Page 42 of Wild Rose (Blue River Springs #1)

Rose

We’re at Bones again. It’s the first time I’ve been back here since the fight Dallas got into with the Callahan Ranch clan.

It’s Saturday night and the bar is full. A comfortable full. Where every seat on the floor-long bar is taken and there’s a small crowd along the back wall. Faces seem friendlier somehow tonight. Less intimidating than when I was here alone.

Then again, I didn’t have Wilder by my side. And Wesley, Dallas, and even Silas, who was supposed to leave yesterday but stayed the extra night when he found out we were all going out, here too.

I see a few guys from work, including Randy and Barry, on the other side of the bar, sipping their drinks like they’re waiting for something.

And then I scan the floor for trouble .?.?. in other words, Ricky and Dusty. Two out of the several times I’ve gotten in trouble during my stay, the Callahan duo was somehow involved. Not to blame, no, but involved nonetheless.

“What’s the occasion again?” I ask Wilder as he guides me toward the back, where Silas and Wesley are seated at a round high-top table. I’ve been hearing mixed reasons all day for tonight’s outing.

He keeps his hand on my back as we make our way through. “The guys kept it on the low all week, but .?.?. Randy and Barry are leaving.”

“Oh. Did you expect that?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. Barry was supposed to be here for the rest of the summer, at least. But Randy’s been here forever. I’m not sad about it. It does put a dent in the schedule though. A big one since he’s one of the more experienced.”

We reach our table. “You had no notice?”

“None. Both just told Dallas and me two days ago.”

“Any idea where they’re going?” Wesley asks.

Wilder doesn’t answer; his jaw ticks with something I recognize.

“They wouldn’t go work for the Callahans, would they?” Silas asks.

Wilder keeps his eyes on the crowd. “Only reason I showed up tonight. To find out.”

“So, why you two so late?” Silas asks, changing the subject. There’s a smirk on his lips that’s a little too suggestive.

He’s not wrong though. Wilder and I did get a little delayed tonight. We had dinner together at my place. Then dessert .?.?. and had a little trouble getting dressed after.

“I couldn’t figure out what to wear,” I say. That, and Wilder kept tossing aside anything I tried to put on.

Wes shakes his head. “I apologize for my sister. I don’t know how someone can bring one suitcase of clothes and not figure out what to wear.”

Wilder shakes his head, eyes glinting with amusement. “No, no, it’s my fault.”

I glare up at him.

“I was clearly picking her up too early.” He winks.

Silas conceals a chuckle and shakes his head at us. “If you say so.” His attention moves behind us. “What are we drinking?” he calls, just as Nelson and Jeff return with a few drinks, Dallas behind them, stuffing his wallet away.

“This a celebration?” I ask.

“It is for me,” Wilder mutters. “Good riddance.”

“You sure ’bout that?” Silas asks. “Where you going to find two more with their experience in the middle of summer?”

“We’ll be fine.”

For the second time since we got here, I catch Wesley searching the place again. And I can’t tell if he’s paranoid .?.?. or hopeful.

“They’re not here,” Wilder says, also catching Wes’s wandering eyes.

“The Callahans are definitely behind this,” Wesley insists. “Something fishy about them just up and leaving. You’re not curious where they’re going?”

“Not a question I typically ask people who’ve been a thorn in my side for years,” Wilder grumbles. “We’ll be all right,” he repeats, and I don’t believe him. I’m not sure anyone else does either.

Dallas seems to be keeping it together better than Wilder. But there’s no mistake—he’s pissed about something too. His steely expression doesn’t give much away, but I’m picking up an unsettling energy.

“Can I have your attention, please?” A voice cuts through the noise. I remember that voice, and it gives me chills. Ricky Callahan.

“Y’all be sure to stop at Callahan’s bar Sunday night as we welcome a couple new members to our ranch. Randy Riles and Barry Duke.”

I look up at Wilder, who’s stiff next to me. “You know about this?” he asks Dallas.

“Had a guess.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me?”

Dallas sighs. “If I did, you would have blown a fuse, and Ricky and Dusty would’a heard and gotten a kick out of it.”

Wilder sucks in a breath as if to say he isn’t wrong about that. “Why am I here?”

“To say good riddance.” Dallas hands him a beer. “We’re better off.”

“We needed them,” Wilder admits, and it scares me how worried he sounds.

I touch his arm, squeezing his bicep. “We’ll be fine,” I remind him.

Wilder’s eyes soften when he looks down at me. He scans me like he wants to pull me close, but we both know he can’t.

“Evening, boys. Nice’a you to come celebrate our new gains,” Dusty gloats, cutting through the crowd to our little group.

I take a step away from Wilder. When Tessa was here, she immediately noticed something between him and me. Women tend to be good at that sort of thing. And I wouldn’t put it past Dusty to call us out if she did.

Unfortunately, the movement gets her attention. “Oh hey, New York.” She glances at Wilder but focuses on me. “See we didn’t quite scare you out of town just yet. Love the boots.”

Wesley slides out of his chair, moving to my side protectively.

“Take a hike, Dusty. We’re only here to wish you luck, ’cause you’re going to need it with those two boneheads.”

She crosses her arms, acting unimpressed. “Shouldn’t you be in the kitchen setting off a smoke alarm or ruining a perfectly nice steak on high heat?”

He narrows his eyes and leans in just enough to match her height. “Don’t dish it until you try it.”

She rolls her eyes. “Thanks, but I only date cowboys.”

“And I prefer real blondes,” he says dryly and turns away before she can say another word, and damn, I’m impressed. Also intrigued. There aren’t many people who get my brother all fired up like that.

Except me, maybe.

Dusty feigns a yawn. “Well, love to stay and chat but we’re celebrating.”

“Oh, so are we,” I tell her with a wide smile.

“Right,” she drawls, then digs in her pocket and hands me a card. “Missed ya at our rodeo couple weeks ago. Call me if you need a ride next time.”

I take the card, because even though she’s the enemy, there’s something sincere about her offer.

Dusty perks a brow at Wilder. “Good luck this season.” She starts to make her way past us until she reaches Dallas.

He towers over her but doesn’t seem affected by her presence.

“Oh, and”—she pats his chest—“heard the great news, Daddy. Congrats.” She turns back.

“Looks like everyone’s got their hands full this summer. ”