Taking my hand in hers, she said, “Let’s go out. We can dance with guys we don’t know and just have some fun. Call your sister. Tell her she’s going whether she likes it or not. Moreen’s meeting us there.”

  “But Caden and Levi went out as well.”

  She laughed. “Are they the going-out police?”

  I chuckled. “No, but what if we go to the same bar?”

  Lilibeth tilted her head and regarded me for a moment. “I don’t want to sound mean, but your brother doesn’t really seem like the type who would go to Billy’s Honky-Tonk. He seems more like the kind of guy who’d go to…what’s the name of that bar outside of town? The one where all the old timers go and hang out.”

  I burst out laughing. “You mean the dive bar?”

  “Yes, the one right on the edge of town.”

  “Billy’s.”

  “No, not the honky-tonk.”

  “No, I know what you mean, it’s Billy’s. Billy Junior owns the honky-tonk.”

  Lilibeth frowned. “Why would he name his bar the same as his father’s?”

  “To be fair, he added honky-tonk after it.”

  She laughed. “Call your sister, tell her she’s going out. I’ve got to change, so should I swing by the ranch to pick you both up?”

  Taking my perfume bottle, I grabbed my purse. “Sure, that’s perfect. See you in about an hour?”

  “See you then.”

  I started to head toward the door, Lilibeth behind me. As I stepped out and headed to my car, she yelled out, “Wear something sexy!”

  Levi

  “Nothing’s changed, has it?” Gatlin asked as he slid a beer my way.

  I chuckled. “Except you’re bartending at the local honky-tonk.”

  He glanced around. “It’s a nice change from being on the ranch all day. Gives me something to do instead of playing poker with the ranch hands every weekend.”

  “You don’t enjoy ranching?”

  His head pulled back. “Hell yes, I do. But why go home and sit alone when I can come and work here? I get to people watch, get all the gossip in town, and make some extra money.”

  When he lifted his bottle, I tapped it with mine. “And drink on the job.”

  Leaning forward so he could lower his voice, he said, “It’s water. I have a few back here already filled, so when someone wants to buy me a drink, I’m not offending anyone. Kyle over there,” he pointed to the other bartender, “he’s only been working here two days. He’s about two beers away from getting shit-faced. I told him my trick, but he insisted he could handle it.”

  I glanced down the bar, and the poor kid could barely stand up straight. “I think he’s already hit the limit.”

  Gatlin followed my gaze. “Nah. He’s still making drinks and pouring shots. Give him time.”

  Focusing back on Caden’s younger brother, I laughed. “You’re enjoying this?”

  He nodded. “I sure as shit am. I told the little punk he wasn’t going to be able to drink on the job, and he claimed he could handle his alcohol.”

  Taking another drink of my beer, I searched for Caden. It didn’t take long to find him leaning his hand on a wall, a pretty girl staring up at him.

  “How’s your brother doing?”

  Gatlin shrugged. “He doesn’t really talk much about anything other than the ranch. This is the first time I’ve seen him here in a while. When he does come, he usually leaves with a Granby tourist who came to River Falls to Instagram her stop at a small-town honky-tonk. They’re usually from New York City, Atlanta, or some other big city. We’re the only honky-tonk around, so we get a lot of visitors.”

  I nodded. “Who’s the girl he’s talking to?”

  Glancing in the same direction as me, Gatlin replied, “No clue. She’s not from here. Like I said, those are the kind Caden goes for.”

  Taking a drink of my beer, I watched as the girl and Caden walked over to one of the three pool tables. He put some money down, then sat at the small table we’d gotten when we arrived.

  “Is there a reason you’re watching my brother?”

  Turning, I smiled when I saw Ensley standing beside me. She was a sight for sore eyes. Her dark blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail and those Wilde blue eyes sparkled. I swore the woman never aged.

  “Ensley Wilde. How in the hell have you been?” I asked, pulling her into a hug and lifting her off the ground for a quick second.

  She hit my back. “Put me down, Levi!”

