Page 3 of Brett and Rowdy
Rowdy had gotten Ashley Graham pregnant and then skedaddled when the baby was what? Just tiny?
He was a piece of shit.
“I don’t know. Madison Duran is in the paper. She’s graduating from Clemson.”
“Well, good on her.” Her stepfather made more money than God. “I’m surprised they let the kid keep the asshole’s name.”
“I don’t know. Still, it’s going to be wild, seeing folks. Seeing who all got fat and who got famous.”
“Crystal, you know I love you, but you’re weird as hell. I’ve got to put a frozen pizza in the oven so I can get back to the forge. I sold a pair of andirons.”
And for enough money to pay the taxes on the property for another year.
“Love you. I’ll come over Saturday for a beer?”
“Sure. Bring the babies. We’ll grill.”
And he wouldn’t be thinking of a high school asshole with dark eyes and a wicked, knowing smile.
Fucking cowboys.
Chapter Two
“Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Hey.” Oh, Rowdy did love that voice.
“Come on, Barney, let’s go. I hear my girl.”
Madison tackled him as soon as he got out of the secure part of the airport, her solid body like being hit by a linebacker.
“Hey, baby girl! I’ve missed your face.”
“Oh, Daddy, I’ve missed you. It’s been wild. I got my last grade in, and everything’s good. I graduated with a four point oh. Can you believe it?”
“I never had any doubt.” And he hadn’t. He knew his baby girl. She was focused, she was smart, she was sure, and she loved what she was going to do for a living.
“No, you didn’t. I know you didn’t. Daddy, it’s so good to see you. You look great.”
“Do I? Thank you, ma’am.” He held her hand as they walked through the airport; it was so loud that it liked to make him crazy with the noise. “I checked two bags because I knew that I was gonna stay awhile with your momma, and then, you know, we got a drive to make.”
“OMG, Daddy Dan got me a brand-new truck and trailer. Can you believe it? It’s my graduation present.”
Rowdy nodded. “Yeah, we chatted on it. I helped him with the details. We thought it was a good idea, and I was tickled. I think that’s real smart.”
“I’m so glad you’re here. I can’t wait to go back to the ranch and see Pappy and get settled in and start working. We’re gonna have the best time. I’ve got all sorts of ideas. I’ve been making plans and?—”
Lord have mercy. “Breathe, baby girl. We got tons of time. I’m going to be here with your momma at least a couple weeks, and then we’ve got two or three days to drive and to get all of us back to the ranch.”
“Yeah, I’m so tickled that you’re letting me bring Sunshine and Miss Daisy. Miss Daisy and Barney get along like a house afire, and they’ll just sit in the back of the truck and be happy.”
Like he’d ever ask her to leave that blue roan or the border collie behind. “Did Dan get you a cover for the back of your pickup so you could put all your things in?”
“Yes, sir. And there’s a part in the trailer too, so that I can lock things up. I’ll be able to put my bigger furniture and my tack and stuff in there and lock it up real good. And then Sunshine’ll just travel in the back. It’s a nice setup.”
“Perfect. That’s what I want to hear.”
“You’ve got the suitcases with the?—”
He smiled. “They’ve got wide fuzzy ribbons on them. Should be able to see them right off. They’re good-sized, and anything else I need, I’ll buy it here. That way, we’d be good to go on the way home. Did your momma let you drive all the way out here by yourself?”
