Turn and Burn (Blacktop Cowboys 5)

Devin interrupted her response by setting three bottles on the table. “Here we go. A round of Coronas.” He held his bottle up and waited for them to do the same. “Cheers.”

Tanna spoke to Devin. “So, when you come in here, do people recognize you? Since you’re a hometown boy?”

“Yeah.”

“They don’t bother you for autographs?”

“Depends. I’m pretty sure the twelve people who live here who wanted my autograph already have it.”

She laughed.

“Did you think they’d throw confetti or mob me when I walked in?”

“I didn’t know what to expect; that’s why I asked.” Tanna sipped her beer. “I’ve been with you when you’ve been spotted by fans. Remember Apalachicola?”

“Apalacha-what?” Fletch said.

“Apalachicola. It’s a town in Florida. Superstar here played a county fair and I was entered in the rodeo, so we met up after his concert. His fans followed him and chased us all over. Finally we lost them and ended up sitting on the beach until sunrise.”

Devin reached out and squeezed her hand.

An unspoken communication passed between them and Fletch found himself grinding his teeth.

Then Devin said, “When we go out around here, it’s usually Fletch who’s mobbed. People wanting an on-the-fly diagnosis for Lassie. For free.”

“Does that happen often?” Tanna asked.

Before he could answer, All the damn time, Bill Leckland swung by to ask about a heifer not producing enough milk. Soon as Bill left, Charlotte St. Croix asked if he knew anyone selling blue heeler puppies.

“See? What’d I tell you? Around here, Doc is the superstar.”

Fletch bit back a comment that he didn’t need Devin to build him up. “Tell me what you’ll be doin’ up at the Split Rock.”

“Working in the clothing store and bartending.” Tanna swigged her beer. “Temporary gig through the summer.”

“Start of county fair season means I’m on the road through the first part of October,” Devin said. “Gonna be brutal.”

“Don’t lie. You look forward to it.”

Devin smiled widely. “I love it. There’s nothin’ like the rush of bein’ onstage. Except for sex.”

Fletch glanced at Tanna the same time she looked at him. He didn’t bother to bank the heat in his eyes.

Silence descended between them. Normally Devin would fill the air with chatter, but he too seemed preoccupied.

After two more interruptions, which required Fletch’s attention, Devin sighed. “Tanna, put this man out of his misery and dance with him. At least out there no one will cut in and demand an on-the-fly diagnosis.”

Thank you, Dev.

Tanna seemed torn. But someone must’ve been about to approach him from behind because she grabbed his hand and abruptly tugged him to his feet. “Show me how well you dance vertically, Doc.”

On the dance floor Tanna attempted to keep a proper distance, but Fletch didn’t allow it. He clasped her right hand in his left and wrapped his right arm across her lower back, pressing them chest to chest.

“Close enough for you?” she asked with a tinge of sarcasm.

“It’ll do.” He paused. “For now.”

“Fletch—”

“Damn, I love the way my name sounds flowing from your tongue.” He shuffled backward and spun them away from the bar.

She tipped her head back and looked at him. “One beer. One dance.”

“One kiss?” he asked hopefully.

“No. As awesome as the other night was, it can’t happen again.”

“Why not? Because, sugar twang, it was awesome. I imagine we could get it to spectacular if we practiced a lot more.”

Tanna laughed and beat her forehead into his chest with mock frustration.

He nuzzled the top of her head. “What’s really goin’ on?”

“I’ve got a few things to work through this summer. I promised myself I wouldn’t get distracted.” Those dark brown eyes connected with his again. “And you, Dr. Fletcher, would be a huge distraction.”

That didn’t sound complimentary. But it hadn’t sounded insulting either. He could work with that.

“I’ve barely been here twenty-four hours. I haven’t even started my job yet. I need to get my bearings. Seeing you at the ranch . . . threw me off.”

After that admission, Fletch pressed his point. “Because you felt it that night too.”

She smirked. “I can feel it now. But I can’t offer you anything but friendship.”

Fletch waggled his brows. “Friends with bennies?”

“You never give up.”

Not when it comes to you. He kissed her forehead. “I’ll give it a rest.”

A slow song came on next and she didn’t pull away. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment. When the song finished he stepped back. “Thanks for the dance, friend.”

“See? You didn’t choke on the word.”

Back at the table, Devin appeared to be fighting off the advances of a woman and her daughter.

Devin stood. “There you guys are. For a second I worried you’d run off with my girl.”

Before he said anything, Tanna plastered herself against Devin’s side. “No way. You are my only love muffin forever and ever amen.” She kissed the corner of his mouth and the hand she’d placed on his chest moved down the center of his body toward the waistband of his jeans.