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“I’ve never been to a bar before,” she said.
“We’re here to have a drink, dance, and have some fun.”
It was busy as it was a Friday night. He’d expected it to be. Tapping the counter, he ordered them both a beer, and kept one arm around Poppy’s waist.
“When was the last time you were out?” she asked, shouting to be heard over the live band, playing some country music.
“It’s been a long time. I didn’t want to go out partying while you were dealing with your mother. I wanted to be there for you whenever you needed me.”
The barman handed him two beers. Paying for them, Parker gave one to Poppy. “To new beginnings,” he said.
She clinked her bottle with his before taking a sip. He watched her as she glanced around the place. Some of the locals were there, but he didn’t pay them any attention.
Once they finished their beers, he led her out onto the dance floor.
“You’re keeping me very busy tonight, Parker Smith,” she said.
“I like to keep you busy.” He brushed a curl out of her eyes. “How are you feeling, Poppy, seriously?”
“I’m on cloud nine. I’m happy. Is this not what you wanted?” she asked.
He saw the sadness come into her eyes, and he hated being the one responsible for that.
“I wanted this, princess. I think I wanted it long before Casey and Shawn realized it.” He held her close as the song came to a slow one. All of the couples were holding each other. Parker closed his eyes, breathing in her scent, and loving her in his arms. “My parents are always so happy together. I love my brothers, and I knew we’d want a life like that. A woman to call our own.”
“You couldn’t even share a pie.”
“But we each fell in love with you, and you made it so easy for us to love you.” He pulled away to look into her eyes. “You’ve got so much passion and fire inside you. You’ll match Casey step for step. He’s always so serious, but you’ll make sure he has fun. Shawn, he’s the delicate one. The youngest, and so he needs reminding that he’s equal to us all.”
“What do you need?” she asked.
“For you to come to me whenever you need to. To talk to me, and to know that I’ll listen and do everything in my power to give you the world.”
“I don’t need the world, Parker. I just need you.”
The music spun, and he twirled her in his arms. She was so fluid and natural with him. She didn’t fight his lead, and trusted him as he moved her around the dance floor.
Once she was back in his arms, he held her over one arm, smiling down at her. “And I’ll want to take you dancing. I love to dance.”
She was laughing, holding onto his arms. “I’ve got no problem with that. I want to go dancing with you.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips, and smiled at her. “I’m ready to go home now.”
“One beer, a couple of dances, and you’re ready to go?”
“Yes. I’m a man of simple pleasures.”
She was still laughing as he led her out toward his truck.
“Parker!”
The sound of his name had him frowning, and he turned to find Ben, the bully, standing a little away.
Helping Poppy into the truck, he slammed the door closed, and turned back to Ben. “Are we going to have some trouble right now?” he asked.
“I’m not looking to cause trouble. I wanted to ask if everything was okay at the ranch,” Ben said. “I was at the sheriff’s office. I’d reported a case of … animal cruelty.”
Parker stared at him, raising a brow. “So I was right. Ben the bully likes animals.”
Ben rubbed the back of his head. “I heard that two cows had been … mutilated.”
He folded his arms. “Do you know anything?”
“There was a girl, Sarah, I went to school with her. I caught her torturing a cat. I was walking home, and I chased her away. Whiskers, my cat, was the one she was hurting. I stopped her. I know that she was shot down by Shawn. I’m not a nice person, but I’d never hurt an animal.”
Parker stared at him, unsure. “You know, if you gave people a chance instead of being a prick, most people will like you. Do you know anything else?”
“That there’s a small group of women that are pissed you decided to pick Poppy for your family.”
Parker stared at him, not sure how to deal with this information. He’d be telling Casey and Shawn for sure.
“If you hear anything else, let me know.”
He moved toward the truck door.
“Parker,” Ben said.
“Yeah.”
“Sarah was cruel. The things she was trying to do. She hides it well, but there’s a cruelty to her. Be careful.”
Parker nodded, climbing into his truck. Ben’s information was more than they had, and they wanted to keep Poppy safe. He’d take anything right now.
