Page 43 of A Rancher's Heart
Chapter Ten
They paused in the truck outside Rough Cut, and Tamara tilted the rearview mirror so she could put a final layer of war paint on her lips.
Kelli eyed her with interest. “It never fails to surprise me how makeup changes a person. I mean, you looked good before, but somehow you’re even shinier now.”
Tamara glanced at the other woman. Kelli’s baby face shone with enthusiasm and youthful beauty. “Makeup on you would be a waste. You’re pretty enough without it.”
Kelli shrugged. “All I know is when I do put it on, it doesn’t sit right. I’m more comfortable without it. I’ve got no issue enjoying how it makes other people feel about themselves. I just end up more like the Joker than a beauty commercial.” She shoved her door open then twisted to jump from the high cab, turning in a circle as she wiggled her hands over her torso. “Like you said, what I’ve got ain’t too shabby, so I’m not worried.”
Tamara joined her on the other side of the truck. “No false modesty here,” she teased.
The other woman pursed her lips before offering a cocky smile. “Before we go in and get deafened, let me know when we need to head home. I can go all night, but if I show up for work looking like I had too good of a time, the boys will give me all the shit jobs just to make me bleed.”
Tamara understood that as well. She’d deliberately driven her own vehicle so she could leave when she was done, but she didn’t think timing was going to be a problem. “I’m not looking to stay out all night. Cinderella limit?”
Kelli grinned. “I like you.”
The bar was an old-fashioned place on the edge of town, with a false front and an authentic wooden boardwalk. An old chair sat to one side, weathered and worn from use and the sun.
But as they pushed through the heavy slab door, they stepped into an entirely different setting. Still a Western, but everything shone. Dark gleaming wood and black wrought-iron fixtures.
Wall sconces burned as if they were chandeliers with real candles, and Tamara was dragged forward into the heat and light, mesmerized at how charming the result. The main areas were well lit, although below full brightness. The dance floor that took up half of the space was darker, couples dancing vigorously.
Kelli nudged her on the shoulder and shouted above the music. “This way.”
Tamara followed her to the side of the floor where long wooden boards created tables to put drinks on. There were hooks attached to the support posts, but she patted the wallet in her back pocket, content to keep her things close where she wouldn’t forget them.
Two women at a tall table waved, and Kelli led her there, tugging Tamara by the sleeve when she got distracted by the new sights and sounds.
It took effort, but she finally focused on the people they were headed toward. She’d have plenty of time to come back and examine Rough Cut more closely.
The two women waiting for them were mixed opposites. Short and tall, blond and dark. Fair skinned and sun-kissed brown. They greeted Kelli with wide smiles before their gazes shifted to Tamara and a great deal of curiosity drifted in.
“Girls, this is Tamara. Tamara, this is part of my crew. Tansy and Rose are sisters, and they make the best damn cup of coffee in town.”
“Notice she didn’t mention the flower shop,” the blonde teased her sister before offering a hand. “I’m Tansy Fields, that’s Rose.”
Tamara did a second take. “I know who you are. You were at the coffee shop.”
“I was behind the counter,” Tansy agreed. She jabbed her thumb at her sister. “Rose was trying to convince Josiah and the boys that she’s legal for trade.”
Rose had her beer stein halfway to her mouth. She didn’t even blink as she smacked the back of her hand against her sister’s arm.
“Ouch.”
Rose blinked brightly, smiling at Tamara. “Then this is your official welcome to town. And thank you for your patronage.”
Tamara laughed. “Buns and Roses is the best name ever for a coffee shop and flower store. Not sure how you came up with that combo, but it’s brilliant.”
“Leftover coffee grounds make great fertilizer,” Rose informed her.
“And Rose is too lazy to come over to my place to pick them up, so she tore down the wall between the two shops. Also, she couldn’t stand to be apart from me.”
Kelli shoved her way between the sisters, rolling her eyes at Tamara. “They’re inseparable. Twins, even.”
Tamara eyed the women closer. Nope. Not believing that one. “Sorry, you’ll have to explain how that works.”
They smiled. “We’re both adopted, but we have the same birthday. Sisters who were born on the same day? We have to be twins.”
