Page 61 of Rainbow Rodeo

“Want to stop and get a coffee?” There was a Starbucks dealie.

“Lord yes.” Dalton never turned down a coffee.

Tank didn’t pump his fist, but he wanted to. He liked knowing Dalton, getting him what he had a fondness for. Tank would get one of them milkshake coffees.

Dalton loved whipped cream and caramel.

He laughed at himself a little. He was so obsessed.

Tank ordered their drinks, and then they were off again, heading through town, singing with Tim McGraw. Dalton had a good ear, and they harmonized nicely.

Then they were back at the camp and folks were everywhere, laughing and cooking, drinking and dancing. God, he’d missed this. Just this. The guys up at the big show were real nice, but they were high-dollar athletes. These were his people.

Emma Short came up and sat next to him, the world’s newest stock contractor solid as a rock and wreathed with smiles. “Mr. Tank. How’s you?”

“Good, baby girl. How’s things?”

“Not bad. I’m doing good, I think. No one’s been too mean.”

“Well, why would they? You got some damn fine horses.” Tank nudged her with his elbow.

“I do. You know how it is. I’m just Peter’s little girl.”

“I know, but you’ll make your name. I have faith.”

She grinned at him and squeezed his fingers. “I appreciate it. The pool here is great.”

“Is it? I was up at the hot springs in Glenwood.” Dalton had swum laps one morning….

“Oh? Is it neat?”

“So neat. Hot! But it melts your sore places.”

“I’ll have to go see.”

A fine-looking young man walked up, smiled at both of them. “Miss Emma, would you like to take a walk before it gets dark?”

She turned a bright pink but took his hand. “Yessir.”

“Have fun, lady.” He nodded at the cowboy, letting him know he was being watched.

The young man tipped his hat, offered him a smile, then drew her away. Lord have mercy. Young love.

Tank wasn’t so young anymore, but he guessed he was courting Dalton all the same.

Dalton was standing with Deb and Dustin at the grill, staring down at the meat. They were so obviously family it made him smile, the three of them just serious as a heart attack about that beef.

“I don’t see how anyone tells those two boys apart.” A cowboy he didn’t know took the seat beside him. “I can’t imagine being their folks.”

Tank gave the guy a wry grin. “Once you get to know them, it’s clear as day and night.”

“Yeah? Dave Davis, heeler.” One square hand was held out. “You know my baby brother, I think.”

“I do.” Tank grinned. Inside and out. Him and Buick Davis had done all the things, once upon a time. “Pleased.”

“Nice to meet you in person, man. Finally.”

“Guess you heard some stories.” Tank knew Buick had two brothers and a sister, but he’d never met the man’s family.

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