Page 43 of One Wild Chance

“Are you talking about Wyatt?” I ask. “Just go over and introduce yourself.”

“I can’t do that!” she whispers.

“Why not?”

“Because we only met once before, and he won’t remember it. Especially when he’s so famous and…” She gestures toward all six feet four inches of the football player standing across the room. “HUGE.”

Wyatt towers over everyone here, but he’s not intimidating when he smiles. That’s what makes him so endearing.

I set down my glass. “He’s just like everyone else. There’s nothing special about any of the brothers.”

“He’s not like everyone else, Summer. He’s been on ESPN.” She peeks over her shoulder again. “You know, Jaxon’s still looking over here.”

I keep my eyes forward. “He’s probably wondering why I’m here.”

“Well, so is the guy at the end of the bar.”

I scoot forward enough to look down the length of the bar. A bearded man I’ve never seen before is watching me. He tips his hat, and I snap back to my drink.

“Guess that attention-effect thing works,” I mutter to Sawyer. Or maybe I’ve just been out of the dating scene for so long, I’ve forgotten how to play.

“Told you!” He grins.

“Can I get a drink?” I ask. “Like a mocktail?”

Sawyer rests his hands on the bar. “You know this is Golden Springs, right? We don’t do mocktails. But I can make a ginger ale with cranberry juice.”

“That’ll work.” I can still feel Jaxon looking at me from across the room. He’s not even pretending not to.

The absolute nerve of him.

Larissa stands and smooths her blouse. “Okay, wish me luck. I’m going to join the line dancing and hope that I bump into Wyatt.”

“You’re leaving me?” I grab her arm and pull her back onto the stool. Sitting alone at the bar makes me want to walk straight out the door. Except I’d have to talk to Jaxon on the way out.

“I’ll only be gone for a few minutes.” She peels my fingers off her arm. “Use this chance to talk to someone else—like Jaxon, maybe, or the guy at the end of the bar…or both?” She waggles her eyebrows as she backs away.

Sawyer hands me my drink. The band starts up again, and that’s when Hank Branford enters the place.

After greeting half the room, Hank strides past the bar, then stops next to me. “Summer Daniels, right? You work at Lucky Chance Ranch.” He holds out a hand like we’re old friends. Which is weird because he’s never greeted me before. “Heard you’ve been keeping their mare operation running at Lucky Chance.”

“With help.” My gaze skates over to Jaxon, who seems even more interested now that I’m talking to Branford.

Hank leans an elbow on the bar, tucking his thumb in the pocket of his Wranglers. “That’s not a small thing, especially after everything the Chances have been through.” Sawyer passes him his usual drink. “I run Branford Farms. Ever heard of it?”

That’s like asking if I’ve heard of Kentucky Fried Chicken. “Who hasn’t? It’s one of the biggest horse operations around these parts.”

He dips his head in acknowledgment. “You know, I could use someone with your experience to help run our broodmare operation.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a card. “If you’d ever like to make a move…” He slides the business card across the bar.

The glossy Branford Farms logo catches the light. “Thanks, but I’m not looking right now.”

“No rush,” he comments smoothly. “Rumor has it Lucky Chance isn’t doing so well.” He points to the card. “Keep it. You never know when my phone number might come in handy.”

I don’t like this man, or his gaudy belt buckle and fancy hat. A deep voice near my shoulder startles me. “Hello, Hank.”

I turn and find Jaxon behind me, a cool expression on his face.

Hank looks him over. “Jaxon Chance. We meet again.”