked.”
“You can’t go wrong with Billy Bob’s either,” Miss Texas said. “Y’all know how to line dance? They’ll teach you if you go early.”
Adalyn laughed and turned to me. “Should we do it?”
I caught Rhett’s gaze over her shoulder, and his face was a work of stone. But he had plans, so he didn’t expect me to wait around in the hotel room while he was gone, right?
“Let’s do it,” I said, grinning. “The extent of my line-dance knowledge is the electric slide, so I have a lot to learn.”
