Page 32 of Saddles and Snowstorms (Sagebrush Cowboys #4)

“Karaoke night!” Colt announced, slapping Rowan on the back. “Logan here thought we could use some ‘team bonding’ or whatever city folk call it.” He leaned closer, his voice not getting any quieter. “I think he just likes having all the gays in one room so he can get an eyeful.”

Logan raised his beer in acknowledgment. “Seemed like a good way to shake things up. Plus, I’ve been dying to hear what these cowboys sound like when they think they can sing.”

“Uh… I’m not gay,” Caroline added, pulling the man next to her a li ttle closer. I’d never seen him before. “But I bet I can sing the pants off the rest of you fairies.”

“Oh, you’re on!” Colt cried, letting go of us at last and heading toward the microphone. Caroline got up to join him, the two of them playfully bickering as they picked out their first song.

I felt Rowan’s eyes on me, gauging my reaction. I cleared my throat, trying to look more comfortable than I felt.

“We can still leave,” he said quietly, leaning close enough that I could feel his breath against my ear. The sensation sent a shiver down my spine despite my anxiety.

“It’s alright,” I replied, surprising myself with my own answer. “Might be fun.”

The relief in his eyes was worth the discomfort churning in my gut. Dolly appeared with two beers, sliding them across the counter toward us.

“On the house,” she said with a wink. “Good to see you out and about, Brooks. Been a while since you’ve joined in any kind of gatherings.”

I nodded, taking a long pull from the bottle. The cold beer helped calm my nerves a bit. “Thanks, Dolly.”

She patted my arm before bustling away to help another customer.

Rowan and I made our way to a small table near where Logan and Dakota were sitting.

Dakota gave me a nod of acknowledgment, his long dark hair pulled back in a neat ponytail.

There was something in his eyes—a knowing look that made it obvious he’d figured us out.

I felt my skin start to prickle instantly.

Before I could dwell on it too long, Colt’s voice boomed through the speakers as he belted out the opening lines of “Friends in Low Places.” Caroline was right beside him, harmonizing surprisingly well despite their earlier competitive jabs.

“Didn’t figure you for a karaoke fan,” Rowan said, leaning in close enough that our shoulders touched.

I took another swig of beer. “Never done it before,” I admitted. “Never been invited to something like this.”

Rowan’s expression softened. “Well, I’m glad you’re here now.”

His words warmed me more than the beer ever could. I found myself relaxing slightly as I watched Colt and Caroline perform, their voices blending together in perfect harmony. The entire diner was clapping along, the atmosphere light and joyful.

“Brooks!” Dolly called, appearing with a plate of her famous jalapeno poppers. “These just came out of the fryer. I know they’re your favorite.”

The fact that she remembered made something tighten in my chest. I thanked her with a nod, pushing the plate between Rowan and me.

“So,” Logan said, sliding into the chair across from us, “you two been spending a lot of time together lately.”

My spine stiffened immediately. I glanced at Rowan, who seemed to be taking it in stride, his face giving nothing away.

“Brooks has been helping me learn the ropes around here,” Rowan replied smoothly. “Still getting used to large animal care. Different from what I did in Austin.”

Logan nodded, but his expression remained knowing. “Right. Large animal care. At night. When the clinic’s closed.”

My face went hot. Dakota, who’d followed Logan to our table, elbowed him sharply in the ribs.

“What Logan means,” Dakota said quietly, “is that it’s good to see you both out tonight.”

I cleared my throat, taking another long pull from my beer. The cold liquid did little to ease the burning in my cheeks. “Thanks for the invite,” I managed, though we both knew we hadn’t actually been invited.

Rowan’s hand found my knee under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. The simple touch steadied me, grounding me in a way I hadn’t expected.

Colt and Caroline finished their duet to thunderous applause, taking exaggerated bows before Caroline pointed directly at our table.

“I nominate Brooks and Rowan!” she called out, her voice carrying across the diner.

All eyes turned to us, and I felt my stomach drop to my feet. Rowan’s hand squeezed my knee again, but this time it did little to calm the panic rising in my chest.

“Oh, I don’t—” I started, but Colt was already bounding over, microphone in hand .

“Come on, cowboy!” he urged, grinning from ear to ear. “Show us what you’ve got!”

I looked at Rowan, silently pleading for help. To my surprise, he stood up, taking the microphone from Colt.

“I’ll go,” he said, his voice steady. “But Brooks can sit this one out.”

