Page 49 of Promise Me a Forever Texas Love

Huck was Camden’s father, but that didn’t mean he could infringe on her life. He couldn’t show up at the ranch when Camden wasn’t there with his hot forearms and cute tongue and volunteer to help her sweep the porch or muck out the stables or make peach preserves. He couldn’t be charming and funny and sweet. And he certainly couldn’t bring up their night in the treeboat and say he didn’t regret it.

If he hadn’t regretted their night together, then why had he ghosted her?

The thought of him ghosting her had her angrily throwing the paper towel into the trash. “Can you handle the rest of the dinner, Mama? I need to head over to Honky Tonk Heaven tonight and set some boundaries.”

She thought her mama would try to talk her out of it. Instead, she smiled. “You do that, honey. But you might want to change out of those faded jeans and inside-out T-shirt. Why don’t you wear that pretty little red dress you bought for Christmas last year and only wore once? And don’t you worry about dinner. In fact, why don’t you just eat at Honky Tonk Heaven. I hear that Jaxon makes a mean chicken-fried chicken sandwich.”

Cadee had no intentions of eating at Honky Tonk Heaven. She planned to walk straight in, set some boundaries with Huck, and then leave. And if she took a little extra time curling her hair and applying makeup, that had nothing to do with Huck.

When she arrived at Honky Tonk Heaven, the parking lot was full and there was a line of people waiting to get in. Since she wasn’t about to wait in line when she had no plans of staying, she headed straight for the front door. She should have known it wouldn’t go over well.

Texans did not like line cutters.

“Hey, you can’t take cuts!” a cowboy yelled. “You have to wait your turn.”

“Yeah!” The woman next to him said, “We’ve been waiting for twenty minutes to get in.”

“Oh, I’m not staying. I just need to talk to one of the owners who’s a friend of mine.”

“Yeah, we just need to talk with the owner!” A woman in a short jean skirt moved out of the line and joined her, hooking her arm through Cadee’s like they were the best of friends. “I’m so glad you got here, honey. I was starting to get worried. Now let’s go see our friend.” She tried to tug Cadee to the head of the line and all hell broke loose.

Two big ol’ boys in front blocked the door and everyone started yelling and cussing all at once.

Of course, that’s when Huck stepped out.

He looked . . . damn good. He wore the same black Stetson he’d worn when he’d helped herd cattle, a pair of jeans that hugged his hips and muscled thighs, a snug black T-shirt printed with Honky Tonk Heaven on the front, along with a little devil in a cowboy hat peeking from a cloud, and brown roper boots.

“Hey, now! What’s all the ruckus about? Y’all know we have to limit the occupancy due to fire codes.”

One of the big ol’ boys pointed a finger at her. “That little gal is trying to take cuts. Claims she’s friends with one of the owners.”

Huck turned to her. She watched surprise flicker in those pretty hazel eyes before they swept over her body in the short red halter dress. It was over seventy degrees outside, and she still shivered when his gaze lifted and she read the heat in his eyes.

“So you’re friends with one of the owners, you say? And which owner would that be?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you dare be a jackass, Huckleberry Hennessy. Tell these folks you know me.”

His eyes widened. “I know you? I mean I vaguely remember having a best friend that looked a little like you. But she was a skinny little thing who hated to wear dresses.” His gaze ran over her again. “Even when they make her look sexy as hell.”

Damn the man for making her breath hitch with just a couple heated glances and a few flirty words. And why was he flirting with her? He had no right to flirt with her.

“I need to talk to you,” she said.

“And here I thought you showed up tonight to have a little fun. That red dress definitely says I’m ready for some fun.”

“Hell, yeah, it does,” a guy in line said. “I’d be happy to oblig—” He cut off when Huck’s gaze snapped over to him with a warning look that surprised even Cadee. The guy backed up and held up his hands. “Or not.”

“Look, Huck,” Cadee said. “I’m just here to get some things straight is all. Can we talk privately?”

He shook his head. “Sorry. Jaxon was pissed the last time I left my station.” He waved a hand at the line. “As you can see, we’re packed tonight. So whatever you have to say will have to wait until tomorrow morning.” He gave her another once over. “But it would be a shame if you didn’t get to show off that dress.”

Without another word, he took her hand and pulled her past the big ol’ boys, through the open door, and into the loud dancehall.

“What are you doing?”

He tugged her toward the bar where Poppy was working. “I’m giving you what you need. A VIP night at Honky Tonk Heaven.” He tapped a cowboy sitting at the bar on the shoulder. “Excuse me, but this barstool is reserved for friends of the owners.”

The cowboy jumped up. “Sorry. I didn’t realize.”