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Beth narrowed her eyes at her sister. “I thought your husband and daughter were responsible for that.”
Delaney shrugged. “You moving here would make me an even happier happiest person. That’s a level of happy most people never achieve. Think of the good you’d be doing, Bethy!”
“I’m here now,” Beth told her. “Can that be enough for tonight?”
Delaney feigned thinking hard about the request, then finally relented. “Fine. We’ve got one of the big booths, so there’s plenty of room. Come sit down.” She hooked one elbow with Beth’s and the other with Eli’s.
“Wait.” Eli held up his hands. “Don’t we need drinks? What are you and the rest of the table drinking?” he asked Delaney. Then he turned his attention back to Beth. “And one virgin daiquiri?”
Delaney gave him a playful shove. “Such a gentleman, but we’re all good. Casey’s at the table right now for her first night ‘out’ since Kara was born.” She made finger quotes around out since Casey’s parents owned the tavern and Casey’s childhood apartment was right upstairs. “Her parents are upstairs with Kara for a couple of hours. She’s not drinking, but she’s keeping our glasses full!”
Eli nodded. “Okay then. Back in a few.” He spun toward the bar but felt a tug on his sleeve.
“Hey, cowboy?”
He heard the hint of mischief in Beth’s voice before he saw the same in her gleaming green eyes.
“Yeah?” God, he loved to see her smile, especially if that smile was for him.
“Skip the daiquiri, and get me whatever you’re drinking.”
His eyes widened. Delaney’s did too. “But everything on tap has alcohol in it,” he told her.
She gave him a nervous smile. “I know. But the reality is that I don’t have to be up early for a rehearsal or audition or training session or anything, really. For one night, I want to see what all the fuss is about.”
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” rang out from the bar’s music system, and Delaney suddenly twirled her sister while simultaneously calling out, “Woo-hoo! I love this song!” And just like that, the two sisters danced their way to the table as Eli stared after them, not wanting to turn away until Beth was out of sight.
When they finally disappeared into the booth, he turned back toward the bar and strode toward his brother, who looked as if he’d been watching the entire situation unfold.
Eli hopped onto a stool and slapped his palms on the bar. “I need your help, little brother.” Then he pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes.
“Looks to me like you’ve got this under control,” Boone replied. “If she’s got you back on the horse and off your sad little barstool in the corner—not to mention putting on a pretty graphic display of affection for all my paying customers—then I don’t think you’re in need of any assistance at all, my friend.” He tossed a dish towel over his shoulder like a veteran bartender, despite him only filling in when Casey’s parents were short-staffed.
“Really?” Eli said. “Because I’m pretty sure I’m in love with her, and she’s eventually going to leave and move to the other side of the country, so now I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Boone’s face grew serious, and he produced two shot glasses from below the bar top, dropping one in front of Eli and one in front of himself.
“Tequila?” Boone asked, as if there was even a question.
“Tequila,” Eli replied.
Chapter 18
Beth felt light and free, like nothing could stop her. Every time a song she loved came over the speakers, she clanked her pint glass against Eli’s or Delaney’s or whoever’s glass she could find, and she sprang out of the booth and onto the dance floor. When Shania’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” came on, that was it. The whole booth joined her…the whole booth other than Eli. But every time she looked in his direction, she found him staring right back at her.
“How many have you had?” Delaney called over the music.
“Three!” Casey answered before Beth had a chance to do so herself, which was fortunate since she didn’t feel much like doing math at the moment.
“Since we got here!” Beth added but still didn’t want to do math. “How long ago was that?”
Casey laughed. “Same number of hours as beers. So hopefully you’re not in too much trouble.”
The three women shook their hips, waved their arms, and dominated the small but respectable dance area.
Despite the lack of choreography, it felt good to dance. Beth never wanted the music to stop. She readied herself for the next party bop, but when Shania finished her last word, the tempo slowed as Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” took over, and Delaney and Casey exhaled with relief.
“I’m out!” Casey declared. She glanced down and cupped each of her own breasts in her hands. “These things are about to explode, which means either Kara is due to wake up screaming, or I’m due for a good old pumping session. Have fun, ladies!”
