Chapter Three

Ava was thrilled they were booked into one of the top-end rooms. She was so happy she could show her friends a good time. Bringing them here, for something they loved, gave Ava so much joy. And being in a luxury hotel to boot! Awesome.

Ava stepped aside and let Fredi go in first, wanting to see the expression on her face.

“Wow.” Fredi dragged her suitcase into the living room of the suite and looked around. She nodded her head. “You did good, girl.”

Ava propped her suitcase up against the sofa, dropped the bag holding her brand-new boots on the couch and walked over to the sliding glass doors.

“Would you look at this view?” She opened them and stepped out on to the balcony. “We’re inside, but it’s like we’re outside. This hotel is really cool.”

Fredi came out and stood beside her and whistled. “This sure is the cat’s ass.”

Ava heard the door slam and spun around. “They’re here!” She dashed into the living room to find Bonni and Celia lugging their suitcases and some bags into the suite.

“Hey!” Ava ran over to tackle-hug her friends.

“Your private jet made it, I see,” Fredi said, and joined in the group hug.

This was a norm for them. Group hugs, squeals of delight, jumping up and down, all the general chaos of the first meeting after being apart for a while. There were even a few tears, mainly from Ava. She stood back and happily watched her friends chatter and catch up. This time, she was responsible for bringing everybody together and she couldn’t be more excited.

“You guys have to ride that jet sometime,” Celia told them as she put her purse on the coffee table. She made an exaggerated movement with her hand. “It’s not big, but it’s posh. It’s the first time I’ve been on it and I think I could live there. Maybe even join the Mile-high Club one day.” She did a little body wiggle and clapped her hands together.

“As if you haven’t already,” Fredi replied.

“Wellllll…” Celia didn’t say any more, just picked up her bag, which had fallen over.

Ava giggled. “Hey, speaking of which, why didn’t you guys pick me up along the way? It would have saved me from flying commercial.”

Bonni and Celia looked at each other then Bonni replied sheepishly, “Sorry, Aves, didn’t think of it. I don’t think we’re used to being able to use a plane like an Uber yet.”

Fredi gasped in mock-hurt. “Aw, Ava, if they’d done that, then you wouldn’t have zoomed around with me in the fancy-dancy candy-apple bug.”

Ava shuddered for real and regaled Bonni and Celia with how many death-defying collisions had narrowly been avoided while Fredi snooped through their bags. Ava broke off her story when Fredi squealed in delight and hauled out a big bottle of Jack Daniels.

“I love you guys. You never forget. Smart of you to do a booze run. Saves us having to go out right away.” She hugged the Jack with a sublime smile on her face. “But, you know, we will be going to the distillery sometime over the weekend. I have so decreed. You really didn’t have bring any with you.”

Ava watched Fredi take the bottle over to the bar and twist the cap off. “Shots, everyone.”

“Of Jack Daniels?” Ava asked, surprised. “I know I can drink most of you under the table, but straight shots of Jack are…” Ava shivered. “It just burns so bad.”

“Don’t be such a baby,” Fredi said as she lined up some tumblers she had found behind the bar. “Don’t we always start off our weekends with a bit of booze?” She pursed her lips as she measured out the shots.

“Okay, ladies, get over here. We have to get ready, don’t we? Line dancing tonight!” Fredi barked out the orders and everyone was quick to oblige.

“Pre-drinks!” Celia skipped over to the bar and picked up her glass.

Bonni had hers in her hand and Ava took her glass.

The women raised their glasses, clinked them together and, amidst a variety of grimaces, groans and shivers, downed their shots of Jack Daniels.

“Brrr, that’s harsh,” Ava said, shaking her head, her tongue hanging out, sucking in some air.

“What’s the matter, honey? Is your tongue on fire?” Fredi asked.

“Uh-huh.” But Ava slapped the cup down and indicated with a finger that she wanted some more. May as well start the night out with a bang, she thought. Tonight was the launch of their long weekend together. She was going to have fuuuun.

“Atta girl.” Fredi had a big smile on her face as she gave Ava another generous dollop of Jack. “Glasses forward, ladies,” she instructed Bonni and Celia.

Ava picked up hers and watched the others push theirs forward for a refill before they clinked their glasses again.

“Now, what is this about cowboy boots?” Celia asked.

“Oh yeah, Ava totally bought some cowboy boots today,” Fredi said, putting the cap back on the Jack and sticking it in the freezer behind the bar. “Can you believe she didn’t bring cowboy boots to Nashville?”

Celia looked at Ava with an expression of wonder. “How could you not bring any boots to Nashville?”

Ava wasn’t going to let her friends’ teasing bother her and tossed it right back at them. “I haven’t had any for years and, honestly, it never even crossed my mind. But I definitely needed a pair for this weekend.” She lifted a shoulder and gave them a saucy smile. “Just be glad I didn’t bring my old tap shoes.”

Fredi groaned. “Now that would be a sight, you tapping away to ‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie,’ or up on your toes doing pirouettes to ‘Friends in Low Places.’”

Ava looked at Fredi and furrowed her brows. “I would have killed it.”

“I didn’t bring any cowboy boots.” All heads pivoted to Bonni.

“What? You did not bring cowboy boots?” Fredi was astonished.

“Nah, these are my favorites and super-comfy. I can cut a rug in them to beat the band or run down a suspect.” She stuck her foot out and Ava glanced down at Bonni’s black, low-heeled boots.

“Guys, come look at the ones I just bought.” Ava rushed over to the couch and hoisted the bag. She pulled the boots out and held them up, turning them so the light would catch the sparkles.

The women oohed and aahed.

“They’re gorg!” Celia said, taking one and running her fingers over the leather. “You will be the pride of the line-dancing dance floor tonight. Can you believe we’re in Nashville? I’m so glad I learned to line dance years ago, because going to the Wildhorse Saloon is amazing. It’s like the Bluebird Café! Famous.”

Ava carefully tucked her boots back into their bag, giving them a final pat. Now she just had to find a dress to go with them. She was excited about going dancing tonight; it had been way too long since she’d danced. And tonight was line dancing! She hadn’t line danced since high school, yet she wasn’t worried. She may be a city mouse now, but it was time to let her country shine!