Page 76 of Wildflowers & Whiskey

“You want a discount on something that doesn't exist yet,” I call after her. Something that might not even be up and running before she leaves.

“Well, duh. Mates' rates,” she says at the door, turning around to face me, “Make sure you eat,” she demands.

“Yes, ma'am,” I say, then she’s gone.

I grab my plate and settle it in front of me. I'm still smiling when I turn back to the screen. Something about her just does that—cuts right through whatever tension is sitting in the room. So much so that I almost forget Wade is still here.

He stands, placing his empty plate on the tray before lifting it.

“Can we continue this tomorrow?” he asks, slipping back into that monotone cadence he's known for. “Food's put me in a coma. Ain't gonna be no use to you now.”

A month ago, I’d be angry at him. Trying to get rid of me. But now I know he’s genuinely tired, picking up on his little habits such as rubbing the back of his neck or restlessly fidgeting with his fingers.

I nod, still smiling.

“Thanks for giving me this chance, Son.” Then he's gone too. Leaving me to sit with those words.

The sun’s already dipping behind the mountains when I head back to the main house. Dinner’s the only thing on my mind now. That, and the hope there’s something left that isn’t instant noodles.

As I breach the entrance of the house, the usual slam of the front door announcing someone has entered, I hear Maeve’s voice echo through the hall, “Colt, is that you?”

I follow the direction it came from, excitement buzzing under my skin like a livewire.

That is, until I see she is not alone.

I am unexpectedly met by a very lively kitchen. Usually everyone has gone to their respective homes, whether that’s the bunk house or their own places, to wind down for the evening before repeating it all the next day.

The scene is pure chaos. Snacks cascade over the length of the table; two of the ranch hands, Maverick and Dean, are jokingly pushing and laughing at each other, causing Bryan to snort in his glass of what I can only assume is Bourbon—his go-to. Maeve is next to a very stressed-out Naomi, who is sat at the island, head resting in her hands as her fingers pull at her colourful braids.

“Girl, it’s going to be so good,” Maeve grabs onto Naomi’s shoulders, lightly shaking her, causing her to sit back up and revealing a small smile.

“I have a month,” Naomi says flatly.

I reach past them for a beer from the bucket on the island. “A month for what?”

“Our girl Naomi is planning the charity event of the century,” Maeve says, eyes already scanning the papers in front of them. “And she thinks it's going to be terrible when it most certainly will not.”

“The main act cancelled, Maeve.” Naomi straightens. “Dawn of Dawson was the whole pulling factor. We're a small town. Nobody's driving out here just for drinks, karaoke, and a mechanical bull.”

“You got Asher's band to come into town?”

Asher Dawson. Naomi's childhood best friend. The boy who'd made it out of Wildbrook Hollow and into one of the biggest country bands in the country. Also, the boy I'd spent a considerable amount of my younger years hating for reasons I'mnot particularly proud of. He was everything that I wasn’t. Confident, lovable, talented, and always had the attention of anyone he ever wanted. Including Naomi, who at the time was the person I leaned on the most.

“I didn't know you two still talked,” I say, keeping my voice easy.

She looks at me, all soft and a little confused. “We've always stayed in touch.”

I turn for the table before my face gives away the old emotions that have resurfaced toward the guy.

“He had to cancel,” Maeve continues behind me. “But you will still put this event on the map.” Maeve drums the counter with her hands, getting us ready for whatever this idea of hers is. “We are going to do it Coyote Ugly style.”

The room goes quiet.

Maeve looks around like we’re the anomaly in the room, even though she is the only one who knows what the hell she is going on about.

“Oh, come on guys, you have a bar basically inspired by the movie. And it’s where the event is taking place. So, let’s lean into it.”

“Keep going,” Naomi says, clearly doing her best to hide the doubt in her voice, and epically failing.