Page 44 of One Wild Chance

“It’s my hometown. Where else would I be?” Jaxon answers.

Hank’s farm might be next to Lucky Chance, but his roots are in Lexington. He’s never been one of us even if he’s in town every week.

Jaxon’s brow lowers. “Hope you’re not trying to recruit my broodmare manager.”

Hank rubs his chin. “Nope, just letting her know the door’s open if she’s ever looking.” Hank glances back at me with a tight smile. “Good talking with you, Summer.”

He tips his hat at both of us and heads toward a back table.

I turn back to the bar. “For the record, I didn’t invite him over.”

“I figured.” Jaxon leans against the bar, looking in no hurry to leave now that Branford is gone. Sawyer hands him a drink.

I tip forward on my seat and see that the bearded man has disappeared too. “You believe me?” I meet Jaxon’s eyes.

“Why wouldn’t I? You could’ve moved to Branford Farms a long time ago if you’d wanted—but you didn’t.” He studies Hank across the room. “He’d love to poach you from us—hurt our farm and help his operation in one move.”

“Ah, I see.” I nod. “You don’t want to lose to Branford.”

“That’s not what I meant. I don’t want to lose you.”

Something warm settles under my rib cage. “What about Lucky Chance?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not selling to Hank Branford.” He swirls his drink. “And I don’t want you going to his farm either. I’m not sure we can keep the place running without you.”

I nearly spit out my drink. Jaxon is admitting he needs me?

I turn to him, waiting for the catch. Jaxon Chance doesn’t say things like that.

“Why are you staring like that?” he asks.

“You just admitted you needed me. Possibly for the first time in our lives.”

He tips his glass, then swallows. “I can be nice.”

My brows rise. “Name one time you complimented me.”

He squints, thinking. “The day you fell off your horse. You were so…graceful.” His lips curve.

I shake my head and laugh. “That is just wrong.”

“Okay, I’m sure I’ve said nice things before,” he says, his grin widening. “I just can’t think of any when you put me on the spot.”

“Excuses,” I say, biting back a smile. For once, it’s nice to be wanted, even if it is for what I bring to the farm. “Why don’t you like Hank, though?”

“Besides the fact that he wants Lucky Chance?” He plays with the napkin under his drink. “Years ago, the Branfords cheated my family. It’s why I won’t do business with them.”

That explains so much. Miriam and John never seemed impressed with Hank, while the rest of the town was falling all over themselves to get to him.

“Then I won’t do business with him either.” And I mean it. The Chance family took a risk on me when nobody else did, and I have never forgotten that.

Jaxon studies me. “So, you’ll stay at Lucky Chance while we figure things out?”

“It’s the least I can do.” I pick up my glass. “As long as you’re nice to me.”

He leans on the bar. “I can do that.” Then his lips hitch up. “Might even throw in another horse ride with me if you’re lucky.”

I roll my eyes, fighting a smile. His gaze drops to my lips, lingering there a beat too long. “So that’s a no?” He gives me a teasing grin.