Tacker (Arizona Vengeance #5)(30)

“Hey, Billy,” I say, starting to pull the bottle from his hand and the baby goat from his lap. “Looks like it’s about time to eat.”

Of course, I get another bright smile.

We make our way over to the burgeoning crowd where I’m introduced to the people I haven’t met before. I make small talk and direct people to coolers filled with water, soda, and beer. Moving over to the food tables, I try to make sure everything is in order, but I’m shooed away by Dax’s wife, Regan, who assures me that she has it all under control. Taking me by the shoulders, she forces me into the line so I can get a plate of food myself.

When I have my lunch, I scan for a place to settle in. My eyes catch on Tacker where he leans against the paddock fence with a bottle of water in his hand. He’s talking to Dominik Carlson, and I figure it’s a good opportunity to gush over his generosity again.

As I make my way there, I can feel the moment Tacker’s gaze falls on me. Dominik is saying something to him as I approach. It’s obvious Tacker is actively listening, but his eyes stay on me the entire time I walk toward them.

His lips curl up, eyes crinkling slightly in a greeting that seems to imply, “Glad you came this way”. It also says that despite his best efforts to be sociable with everyone, it’s still tough and I’m his safety net.

Dominik also smiles in greeting.

Extending my arm, I hand my plate to Tacker. “You need to eat.”

He takes it from me, glancing down at the food before tilting his head at me. “You need to eat, too.”

“I’ll get something soon,” I reply before addressing Dominik. “I really can’t thank you enough for the tractor. It’s far more generous than I deserve.”

“Oh, I doubt that,” Dominik drawls, his eyes darting a moment to Tacker before returning to me. “I think this place is amazing and the work you do is incredible. I’m more than glad to help.”

I incline my head. “Well, thank you again. Along with your other donation, it will make a huge difference here on the ranch.”

Dominik’s attention lights on something behind me, and I twist to see what. It’s just a group of players, but he’s clearly interested in them because he murmurs, “If you two would excuse me…”

He walks off without a backward glance, heading toward them.

“He’s got a thing for Dax’s sister,” Tacker says with a chuckle. “I expect he’s going to try to poach some information from him while he can.”

Curious, I shift slightly to see. Sure enough, Dominik heads straight for Dax, who is sitting at one of the picnic tables, bent over a plate of ribs.

“Got a thing for his sister?” I ask for clarification.

Tacker shrugs, transfers the plate I’d handed him to his good hand, and picks up the plastic fork resting on the edge with his casted hand. He spears a piece of potato salad. “It’s all gossip to me, really, but those guys gossip with the best of them.”

I snicker, then lean up against the post. “Oh, do tell.”

Tacker puts the bite in his mouth. As he chews, he points at the table where Dominik has now taken a seat right beside Dax, who appears decidedly uncomfortable.

After swallowing, Tacker says, “While I was working out the other day, Legend told me that, about a month ago, Dominik apparently showed up at the rookie party Dax’s sister had also crashed. Supposedly, they hooked up. Since then, he’s been pursuing her, but she’s been dodging him.”

“Sounds romantic.” I sigh, wondering what type of woman would run from Dominik Carlson’s advances.

Tacker’s lip quirks up in a half smile. “You’re a romantic, huh?”

“For the right situation,” I reply a little coyly. “You?”

“Back in my glory days, I suppose I could have been called that. Been a while.”

I’m pleased to hear Tacker talk so effortlessly about his past life and the man he used to be, especially since I don’t detect a single note of apprehension in his tone.

I don’t want it to turn awkward in any way, though. Tacker does best with small doses of conversation.

So I pat him on the arm, then gesture slyly over to the picnic table. “I think you should go eavesdrop to see what’s going on, and I expect you to report back to me on the situation at some point.”

Chuckling, Tacker dips his head. “On it.”

I watch a moment as he saunters over to his friends… his teammates. The ones who have had his back from the start and who are now starting to see some rewards in return. I have high hopes for that man, and I try to ignore the tiny kernel of care I’m starting to feel for him.

I mean… I care for all my clients. With Tacker, though, we have a bond based on similar struggles. I’ve not connected with someone like this in an exceptionally long time.

When my stomach rumbles, I decide ribs, potato salad, and baked beans are calling my name. I plan to go out and work with them after we eat since Blue said she was taking Billy back to his group home to get some rest. He’s had a big day.

I fill my plate, grab a bottle of water from the cooler, and purposely avoid the table where the first line congregates. Tacker’s presence has pulled the others around.

Smiling, I see Raul sitting against the side of the barn, a paper plate loaded with food on his lap. I wander over to my old friend and father figure, sitting beside him.