When he smiled back, I couldn’t help but notice how nice it was. Then his eyes roamed my body, and I focused back on watching Trevor behind the bar.
“You’re not tired, Trev? I mean working on the ranch all day and then coming here?”
He laughed. “Nope. Cord does it too.”
“Yeah, but you work on the ranch full-time right?”
Nodding, he replied, “Yep. It’s been nice having Steed back. I can tell he’s trying to get back into the swing of things, but the extra hands are nice.”
Cue the guilt. Steed’s plans were to go to college for business management and then come back and start learning the business end of the ranch. I wondered if that was still his plan.
“Does it bother your dad that not all the boys are involved with the ranch like you are?” I asked while taking another drink.
Trevor handed one of the waitresses a few drinks and looked at me. “I don’t think so. I mean, they all still come and work. He gets that they all had their own dreams they wanted to follow. But for me, the ranch is what I breathe. Nothing will take me away from it.”
“Why do you work here?”
Trevor stopped and studied me. “Seriously, Paxton?”
“Yeah.”
He leaned against the counter and tossed a white rag over his shoulder. A cocky grin moving across his handsome face. “Free beer and endless pussy. Need I say more?”
Little Trevor who used to run around and chase the chickens was now all grown up and talking about pussy and beer.
I snarled. “No, you don’t need to say anymore.”
When I glanced over my shoulder, Corina and Mitchell were spinning around the dance floor, and she was laughing.
“At least one of us is having fun,” I mumbled under my breath.
Finishing my beer, I held it up for Trevor to give me another. The guy who was sitting a few seats down stared so hard I shot him a look. He smiled, and I returned the gesture.
Corina’s voice filled my thoughts. “Harmless flirting will do us good.”
“You’re not from here,” I stated.
His eyes lit up. “No. Here on business.”
Okay, he was cute. Really cute. Maybe some harmless flirting was what I needed to forget about Steed for a bit.
“You?” he asked.
I laughed. “Born, raised, and will most likely die here.”
He got up and moved to the seat next to me. Sticking his hand out, he flashed me that nice smile of his, but this time it was wider and showed a dimple on his right cheek. “Mike Ryan.”
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.”