He nodded. His brother was right. No matter how he felt about this engagement—or this party—he didn’t need to ruin it for everyone.
“Be back.” Spence wandered toward the bar.
“Ladies and gents, the buffet is open, so enjoy. We’ll be back soon,” one of the band members spoke into the mic.
The buffet. One of the many things he’d disapproved of. And renting the Tucker House. And flying in their great aunt and uncle for the weekend. It was an engagement party—not a wedding. If his mother continued to spend big, the wedding might just bankrupt her. He was still frowning when he took in the buffet spread. Only the best for their guests. Shrimp cocktail, canapés, mini quiches, cheese puffs, crab cakes and a make-your-own salad waited. And that was just the appetizers. He closed his eyes, refusing to think about the bills he’d be poring over at the end of the month.
Might as well enjoy it. He loaded his plate up then went in search of a quiet corner.
“Patton.” Zach waved him over, Bianca smiling brilliantly at his side.
Patton swallowed his curse and forced himself to smile. He hoped it was a smile, it felt more like a grimace. For the next twenty minutes, he ate his appetizers and attempted to make small talk with his friends and family. He grinned when he should, he answered questions concisely—not rudely—and tried to let go of his restlessness.
“You’re the big brother?” Leticia Garza, Bianca’s grandmother, asked as she sized him up.
“I am.”
“Too bad my Bianca didn’t meet you first.” She grinned. “Zach is a sweet boy. But you, Mr. Patton, are a man.”
Patton couldn’t hold back his laugh.
“You should do that more often,” Ellie’s voice was soft, but Patton recognized it nonetheless. He turned, smiling at the woman he’d once considered marrying. “How are you, Patton?” she asked, leaning forward to press a kiss to his cheek.
Patton returned the kiss, catching a whiff of her sweet perfume. “Good, Ellie. How about you? How’s the family?”
Ellie smiled. “You know Dad. Now that he’s retired, he’s built a small village of bird houses. I think he’s given one to everyone we know.”
Patton grinned. Angus Shaunessey had worked in the medical examiner’s office for over thirty years. He was a quiet, introspective man. One Patton respected. But Angus wasn’t one to sit still, so it was almost impossible to imagine him retired. “Give him my best, please.”
“I will.” Ellie had light green eyes, alabaster skin and blond hair. She was waiflike, fragile, the sort of woman a man wanted to protect. He used to. Now he hoped she’d find someone who’d do the job right.
“You look gorgeous, Ellie,” his mother gushed. “I hear Mrs. Matthews retired? You’re the head city librarian now?”
Ellie nodded, her cheeks flushing.
Patton listened halfheartedly, his attention zeroing in on the happy couple. His brother only had eyes for Bianca. She was equally smitten, holding Zach’s hand yet blushing furiously and leaning away when Zach tried to kiss her on the lips. Was she teasing Zach? Or was she really uncomfortable with a public display of affection?
If Bianca was that...old-fashioned, it was refreshing. It had been a long time since he’d met someone that innocent. Especially in his line of work. If anything, it was suspicious. His focus sharpened, noting the flush of Bianca’s skin, the way she shifted from foot to foot—her discomfort was real. It had to be. Or she was a master of deception. He sighed, his frustration mounting. This wasn’t a crime scene and Bianca wasn’t a criminal. He might not be happy about this party or this engagement, but he didn’t have any reason to be suspicious of Bianca. Not yet...
It didn’t change the fact that they were rushing things.
He nodded at familiar faces, smiling now and then. Almost everyone in Greyson, Texas, was here. Half the force was here—there better not be any emergencies tonight. His gaze wandered. He nodded at his cousin, Lucy, and smiled at the sight of his cousins, Jared and Dean, checking out women. They weren’t being very subtle about it.
Spence stood apart, talking to a woman. He was smiling, talking animatedly. The woman’s hand came up, tucking her hair behind her ear. Patton froze. The green dress tied at the back of her neck, leaving the fabric to sway enticingly between her bare shoulder blades.
Cady was here. She was here, almost within arm’s reach, and she was talking to his brother. A brother who looked a little too charmed by Cady. A surge of possession rose up, urging him to grab one of Cady’s soft hands and take her away somewhere—just the two of them. He wanted to touch her. To press her against the wall and kiss her until she was wobbling in her heels and clinging to him for support. He wanted to hear her say his name, broken and desperate and—
“Don’t you think, Patton?” his brother was talking to him. “Patton?”
He tore his gaze from Cady’s back. “What?”
Zach cocked an eyebrow and leaned forward to whisper, “Turn off the work mode, bro, let off some steam. And, looking at how tense you are, I’m thinking it’s time you got seriously laid.” He shrugged, leaning back. “Plenty of options tonight. So lighten up, have fun. You’re at a party.”
Patton smiled, all too tempted to tell his little brother how right he was. He could think of nothing better than letting off some steam with Cady. “Excuse me.” He held up his empty glass as explanation and made his way to the bar.
“What’ll it be?” the bartender asked.
“A beer.” He kept Cady in his sights. “And a Whiskey Special, with three olives.”