“That’s one word,” Wes grumbles with a glance my way.
I pick at a piece of cornbread. “Wilder lectured me enough. Can you drop it, now?” I turn to Levi. “We had good intentions, really.”
“Not really,” Levi comments. “They’re a pretty big rival.Believe me, Ricky and his sister would have made sure no rider or horse from Blue River won anything. And if you did, you’d have a bigger problem on your hands.”
“Oh, stop being so dramatic, Indie,” Tessa snaps.
Levi gives her a sideways glance. “Sounds like somethin’ you would do, Whiskey.”
“I wouldn’t get caught,” she mutters.
The pretty redhead and I high-five on instinct, and the guys roll their eyes.
“Whiskey, huh?” I ask. “That your favorite drink or something?”
“Her eyes.” The response comes from Levi, and it makes my stomach buzz. The way he sees and adores her.
That small-town love sinks into me, lingering warmly. Like something I suddenly crave.
I exhale softly and perk a brow at Levi. “And .?.?. Indie?”
“That dark hat and cocky grin,” Tessa answers. “Looks like Indiana Jones, doesn’t he?”
I don’t answer and laugh softly, shifting my gaze before I get any more swoony over these two. “Well, anyway, I still don’t understand why Blue River Ranch doesn’t host rodeos. So they’re a lot of work and money, but wouldn’t it be worth it?”
My question earns me a few sideways glances from nearby tables, and one from my brother. “Rose, just drop it, OK?”
Huh.Doesheknowsomething?
“You’re not the first to ask,” Levi offers. “I’ve only hosted a handful, and the years I don’t it’s because of the time it takes or staff shortage.”
“But they used to,” I burst out.
“Really?” Levi asks, interest flickering in his eyes.
“Rose,” Wes warns. “I said drop it.”
“I heard Randy and Barry talking about it. How Connor used to host regularly. And then Dallas and Wilder took over and itstopped.”
Levi cocks his head. “Shame. A ranch like this? Could make a killing. Sponsorships, tourism. A bigger name. Put the ranch on the map in a whole new way.”
I don’t know what most of that means, but it just sounds like missed opportunities.
“If I can talk him into one, would you be willing to help?” I ask, ignoring my brother as he mutters something about not wasting my time.
Levi points to his beautiful wife. “She can. Tess helped plan one for us last season.”
His wife’s eyes light up. “I’d love to help you plan one, assuming you’ve got permission.”
“Permission for what?” Wilder’s voice comes from behind me, and I look over my shoulder. He’s with Dallas, who looks tired, but otherwise his face is void of emotion.
Levi lifts off his seat. “There you two are. How long does it take to run an errand in a small town like this?” The men exchange some greetings, but Tessa doesn’t stand. She scooches over to me, practically pressing her lips to my ear. “All right, which one?”
“What?” I tear my eyes off Wilder, who’s glaring at me like he’s wondering what I’m up to this time.
Tessa pulls back from me, a hint of amusement in her voice. “Never mind, I got it.”
The brothers take a seat across from us, and Levi moves to our side of the table next to Tessa. Wes leaves to grab a few rounds, and I take a breath. If I’m going to bring this up, it may as well be now, when I’ve got a power couple who seem to agree with me and might just back me up.
