Page 6 of My Cowboy Kiss
“Well…that and you know my mom.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I know better. Moving from one shithole to another, neglected the entire time is the picture of her life.
“What happened this time?”
“I had to go to Clover County and drag her out of another bar. I was lucky to get there when I did. She created a mess like she always does when she gets drunk.”
There’s a world of hurt she’s leaving unsaid. Each time Courtney has to go after her mom, she’s reminded of all the times she was hungry. All the times she was scared and having to defend herself against the trash her mother would bring home.
I used to only see her on weekends when she’d come visit her grandma. She kept trying to get out, and her grandma kept trying to get her but the system was bound and determined to keep the “family” together. Her mom kept getting one pass after another.
Courtney doesn’t know I’m the reason her grandma finally got custody of her.
“I would have helped if you’d have called me.” All she ever has to say to me is she needs me and I’m there. I don’t care what I’m in the middle of or what time it is. She’s my priority.
“I know you would have, but there was no reason for both of us to lose sleep.”
I don’t like the thought of Courtney traveling the country roads between Lucky River and Clover County alone in the wee hours of the night. Clover County is known throughout Texas for its high crime rate.
“I couldn’t live with myself if something bad happened to you.” I take the onion from my burger and put it by hers because she loves them.
“Nothing’s going to happen to me. I’ll be around to annoy you forever.”
“You don’t annoy me.”
“I know. You’re like the world’s most patient brother.”
I freeze with my burger halfway to my mouth. “Brother? Would you kiss a brother the way you did me?”
Her cheeks redden. “Of course not.”
I hold her gaze, so she knows I’m not joking. “I’m not your brother and I’ve never once felt that way toward you.”
She takes a sudden interest in one of the fries, avoiding the subject. “Bear’s Diner makes the best fries.”
“Marshall said there’s a place in Vegas that makes some similar to those.”
“Vegas? When was your brother there?”
“Four months ago and he got married while he was there.”
“What?Your mom tells me everything. How come I didn’t know?”
“None of us did. We found out today when an assistant for the woman he married came to the ranch.”
“Wow! I didn’t know he was seeing someone.”
“He wasn’t. I’m guessing it’s a drunken mistake on both their parts.”
“So he’s getting divorced?”
“I don’t know any more than what I told you.”
“Marshall married. I can’t wrap my head around that.”
Truth be told, I can’t either. It’s not like him to do something like that. Marshall lives his life with his hours planned from when he eats to when he sleeps.
We finish eating, then I gather the trash to toss. “I’ve got to get to back to help at the ranch. Will you be okay going to work?”
“I think so. I’ll talk to Allison and see.” She stands and links her arm with mine as we leave the park. “Thanks for today.” She grins up at me. “And for feeding your girlfriend.”
