Tyler Read Free Page B

job. It’s the least we can do until you’re used to hauling kegs and bending over all night stocking shelves.”
    “Jess—” Tyler hesitated. How could he tell his brother he wasn’t going to be hauling any beer?
    “Yeah?”
    The image of Jolene’s flame-bright hair and amber eyes mocked him, something that didn’t sit well with him. Maybe he wouldn’t have to say anything. He might find another job and only have to put up with this one for a few days. At least the money would help tide them over in the meantime.
    But a barefooted, curvaceous redhead with a smear of chocolate on her cheek had him stopping to think things through. He wanted Emily—but he wanted to get to know her too. Despite the fact that he’d been without a woman for almost three months, he hadn’t been hit this hard with need or want since his first taste of love at fourteen. There was no way he was going to miss out on the chance to get to know Emily better before sweet-talking her into bed. In order to do that he’d have to give the women of The Lucky Star a chance.
    “Nothing,” he finally said. “See you in the morning.”
    He snapped his phone closed and stared at it. What the hell had he gotten himself into? He should have taken O’Malley’s offer six months ago and sold the ranch.
    Who would tend the family graves? Where would your brothers live?
    Damn he was getting tired of hearing voices in his head. “We could add a clause to the contract of sale about me tending the graves,” he mumbled pushing away from where he’d been leaning against his pickup. “And my brothers could damn well live in the back of their trucks for all I care.”
    There’s only one truck left that runs, the bodiless voice insisted.
    Stalking back to The Lucky Star, Tyler wondered how the hell he’d make it through the next few hours let alone his entire shift.
    ***
    Tyler walked in and noticed the group of females staring at him. Uneasy with the attention, he removed his hat and held it at his side.
    “I’m glad you’re back.” Jolene said.
    “You sound as if you’re surprised I came back.”
    Jolene shrugged. “Let’s just say it took you longer than expected to make a phone call.”
    She stared at him and wondered if he’d be as much trouble as the last cowboy wannabe they’d hired. Clay had spent way too much time on the phone sweet-talking one of the handful of women he juggled. They’d all been regulars at the club and the reason why Jolene now had her ironclad set of rules.
    Added to her other worries, the prospect of training yet another dancer had her frustration growing. She hoped he knew how to move. “Any questions about tonight?”
    Tyler looked away and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
    Was he nervous? Who’d have figured a big old hunk of man like the one standing in front of her would be nervous about dancing? Watching the hint of color slashing his cheekbones, she wondered if stripping for an audience was the real problem.
    “The routines are easy,” she said, hoping to get to the heart of his worry in order to move past it.
    “I’m not worried about that.” He looked down at the tips of his worn and dusty boots.
    “All right. Let’s go over the house rules.”
    His head snapped up, and his dark eyes riveted to hers. “Rules?” He clenched his jaw and waited.
    Now what? She didn’t have time to deal with the cowboy’s attitude now. She had to sit down with Emily and go over their receipts from last month, and they still had to decide whether or not they were going to cave in and pay the damned Rotary Club.
    Centering herself, she rubbed her temples and drew in a deep cleansing breath. Looking right at Tyler, she held up her index finger.
    “The customers pay to see a show, and we give them one. So unless you’re bleeding or unconscious, I expect you to show up on time.”
    He nodded and she held up a second finger. “The customer is always right.”
    He looked like he wanted to say something but wisely