Page 40 of Rowdy St. Nick

"Among other things," she replies, gaze lingering on mine.

"Hey, Parker! You caught anything good yet?" Jace calls out, breaking the spell. He's making his rounds with a cooler full of drinks.

"Nope, nothing yet," I say, reeling in my line and deciding the fish can wait.

I sidle up to Clay, who's examining his fishing line like it's about to go under surgery. "Tell me, Dr. Wrangler, any special tricks to whisper those fish right into our buckets?"

"Very funny, Parker. Just because I can calm a spooked stallion doesn't mean I've got the fish charmed too," Clay shoots back without missing a beat.

"Shame," Romi chimes in, her lips twitching into a smirk as she leans against the oak tree. "Here I was hoping you'd talk a big ol' bass into jumpin' straight onto my hook."

Clay just grins, tugging at the brim of his hat. "Well, if I could, that'd be one less fish for Parker here to pretend he's caught."

"Ouch," I laugh, giving Clay a playful shove. "Keep that up, and I'll start spreadin' rumors about you actually being a cat whisperer."

"Wouldn't be the worst thing," he retorts, and we all chuckle.

Levi ambles over, a wide grin splitting his face. "Speak of animals, Beck tried riding the dog again this morning. Swore he was a cowboy in the making."

"Again?" I ask, shaking my head as I picture Levi's sturdy mutt with a determined kid on his back. "How's ol' Buster holding up?"

"Better than that same Dodge that I’ve had in my shop three times this month, that's for sure," Levi replies, laughter deep in his voice. "But hey, kid's got spirit."

"Sounds like he's taking notes from someone else's playbook," I tease, nudging Levi's side with my elbow.

"Got that right, buddy," Levi says, winking. "He's a Thompson through and through."

I lean back against a shade tree, squinting at Skylar as he practically dances on the spot, his hands painting pictures in the air. "Now, imagine this," he says, his hazel eyes sparking under the wide brim of his hat, "rows upon rows of Merlot grapes catching that perfect sunset glimmer."

"Sounds like a postcard," Tess remarks. She's standing right in front of me to share the shade from the hot sun.

"Better. We're talking about a full-bodied experience, Parker. You'll have to come by for a tasting. Just wait till you try the batch from last fall. It's aged like—" He pauses, searching for the right word.

"Perfection?" I offer with a smirk, tipping my hat back with a thumb.

"Exactly!" Skylar laughs, pointing at me as if I've just won some contest. Tess chuckles beside me.

"Can't say I know much about wine, but if it's anything like what you’re portraying, then sign me up,” I add.

"Ah, you're so sweet," Tess teases, bumping her shoulder against mine.

I wink at her, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest whenever she's this close.

Before we can slip further into our own little world, Jace saunters over, a tray of drinks balanced in one hand like he's been doing it all his life—which he probably has. "Y'all look parched," he drawls, distributing ice-cold beers and margaritas.

"Thanks, Jace. You sure know how to keep a crowd happy," I say as he hands me a beer.

"Part of the job description," he replies. "Enjoying yourself, Tess?"

"Immensely," she replies, accepting a margarita.

"Remember, any friend of Parker's is a friend of mine," Jace adds before moving on.

"Everyone's just so... welcoming here," Tess murmurs, leaning into me slightly.

"Welcome to Heartville," I say, squeezing her hand gently. "Where the beer's cold and the hearts are warm."

"Cheesy," she accuses and chuckles.

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