Relief washed over me, followed immediately by a strange sense of guilt.

I watched as Rowan made his way to the small makeshift stage, scrolling through the song selections with a confidence I envied.

The room fell quiet as he found what he was looking for, and the opening notes of “Desperado” filled the diner.

And then his voice—God, his voice. It was rich and deep, filling every corner of the diner as he sang about a prisoner who had found his cage.

The room fell completely silent except for Rowan’s singing, everyone captivated by the unexpected talent coming from our town vet.

Even I sat transfixed, my beer halfway to my lips, forgotten.

When he reached the chorus, his eyes found mine across the room. “You better let somebody love you, before it’s too late.” The words hung in the air between us, and I knew they were meant for me. A lump formed in my throat that I couldn’t swallow away.

Dolly appeared beside me, her weathered hand resting on my shoulder. “That boy’s singing to you, Brooks,” she said quietly, her voice barely audible over the music. “Plain as day.”

I couldn’t respond, couldn’t tear my eyes away from Rowan as he continued, his gaze never leaving mine. It felt like we were the only two people in the room, like he was laying his heart bare for me through someone else’s words. The vulnerability in his eyes made my chest ache.

When the song ended, there was a beat of silence before the room erupted in applause. Rowan smiled sheepishly, ducking his head as he made his way back to our table. The flush on his cheeks made him even more beautiful.

“Where the hell did that come from?” Colt demanded, clapping Rowan on the back. “You been holding out on us, city boy!”

Rowan shrugged, sliding back into his seat beside me. “Sang in a band for a bit in college. Nothing serious.”

“Nothing serious, he says,” Caroline scoffed, shaking her head. “That was incredible.”

I couldn’t speak, couldn’t find the words to express what his performance had done to me. Instead, I let my knee press against his under the table, a silent acknowledgment of what had just passed between us.

“Your turn, Brooks,” Beau called from across the room, his arm slung casually around Lucas’s shoulders.

I shook my head, panic rising again. “I don’t sing.”

“Everyone sings,” Lucas countered with a grin. “Some just do it better than others.”

“Leave him be,” Rowan said, his voice gentle but firm. “If Brooks doesn’t want to sing, he doesn’t have to.” The protectiveness in his tone made my heart swell.

The others exchanged glances but backed off, Colt dramatically clutching his chest. “Fine, fine. But you’re missing out on the full karaoke experience, cowboy.” He turned his attention to Dakota. “What about you, strong silent type? Got any hidden talents?”

As the attention shifted away from us, I leaned closer to Rowan, our shoulders touching. “That was...” I struggled to find the right words. “You never told me you could sing like that.”

Rowan’s lips curved into a small smile. “Never came up.” His eyes met mine, intense and honest. “Did you like it?”

“Like it?” I whispered, making sure no one else could hear. “Rowan, that was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.” I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to reach for his hand. “And I heard what you were saying. Through the song.”

His eyes softened. “Yeah?”

I nodded, unable to look away from him. “Yeah.”

The moment stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words and fragile emotions. I wanted to tell him everything—how terrified I was of losing him, how afraid I was of letting people in, how the walls I’d built were crumbling every time he smiled at me. But the words stuck in my throat.

Dakota took the stage next, surprising everyone with a soulful rendition of “Tennessee Whiskey” that had Caroline whooping and Colt pretending to swoon. I used the distraction to lean even closer to Rowan.

“Can we get out of here?” I murmured, my lips nearly brushing his ear.

He looked at me, concern flashing in his eyes. “You alright?”

“Yeah,” I nodded, meaning it. “Just... want to be alone with you.”

Understanding dawned on his face. He nodded, finishing his beer in one long swallow. We waited until Dakota finished his song and the applause died down before making our move. I tossed some bills on the table to cover our drinks and stood up.

“Heading out already?” Dolly asked, appearing beside us with that all-knowing look in her eyes.

“Got an early morning,” I explained, not quite meeting her gaze.

She just sighed, a smile on her face. “Go on you two. I’ll let the others know.” She placed a hand on my shoulder as I went to leave, holding me back for just a moment. Leaning close, she whispered, “That boy loves you, Brooks. Don’t you dare let him slip away.”

My heart pounded wildly as she patted my shoulder and let me go. I couldn’t help but stare for a moment, a fleeting hope in my belly that she might be right.

Maybe it was time to have a serious talk with Rowan at last.