“Martha was my friend.” He settled behind his desk. “I care.”
“I think you care about Evan. Is he gay?” Bud laughed. “Jesus. He probably isn’t and you’re barking up the wrong tree. Ever think of that?”
“I think you’re out of line.” He opened his laptop. “Martha was a nice woman and she deserves my best.”
“And if you get into Evan’s pants…all the better.”
“Get out of my office. I’m late for my calls.” He gritted his teeth. He’d been friends with Bud ever since he’d earned this office, but right now he wanted nothing to do with his fellow lawyer.
“You need to get some. You’re grumpy when you’re single.” Bud shook his head and left.
Mick wanted to argue with Bud, but opted against it because Bud was right—he was smoother and nicer when he was in a relationship. He relaxed. The same could be said when he had work to do, too. If he was slammed and under a deadline, he thrived. So he’d be spending time with Evan. So he’d see Evan in those tight jeans and T-shirts. He couldn’t leave Evan alone—not at a time like this. He liked the way Evan worked those outfits and wanted to gawk at him.
Maybe Bud was right. He had a thing for Evan. He liked Evan and wanted to get together after the funeral and the details of the estate were hashed out. Would Evan still want him around if they didn’t have to be together?
He could only hope.
* * * *
The next afternoon, Mick drove over to the farmhouse. Martha had said she wanted him to keep an eye on Evan. That’s what I’m doing, he kept telling himself. Making sure Evan stayed out of trouble. He parked behind Martha’s truck, which he supposed was now Evan’s vehicle. Good for him. Clem and Martha would be happy to see Evan working the land.
Mick heard the tractor, but he didn’t see anyone. He left his car and stood beside the fender. Was Evan at the house? Or were the boys running things? If Evan wasn’t there, then why would the truck be there?
Mick listened hard. If he wasn’t mistaken, it sounded like two motors working. Two tractors? No… A tractor and an implement. He strode over to the barn and peered around the side of the building.
Evan drove up to the elevator in front of the hay mow with a wagon full of straw. One of the boys stood on the empty wagon and gestured to Evan.
The noise of the machinery made listening in to their conversation almost impossible. Mick wished he could hear them, but he didn’t care. He enjoyed the ballet before him.
Evan put the tractor into park and left the driver’s seat. He wiped his forehead with the tail of his shirt. The movement wasn’t intended to be sexy, but turned Mick on. One of the boys stayed on the wagon while the other teen emerged from the barn. Evan left his hat on the fender of the tractor while he removed his shirt. He put the hat back on and strode into the barn. Sweat glistened on his upper body. His muscles flexed with each step and he shimmered in the sunlight. He moved with grace.
Mick left his spot by the barn in favor of a place just out of sight in the building, where he could play the voyeur to Evan’s work. The air in the barn, thick with straw dust and heat, swirled around him. He wanted to loosen his tie, but didn’t dare. If Evan saw him, he’d have to explain why he was spying.
Evan swigged something from a gallon jug cooler, then picked up a baling hook. Again, Mick couldn’t hear the conversation, but he knew what would happen next. Both teens stayed on the wagon and loaded bales onto the elevator. The angled machine carried each bale up to Evan’s position on top of the stack. Evan dragged each bale from the front of the mow to its proper place until he’d stacked every one.
Mick sighed. Damn. He loved watching Evan. The man was magnetic and Evan had to know he was handsome. Had to. How else would he command attention on the stage? He pandered to the audience and did lots of posing in those videos for his songs. But right now? Evan didn’t realize he was being watched. The natural Evan was so much hotter than the one online.
Mick’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Shit. He scurried out of the barn, despite wanting to watch Evan for the rest of the day. Playing the voyeur felt a little naughty and he liked the feeling. He stood in the shade of the barn and answered the call. “Hello?”
“Baby.”
Oh, fuck. His ex-boyfriend, Aldus. “Hi.” He wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t want to speak to Aldus, but he’d answered his phone.
“Don’t you want to talk to me?” Aldus asked. “It hasn’t been that long.”
“It’s been long enough.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “What’s up?” And how could he get out of this phone call the fastest?
“Me.” Aldus laughed. “I’d love to see you. I’m in town—well, Cleveland. We had fun. We could again.”
“We did, but we won’t be having any for quite a while. I can’t get to Cleveland,” Mick said. “Besides, we split. Remember? You said you hated me because I wasn’t going to leave Cedarwood? You said a hotshot lawyer needed to be anywhere but Podunk, USA. Well, I like Cedarwood.”
“God. Don’t remind me,” Aldus said. He groaned. “You saw the good in that town. It’s so…blah. Come to the city. You’ll be happier.”
“I doubt it.” He rested his shoulders against the side of the barn and crossed his ankles. “What did you want? You called me.” He could be chatting with Evan, watching Evan work or going through the final drafts of wills. Anything would be better than talking to Aldus.
“I thought we could get together. I miss you and wanted another
