Page 11 of Matthew
“Holden!” Mac called out, lifting a hand in greeting.
The man grinned and veered toward the ESI table. “Heard there were burgers and bad decisions. Figured I’d find you all here.”
Holden and Emily Jones ran the local animal sanctuary. He was former Delta, solid and dependable with a calm that never quite left him. She was a sharp-eyed Animal Control officer who could wrangle a loose donkey one minute and out-argue a rancher the next. Matthew had met her during a volunteer shift last month, and he still wasn’t sure who ran the sanctuary—Holden or his wife.
Matthew stood and clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re late. Karaoke night passed.”
“Thank God.” Emily rolled her eyes fondly at her husband. “I love you, but no one needs to hear you attempt to sing George Strait again.”
Holden shrugged, unbothered. “It’s not my fault y’all can’t appreciate greatness.”
“You’re safe,” Caspian said, lifting his glass. “Tuesday’s for line dancing. Less noise, more humiliation.”
Holden chuckled and pulled out a chair for his wife at the next table over. “We’re meeting Callie and her sister. Figured we’d grab dinner before they drag me onto the dance floor.”
Matthew glanced up at the name, his drink pausing midway to his mouth.Callie. He hadn’t expected to hear it tonight, much less feel the subtle kick of awareness it triggered.
He kept his expression neutral, but his attention sharpened.
Mac lifted a brow. “Didn’t know you guys were that close.”
“I went to school with them.” Emily slid into her seat with a grin. “Maggie was a grade below me, but Callie and I had algebra together. She was quiet but smart as hell and stubborn enough to argue with the teacher and win.”
“She still like that?” Caspian asked, clearly amused.
Emily smiled, her tone softening. “Always. But now she’s got a greenhouse and a way of grounding everyone around her. Some things don’t change—and thank God for that.”
Matthew smirked, hiding it behind his beer. Of course, she’d have a history with the local enforcers. He should’ve known the universe wouldn’t let him stroll into town without someone having a backfile on the one woman who’d already thrown him off balance.
After the server stopped by to take his order—brisket burger, seasoned fries, and another beer for good measure—she moved to the next table where Holden and Emily were settling in.
She didn’t miss a beat. “Three sweet teas, two brisket plates with double slaw, and the veggie melt with no onions. Oh, and extra pickles or my friend will riot.”
The server blinked, then smiled. “You got it.” Then she took Holden’s burger, fries, and beer order, before heading to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, she returned with their drinks, placing another longneck near him, then dropped off drinks at Holden’s table before disappearing back toward the kitchen.
Holden took a drink of his beer and set it down with a satisfied sigh. “Still think y’all are trying to trick me into line dancing.”
Carter grinned. “It’s not a trick if you already know it’s coming.”
Emily smirked. “He’s just mad Callie always spins better than he does.”
“Not hardly. You’re lucky I dance at all, given I have two left boots.” Holden snickered. “Besides, you and Callie grew up with this stuff.”
“She grew up running between greenhouse rows and hauling fertilizer sacks twice her size,” Emily said fondly. “When her dad got sick, she didn’t even hesitate. She stepped in, kept it all going.”
Matthew leaned back slightly, something tightening in his chest at the quiet pride in Emily’s voice. He didn’t know much about Callie, but that one sentence said a lot.
“Hard to top that kind of grit,” Mac said.
“Yeah.” Emily nodded. “And the place is thriving, not that Callie would ever admit it. She acts as if she only waters plants and minds her business.”
Cooper snorted. “And yet, she’s already under Herb Boy’s skin.”
Matthew gave him a dry look. “Keep talking, Thompson. I’ll be the one to sign you up for karaoke next week.”
The door swung open, and laughter floated in ahead of two figures backlit by the glow from the outdoor lights.
