Page 109 of Tumbleweed Temptation
“I’m not sure if I can help her—” Not until she wanted him to.
“She’s got to lose the weight, so she can help him get around. But I’ll let her talk to you about it. We—he doesn’t want anyone to know yet. We’ve hired some more help for the horses, and I’ll be driving him to the appointments.”
“You’re going to need more help than that. It’s going to take a lot out of you, being the driver and the main caretaker. You’re young and strong, sure, but there’s just you and your mom and you’ve got to take care of both of them, and you can’t.”
Con opened his mouth to protest.
“Look, if he won’t go outside the family, do you have other relatives? People you can call in, to come stay here and support you? I’m not trying to tell you what to do, I’m just trying to give you options.”
“I—I can’t think of anyone. Trust me, I’ve gone around and around on this, man. I don’t know.”
Austin lifted a hand to the other man’s arm. “Look, this is going to be rough. But if you need to talk or anything, I’m available.”
As Austin drove away, though, he was already exhausted for this family.
*****
“LISTEN, DON’T SCHEDULEme for anything next Monday.” Austin walked out of his office after making the arrangements for Mr. McKay’s treatment. Usually he’d have Ginny do it, but.... “I have to go to to San Angelo.”
“Are you kidding me?” Ginny spun her chair around, her voice high and sharp.
He looked at her, bemused by her reaction. “Why?”
“That’s the night of the second contest.”
“Ah, no.” That’s why the date had sounded familiar when he’d heard it. “I can’t change it. Can we change the date of the contest?”
Frustration tightened her mouth and throat. “No, we can’t. Hailey’s only closed Monday nights, and we already have the ingredients ordered, and they won’t keep a week. What could be so important that you forgot?”
Her tone was angry, but he was pretty sure the contest wasn’t all she was mad about. He just couldn’t come clean with her right now. He shook his head, lowering his gaze. “I’ve got to take care of something up there. And I’ll be gone all day, but I might get back in time for the contest. Do you think Sofia and Poppy can lend a hand? Poppy’s not competing this time, is she?”
“Not this time.” Doubt weighed her word down. “Maybe Javi and Con, too.”
“Not Con.”
She sat back against the chair, exasperated. “What is going on between you? Can’t you find some common ground?”
Ah. She thought he didn’t want Con there. He’d go with it, just to keep her off the scent. Man, he hated lying to her. But he had to go along with Mr. McKay’s wishes. “We’re doing okay.”
“Not if you don’t want him to be there.”
“Look, it’s not that, it’s just I wouldn’t count on him.”
“Why? Is Britt back?”
The question threw him. He had so much on his mind, a moment passed before he could process the twist in conversation. “She is not, at least not that I know. Look, just, I’m sorry. I know this is my idea and I’m leaving you to shoulder it. What can I do in advance, like maybe on Sunday?”
She shook her head. “All the prep work has been done. We need to set up and organize the food for the contestants. We can’t do that on Sunday when the restaurant is open.”
“I am really sorry. I’ll try to be there in time for the competition.”
Her shoulders eased just a little. “Good because we need you to run the commentary. I mean, I don’t know how to do that.”
He wasn’t sure how good he’d be, how he’d hold his focus. “I’ll try to write some notes that you could maybe use if I don’t make it.”
“What time is your—whatever it is?”
“It’s going to be pretty much all day. I’ll do what I can, but there’s really no help for it, Gin. I’m really sorry.”
