Well,almostno one had answered the ad except for Chance. Hot, smoking hot, but completely unsuitable, Chance Kessal. Hard to imaginehimin a birth class.
Even as she was remembering how his jeans had clung to his thighs as he’d stalked up her stairs, the man himself walkedthrough the door. Chance pulled off his hat and ran a hand through his hair, his lips curving in a wicked, knowing smile.
How did he do that? He walked in and immediately commanded her attention.
Behind him came his brothers, Rye and Quint. Cordy knew Quint —she’d seen him in the Donut Palace. She didn’t think she’d ever seen Rye in the Swing Inn before, although she had seen him around town. The Kessals were hard to miss.
“Cordelia.” Chance said her name like she was the best thing he’d seen all day. Her body responded in spite of her better sense. “We’ve had a day. I hope yours was better. Mind getting us three Coors?” His eyes flashed with knowing humor. “We could’ve had drinks at home, but beer tastes better when you pour it.”
She’d seen him do this countless times—charm the dickens out of a target—so she ought to be immune. Heck, she’d seen him do it to Gina, Kris, and Annie, who were sitting in the bar together right now!
But tonight Cordy’s insides warmed with appreciation. Maybe it was his thighs in those jeans that were making her susceptible.
Quint rolled his eyes while Rye gave her a shy smile.
“Do you have to pour it on every time?” Quint asked his brother. To her, he said, “Sorry.”
“No problem.” Her tone was bright, bracing. The kind that said she knew they were here for a good time and she’d help them achieve it. “Three Coors coming up. They ought to wash that day away in no time.”
As Cordy poured the beers, the Kessals said hello to Sam and a few other people in the bar. She wondered what had happened to make ita dayas she worked the tap. Chance wasn’t one to complain about anything, but something in his tone struck her.
Gina came over to say hi, hugging Chance a little longer than necessary. Her hands lingered on his shoulders and her smile was inviting. It looked like Gina was aiming for a two-night stand here.
Cordy watched from the corner of her eye, one hand on the tap. Could Gina do it? Could she land Chance Kessal twice?
Chance was flirting back, so maybe… But no. Chance was taking a step back, his smile turning impersonal. He was shutting her down. Very subtly, very masterfully, but he wasn’t interested.
Gina picked up on it right away. She pulled her hand back and her smile hardened. But her expression was resigned, not angry.Well, it was worth a try,her face said.
“Everything good?” Cordy asked as Gina walked by.
“Yep.” Gina laughed. “Watch out for that one.” Her tone was affectionate, but Cordy took her words very seriously.
“All the Kessal boys are here,” Cordy said when she returned, trying to lighten the mood. That was her job, after all—pour the drinks, be a distraction or a sympathetic ear if needed. Honestly, she really did love it, meeting and talking to all kinds of people.
“Not all,” Rye said. “We’re missing Lane and Bowie.”
She handed him his beer. “I don’t think I’ve met them.”
“Bowie’s in Missouri. An actual professor, if you can believe it.” Chance’s smile asked her to laugh with him.
“Professor of what?”
“Animal science. He figures out how to feed cattle better.”
That made sense. She couldn’t imagine one of Chance’s brothers teaching philosophy or anything like that. “He’s older? Younger?” She passed a drink to Quint.
“Older.” Chance started counting on his fingers. “Bowie comes first. Then Quint, then me. Rye here is next, and Lane finishes it off.”
She stuck her fist on her hip. “Five boys. Your poor mother.”
Something flashed across all three of their faces. Cordy immediately realized her mistake.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She put her hand to her chest. “Jeez, I put my foot in it. Did she recently pass?”
“No,” Quint said gruffly. “It’s been over a decade. Not recent at all.”
“But you still miss her,” Cordy said gently.