  I did, and we both laughed.

  “I’m doing good. My damn baby sister dragged me out tonight.”

  I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “How are you doing…today?”

  With a one-shoulder shrug, she glanced around the bar. “I hate this day.”

  Taking her hand in mine, I gave it a little squeeze. “I know. So do I. I think I try to block it out as much as possible.”

  “Did Caden do something already?” she asked.

  “Do something?”

  “Yeah, you were watching him. I figured he’s already told someone to go fuck off.”

  I shook my head. “No, nothing like that. I’m just worried about him.”

  Her eyes went back to her older brother. They were like two peas in a pod, or at least they used to be. Growing up, where one was, the other wasn’t far away. I was hoping they still had that close relationship.

  She let out a soft sigh. “Rachel did a real number on him, and I swear if she ever sets foot back in this town, I’m going to…”

  I looked at her and smirked. “You’re going to what?”

  She flashed an evil smile. “I guess it’s going to depend on my mood at the time.”

  Laughing, I shook my head.

  Her smile slowly faded. “He hasn’t dated anyone, and it’s been two years.”

  “He thought she was the one. And Rachel painted a nice picture for him. Kids, growing old on the ranch. She knew what he wanted to hear, and she strung him along until she found something she thought was better.”

  Ensley nodded. “Bitch.” Turning away from her brother, she said, “Speaking of. Are you divorced from your bitch yet?”

  “Don’t hold back, Ensley.”

  Rolling her eyes, she said, “I never liked her, Levi, and I never hid the fact that I didn’t like her. I always thought she went out with you just to make Caden jealous. When that didn’t work, she used you to get out of River Falls.”

  “Maybe,” I replied, even though she was a hundred-percent right.

  “There’s no maybe about it. She got pregnant on purpose. You and I both know it.”

  “We had some good times, though. I did love her, once upon a time, and I think she loved me too.”

  She shook her head, and her attention went to the dance floor. There was never any love lost between Caroline and Ensley. Neither liked the other. Caroline had been jealous of my friendship with Ensley from the get-go, and Ensley never trusted Caroline. In the end, she was a better judge of character than I was.

  Ensley smiled slightly, and I followed her gaze. Emeline was dancing with Lilibeth. They looked like they were having a good time. Two guys around their age approached and started dancing alongside them.

  “They don’t look familiar to me,” I said.

  Ensley turned to the bar and motioned for her brother to get her a beer. “They’re tourists. That’s the only bad thing about going out now. The tourists have discovered our little oasis.”

  “Holy shit, how did Emeline manage to get you out tonight?” Gatlin called over the music.

  Ensley took the beer from him. “I owed her one.”

  Gatlin smiled softly. “I’m glad you came. Now don’t sit here and pout, go enjoy yourself.”

  Looking as if she wanted to be anywhere but here, Ensley started for the dance floor. At the last minute, she turned and headed toward Caden, instead. I ordered another beer for myself and one for Caden, then turned to head the same way.

  Two younger women stopped me, with one putting her hand on my arm.

  “I’m sorry, haven’t we met before?”

  Glancing at her, I shook my head. “Don’t think so.”

  I started to step around them when she stopped me again. Glancing pointedly at her hand, I snapped my eyes up to meet hers.

  She quickly removed her hand. “You just look familiar. Did you grow up here in River Falls?”

  I bounced my gaze back and forth, studying the two women. “I did. You?”

  The handsy one grinned. “I did! Oh my gosh, I know who you are now!”

  Amused, I raised one eyebrow.

  “You’re Levi Tucker! You look just like your dad,” the young girl said.

  Now I was confused. How in the hell did this girl know my father?

  “I’m Logan Miller. I work for your father as a vet tech.”

  Oh shit. This was Janet’s granddaughter, the one she wanted me to get to know. I could have sworn that Emeline said she was only twenty. I needed to get away from this girl, stat. “Are you even old enough to be in this bar?” I asked before I could stop myself.

