“Sutton’s,” he announces.
A chorus of immediate agreement goes around the room, except from Slade, who makes a dissatisfied sound under his breath as his hand tightens on my ass. I have a feeling my husband’s plans for the next few hours included me in his bed, and not a detour to Marble Falls’s notorious dive bar.
“Why Sutton’s?” I ask.
“Another sacred Rhodes family tradition,” Slade says to me dryly.
“That’s right,” Tanner says. “We spend all day being wholesome and family-oriented and giving thanks and whatnot, and then we go to the worst bar in Marble Falls and undo all of it.”
“The worst bar?” I ask.
“Lovingly,” Sadie clarifies. “He means it lovingly.”
“It’s got a pool table and a jukebox and John Sutton knows everyone’s name,” Walker says. “That’s all a bar needs.”
“And endless whiskey,” Tanner adds. “Ladies, the Rhodes brothers will be your designated drivers this evening, so feel free to get rowdy tonight.” He points to Cassidy. “You’re coming.”
“I can’t,” Cassidy says. “I promised Leo we’d watch a movie at home.”
Tanner calls out, “Yo, Leo!”
Cassidy’s brother pokes his head in from the kitchen. “What’s up, T?” he asks.
“How about we all head to Sutton’s for a little. Then I come for movie night with the fam?”
“Sure.” Leo grins at Cassidy, who’s glaring at her brother now.
Tanner give his most charming smile to her parents. “Mr. and Dr. Monroe, if that’s all right with you, of course?”
They fall all over themselves to assure him it’s perfectly all right, which only makes Cassidy glare harder.
He gently tugs on her ponytail as he passes by her. “I’m in charge of the popcorn. I’ll butter you up, darlin’, that’s a promise.”
Cassidy rolls her eyes.
While Daryl and Cassidy’s parents agree to watch the kids and Lucky, everyone starts pulling on jackets and looking for keys.
“Where’s Josie?” Sadie asks, looking around.
“Where’s Rafe?” Tanner adds.
“Rafe went back out to check on the heifers in the calving barn,” Daryl says, already heading back to the kitchen. “One of them’s been acting off all day. He wanted to check her temperature before it got too late.”
Walker shrugs. “Josie probably went down to the stables. You know how she gets when she’s home. Always wants to hang out with the horses.”
“I’ll go look for her,” I say. “Tell her we’re heading out.”
I grab my coat and slip out the back door.
The night air is cold and sharp and smells like woodsmoke. The stables are lit from within, a warm amber glow in the velvety autumn darkness.
Before I can walk through the entrance to the stables, Josie emerges. Her hair is down when it was up before, loose aroundher shoulders, and there’s a gleam of sweat on her forehead as she fastens the last few buttons on her blouse.
Rafe follows a beat behind, still working his belt buckle back into place with one hand, the other holding his Stetson.
They both see me at exactly the same moment.
Nobody moves.
