Hot Cowboy Nights (Lucky Penny Ranch #2)(24)

“Oh, really? Were you different from that at sixteen?”

Toby put both hands on the steering wheel. “My hormones were raging at that age but if I’d bragged like he did, my daddy would have taken me to the woodshed. And believe me, even at that age, I did not like trips to that place.”

“Pretty tough with the whippings, was he?” Lizzy asked.

“Never laid a hand on me, not once. Mama swatted my butt on occasion but not Daddy. I would have rather taken a whipping as listened to the lectures that got dealt out in the woodshed or know that I’d disappointed him. I have no doubt that damaging a lady’s reputation would have been just cause for both.” Toby turned the radio back on.

For the next thirty minutes every damn song that played on the radio spoke to Lizzy in some form or another. When Blake Shelton sang, “Goodbye Time,” it reminded her again that it was time to let the past go and embrace the future.

A big neon sign above a rustic-looking building let Lizzy know they had arrived at the Rusty Spur. If the parking lot was any indication, the place was packed that Saturday night. As they walked hand-in-hand toward the place, she hoped it wasn’t filled with people from Dry Creek.

“What are you thinking right now?” Toby asked.

“Hoping that Mitch’s mama or Dora June isn’t here,” she said honestly.

Toby’s laughter rang out above the noise of the live band. “If they are, I’ll make sure to save one dance apiece for them.”

When he opened the door, a fog of smoke and cool air flowed out to meet them and dozens of loud conversations added to the racket of the music. Lizzy had not expected the primal emotion that flowed through her veins. She felt like a wild animal that had been set free from a cage to prowl in its natural habitat. She sucked in the smoke, wanted a beer, and had the urge to dance, pressed up to Toby so close that light couldn’t find its way between them.

She might have been engaged to a preacher, but she was out with a prophet because he’d said she wasn’t cut out to be a preacher’s wife. And he was so right!

Toby tucked her elbow into his hand. “I see two bar stools at the end.”

She nodded and wove her way through the crowd, willing no one to claim the spots before they got there because she really did want a drink. She and Toby had settled on the tall stools before they noticed Deke sitting right beside them.

“Well, hello, Lizzy! Imagine finding you really here. Even with all the gossip spreading around town, I didn’t think you’d really come along with Toby,” he said.

“Call the folks who write the Guinness Book and all the newspapers in Texas. Surely it will make the ten-o’clock news if they hurry,” she said.

“What are y’all drinkin’? I’ll buy the first round just to soften up her sass, Toby,” Deke said.

Lizzy had planned on nursing one beer all evening, but Deke’s smartass remark was nothing short of a challenge. “I’ll have a double shot of Jack Daniel’s on the rocks.”

“I suppose that means I’m the designated driver tonight, so I’ll just have a beer. Coors, long neck, please,” Toby said.

“Are you saying I can’t hold my liquor?” She took the first sip of the whiskey and enjoyed the taste and the way it warmed her mouth. Not totally unlike a hot and heavy kiss from Toby. Oh, those were the glorious days. Sex with no strings and no one had any idea what they were doing.

“I’m saying that the night is young and one of us has to drive back to Dry Creek,” Toby answered.

Deke held up both palms. “Don’t look at me. I’m here to have a good time and I’ve already spotted a lady that I plan to sweet-talk into keeping my bed warm tonight so don’t plan on me driving you two drunks home.”

“Wouldn’t think of spoilin’ your Saturday night. If you would be a sweet guy and warn me if you see Mitch’s mama lurkin’ around I would appreciate it. I’ll buy her a drink if she shows up,” Lizzy said.

“She’s not half done with the drink and she’s already drunk. Talkin’ about Mitch’s mama comin’ to a bar proves my point. That woman would rather pick the white tops off chicken shit in the moonlight as come to a honky-tonk. If she shows up I’m for sure calling the television stations.” Deke disappeared into the smoky fog.

Toby leaned over so she could hear him above the din. The warmth of his breath combined with the whiskey sent sweet little shivers up and down her spine.

“Are you feelin’ totally out of place? We can leave anytime you want.”

She shook her head emphatically. “Crazy thing is that I feel right at home. Give me time to finish this drink and then I want to dance.”

“I’ve got a request for a Billy Currington song,” the lead singer said from the corner of the room where the stage had been set up. The band broke into a good two-steppin’ song, “People Are Crazy.” Toby held his hand out to Lizzy. She threw back the rest of her drink and slapped her hand into his. He led her to the middle of the dance floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he rested his on the middle of her back. If anyone was spying on them, there would be no doubt that they were a couple.

“And one more request from Billy and then we’ll move on to someone else,” the singer said, and the first sounds of “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right.” Lizzy leaned back enough to look up at Toby. In her head she could see the video of Billy Currington on the beach wearing wet jeans, no shoes, and with his shirt unbuttoned to reveal a broad muscular chest. It might have been the whiskey blurring her vision, but right then Toby Dawson looked a hell of a lot like Billy, down to those clear blue eyes and that wide kissable mouth.