  Logan grinned, and her friend giggled. “We both turned twenty-one this past week.”

  Raising one of the beers in my hand, I replied, “Happy Birthday, ladies. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to my friends.”

  “I can’t wait to work alongside you,” Logan said with a sugary smile.

  Forcing my own smile, I nodded. “Can’t wait.”

  Quickly moving past the two girls, I zigzagged around people and finally got to the table.

  “Where did all of these people suddenly come from?” I asked, handing the extra beer I’d gotten to Caden.

  “It’s that time of night when all the young ones come out,” he called over the loud song playing.

  I rolled my eyes as Ensley stood, took my beer, and put it on the table. “Come on, cowboy, we might as well dance since we’re here.”

  “Who am I to turn down a pretty lady?”

  Ensley laughed. “Still know how to flatter, I see.”

  Once we got to the dance floor, we took off two-stepping.

  “Heard you’re going to be volunteering at the camp this summer.”

  I smirked. “One conversation with your mother and I somehow managed to volunteer.”

  She smiled. “You’ll have fun. The kids are great. I love doing little demonstrations for them. And my sister runs those camps like a well-oiled machine, let me tell you.”

  Speaking of… I glanced around the dance floor and spotted Emeline dancing with another guy who seemed to be about her age. She was laughing at something he said…and I found myself wanting to be the one who made her laugh like that.

  He pulled her closer and whispered something into her ear.

  An instant rush of anger swept over me. Feeling caught off guard by the reaction, I quickly turned away.

  Focusing back on Ensley, I saw she was looking at me with a smirk. “Why, Mr. Tucker, you look like you’re ready to tear someone’s head off.”

  “What?” I asked. “I do not have that look on my face.”

  Ensley glanced over her shoulder. “That’s Luke. He’s one of the ranch hands on our place. He’s had a thing for Emeline since his first day of work.”

  “What’s he do on the ranch?” I asked, looking back to see him dipping Emeline, and she was once again laughing. No, that wasn’t anger I was feeling. It was jealousy.

  “He’s on the cattle side.”

  “So he doesn’t work directly for Emeline?”

  When Ensley didn’t answer, I looked at her. A single brow was raised. “Why so many questions about Luke and Emeline?”

  “Well, I mean, if she were his boss, I don’t think it’d be appropriate for him to be dancing with her like he is.”

  Ensley busted out laughing. “Oh my God! When did you become such a prude?”

  “I’m not a prude,” I said right before I spun her.

  “If you’re not a prude, then why are you worried about—”

  Her voice cut off when I spun her again, in a sad attempt to get her to forget where her train of thought was going.

  “Do you like Emeline?” she asked as soon as I reeled her back in.

  A bark of laughter slipped free. “Of course not! I just don’t want to see some jerk trying to take advantage of her, that’s all. Besides, getting involved with anyone isn’t something I’m interested in right now.”

  She gave me an assessing look, those blue eyes of hers playful. “You know, Emeline’s had a crush on you since she was like fourteen. Maybe even before that.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Your brother already told me, and I highly doubt she still does.”

  She shrugged one shoulder. “Maybe not. But then, you don’t see the way she looks at you.”

  “Ensley,” I warned. “We’re friends.”

  A wicked smile appeared on her face. “There’s such a thing as friends with benefits, Levi.”

  I groaned. “Stop it.”

  The song ended, and as we headed back to the table, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Logan Miller.

  “Dance?”

  Right at that moment, Emeline and Lilibeth were making their way toward our table. I quickly grabbed Emeline’s hand.

  “Emeline, I think we’re up next.”

  Confused, she started to say something, but I quickly herded us back toward the dance floor. “I’m sorry, Logan. Promised this one to Emeline.”

  Once we got to the dance floor, the next song started. I cursed when I realized it was a slow song.

  I drew Emeline closer and tried to ignore the scent of her damn perfume. It was fucking intoxicating.

  “Um, what was that about?” she asked as we shuffled together slowly.

  “Logan Miller wanted me to dance with her.”

