Page 89 of Rainbow Rodeo

“Thanks, boss.”

“Hey, I’m Tank Martin.”

Aaron chuckled. “I know who you are, sir. You’re a legend.”

Tank hooted. “Like the chupacabra?”

“Oh, you know, I got this friend who had troubles with them….”

Dalton groaned. “Aaron….”

Aaron winked. “Y’all have fun. Loaded.”

“Got it.” Dalton shoved past Sierra, who was nosing over the stall gate, looking for more carrot. “Let’s go, y’all.”

“Who’s driving?” Dustin asked.

“I can. Let me grab my wallet and my keys. You ask Momma what she needs from the store, Bubba?”

“I got a list. I also made a list for us. Tank, you’ll need to let us know what you want to drink and snack on.”

“I can do that.” Tank headed for the house, moving nice and easy, like he belonged there. Dustin seemed to think it was so too, they were so easy together.

Dalton grabbed his wallet and his keys, then fed the dogs kibbles on the porch. Tank and Dustin waited out by the trucks, both of them on their phones, tapping away.

Cowboys and cell phones. It was a thing.

Dalton headed to the truck. “Come on, you two. Food and then, well, more food.”

“Right.” Tank chuckled. “Sounds like my kind of day.”

“Momma says she’s making fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy. Cherry pie.”

“Oh God. I’ll have to bring half the migas home.”

“It’s early. She won’t be ready for us until a late lunch.”

“True.”

“We can work it off, boys.” Tank stretched, cracking his neck.

“There’ll be a feast and a party. Cards, horseshoes, bonfire.” He couldn’t wait.

Dustin chuckled. “Hell yeah. Beer.”

“Beer and we can walk home if we need to through the pasture, right?” How many times had they done that?

“Yes. I’m tickled.”

“So this is why you never have more than one on the road, Dustin?” Tank was grinning, that look one of a man who was about to tease.

“You know it. I got to keep my head on straight.”

“You do.” Tank shook his head. “I was about to call you a lightweight, but you got a point.”

Dustin shrugged. “I’m in charge after hours.”

Dalton didn’t know about that. Deb was in charge of a lot, and he wasn’t a slack. Hell, he kept his head pretty fucking clear on the road, right?

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