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“It was?”
“Yeah. I’m not sure why, but it just popped into my mind.”
“The kid was blond, wasn’t he?”
“No, he had dark hair. I think.” I tried willing my mind to churn, but the rotgut bourbon had taken its toll. It was on the tip of my tongue. Rodriguez? No. Martinez? No. Velasquez? That sounded really close.
“We’ll find out soon enough. The Spider’ll come through.”
“Yeah, but we’re sitting on pins and needles until then. I’m a single dad, and you’ve got a kid on the way. How do you deal with this shit?”
“I keep busy. I’ve been working like a dog.”
“I need to start my job.”
“Monday will come soon. And trust me, you’ll have plenty of work.”
I still wished I’d be working outdoors on the ranch, but I’d make way more as the new CFO for the Steels. Money was important. I had a son, and I needed to do the best I could for him.
“Listen,” Joe said. “I get why you wanted outdoor work. I’ll make sure you get some. All of us work with the hands sometimes. We all need it. Talon probably does it more than Ry and I do, but lately, I’ve been seeing my share of our land. All this shit has been making me crazy.”
I nodded. “It’s got to be good for the head.”
“It is. I mean, nothing goes away, but it helps.”
Heidi strutted back up to the bar. “I’m off in ten minutes, Bob.”
Joe stifled a chuckle.
I cleared my throat. “Busy tonight.”
“You think this guy is better than me?”
This time, Joe didn’t hold back. He laughed uproariously.
I gave him my best “fuck you” look.
“This is my best friend in the world. Heidi, meet John.”
Joe laughed again. “Yeah, John Smith. Good to meet you.”
“Are you free tonight, John?” Heidi asked with a smile. “Or both of you?”
“Sorry.” Joe held up his left hand. “Married.”
“With a baby on the way,” I added.
Heidi didn’t miss a beat. “So?”
Unbelievable. I was so glad I hadn’t done the deed with her. “I hate to be blunt, but we’re not interested.”
“No worries.” She placed the drinks Len set in front of her on her tray, turned, and then looked over her shoulder. “You two don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I feel like I need to scrub down after that,” Joe said when she was out of earshot.
“I hear you.”
“Man, you must have been desperate that night.”
