“I can’t wait to show you everything.” He turned his face, wanting a kiss, even though he knew he wasn’t going to get one.
To his shock, Brett pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. Just a quick one, but it was amazing, and he sat there, his cheeks hot, his lips parted.
“Ew. Old guys kissing.”
“Shut up, child. Drive the truck.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
He grinned. So yeah, they would stop and get cheeseburgers.
And then they would go home.
And he couldn’t wait to show it off to Brett.
Brett couldn’t believehow beautiful New Mexico was. The sky seemed to stretch on forever, so blue it hurt his eyes. And the land held all this color. Like deep red and sandy brown and the light green of cottonwoods and dark green of evergreens.
He’d never seen anything like it, and it fascinated him.
Then they pulled up to this huge iron gate, with a diamond with three Ds on it.
Madison bounced in the driver’s seat. “Home at the Triple Diamond D!”
Rowdy pulled out a box from his shirt pocket and handed it over. “Your gate remote.”
“Dude. My own remote?” Madison’s eyes shone for him.
“Your own remote. Welcome home, baby girl.” There were tears in Rowdy’s eyes.
“Wow. Thank you!”
Shit, there was more money in the freaking gate of this ranch than there was in Brett’s whole little homestead back in South Carolina. Jesus.
They just drove down this huge long drive, passing fence posts and pastures filled with cattle and horses. The place stole his breath, and he kept staring, looking everywhere.
“Y’all have a nice setup.”
“Thank you.”
Brett knew that this place was huge, but he had no idea, until he pulled up in front of this gigantic adobe house with huge rose bushes and apple trees framing the circular driveway. This place was amazing.
“So, this is Daddy’s house. Well, Daddy’s and Pappy’s and mine now.” She beamed at him, winked as she pulled around and parked with the skill that said she’d grown up parking a trailer. “So, Daddy lives straight back. Pappy lives on the right-hand side, and I think I have the left-hand side. My very own house.”
She killed the engine, and they all sat there a little, breathing in the scent of French fries and onion rings and burgers. “Should I just leave the trailer here, Daddy?”
“Yeah, we’ll get some drivers out here to unload for you, and you can play Queen of the Mansion while they unload your crap.”
Barney was losing his shit trying to get out of the truck, making Rowdy chuckle. “So here’s how this is gonna work. You’re going to see six great big German shepherds. They are all sweet as angels, and they are totally dog friendly. You’re welcome to keep Mr. Mann on a leash if you need to, or if you want, just let him go here. Or we can wait until we get in the house, and there’ll be a dog run out back. That way you don’t have to worry about him getting lost until he knows where to go.”
This was overwhelming to him. Brett could only imagine how his hound would feel. “I think that would be the smartest. This is a brand-new world.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll get used to it.” Rowdy waited for him to leash up Mr. Mann, and then opened the door, Barney barreling out with this huge happy woof answered by excited barks in response.
“Well, good Lord and butter, look what the cat dragged in. Did you guys bring Blake’s?” An older man stepped out on the porch, and it was just like if Rowdy had aged thirty years. They were like two peas in a pod.
“Of course we did, Daddy. I’d like to introduce you to Brett. He’s gonna be staying with us a while. Brett and Mr. Mann here.” Rowdy beamed at him.
“Pleased to meet you. Welcome, we love company.” The man’s eyes landed on Madison. “Oh my baby girl!”