Page 7 of Untaming the Cowboy
“I’ll hold you to that,” he tipped his head, closing the passenger door before backing away toward the driver’s side.
Upstairs, Dahlia entered the room as she’d left earlier, suitcase still open on the bench, clothes draped over the sides in disarray. Near the window sat her travel altar: a small pouch of sage essentials, crystals lined like sentinels, and the cleansing spray she’d mixed herself—distilled water, witch hazel, lemon, rosemary, and a few drops of frankincense. Since she couldn’t smudge in a hotel, she uncapped the bottle and misted the air, watching the shimmer drift through the lamplight until the space felt lighter, more hers.
She exhaled, letting the tension drain. Then she dropped her purse onto the armchair, fished for her cell, and called Teylor as promised.
“You had about five minutes before I was calling your ass back. So, what’d the police say,” Teylor jumped right in.
“He wrote up the report and gave us both a copy,” Dahlia answered, kicking off her boots and settling in the armchair by the window. “Gave him a citation for failure to yield, and I’ve got Lucas Stanley’s insurance information. I’ll be calling on Monday since it looks like I’m stuck here without a car. Then again, Beau did say he could take me wherever I need to go since they don’t get Ubers out here often.”
“Wait—who’s Beau? And where’s he taking you?”
“Anywhere I wanna go. But he’s Lucas’s best friend who drives a tow. He dropped the rental off at the shop,” Dahlia explained with a grin. “Girl, why did his white ass call in backup with Beau—like he couldn’t handle all this Black girl magic?”
Teylor cackled. “He can’t, that’s why he called that Black man for you. So, you gonna holla at Beau, right?”
“I highly doubt that,” Dahlia laughed. “He’s a big ol’ gentle giant though. Reminds me of John Coffey.”
“Who?”
Dahlia burst out laughing. “Girl, you know—the man inThe Green Mile. But Beau’s finer. Huge smile, calm energy, hands that look like they could pick up a house. He called meMissandma’amwithout it sounding country-old. I think I’m gonna take him up on his offer so I can check out this little town.”
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Teylor clapped. “You met somebody to kick it with, and he sound like a sweetheart. I approve.”
Dahlia hesitated, thinking of Lucas’s strong jawline, that cleft chin, those gray eyes that wouldn’t stay one shade, and the way his unbothered attitude was like a challenge. Would he drop that calm-like-he-don’t-care act long enough to hang out with her?Probably not.
“No, ma’am, it’s not like that with Beau,” she said finally, tamping the thought of Lucas down. “Ain’t nobody trying to start nothing with nobody out here in Hicksville, USA.”
“Mmhmm. Why it take you so long to answer, then?” Teylor pressed with a muffled chuckle.
“Did not. I answered you point-ten seconds.”
“Alright, whatever, my Spiritual Baddie. But don’t sleep on them big boys—especially if he from the country,” Teylor warned playfully. “You know some of them were raised right and know how to treat a lady. Hang out with Beau tomorrow and see what Hicksville’s got goin’ on. Handle your car Monday, and when I get there next week, we’ll do the rodeo, line dancing, and all that good stuff. How’s that?”
“Sounds good to me. Can’t wait to see you, Tey. Call you tomorrow.”
They traded quick good-nights, and when the line clicked off, Dahlia opened a video call to her cousins.
Shayla’s square came in first, her head wrap tied high, and as always, her lip gloss was popping despite it being after two a.m. on the East Coast.
“About time. Lennie texted me a little while ago asking if I heard from you. We checked where your wild tail is ‘cause Granny said you’re not with Teylor. The hell you at, girl?” Shayla demanded, pointing at the screen.
Before she could answer, Lennie’s box appeared. She was holding a glass of wine and swatting at her boyfriend, who popped into view with the biggest smirk, his locs brushing his shoulders.
“‘Sup Shayla. DeeDee. How y’all doin’?”
“Umm, no.” Lennie snatched her phone and moved to another room, grumbling, “Dang, you see I’m trying to talk my cousins. So aggy.”
Jace trailed right behind her smoothly plucking the glass from her hand with a grin. “And I’m tryna talk to them too. Ain’t seen them in days.”
“Boy, bye. They didn’t call you—call them on your own time.” She playfully mushed him out the room and closed the door.
Dahlia giggled at the display. Lennie had been secretly dating the drummer from Love in Minor Keyz—the same band where Shayla was the lead vocalist.They’d tried to deny it for months, but it was obvious they were more than they were letting on.
Once Lennie got settled, her questions came flying.
“DeeDee, girl, why are you in Westbubbafuck without Tey? And where the hell is that?”
“I just asked her that before you and Jace so rudely interrupted,” Shayla said teasingly.