  Something passed across Emeline’s face…and for a moment it looked like disappointment. But why she would be disappointed was beyond me. We danced for a few moments in silence.

  “So who was the guy you were dancing with earlier? The one who liked to dip you?”

  “Luke?” she asked with a laugh. “He works on the ranch. He’s been asking me out, I swear, since the first day he started working for us.”

  I frowned. “Have you told him no?”

  Her head drew back some at my tone. “Yes.”

  “Maybe he needs to learn that no means no and to stop harassing you.”

  Her brows flew up. “He’s hardly harassing me, Levi. He’s a nice guy, and if he didn’t work for my brother, I might go out with him.”

  That admission bothered me more than I thought it should. All I could do was nod.

  “Why didn’t you want to dance with Logan?”

  I looked down into those blue eyes and realized if I stared long enough, I could get lost. Closing my eyes to break the connection, I turned my head before opening them again, glancing around the dance floor before looking back at Emeline. “For one, she’s way too young for me. Second, she works for my father, and will soon be working for me. That’s a line I do not intend to cross. Plus, I’m not the least bit interested in getting involved with anyone.”

  Emeline smiled slightly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes, you keep saying that.”

  We danced in silence until the song was over, then stepped apart.

  “You can’t avoid her forever, you know.”

  “If I can get back to the table to sit, it’ll be easier to let her down.”

  With a confused expression, she asked, “Why is that?”

  “You stepped on my foot and made me twist my ankle. I can’t possibly dance now.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “I have never in my life stepped on a dance partner’s foot!”

  Winking, I replied, “First time for everything.”

  Once we got back to the table, we found Caden and Lilibeth in a heated discussion. Sitting, I glanced between the two.

  “How would you even know, Caden? Have you ever done the swing?”

  Emeline was about to say something when Caden shot her a warning look, then focused back on Lilibeth. “What makes you think I haven’t?”

  Lilibeth looked him up and down, then smiled. “I’m sorry, you just don’t seem like the type of guy who’d swing dance.”

  Caden leaned forward. “Are you suggesting that just because I’m a man, obviously I can’t dance?”

  She motioned toward him with her hands. “Of course not, but you’re so…”

  He raised his brow. “So what?”

  She shrugged. “Not a very…cheerful kind of guy, and the swing is a cheerful kind of dance.”

  Caden’s brow rose. “Are you saying I’m too grumpy to dance to a country swing?”

  Lilibeth’s eyes sparkled. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Tipping his hat, he replied, “At least you’re honest.”

  She stood. “Okay, cowboy. Give me two minutes.”

  The three of us watched as Lilibeth walked over to the DJ, then made her way back to the table. She held out her hand to Caden, who I was pretty sure had drunk just enough beers to actually do this.

  The woman sitting beside him, the same one he’d been talking to earlier, shot Lilibeth a scathing look.

  Still holding out her hand patiently, Lilibeth said, “Let’s go, cowboy. Show me what you’ve got.”

  Emeline grinned widely. Meanwhile, I felt bad for Lilibeth. She had no idea what she was getting into.

  As they walked to the dance floor, the DJ told everyone to make a bit of room in the middle of the space.

  “She has no idea Caden can dance, I take it?” I asked Emeline.

  “No,” she said on a laugh. “And he has no idea Lilibeth took almost twenty years of dance lessons!”

  I tossed my head back and laughed. “This is gonna be good.”

  Shania Twain’s “That Don’t Impress Me Much” started, and we both laughed again.

  I couldn’t tell who was more shocked, Caden or Lilibeth, when they started to dance. They instantly fell into a rousing country swing.

  “Oh my gosh! Look at her spinning!” Emeline shouted as she clapped, and Ensley whistled.

  I watched, thoroughly entertained, as Caden and Lilibeth moved across the dance floor with so much ease, it seemed as if they’d been dancing together for years.

  “How are they doing those dips and turns like that? They’re so in sync,” Emeline said, smiling from ear to ear as she watched the two dance.