Page 56 of Austin
When he parked next to the barn, Les Connor, his sister-in-law’s grandfather, came out the door and approached the truck. “You’ll be staying in the house,” he announced in a no-nonsense voice.
“Good to know.”
“Can you walk that far?”
Austin narrowed his eyes at the older man. “What makes you think I can’t?”
“Eighteen-hundred pounds of bull treading upon you.”
“Watched the tour?”
“Every televised event.”
That would be all of them.
“Are you on painkillers?” Les asked with a lift of his thick gray eyebrows.
“Nope.”
He jerked his head toward the house. “Then let’s go have a beer while we wait for Ty and Shelby to get back from checking the fence.”
“I could use one.” Austin slid out of the truck, taking care as he stepped down to the ground. He’d put on the stabilizing boot again for good measure, but as long as he was careful, he could support some weight on the leg, which meant he probably wasn’t going to have that X-ray.
When Ty and Shelby got home, he kissed his sister-in-law, man-hugged his brother and then settled in on the porch for the questioning. It was unusually warm for the last day in April, so Ty gave Austin and Les their second beers of the day, and set his own beer and a bottled water on the table between the two unoccupied chairs. He disappeared into the house, then came back a few seconds later. “Shelby will join us in a few minutes. She said we could commence brother talk without her.”
Austin smiled and opened his beer.
“How’s Dad handling the injury?”
“Didn’t answer when he called.” Austin only answered every second or third call. His dad didn’t hold a grudge about it. He just kept trying.
“Probably wise.”
“He’s used to it.” Austin was much better than his brother had been at handling their father’s tendency to try to manage them. He’d learned by watching. “I’ll call him in a couple of days. I did send him a text telling him I was fine and not to worry.”
“Did he try to get you a documentary?” Austin gave his brother a speaking look and Ty laughed. “It’s not that bad, actually.”
“And the chances of two guys in one family landing documentaries…”
Ty laughed again. “I know. But you can’t blame the old man for trying.”
“Or me for dodging him when he gets set on this kind of stuff.”
“I hear ya.”
Austin gave his brother a frown. He was a different guy since hooking up with Shelby. Not only happier…he was mellower. And he now seemed fine about his career being over.
Shelby came out onto the porch then, her hand lingering over her midsection in a way that caught Austin’s attention before she sat down next to Ty, who handed her the water. Once again her hand settled on her belly and Austin sent his brother a look.
Ty gave a solemn nod, then put his fingers to his lips.
Son of a bitch. He was going to be an uncle. No wonder Ty was okay with his career ending. He was about to embark on another. Austin gave a quick nod and focused back on his beer. He should have suspected when Ty got Shelby bottled mineral water without asking her what she wanted to drink.
Austin looked up again and gestured toward Les with his chin and Ty shook his head.
Okay. Just the three of them were in on the secret.
He wanted to tell someone. He wanted to tell Kristen.
