Tiny Dancer(Divine Creek Ranch 13)(118)
Grace burst into laughter. “Said the former exotic dancer.”
Camilla laughed along with her. “Well, now that you mention it, I guess I could. I just never have before.” She looked over to the bar, eyes drawn to the spot she would feel most comfortable at the moment. The activity was all running smoothly.
Ben leaned down and whispered, “You’re the boss lady now, sugar. They’ve got it well in hand.”
They arranged themselves at a large semicircular corner booth, which would be a great place to watch the room from, and a waitress rushed over to take their drink orders. When Jack and Adam arrived, Grace excused herself and went off to the dance floor with Jack for a slow dance to Brantley Gilbert’s “Fall into Me.”
Ben and Quinten were involved in a discussion with Adam as the club began to fill up, the music increasing in volume as the noise level rose. Ethan told her that he’d fetch her when it was time to play to the crowd. She excused herself and went to check in with Sylvan, who was standing at the bar surveying the room. She was vibrant in her figure-hugging black-and-red dress and boots.
She smiled as Camilla walked up and greeted her. “Everyone is saying how much they love The Twisted Bull.”
“Are things running smoothly? Waitresses all doing okay?”
“Yeah. I gave Bambi a smaller group of tables since she has the least experience. She seems to be holding her own.”
“Everything behind the bar okay?”
Sylvan waved at the bartender and exchanged brief sign language with him, which made Camilla smile.
Sylvan nodded and turned back to Camilla. “Yeah, everything’s fine, but I need to grab him another bottle of—”
“Tequila.”
Sylvan giggled, a musical sound. “I forgot that you probably used the same system at The Dancing Pony and would know the sign for tequila. Ben taught all the bartenders and the bears.” Camilla smiled that Sylvan called them that, too, a habit that she’d picked up in working with Camilla. It was easier than calling them by name, and they didn’t mind in the least. “We still haven’t gotten that last shipment in from the liquor distributor in San Antonio. I hope it comes tomorrow.”
“We’ll be fine for tonight?”
Sylvan nodded with self-assurance. “Oh, yeah. I’ve got this under control, so if you want to relax and mingle, it’s fine. You’ll be easy to find tonight. You look gorgeous in red.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that.” She smoothed her hand over her abdomen, which was still mostly flat.
“You should’ve seen the looks on Ben and Quinten’s faces when you walked in the door tonight. I hope someday I find a man who looks at me the way they look at you.”
“No one in your life right now?”
Sylvan scrunched up her nose and shook her head. “Not with the way I move from place to place. I date, but that’s all I have time for.”
“He’s out there,” Camilla said, patting her forearm. “You’re doing a great job, Sylvan.”
More patrons filtered in the front door, and she made her way toward the front of the club until she reached Heath, who was manning the door with Spencer.
Heath grinned at her and put an arm around her when she quickly said hello. “Boss, everyone loves your new place.”
“That’s good. I put the eye candy up front for all the ladies coming in the door. I’ve got some smarts, huh?”
Heath laughed and drew out one word as he rolled his eyes. “Whatever!”
Spencer got her attention and pointed behind her. “Boss, Ethan is waving at you.”
“Uh-oh. This is the part where I get to talk to the crowd.”
Spencer grinned and bent down to her. “I heard it helps if you imagine them all nekkid.”
“Har-har! Wish me luck!”
Ethan was standing nearby, talking with Hank Stinson, who sat with one of his off-duty deputies, dressed in Western attire. His pale-gray Stetson set off his chiseled good looks, and Camilla wondered for the umpteenth time why he didn’t ever have a date with him when he went out on the town.
“Hi, Hank. Thank you for coming out.”
Hank glanced at Ethan and then smiled at her. “Pleasure is all mine, sweetie.”
Camilla caught the silent exchange. “You’re here in an official capacity?”
“Unofficially, yes. I’m just helping the guys. Since we still have no idea where Tyler Anderson has gotten himself off to, I’d just feel better keeping an eye on things.”
“You mean keeping an eye on me? Guys, how many of you are here tonight? I highly doubt he can get to me through all twenty of you.”
“It’s just a precaution. I never did track him down when I went to pay him a visit, and we still don’t know what the person behind all the break-ins wanted from you,” Hank said.