Hillbilly Rockstar (Blacktop Cowboys 6)

“I hadn’t planned on going until just now, so that’d be a no. It’s the safest place I could be. Especially if you’re there with me.”

“God, you’re good.” She stepped back, breaking their connection as soon as the song ended.

No one seemed to be paying attention to them as they returned to their seats.

Some old guy was grilling Fletch—probably for free veterinary advice. Tobin and Harlow were speaking animatedly as Hugh silently looked on a little too intently. Harper and Celia were talking about their kids. Eli and Summer had stopped over to say hello before they joined another table of friends.

Pearl glommed onto Liberty the second she sat down. Garnet, Tilda, Bernice and Vivien were arguing about the next round of shots. Which left him with Miz Maybelle’s undivided attention.

When she smiled at Devin and scooted her chair closer, he knew he was screwed.

“Quite a show you put on,” she said, blocking him from the rest of the table.

“I’m glad you were able to make it to Cheyenne. There’s nothin’ like playing to a hometown crowd.”

She snorted. “I’m not talking about the concert—although that was a hoot. I’m talking about the show you and Liberty just put on. Acting like you two don’t know each other when it’s plain as day that you’re in love with the girl.”

Devin couldn’t hide his shock.

“Relax. I doubt anyone else noticed, since half the table is in the sauce. I assume there’s a good reason you’re keeping your relationship with her under wraps?”

“It’s . . . complicated. That’s all I can say. If I could let people know we were together, I would.” He imagined sitting next to Liberty in this bar, his arm around her and her head resting on his shoulder like a normal couple. “In a damn heartbeat.”

She patted his leg. “She’s several steps up from your usual type I see you with in them magazines. And I don’t see that look of . . . desperation in your eyes anymore. Which is probably why you’re not being hounded by the ladies who showed up here, hoping to get into your Wranglers.”

“Seriously?” But as Devin allowed a stealthy look around, he noticed the bar had filled with women of all ages, all focused on him.

Liberty sensed it too. If he hadn’t known her like he did, he might’ve missed the immediate change in her demeanor.

“Let me give you some advice. It’ll be damn lonely if all you’ve got to snuggle up to at the end of the day are bags of money. A good woman who sees you, not just your fame and fortune, is worth more than her weight in gold.”

“I know that. I just gotta convince her I feel that way about her—and that I always will.” He impulsively leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Miz Maybelle.”

“Anytime. Now, get Fletch to take you outta here. He’s restless and missing Tanna anyway. But at least he’s not working to fill his free hours when she’s gone.”

Devin caught Fletch’s eye and gestured to the door.

A look of relief crossed his face and he stood. “I’ve got an early morning, so I’m headin’ out. Come on, Dev. Let’s hit the road.”

He scooted his chair back. “Great hanging out with y’all, even if it was for a short time.” He locked his gaze to Liberty. “Nice meeting you.”

“Same here.”

Fletch was familiar with the drill. It was easy for him to run interference for Devin because no one wanted to mess with a guy Fletch’s size.

Still, even after they escaped outside, the door banged behind them. He automatically turned around to see if he’d been followed, and a pack of four women were approaching.

Then Liberty cut in front of them, shouting, “Ah, Dr. Fletcher, could I ask you a question?”

Fletch stopped. Sighed. “Sure.”

“It’s about . . . dogs.”

Dogs?

“I’m thinking about getting Tate and Jake a puppy. Of course I wouldn’t do it without Bran or Harper’s say-so, but when is the best time of year to get one? Spring? Or fall?”

Devin noticed the women had stopped. And that Liberty had positioned herself and Fletch so they were blocking him completely from view.

God, he loved this woman, who looked out for him even when she wasn’t being paid to do so. That meant something. It had to.

“My usual response is to say spring, but as ranchers, Bran and Harper would have more time to work with the puppy in the fall, not during calving season.”

“Dr. Fletcher, did you unlock your vehicle?” Liberty asked in a low tone.

Startled by the abrupt conversational switch, Fletch warily said, “Yeah. I unlocked it when we came out. Why?”

Without looking away from Fletch, Liberty said, “Devin, get in the truck. Now. And try not to be obvious.”

He didn’t argue and he didn’t stick around to hear Liberty explain to Fletch why she was bossing him around.

Chapter Twenty-five

Liberty spent the morning outside with the boys, playing cowboys and Indians in their fort. She took them for a walk so they could pick wildflowers—weeds mostly—for their mama.

She cleaned up her dirty charges afterward and then hopped in the shower herself. Since she was heading back to Denver, she dressed in shorts, flip-flops and the AWESOME AUNTIE T-shirt Tate and Jake had given her. No need to slather on makeup or bother fixing her hair. She finger-combed the blue streak she’d re-dyed this morning, figuring it’d be the last time she got to have a teeny bit of personality in her hairstyle. Once she returned to GSC, she’d revert to her normal don’t-stand-out hair color.