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Taking his hand, I replied, “Paxton Monroe. It’s nice to meet you, Mike.”
He kissed the back of my hand. “The pleasure is mine.”
“What brings you to Oak Springs, Texas?” I asked, taking another drink.
“I work for an accounting firm in San Antonio. Hoping to pick up a rather big client.”
Laughing, I asked, “Here?”
“Ranching. Makes for good money.”
I grinned. “That it does if you know what you’re doing.”
“And this ranch knows what it’s doing. The Parker ranch. Cord here was kind enough to show me this place after I spent the afternoon with the owner.”
“John Parker,” I said.
His eyes lit up. “Yes. Do you know him?”
Laughing, I replied, “Well everyone knows John. But yes, dated one of his sons a long time ago.”
Mike pointed to Cord then Trevor with a questioning look. I chuckled. “No. His name is Steed.”
His smile faded. Oh gesh. That must mean he had met Steed.
“Ah, yes, Steed. The prodigal son who has returned home,” he said. I lifted my brow. “I met him this afternoon and introduced myself. I have to say, he’s making things a bit difficult for me.”
Rolling my eyes, I took a long drink of my beer. “Sounds like him.”
Mike stood and held his hand out. “Dance with me, Paxton?”
A part of me needed to say no. But another part needed to have a bit of fun and that was exactly what I was going to do.
“I’d love to dance with you, Mike.”
I walked into the crowded bar and saw her. Paxton was dancing with that fucker Mike Ryan. The bad feeling I got about him earlier only intensified.
“Hey, Steed Parker! Are you fucking kidding me? Dude. When did you get back into town?”
I had to force myself to pull my eyes off Paxton and Mike. Todd Schneider stood in front of me wearing a huge grin. I shook his hand and returned his smile. “A month or so ago.”
“Fucking hell, man. It’s been a long time. I bet Paxton was happy to see you again.”
My eyes lifted to the dance floor where she was getting a little too comfortable with Mike. Todd followed my gaze.
“Or maybe not. I figured y’all would hook right back up. Especially since Paxton hasn’t dated anyone since you left.”
I shot him a look. “What about Joe?”
He lost it, laughing. “Joe Miller? You’re kidding, right? Shit, they dated off and on but even I could tell there was nothing there, much to Joe’s disappointment. I’m sure he was happy as hell you took off. Remember how he liked Paxton in high school?”
“Yeah. I remember.”
“Who’s the guy she’s dancing with?”
“Accountant from San Antonio.”
“Oh fuck. That spells boring.”
I laughed, and Todd hit me on the back. “Let me buy you a drink.”
“Sure, why not.” I followed Todd to the bar. Trevor glanced up and almost had a look of relief on his face. He’d called me almost an hour ago and said Mike had been feeding shots to Paxton, and she was willingly taking them. One quick call to mom to ask her to come sit at the house while I went out, and I was out the fucking door and speeding to get here. I’d imagined the different ways I was going to pound my fist into Mike’s face. Then I remembered how things went with Joe, and I simmered my ass down.
I glanced over my shoulder and searched the dance floor until I saw them. The ache in my chest grew. Clearly Paxton was enjoying herself with Mike. Maybe she was over me. Maybe I read too much into that kiss and what she said in her kitchen. She said she never stopped loving me…but was she in love with me?
“Hey, Todd. What can I do ya?” Cord asked, pulling my attention back to the bar.
Todd reached his hand out for Cord’s. “Sup, Cord. I’ll take a Bud.
Trevor set a shot of whiskey in front of me as his eyes met mine. I reached for it, lifted it, and smiled. Damn, I’d missed my brothers. I didn’t even have to say a word, and Trevor knew what I was thinking. He also knew I needed something to take the edge off.
It was good to be home.
“Thanks for calling,” I said after the shot burned down my throat.
He nodded and went off to help someone else. Cord was talking to Todd, but he looked over and gave me a warning.
I grinned. I wasn’t about to start any trouble in his bar. Yes, I was only here because Trevor told me some asshole was all up in what was mine, but I wasn’t going to make a repeat of what I did the other night at Paxton’s house.
Todd hit me on the side of the arm. “Hey, let’s get together sometime. Catch up. I’d love for you to meet my wife. She’s expecting our first baby in a few months.”
